Hepatitis C Support Group

Hepatitis C is a blood-borne viral disease which can cause liver inflammation, fibrosis, cirrhosis and liver cancer. The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is spread by blood-to-blood contact with an infected person's blood. Many people with HCV infection have no symptoms and are unaware of the need to seek treatment. Hepatitis C infects an estimated 150-200 million people worldwide.

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/ Hepatitis C Support Group

So long to Bivalve...

bestrong1
bestrong1
I am also a survivor of Incivek, Ribaviran, Interferon treatment. 12 weeks of Incivek and 26 weeks of the other two in the Fall of 2012. Thank God it wasn't 52 weeks. Not sure I could have done it. As it was, I needed to step down to a less stressful job. I have to say it took about two years to get to the point where I feel like I can say I'm back to "normal." I just passed the two year mark in December and had my VL tested for my own peace of mind...still undetectable!! I had the bug for 32 years prior to treatment. I feel blessed to be free of the feeling of doom that hung over my head for all that time. It was a small insidious thought that was always there, not unlike the virus itself. I can't help but notice the member names have naturally changed. I recall there were some very sick people waiting for treatment or having to deal with failed treatment. I will always have the Hepatitis C community in my heart and prayers as each faces his or her treatment. I pray all are victorious over this nasty virus. - Kevin G.
MLTTexas
MLTTexas
Wow, so glad you posted. It's so exciting that you are doing so well. I'm about 7 months past completing treatments with Sovaldi and Olysio. It's been a long ride for me as well, with a transplant under my belt 4 1/2 years ago when the hep c led to cancer and early cirrhosis. I like many others, are very thankful to be alive and getting better today. I was 70 last month. (Now my concern is that my 2001 Honda CRV will last as long as me. It's in good shape, so maybe it will.)
catmagic
catmagic
I know just what you mean, Kevin. Having that nasty virus alive and replicating and destroying was something that hung over me like a black cloud ever since dx in 2012. Happy to say that thanks to Sovaldi & Olysio, I was SVR24 in early November and considered cured.

Exactly, not a loud voice inside but a small voice that just wouldn't let me forget I had a potentially life-ending disease - it affected EVERY part of my life.

We are free of that now - and thank God for that. When my doc asked me how it felt to be SVR24 I said, "lighter." Yes, the weight of the knowledge that I had the HCV was gone. Lighter. I even went so far as to say to him, "The unbearable lightness of being" (from that movie), knowing he'd understand, which he did.
catmagic
catmagic
OOOPS - typo - I was dx'ed in 2002, not 2012. Most likely carried that bug around for over four decades. I'm a fortunate survivor!
jester18
jester18
Glad to hear you are doing well. Triple was some nasty s , but was a miracle cure for many of us. Thanks for checking in
lovefall
lovefall
I really can relate to your post......I can't get that doom day feeling out of my mind that the virus is lerking around...

I had it about 30 years and I just can't accept that I have cleared it.

I think I am having gall stone or gallbladder problem, but I won't go get checked as I am so tired of doctors and medical bills. Yes, I know that one day the pain will probably force me to go, but my head is messed up.
More lately than ever and I am not sure why. I made the 3 month past treatment of 24 week SOV/Riba and was undetected and even back then had these "gall bladder or whatever pains" and still came back undetected.

I am trying to get myself in a better mental state....Everyone seems so happy - I used to be, not sure what it is with me.

That did a number on my head and my body that might not ever leave me - I pray it does.
Thanks for listening if you read the post this far.