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.
I have been very preoccupied with the new Hep C treatment. My ARNP and HIV doctors have been pushing me to go on the treatment. I was very unsure. Especially due to the horrible reactions to medications I have had. I also have been dealing with other issues and did not want to put to much on my plate at one time. Want to send a big THANK YOU to everyone who has shared their experiences. Successes as well as negative reactions. I have been fearful, unsure. Positive for potential changes etc. I finally have made a decision. I have my scan schedule for September 1st. That will let me know how bad my liver is. I plan on going on treatment if covered by L and l. ( I was stuck with needle at work is how I contacted the Hepc and HIV.) The most important thing for me is knowing I have support through this group, am able verbalize my fears and still know I will be accepted. THANK YOU AGAIN.
Squeaker
Squeaker
I know this group has helped me through some pretty tough times,
even not related to the treatment.
We all have to do what will work for us...
God Bless!!
But , like you 2, I had fears and it seemed like a reasonable excuse for me to put it off, ha ha.
Really. I know I was rationalizing all the what ifs. Oh , believe me when I say I have taken so much medication in my life and still do.....I sometimes wonder what does my dog think about me ....which sounds nuts but if you figure they know everything about other dogs, from the chemicals and hormones they give off, it is true about us, too.... He probably wonders why I smell like a pharmacy.
my humor, please excuse. ( I really have had that thought though, I will admit ) Anyway , my point is I have gone through plenty of issues too, with different medications. Some severe, so I too, had developed quite a fear of starting new strong meds. I am soo glad I did this.l lost track of where I am in my 12 treatment but around 5 weeks, maybe ? I started July 10th.
I had to stop the ribavirin when my rbc/etc, went too low too fast. so I don't know if that counts (the time period when I was forced by doctor to take only Sovaldi for maybe 12 days)
I had hung around this group back , before the newer better drugs tx. It has always shown itself to be a great group of supportive people.
I have plenty of people who care about me and lots of moral support, thank God. But to be honest, I did not acquire the virus on the job. So it is not the kind of thing I can really go around talking about , nor would I want to ....I told some closer friends what I am going through , because I needed to have people lined up to help me with my dog if need be. But they have their own problems, some really big ones. For example the one good friend, she always listens to me talk about my medical stuff, with love & patience and never says anything about herself. I just learned that she is in tremendous pain every day (but still she had offered to go to store for me or errands if I needed help) Then , I learned that both of her adult sons had died tragically. 2 sons , not at the same time. My point is you never know what someone is going through. Except for here maybe. I appreciate you all.