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 just been diagnosed with Hepatitis C. I am 46 and and the only thing I can think of how I contracted it was a stupid tattoo I got when I was 16. So, I have had this for a very long time and I am really scared about how my liver will be after my endoscopy on the 27th. I had an ultrasound and no focal defects were found on it. The reactive number is 30.40 and my AST is 150 and ALT is 88 The Bilirubins are all high. I'm really worried. I feel awful. Like I let my family down. My husband's liver tests were normal but he is going to get tested. We have been married 24 years and he is very supportive but I can't help feeling like a leper. I'm also afraid of the medication I will have to take and afraid my insurance won't cover it or it is very highly priced. After my endoscopy I will know more and I will need some guidance. Please be there for me. Thanks.
By March of this year, lots of people will be treating for 12 weeks, with the Sovaldi, Riba, and since you are a geno 1, you will need to include the Interferon, unfortunately. Interferon runs the platelets down even more, but they go back up after Tx. Mine started at 120, but after 28 weeks of the old-school ts, were down to 66. Just keep your eye on the finish-line.
I hope the endoscopy shows no damage. I suppose they want to do the biopsy,(after the endo) for insurance purposes perhaps, but with platelets at 92, that should be good enough criteria. Wishing you much luck~