My Hepatitis C
Catchy title huh, kind of like My Yahoo :)
Well where shall we begin, I know, I know….at the beginning.
Sometimes in the early 80’s I caught Hepatitis B, I’m pretty sure I know who from but thats of no consequence. Now it seems there is a certain demographic out there that splits Hepatitis C “sufferers” into two groups, clean and unclean, good and bad etc etc. I’m firmly in the bad camp, intravenous drug abuse [amphetamines were my thing if you must know] led to the infection and for that I hang my head in shame. Only joking, there is no shame here only the past, the present and with a touch of luck the future.
Now it seems that at the same time I caught Hepatitis C but as far as I know there wasn’t even a test for this until the 1990’s so lets fast forward to 2004.
You know the drill by now, feeling unwell, tired, weak etc etc. I went to see the Doctor and to my eternal regret missed the chance for a great one liner, he set me up a treat with his opening line;
Dr - “Haven’t seen you for a while?”
And I should have said “Yeah, I’ve not been very well”
But I didn’t :)
So a few blood tests later and it turns out I have Hepatitis C. Fast forward a few months and the results of the biopsy are in, its D-Day! Well Mr Hep C Boy your liver is quite badly damaged, scores a 6 on our scale. Now to be honest I was quite pleased with that, I must have had the virus for over 20 years and to only have 6/10 damage ain’t too bad. But you all know the punchline, here in the UK at least the scale is 0-6, top marks again for me.
To cut a very long story short my treatment, more of which will follow I’m sure, starts mid-September. I’m hoping a few people will enjoy coming along for the ride, fun might not be the word but it will be interesting I promise.
Well thats the first post out of the way, the hardest they say, so let me take this opportunity to get just two things off my chest. Firstly the obligatory blame somebody else bit; why on earth after being a drug abuser AND having Hepatitis B nobody thought to test me for C in the last 20 years I’ll never know. And secondly if I knew then what I know now, and was sat there with the certain knowledge that if I stuck that shared needle in my vein then this is where I would end up…..honestly that teenage me would have still done it, no question.
Feel free to add your thoughts and comments, not just good as bad ones are welcome too. As Mr Soon To Be Kicked In The Ass Hepatitis C Virus is just about to find out, I LIKE A FIGHT.
September 5th, 2005 at 6:24 am
I am sure I got mine from heroin abuse back in the 70’s and without out doubt knowing what I know now I would have sill done it to!
I hope to start TX soon but I might have to get the biopsy out of the way first.
I ha an edoscopy done back in 92 and asked if I could watch the show on the monitor ” Sure” so they moved the TV monitor around so I could see inside of me…..it was after this I thought about taking up sword swallowing …..
September 5th, 2005 at 6:56 am
>biopsy
I’ll make a post about mine soon, was easy.
>it was after this I thought about taking up sword swallowing
Still got Pamela Anderson on the brain I see ;)
September 10th, 2005 at 12:57 pm
hey hep c boy welcome to the club
Im one of the bad boys to heroin probally
Like you i had hep b as well way back in 85 my theory is that they knew then that i had a more serious form of hep but hey they wernt even informin the good boys who had contracted the virus through transfusions ect, And it sure wouldnt be right to compensate us bad boys would it!!
anyway im 15 weeks into the program now and sure its been tough but kinda interestin.the past is the past the only real thing is here and now so keep on truckin
September 10th, 2005 at 3:20 pm
I’m sitting here with a sore liver, a liver panel that shows normal because I haven’t had alcohol in almost 15 years, and I cannot get a doctor to write an order for the viral load and genotype. I figure it’s because I, too, was one of those stupid drug thugs who should have died by now like so many of the others with whom I shared drugs and needles in the late 60’s and early 70’s. But I’m going to elbow my way through the medical system and get treatment. Are you seeking treatment? Transplant or medicine? Had a biopsy?
September 15th, 2005 at 9:47 am
Maybe you know it already:
http://hcvaction.org/
September 15th, 2005 at 3:01 pm
I don’t know what to do. I got hep c doing needles in the 70,80, or 9o’s. I got tested in 1999 and was positive. At the time I thought WoW at least I don’t have HIV. I have a lot of liver pain now but no other side effects. I tried the interferon and ribovin treatment but I couldn’t stay sober and it didn’t work. I was working for the Town of Hay River as Chief Operating Engineer. When they hired me they didn’t ask any medical questions. I was the man. I was in charge of the Waste and Water treatment plants as well as all the pressue piping for the Town. I was the highest paid town employee exept for management. I told my foreman on Jan. 13 2003 about my hep C. I got a letter in my file the next day.I see there point in a way. They wouldn’t want a person with Hep C running the water treatment plant. This kept on untill they fired me on June 29, 2004. At this time I have filed a human rights complaint against the town for Discrimination due to dissease and wrongful dismissal. In the time they found out I had Hep C to the time they fired me they put 6 letters on my file. All of them were bullshit. When I filed for E.I in July of 2004 the town sent all the letters to the E.I. worker. She read them and said that the Town of Hay River had lost all creadability with E.I. and gave me the max E.I. available. I am lost. You know that depression is a big part of this. I was on Effeksor for about 6 months and never drank. Now I am drinking again but have a good job. I don’t miss days and am a good worker. I just had to talk to someone. My E mail address is ronscomeau@hotmail.com
September 15th, 2005 at 5:49 pm
Thanks for the comments people!
Now I’m a little out of my depth here, remember I’m just a boy with Hep C, but I suppose if you put a web site up and people respond to it then you have some responsilbility to help. so let me take a stab and try.
Jimmy the 1, with that keep on truckin line it sounds like we may have got hep from the same scene, maybe? [those were the days :]. Glad to here you are on treatment, hows it going?
mary anne you will get there. In responce to ” But I’m going to elbow my way through the medical system” I find it helpful to view the process of getting good care as a Judo match. In Judo you learn to use the strength of your opponent against itself, does that make sense? I’m starting treatment in 4 days, had a biopsy 10 weeks ago which showed stage 6 damage, there is no stage seven. Hopefully that will work out, if not I don’t think we have a plan B but thats the future. The now is focused on killing the virus and boy am I gonna kick that viral ass.
sni, thanks for the link!
Ron my friend it pains me to see that you are so troubled. I feel frustrated that I can’t do more to help you but let me chat away and see if it does any good.
“I don’t know what to do.”
I think we all feel like that at first, I know I did. I find it helpful to try and break the whole thing down into little parts, and deal with them one by one that way it seems less daunting. If I were you I would try and move on a little from the past job, thats done with now however badly you feel you were treated. I would try and deal with the present as best you can.
Now you don’t need me to tell you what is the first step you need to take, you know as well as I do that you need to stop drinking. How you are going to do that I just don’t know but I just stopped. I figured it was like this….say everytime you did something that you know will hurt your body you would know how much it would take off your life. So for an example a cigerette would take 20 seconds, a beer 5 minuites and a shoot of speed 1 week. Now I suppose we all make those kind of judgements anyway, I know when I was shooting speed I knew it would come back to hurt me down the line but at the time a week a fix was good value! When you have Hep C though everything gets magnified, so that drink instead of taking a week off you life could take a month, or 3 months. The point I’m trying to get over is that the deal starts to stink, there comes a point when its no longer worth drinking. I think you know that point for you is now. Maybe it would help to contact the AA or similar people to try and get some help with stopping, don’t put it off do it now while the urge to stop is with you, I promise I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you.
>I am lost
No Ron, you were lost, you ain’t lost no more, welcome to the family!
A good place to go for those of us who feel alone is at http://www.ronmetcalfe.com/hepcforum/ , some good people there just like you and me, facing the same battles the same decisions. I’d take a look over there, they even have a forum where people can introduce themselves, tell them Hep C Boy sent you and you will get a warm welcome.
The other thing I find of great help is a poem I like, it really helps inspire me, gives me a kick up the backside when I am feeling sorry for myself. http://www.favoritepoem.org/poems/kipling/
September 21st, 2005 at 11:56 am
T DID THE TREATMNT FOR ABOUT 13 WEEKS, INTERFERON & REBETOL. (BY THE WAY I’M A BAD GIRL FROM THE 60′S) I BECAME SO ANEMIC I HAD TO BE HOSPITALIZED & TRANSFUSED. I LOST 30 LBS FROM 5/8 TO 8/12. I HAD NO APPETITE, EVERYTHING SMELLED LIKE SHIT (LITERALLY) & BY THE TIME THEY HOSPITALIZED ME I COULD NOT LIFT MY HEAD UP OFF THE PILLOW. THE M.D WHO PRESCRIBED TREATMENT NEVER GAVE ME MY #’S (VIRAL LOAD) BUT I DO KNOW I AM A STAGE 2. THE M.D. SEEMED TO THINK THE TREATMENT WAS WORKING. HE IS NOT THE M.D. THAT HAD ME PUT IN THE HOSPITAL, EVEN THOUGH HE GOT MY LAB RESULTS BEFORE THE M.D. THAT HOSPITALIZED ME DID. HE THOUGHT EVERYTHING I WAS GOING THRU WERE THE OF THE SIDE EFFECTS OF THE MEDS. FINE. I AIN’T MAD AT HIM. I AM NOW 1 MO LATER STILL HAVING TREATMENT (TAKING SHOTS FOR THE ANEMIA & ZOLOFT FOR THE DEPRESSION) WHICH BY THE WAY WILL COME. THE M.D DID NOT PUT ME ON ANTI-DEPRESSIONS UNTIL THE SAME WEEK I WENT INTO THE HOSPITAL. I’VE BEEN TOLD I SHOULD HAVE STARTED THAT, WELL BEFORE THE INTERFON & REBETOL. ANYWAY, LONG STORY SHORT I WANT TO TRY THE TREATMENT AGAIN WITH ANOTHER M.D. AN EXPERT IN THE FIELD. I HAVENT SEARCHED YET, STILL RECOVERING. I HAVEN’T HAD ANY ILLEGAL DRUGS OR ALCOHOL IN 10 YEARS. I THINK I’VE BEEN INFECTED FOR OVER 20 YRS. ANY SUGGESTIONS.
September 21st, 2005 at 2:29 pm
>ANY SUGGESTIONS.
Well you have more experience than me!
I have viewed this as a challenge, a sporting challenge, and have tried to prepare in the same way. Eating right, getting excercise, metally preparing myself. I know. I know its all easier said than done but I honestly think that this virus is hard to kill, you need to be totally on top of your game to win out. Now would be a good time to start preparing for treatment, round 2 :)
I have found this site http://www.theboltons.plus.com/ to be excellent, Martin is on his third round of TX so knows his stuff.
In someways threatment is easier here in the UK, things are set out more at the high level and the Doctors just have to follow the guideline, the guidelines are public. Whilst this can lead to a certain ammount of inflexability it at least gives the paitient a good idea of the game plan.
>I HAD NO APPETITE
Thats a tough one to deal with but I know this, if you weren’t on TX you would have to eat, with TX its vital. Some have sucess with juicers, I have trained myself to enjoy Farleys Rusks [a baby food:)] mashed up in milk like a soup.
The only other thing I would add is that, as I’m sure you know, the standard of care you get will vary fron Doctor to Doctor. Might be time to ask around, find out who is the best of the best and see if you can work your way into there stream.
Good luck and please keep us updated with your progress.
And don’t forget, kill the virus!
September 22nd, 2005 at 3:38 pm
thanks! i will definitely go to that web site. good luck to you also. i will keep you posted as to what’s going on with me. i got the name of another m.d. but i think i need a specialist. i’ll keep looking. blog to you soon.
November 14th, 2005 at 6:08 pm
Just checking in: My sister, too, had contracted the C virus in the late 60’s or early 70’s. We had the same friends and assumed we had the same strain. Wrong. She has 1a, I have 1b. She starts treatment this Friday, and I will next month. Neither of us look forward to it, but the alternative is pretty grusome. She’s watched a couple of guys circle the drain and then go down. An ugly picture. A gun would be better.
So, Hep C Boy, have you started treatment yet? How goes it?
November 14th, 2005 at 6:25 pm
Did my 9th jab today, only 39 left to do.
It could be worse. I prepared pretty well, looking back I could have prepared better, so thats a plus.
Two things really stand out to me.
It is difficult to see a pattern as to how you feel day to day, you just don’t know what the next day will bring. I benefit from routine, it helps curb my excessive behaviour, but I may be unable to find one on tx. Not all bad, chaos is a wonderful thing if you embrace it fully I’m still fighting it though.
The main thing though is that it is relentless. The worst bits are not as bad as I had prepared for thus far, what has caught me off gaurd is the relentless aspect. Its like having a fight with the terminator, you just can’t knock him out and he just keeps coming back at you.
Like you say though the alternative is not that great and we don’t have guns here in the UK ;), you just gotta grit your teeth hold on to your hat and take your medicine like a good boy.
Remind me to update you when I get a bit further in, many times it can get easier once you get 3 or so months in.
One thing I promise you, its doable.
November 20th, 2005 at 5:56 pm
Well, my sister did her first jab on Friday and didn’t notice anything. Took her pills - - same thing - - nothing. I wonder what the deal is? I asked the Doc on Friday when I went in with her whether everyone experienced side effects, and his answer was a resounding “no.” I’m behind her by one month. My first appointment with this doc is on the 30th of this month, then I go to the appointment where they evaluate your depression and prepare you for all the horrible side effects - - loss of hair, weight, sight, ability to cope, and on and on ad nauseum. Oh yes, nausea, too.
I’m going to PRAY PRAY PRAY that the treatment affects me in the same way it is affecting her. Oh, that I could be so fortunate!
Hep C Boy, you don’t sound like the treatment has even come close to killing you yet. As a matter of fact, you sound pretty good! I know it’s doable - - perhaps the treatment would be successful as well.
I’ll talk to the one upstairs about you when I do the same about myself and my little sister.
December 19th, 2005 at 10:27 am
Hi mary anne, sorry I missed your comment!
Any updates from you or sis?
February 8th, 2006 at 4:34 am
I was on the pills and shots for 12 months. Also had to take shots for anemia. Fell several times at home, fell on my face at the super market. Had to have lots of dental work. Many side effects…many more pills to help the side effects. Had to go on sick leave for 10 months, then was fired 2 days before going back to work.
Went from using walking stick to wheelchair, then to crutches. Now I only use one crutch. Could never make it to the bathroom in time. House was a mess, plants died, hair fell out, lost 50 lbs, LIFE WAS HELL! I asked one of my 5 doctors if I was going to die soon…. I’m still here! I’m feeling better, just a little, but I’m glad the treatment is over. It really does you in. TAKE CARE
March 18th, 2006 at 9:10 am
I’ve just been diagnosed with hep c…and I too am a “trying really hard to be in recovery” drug addict…currently detoxing from 6 month methadone treatment…so I got tested for hep c…trouble is I don’t know if I caught it 18 years ago when I was and IV cocaine addict or within the last 5 years of being and IV heroine addict…the difference could have big consequences…I luckily have a really great doctor (if your doctor won’t order tests for you, find another doctor!) who is supportive and doesn’t treat me like dirt…I just had my viral load count test but have not yet received the results and am nervous because I believe the results may answer the question of when I was infected…and if I was infected 18 years ago I may already have some serious damage…I can’t judge what symptoms I have because I’m detoxing from Methadone and feel like crap all the time…results will tell the tale…thank you for sharing your stories…it helps me feel less alone and gives me insight that the medical web sites just couldn’t provide…good luck to all…
March 24th, 2006 at 9:11 am
mc again…my doctor did my viral load count and now states that I don’t have Hep C…he said that I had been exposed to the virus, but my body’s antibodies fought off the virus…there are Hep C antibodies present, but my doctor does not feel that I have the disease…this is great news and I’m grateful for it, but I’m also really confused because of all the information I’ve read, it gives very small odds that anyone exposed can actually fight off the disease as it mutates so quickly that your antibodies cannot keep up…the odds I have read indicate that there’s only a 10% chance that you can fight off the disease…maybe I’m one of the really lucky ones and if that is so, as I said I’m more grateful than words could ever express, but I’m not entirely convinced…I still think that I should follow up with a specialist, a gastroentologist, to get a fuller understanding…one piece of good news is if I have been infected, it must have been recently, rather than back in the 80’s…but I worry that the viral load count may be very low because it is a new infection and I’m trying to live a healtier life-style, not using drugs, trying to eat a little more healthy, exercise, etc. I’m just very confused because at first my doctor said that I didn’t have hep c, then he called me back a week later and said that he jumped the gun and further tests indicated that my enzyme levels indicated infection, then after the viral load count test he informed me that I do not have the disease….I don’t get it??? I guess I should consider myself lucky…especially given the extremely challenging treatments you’ve all had to endure….but I’m just not convinced that my doctor has the specialist training/knowledge to give me an accurate diagnosis?? Any input would be greatly appreciated. I hope you’re all doing well…fighting the good fight…you’re in my thoughts and prayers.
Update on my fight to get clean…down to 40 mg on Methadone…reducing 5mg every 5 days until I reach 30 mg…from there I think I’ll start reducing 3mg every 5 days, then once I get to 5 mg I’ll start going down 1mg every 5 days…if anyone has any advice on this or experience they could share to help me figure out a responsible plan, again I would be so appreciative.
Getting clean, regardless of my hep c status, is the most important focus of my life…I cannot live another day as a junkie…but I’m so afraid because I’ve tried so many different ways to get clean over the past 8 to 10 years that have all failed miserably…mostly because I couldn’t stay clean long enough to get my head together…that’s the one positive aspect of the Methadone clinic…I haven’t used dope in 136 days…if there are others out there who have tried everything else and have been unable to stop using opiates, whether you’re on OCs or heroine, I would recommend the Methadone clinic…3-day spin drys at detoxes don’t work, weaning yourself off doesn’t work, cold turkey doesn’t work…at least for most people-there are some with the willpower to do it, but I believe that most people who become addicted to opiates have deeper issues that need to be dealt with and using methadone in a structured way with counselling and support groups may be the most effective way out…at least that’s been my experience so far…I’ve moved from seeking abstinence to seeking true recovery. It took me a long time to accept this as I always looked at Methadone as trading one addiction for another-and that’s true in a way-but it allows you to get your head clear so you can start putting together a support system, get involved in support groups, etc. And if you have Mass Health, they will pay for it…if you have any other insurance they will not cover it, but compare $105 a week to what you spend on dope and the choice should be clear…it took you a long time to walk into the woods of addiction…it’s unreasonable to expect 3-day spin dry will work…as desperate as we are to get into the hospital, by the second day all we want to get out and pike up…hell, I had my dealer pick me up from detox more than once! Anyway, I’m not trying to preach…only trying to give you another option to think about if you’re desperate to get off the dope and get some control over your lives, one that’s worked so far for me. Thanks for sharing your stories…you’re all in my prayers. mc
May 17th, 2006 at 11:22 am
i just read on google what you had to say about hepatitis c. i peronaly would like to talk to some one whocan give me more details onhep c. i hope i can fight along with you. i just got diagnosed with hep c im 39 and scred as hell. im doing my own treatment with herbs so far so good.i dont feel sick or anything my numbers were 7,000,000 now are 2.000.000 in just a few monthes.if you can email me on any info that would be great good luck with your health and i will say a prayer for you
June 27th, 2006 at 3:47 am
HEY, HEP C BOY,
HOPE YOU SEE THIS AND RESPOND.
I AM IN WEEK NINE OF “TWENTY FOUR” WEEKS TREATMENT W/ INTERFERON AND RIBOVIRON.
I AM A 45 YEAR OLD MALE , DONT KNOW HOW LONG I HAVE HAD THE VIRIS BUT LIKE MOST OF YA’LL I’M A PRODUCT OF THE 70S AND 80S .
THE DEPRESION HAS BEEN HELL, IT IS GETTING BETTER. THE WEAKNESS AND OTHER PHYSYCALS EFFECTS ARE KICKIN MY BUTT.
I AM AN ACTIVE PERSON WITH A VERY OUTGOING AND POSITIVE OUTLOOK , BUT THIS TREATMENT IS LIKE A POISON .
I KNOW MY DIET COULD BE BETTER ANY SUGESTIONS?
WILL WRITE MORE LATER.
ASKING FOR HELP IN TENNESSEE, USA
June 27th, 2006 at 11:28 am
Hi Darrell!
Like you the first few weeks hit me hard also, I can honestly say that week 9-10 were by far the worse for me. I guess you are getting regular blood tests, you will usually find that your hemoglogin drops a bit in those few weeks, that will suck the energy out of you. I find that after a drop in hemoglobin it takes my body a couple of weeks to adjust again and then you start to feel much better, hopefully that will be the case with you too.
As for a suggestions…diet needs to be good :) I look to eat 5-6 small meals per day to keep a steady flow of energy and nutiants. I have one main rule diet wise and that is nothing out of a packet, if you keep that in your mind that makes eating the right food easier. They say nothing special is required with diet and I think thats right BUT I think the Docs assume you are following the general diet guidelines like at http://www.nutrition.gov
Apart from that I think the most important thing is keep as close to your regular routine as you can. It can be easy to slip into bad habits and then pay for them. For example I found it very difficult to get out of bed in the mornings those first weeks, but if you start to get up in the afternoons you can’t sleep at night, which makes it harder to get out of bed…and so on and so forth. Its easy for me to say now but I should have pushed myself a little harder at that time, really worked hard to stick to a regular routine.
Hope that helps a little, I would make a visit to http://forums.delphiforums.com/friendship7/messages/?start=Start+Reading+%3E%3E a good US based forum for people with Hep C.
Keep the faith.
July 13th, 2006 at 11:04 am
These disturbing facts about hep C can relly cause someone to forget how to even function. I’ve deleated my info. twice. I’ll try again. Mid June I haad gone to our family doctor for a check up. He had some blood tests taken, bu didn’t say what they were. A few days later he called my work instead of my cell phone and told that my blood test results had come back. Some were really high. One especially, HepC. I wasn’t sure what that meant and he said that it was a blood born infection. How could this happen, he said through multiple sex partners, sharing needles, or since I have multiple tattoos, that’s a likely site. I paniced, was my head flooded with horrible thoughts. HOW-HOW could this have happened? I’ve with, and only with my wife (in all ways) for 21 years. What do I tell her about this? When I finally did say something, she said things to me I had forgotten I had said to her over the years that I have done. She had been tested for a variety of things about 3 years ago when she had some surgery. Everything had come bck negative, so this must been in recession for several years. Now it’s surfaced and things are starting to go wrong, with me. I work in a health food store and I’m not sure how to approach anyone concerning this. I found that a lady in my holistics dept. has had hepatitus c since 1996 and doesn’t even think of it anymore. She doesn’t even know how she contracted it either. So I know I’m not alone with my plight-issues. Do I need to tell management any of this? or can I keep this to myself and stay clean and safely in my approach my customers. HOW DO I DEAL WITH MY LIFE FROM THIS POINT?
I have a good diet, I don’t amoke, do drugs, and am monogomist, I do YOGA and Pilates several times a week, I don’t eat meats, except occaisional turkey, and chicken. I am doing everything I can do to stay healthy. I asm even goin to go to a GI specialist next Monday to get a second opinion on things. PLEASE, ANYONE, give me your feedback I need emotional support.
THANKS AND GOOD HEALTH TO ALL@@@Sincerly - sorebones
July 13th, 2006 at 11:10 am
I DID LEAVE A COMMENT. LOOK AT THE ABOVE ARTICLE FROM sorebones
July 13th, 2006 at 11:12 pm
PLEASE people, I know now I’m NOT a alone in this horrible situation, please take a few moments to write ande let me know these issues are for real, and there is Life after getting hep C. It’s just learning how to adjust to it properly, and before it’s too late to get any of the help that’s available.
Thanks Again to you and everyone else involved in helping us all to try and understand.
July 14th, 2006 at 1:53 am
>HOW DO I DEAL WITH MY LIFE FROM THIS POINT?
Thats a very big question sorebones, here are a few of my thoughts.
Lets start at the begining;
How did I get it?
Nobody, with the possible exception of the person with hep c, cares. Its a waste of your time trying to work it out if you really don’t know. Be aware that most people will assume you got it as a result of drug abuse no matter what you say anyway.
What happens once I get hep c?
Lets take 100 people. 25 will clear the virus naturally in the first six months, 75 will become chronicaly infected. Of the 75 who have chronic hep c 25 will progress to cirrhosis. Hep c itself will have no effect on how long you live, cirrhosis will.
What do I need to know?
First find out if you are infected. That usually requires 2 tests, one for the anti-bodies [which everybody who has been exposed to hep c will have] and then one for the virus itself. Usually you will be given a figure of the actual number of virus present [viral load], make a note of the number.
Find out your genotype. Most common are 1,2 and 3. Make a note of the number.
Have a liver biopsy. This will allow you to see what, if any, liver damage you have. The scales vary but usually in the US the scale runs from 0 [no damage] to 4 [cirrhosis]. Make a note of the number.
So all I need is 3 numbers?
Yeah.
The most important number is from the liver biopsy. The nearer you are to a 4 the sooner you need to treat. Most see the middle point as a 2, where you could wait and hope that things don’t progress or treat. Anything above a 2 strongly suggests that you need to treat asap. Remember the name of the game is to stop progression to number 4. If you are already at 4 then you need to stop any more damage, so treat is the way to go too.
Then the genotype number. This is usefull as it allows you to have a rough idea of the likelyhood of treatment being a sucess. Genotype 1’s do 48 weeks and have a 50% chance of a “cure”, 2 and 3’s treat for 24 weeks and have around an 80% chance.
The viral load number is the least useful, generally the higher it is the less likely you are to be cured but not by much. You could ignore this number really but its handy to know thats all.
Do I need to tell management any of this? or can I keep this to myself and stay clean and safely in my approach my customers.
To infect somebody else your blood needs to somehow come out of your body and be forced through their skin and into their blood. If you did that there is about a 10% chance they would be infected. I think that situation is highly unlikely to happen in a health store :)
As regards those close to you make sure you don’t let them use your razors or toothbrush. As regards sex in a monogomous relationship it is quite rare to infect your partner, something like a 3% per 10 years. Using a condom and keeping on the safe side of sex [no anal, fisting is prolly not a good idea either] will reduce the chance to effectively nil.
What now?
Relax.
Its a slow moving thing is hep c. Just make sure you get the numbers as soon as, that way you know where you stand and can make a decision from there on wheather to treat or not.
I’m not too good on the old support side of things, I’m more of a facts and figures boy. If you require more info and some emotional support I would recommend taking a look at a few hep c forums. Go to my home page and look in the right hand menu for some links.
September 12th, 2006 at 3:43 pm
At least someone is helping you folks. My son has had it since 19-(6 years ) at least and was stage 2-fibrosis then. Was put on interferon for 1 month-taken off over crying spells and never given anything selse since. The Doc dont even mention anything else. Now, he has no insurance.
October 15th, 2006 at 12:55 pm
Hi every one.
Just been reading all your comments and advise. I found out i had Hep c
and underwent liver biopsy which was stage 2, whatever that means, i started treatment in Jan 06 for 24 weeks. Just got my results back and was devistated to hear that i had not cleared the virus although after 3 months of interferon and ribirviron i was clear and my Dr was pleased with the result at that time. I went through the mill while on treatment, i had every side effect mentioned but carried on. I had long blonde curly hair and lost most of it. Never mind i thought it will grow back, it did, dark brown and straight, why is it you wait years for straight hair and when you get it you hate it ha ha.
I do not no how long i have had hep c, i had my eyebrows tatooed about 7yrs ago and went in to shock, I had never felt so ill, so i am thinking it was vanity, i also had IVF treatment in my 30s and felt very unwell on one occasion after leaving hospital ( i am now 50yrs young by the way).
Anyway, i am trying hard to stay positive for my husband and daughter and granddaughter, i have made my mind up to live my life as normal as possible i will have the occasional drink but not the usual bottle of wine a night with the girls (thats each by the way) and i will try and stop smoking because i get hiccups (very embassasing in public).
I do find that there is a lack of information, my consultant is fantastic a Dr Subanni at Basildon Hospital but i find you never ask the right questions at the time.
Is there any info on diet and has anyone tried these american formula’s that have a great write up on there web sites. What about Pammy’s diet (thats Anderson) her liver is reported to be getting better and she still has the occasional tipple.
I would like to know how to get rid of my itching on my legs, the discomfort on my right side i can live with being a woman, no offence lads’
And since coming off the treatment i have put on 1 stone and thats living on lettuce.
Bye the way, i too lost my job as i went sick for the last 3 months of treatment and i worked for a charity, not very charitable i hear you say. So i am now seeking employment, any genuine offers considered.
Take care all of you hep c’ers. Is there anywhere any one knows of where people like us can meet up?
October 31st, 2006 at 10:13 am
Hey! Just found this forum & thought I’d share my experiences. HepC Boy—I appreciate your responses to others. Couldn’t find that on other similar forums.
Was diagnosed with HepC in late November 2005 after my regular MD decided that my white blood count (WBC) continued to be low. Was referred to a gastroenterologist who did a biopsy. The biopsy showed HepC along with some liver damage from cirrhosis. My blood tests showed low WBC and a viral load of 5 million. I started treatment in February. Treatment consisted of interferon (1 shot/week) and riboviron (5 pills/day). Although I didn’t start treatment till February, I did quit drinking alcohol as soon as I was diagnosed.
I’m another product of the 60s & 70s. Shared some needles a few times (one time too many I guess). My first husband (drug dealer in the 70s) was also diagnosed w/HepC a year before I was. My two kids (ages 29 & 32) tested negative for HepC (Thank God!).
Anyway, I was on the treatment for 6 months. No really bad side effects except for constant itching. Had to change soaps and shampoos to mild ones. The only other side effect I had was low blood count. I began seeing a hematologist in the 2nd month of treatment where I got regular shots of Procrit (for RBC) and Neupogen (for WBC). My blood was monitored regularly. Had no problem with the Procrit, but the Neupogen did things to my body that I never want to go through again! Pain in the bones to the point that I could barely walk. I went to work every day where I’m a trainer, but it took everything I had to get through the day. Was working many long and strange hours (5am-2pm & 2:30pm-11pm). Finally my doctor requested that I be put on a reasonable accommodation to work no more than 8 hours/day and only from 8:00am-5:00pm. I informed my co-workers & boss about my illness and everyone has been very supportive.
In July, my doctor suddenly took me off the interferon and riboviron. Said my blood count was so low that they were afraid I would start bleeding internally and not be able to stop. I continued to see the hematologist to receive the Procrit & Neupogen till my counts went back to “normal”. That’s when my hair started falling out and my weight began to slowly go down. The itchiness did go away with no Riboviron, however and after a while I started feeling like my old self again. The Procrit & Neupogen were stopped in August. I was to start back on the HepC treatment when I took a tumble from my horse and broke my pelvis. My doctor wouldn’t start me back on treatment till that was cleared, since the meds would not help my bones to heal. The good thing was that the broken pelvis made me stay at home where my strength was regained.
I started back on Interferon (1 shot/day) and Riboviron (4 pills/day) about 4 weeks ago. So far, only itching has started again. My blood counts are declining slightly again and there will probably be more visits to the hematologist in the future (YUK!). My viral count is down to ~ 5,000, so there is a good chance that I can beat the HepC part of this anyway. It’s been very hard for me to give myself shots since restarting. I think it’s because I know how I felt before and don’t want to feel that bad again.
Thanks for being here for us.
November 4th, 2006 at 12:44 pm
Hi People,
I have finished treatment about 6 weeks now. I am genotype one and my treatment lasted for 48 weeks. I was negative at week 4 of treatment and remained negative for the duration of my treatment. I will have the final results next March 2007. I am starting to feel good again after my treatment.
I was an I/V heroin addict for many years and I assume that was the source of my infection.
Treatment was tough - but as I had stage 6 liver disease I needed to do it quickly. While treatment was physically and mentally difficult, at the risk of understatement, I really feel it was the right thing to do for me.
Patently - I hope the treatment has worked but even if it has not - I feel I have done the right thing in undergoing the treatment.
Anyone who is newly positive or is in treatment - I wish you well - It does pass and life does get back to normal. My life is really good and I am going to live it to the full - however long that is,
Take care y’all.
Maurice
November 10th, 2006 at 9:20 am
this is
November 10th, 2006 at 8:22 pm
what sucks about Hep C is nobaody really knows much about it-always told something different when I see a new Dr.-I have had it since late 70’s early 80’s now 50 still kicking-viral load is off the chart-grade 2 biopsy-type 1a-have not gone thru any type of Tx. only herbs milk thistle mostly-I caught it from yrs. of IV drug use-I’ve never really been sick just tired-still not sure if I want to go thru Tx. now-I was going to go on a study but since I’m also on the methadone program they wouldn’t accept me-what really bites is my daughter who is going to be 15 also has it-type 1a grade 2 viral load not as high but high enough-contacted it at birth-which no one ever tested her until last summer-so all this time its been doing its damage.She too isn’t sick butshe is scared so am I-why must my daughter pay for my mistakes-I willing did IV drugs knowing the risks out there-she is innocent-the guilt nearly did me in..This must be happening for some reason some good must going to come from this..Feel so alone know no one else who has a cjild with it-no one to talk to compare notes sort of speak..I worry-will she live along life-will she be cured-will she need a liver transplant-will her friends stray from her-I’ve 50 I’ve lived my life been able to do alot of things get married have childen will she?? They have to find a cure a better Tx that isn’t so picky on who it works for-wopuldn’t be so bad if you knew we go thru hell but we will get better & life will be good-no its a gambleJust think of all the children out there that were born to infected moms who don’t know yet they have it there are going to be so many new cases…maybe their moms don’t even know yet that they have it-I wouldn’t have known if it wasn’t for so many of my friends tested postive so many have already died because they kept drinking & using drugs-Why does Tx work better on some types then others?? very strange diease..I try to do the best I can be good to others be happy life live like each day is may last,enjoy each day & wait wait pray for a cure easier Tx. if not for me but for my daughter-I can’t let this monster take her ruin her life,she has so much living to do..why is it some people have the virus yrs. later their body clears it? Some can live with the virus for yrs. without change-other get chrosisis?? Not fair-not right-why us-I go to my Dr. have it watched & carry on for now-my daughter does the same-she goes back in Feb.to see do Tx. or wait?? This site has been a huge help for me-finally read about others like myself-they have won the battle-they made it thru the Tx. some with no side affects at all-others with some..but they made it they recovered-so helps me to know yes its possible to beat this..we must win the battle & I’m ready to fight -full steam ahead…You gotta a new member to your club-hep c boy-I thank you for the comfort & comments-God bless all of you-hang in there-we will beat this-we must we have our whole lives ahead of us-united we stand-divided we fall…thank you….keep the faith-smile…
November 11th, 2006 at 6:22 pm
the above comments were started by me,then cut off? Anyway I’m 50 yrs. old contacted Hep C in the 70’s-80’s from IV drug use.I’ve not ever been sick but feel tried & headaches. I have been to so many Dr.’s they all say something different-why-because I don’t think they know much about the virus still today..My viral load is 13 million-type 1A like so many others yeah the one they say response least to TX. why is that? I have grade 2 fibrosis.But the real bitch is my 15 yr.old daughter has the virus too-why must she pay for my mistakes-she’s done nothing to deserve this monster-now a child with Hep C the Dr.’s really don’t know much-send us to Dr. after Dr. she also has type 1A grade 2 fibrosis high viral load 900 thousand-they don’t rec. TX hoping something new will come along? So what do we do in the mean time-wait-and pray that it doesn’t destroy her. I have hopes of watching her graduate marry guess having kids is out will she be here to enjoy life-live it? If I would go tomorrow at least I’ve had a chance at living-my life has been good for the most part except for some failed marriages & having Hep C passing it in utero to my daughter.Thats a tough one to accept.I have 2 other children who have not been tested-they are older-scared I guess-they will smarten up one day & do it..No one ever tested my daughter prior even knowing I had it,saying it was very rarely transmitted this way-bingo-would knowing sooner have changed anything? No we’d probaly still be waiting,paraying & wondering what will her life hold? If anyone else out there has a child with this please email-support would be awesome-feel so alone..Well enough about that sad subject..I’m holding my own waiting to see if TX will be in store for me-I am on the methadone program so most study grants won’t accept me??I do have ins. but will it cover much?? I wonder what the outcome will be-so many of my friends have passed from this monster-still drank & drugged dumb on their part..I do try to take care of myself no drinking do only the methadone,rest eat fair & go on with it..Scarey stuff thou..I hope/pray daily for a cure or Tx thats not so hard to take & will work for all types! Amen..I wish you all good luck in your TX . This site has helped me cope feel like I belong everyone on here is like me..My hats off to you Hep C Boy..Thank you for giving me a place to belong hope & comfort..We’re in this together & we’re going to beat this together & kick some vral ass…Right on!! Together we stand-divided we fall….
January 29th, 2007 at 7:29 pm
The virus of a hepatites A is hidden in excrements and transferred at personal contact or through the infected food and water, therefore it is necessary to care of hygiene and a choice of food carefully. WBR LeoP
February 4th, 2007 at 2:43 pm
I’ve been on interferon/riba for 12 weeks and the viral load has dropped from 500000 to
February 15th, 2007 at 1:11 am
another response from this crazy texan….
i do know that drug sharing is a result as to why so many have hcv, but truth be known, there are those who think they had hcv because of drug use, however, that is not always the case!
the first sign of any possible addiction is some sort of mental disease, always with depression as a first clue.
depression does NOT just happen on it’s own. a person doesn’t just wake up one day to be severely depressed. something causes it. yes, i know about trauma-depression/anxiety, i’m not talking about that kind. i am talking about a virus such as hcv-which is known to cause the relationship between the chemicals in the brain to misfire. hcv virons are the cause as they do pass the blood brain barrier…over time, it get’s worse, because with liver damage AND hcv virons themselves, cause more of an upset in how the chemicals in the brain react to one another.
now, i know through taking antidepressants, my hopes would raise as i began to feel better, only to find out i would have to stop, because they quit working, never worked or the doctor insisted i take a dose not normally suggested! if an antidepressant or ANY other drug worked on a virus, none of us would be here. so please, take it a bit easier on yourself-we never know who actually got HCV from drug use and we certainly do not know if hcv caused the depression, that caused the mental disease, that caused the anxieties- that led to desperate measures-drug abuse and addiction….
i see the pattern often, enough so, that psychiatrists see me coming and most walk away! the few that have listened know all about hcv, it’s chronic nature and a few even know a bit about antiviral chemotherapy and what it can cause!
enough said…it’s late and i don’t want to confuse yall. lol
hugs!
April 8th, 2007 at 3:21 pm
Hi all…I actually have HIV/HBV co-infection…well anyway…I just started Inteferon yesterday…I am only taking the shots…180 1x per week… not the copegasus…I feel fine today….how long before I start feeling sick or week…or perhaps I ll be lucky?
April 17th, 2007 at 10:51 am
I was diagnosed last June. Found out my ex had Hep-C and was very ill, just mentioned it to my doc - got tested - and :(( I too am positive. I wish I had not been tested. I felt fine and frankly I could do without this stress in my life. Our daughter is negative (thank you Lord). I see the liver specialist tomorrow for the 1st time. I am scared - don’t know what to expect (took this long to get an appointment). We have not told anyone of this diagnosis because of the stigma. I probably got it from one of 2 relationships with former IV drug users or from my job (I am a health care worker with lots of blood and needlestick exposures). In any event, who cares how I got it - I have it - and I do not want to lose my life to this.
Is it necessary to have a liver biopsy? This terrifies me! Anyway, thanks for the great opportunity to vent. I have no one to talk to and am going alone to the appointment tomorrow and I do not know if/when to tell my family/friends/coworkers. Lonely now holding this secret - but worried that it could be more isolating if people segregate me from fear of this virus.
Thanks for listening.
August 2nd, 2007 at 3:22 am
i have had hep c for 10 years and just today i was told after recieving my alt levels etc that i no longer have hep c i have had no treatment i am so luckyi first was told in june 99 after i was stabed wit a needle.
August 22nd, 2007 at 7:26 am
i need help i have been looking for free traetment hep c i was on inteferon for 18 weeks it made me insane and very sick the Dr took me off of it because mywife new what was happing before it was over i was on all kinds of pills i feel like i got it in 70’s shooting dope what a dope i was i was clean for 20 years all the pills took me back to using again when i was tested i was a 6 that was ayear ago i went to rehab now i’am clean again this is by far the worst thing that has ever happen to to me in my life i have lost my life wife job house car i want yo try to get better but can’t find help if you know of anything please let me know i live in texas thanks larry
September 19th, 2007 at 11:50 am
WELL I’M GONNA GIVE MY NAME BUT I HAVE HEPTITAS C AND IT HAS DAMAGED MY LIVER AND I JUST WORRY ABOUT NOT WAKING UP AND JUST LEAVING MY THREE SPECAIL GIRL’S BEHIND WITHOUT A MOTHER AND MY GIRL’S ARE JUST 15 11 AND10 YEARS OLD SO WHAT DO I DO?
September 25th, 2007 at 10:38 am
hi. i went through 7 months of what was supposed to be 13 months treatment because i was losing what’s left of my mind. my daughter *then 9 said to me one day “i miss you, momma.” i said, “you know what? i miss me too.” and i called my case manager and told her i quit. she told me i lasted 5 months longer than any other patient they had on file at the clinic.
treatment is awful. no two ways around it. i don’t feel any better than i did before treatment, but i know that the virus will not multiply and perhaps make me sicker.
after 17 months i’m still SVR.
watch your blood work, and remember …you CAN do this. or if you’ve reached your limit…you can quit.
i consider myself lucky. very lucky.
October 2nd, 2007 at 1:37 pm
i have been diagnosed with hep c i dont know how i got it although i did use needles a couple of times in the late 90’s i am an alcoholic but i have stopped drinking. i have no liver pain or anything else, i got my liver checked out when i went to the hospital for gurd it was fine, do they do different kinds of liver tests for hep.c? i was wondering… does quitting drinking and lifestyle changes (exercise and diet etc..) help fight the virus and could it ever dissapear?
October 30th, 2007 at 11:39 am
snopppy34
The HepC may go away with treatment — there’s a 50% chance. Since you were an alcoholic there is probably a chance that you have chirrosis. That will not go away. I was a drinker also. I have stopped drinking and have watched my diet and do exercise regularly. I was on Interferon/Riboviron for about 6 months. The virus did not go away, but the viral load decreased. The load is back up since I stopped taking the drugs (I was told the virus would never go away if it did not yet).
I have started seeing a specialist who is going to try one more regimin of drugs — infragen and riboviron. I have a 20% chance of clearing the virus. However, the chirrosis will not go away. By staying away from alcohol, however, it will not get any worse (I hope).
I didn’t like the interferon/riboviron regimin, but got through it with alot of support from husband, family and friends/coworkers. I hurt all over, my platelett count as well as my white and red blood counts were way down, and my hair thinned alot.
Anyway, I figured, what the heck! One more chance is better than no chance at all. Wish me luck!
December 2nd, 2007 at 9:01 am
Mother, contact the Hoffman La Roche company. They have a prescriiption assistance program. It really works.
February 10th, 2008 at 9:04 pm
I began treatment november 2007, viral load was reduced from 500,000 to undetectable in 12 weeks. Stopped treatment in march 2007 because cbc indicated hypo thyroid… I only did 17 shots. Tested hcv negative 3 months after stopping treatment and the thyroid issue may have been a false positive. 1 year has passed and I will test again soon. I expect the little bastard to have returned… “Hope for the best and assume the worst”…. I will not do another pegintron/riba because of fear of the thyroid thing. I kind of liked the beating I got from interferon… It did weird things to my mind, body, and spirit. I ride a bicycle 30+ miles a day at least 3 days a week, I feel and look great, (the treatment knocked off some weight). my diet has changed dramatically since ending treatment, through no real conscious effort on my part, sort of the same fashion I stopped drinking booze 5 years ago, and I don’t stick needles in myself anymore. You folks are some tough people, I wish You all the best, and I love You
March 7th, 2008 at 1:42 am
I have hep c, I went through 24 weeks pegisis and Ribr. that was truly hell. I got the diease through a tatoo from so guy who had just gotton out of prison a neiborhors friend. I was only 10 years later I discovered I had it through a blood test when I was going to have some plastic surgery done. They refused to do the surgery. Not because I was sick be cause he said it traveled through the and that’s bullshit. I have geno type 2 the easier one to cure so I gave it a shot. well actually 24 shots to the stomach to be exact. Not because I was ill mind you, but because of the stigma it carrys. It ruined my life I don’t have boyfriends because I don’t what to tell and the said thing is when people find out they treat you badly.. like your scumm. I’m an accountant pretty woman you would never know by looking at me. But the minute they find out it’s like there looking at a leaper. I went through 6 months of hell and @ 3 months they said I had no signs of the virus in my blood then you finish the rest of the course and in 6 more months you test to see if it came back. I can not bring myself to take that test. I am afraid of the results. I am turning 49 next week and would love to have a little lifstyle lift but I cringe in horror that the will make me take a blood test then they won;t do it. It;s just not fair to be labeled “dirty” because of others ignorance. Some times I wish I would just drop dead it would be easier… Life is just to hard.
k-
March 18th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
I have hep C got it when I was 18 from IV cocaine. My sister found out she had it when i was 19 by going to donate blood. I figured I had it also but denied. i went to red cross donated blood in 2001 and wouldn’t you know I have it too. she is about done with the treatments now. i finally have an appointment on the 27th to get treatment I hope. I have had dr.s tell me I had it but none were ever concerned. I was pregnant in 2006 and the ob/gyn told me I was in active stages and after i have my baby i needed to start treatment. but in missouri 2 months after you have your child you no longer have medicaid. so i never went to a dr. I moved to Illinois and they give mothers medicaid I believe until your child is 18. So I finally get to hopefully be fixed. Don’t know how it is gonna go I work full time. my sister has been fortunate or unfortunate enough to have been unemployed for over the last year or so. wish me luck on keeping up on my work schdule
April 1st, 2008 at 2:24 pm
Hep c boy, pretty cool site, i was just diagnosed with hep c and learning alot about it now. I am 1b which is not good with 900,000 viral count. I must have gotten it by a needle stick as a nurse which is always a risk being an RN the last 20 years. I am kinda freaking out a little as never been sick in my life even though I am 55 and been quite a wild party person. I still cant hardly believe it. Though my systoms are terrible that I guess is from the hep c. I have extreme fatiue, loss of concertration, muscle soreness, and sometimes pain where liver located. I am trying to work fulltime still and gonna start treatment in about a month, I really freaked when heard the interferon and ribavirin is $3000 monthly without insurance. Is there help anywhere with treatment cost? Take care of yourself. Michael
April 1st, 2008 at 2:24 pm
Hep c boy, pretty cool site, i was just diagnosed with hep c and learning alot about it now. I am 1b which is not good with 900,000 viral count. I must have gotten it by a needle stick as a nurse which is always a risk being an RN the last 20 years. I am kinda freaking out a little as never been sick in my life even though I am 55 and been quite a wild party person. I still cant hardly believe it. Though my systoms are terrible that I guess is from the hep c. I have extreme fatiue, loss of concertration, muscle soreness, and sometimes pain where liver located. I am trying to work fulltime still and gonna start treatment in about a month, I really freaked when heard the interferon and ribavirin is $3000 monthly without insurance. Is there help anywhere with treatment cost? Take care of yourself. Michael
April 1st, 2008 at 2:24 pm
Hep c boy, pretty cool site, i was just diagnosed with hep c and learning alot about it now. I am 1b which is not good with 900,000 viral count. I must have gotten it by a needle stick as a nurse which is always a risk being an RN the last 20 years. I am kinda freaking out a little as never been sick in my life even though I am 55 and been quite a wild party person. I still cant hardly believe it. Though my systoms are terrible that I guess is from the hep c. I have extreme fatiue, loss of concertration, muscle soreness, and sometimes pain where liver located. I am trying to work fulltime still and gonna start treatment in about a month, I really freaked when heard the interferon and ribavirin is $3000 monthly without insurance. Is there help anywhere with treatment cost? Take care of yourself. Michael
May 8th, 2008 at 8:56 am
hi, i just found this blog today, im also a hepc suferer and just started my seconond go with interferon an ribavarin. the 1st time i did 24 weeks and it was an nightmare, i lost 30kg in 24 wks, never slept climbed everywall in the house. had a few run ins with the law also due to anger (lucky my doctors wrote to court and explained all charges were then dropped).
the 1st treatment was with the pen injection system and the large white capsules of ribavarin. this time im on the none prepared interferon in a normal needle. this means its a little harder to do as u have to load it b4 use and my pills changed, now my nurse says they are from 2 different companys which is why they look different.
before my 1st injection i was so scared i cut myself off from the world and eat like it was my last meal ever in readyness for the weightloss, and im pleased to say that im now on week 3 and have had NO seriouse side effect at all, i have a lack of appitite but i can eat, i took the precaution of begining anti depressants b4 just in case, so far so good.
if it helps anyone this system does take a bit more courage for none drug users(previousely) to inject yourself but i have found the drug itself to be far more leanient on the body even though the dosage has gone up from 120ml interferon to 180ml and ribavarin up from 400mg pd to 600
i now use copegus(ribavirin) and pegasys(interferon) both by roche pharmacuticals
i hope this is useful to someone, and ill let you know what the next 46 weeks are like..good luck to all going through this to
May 9th, 2008 at 10:05 pm
Hi I just found out in october that i have hep-c
I think i got it from on of 4 back operations that i had in 1986 to 1989..
I asked my doctor if that is how I got it but he said it is unlikely you would have had a transfusion for disk surgury.I sent for my medical records and will find out next week
If anyone knows what the genotype of the tainted blood victoms is it would be helpfull to know
my email address is bmclellan4@shaw.ca
my genotype is 2a. I have been in treatement for 8 weeks now.. the side effects are a nightmare
my adviise to anyone on treatement is to try to eat.. even if you do not feal like it
May 9th, 2008 at 10:16 pm
oh Yah.. I forgot to mention..
try dipping your toast in your coffee
for some reason you can always drink coffee