16 year old recently diagnosed with hep c

[Danielle7]

Hi, my name is Danielle. I'm only 16 years old, 17 next friday (woot woot :D). I have been recently diagnosed with hep c and am scheduled for my biopsy. I am genotype 1A. I most likely caught this virus from IV drug use. I am a recovering roxicodone addict. I'm very scared.. I dont know whats ahead of me.. what to expect ? Whats going to happen ? Will I never recover and eventually kill myself by destroying my liver ? HELP ):

[belle19]

ask your doctor about the milk thistle.  my doc said no!  i have had hep c 1a for 37 years and i have minimal damage to my liver.  i had a liver biopsy 3 weeks ago.  it's not that bad.  and i was really scared.  i started treatment 2 weeks ago and so far it's fine except my legs itch like crazy.
good luck to you and happy birthday.

[kirk8]

Thank you. I didn't know that the nave numbers were so good back then.  I have an HMO and I think that they may have told me the 20% number to discourage me from pushing treatment.  They told me to wait for this new generation of drugs to come out and to get down to 180lbs to have a good chance of success. This was a completely unobtainable goal because I was 260lbs at the time.  Then they said “don’t worry, we’re going to cure u.” I have never heard of numbers like 45-50% for 1a.  I never looked them up.  I really think they were just trying to get me to go away.  I’m not going away this time!  

I’m going to post a question on the message board.  I would like to hear your opinion please.

[Aaron57]

You are lucky to be covered by insurance and able treat now with no or minimal liver damage .. Good luck !

"When I was diagnosed, 3 years ago, treatment wasn’t done for a1 until these conditions started to develop.  There was only about a 20% chance of clearing the virus with Interferon and Ribavirin."

I'd like to point out that you have your 1a success #'s for P/R (peginf/riba) off .. and I do believe many folks in the last 3 years underwent Tx for 1a & many before they had any symptoms ..

There always has been a 45-50% chance of SVR for 1a Tx naive .. if not cirrhotic ..

[kirk8]

I forgot to mention, most Drs won’t know the answers to your specific HVC questions. You should talk to a  hepatologist or a gastroenterologist

[kirk8]

Oh, suboxone, I remember what that is now.  I had a friend on that a year or two ago.  I hope it helps with cravings.  It gets easier as time goes on.

[kirk8]

I don't know much about anti-depressants.  That is what suboxone is rite?  R they taking u off it because it could cause liver damage? I know a lot of anti-depressants can cause liver damage.  I was taking naproxen (which brings down swelling) for an injury. My Dr cut me down to half doses because of possible liver damage.  

If u ever have any more questions or just want to message someone who’s been there I added you to my friends list.  You can send me a note there.