What if i decide against treatment

[annidote]

What if i decide against treatment for Hep C Type 1a. I am 55 yrs old and have had Hep C for 23 years and am afraid of doing treatment for this. What are the risks?

[willbb]

Hi beaner...all good here ....you??  

[Anne1717]

+ 1 Will  How the heck are ya???  Hijack in effect

[willbb]

Whether or not and when to treat is always a personal individual desicion. The good advice above to get your liver checked either by biopsy and/or fibroscan along with knowing what geno type you have..is important info.to make that desicion.
The treatments currently are approx. 75% successful (for either 6 months or 1 year(depending on many factors) and  there may be other medications in the future with even better efficacy.
As stated above also ...the risks of not treating .especially if your liver damage (fibrosis) is advanced is possible cirrhosis,leading to liver failure and HCC(liver cancer.)
Good luck and welcome..
Will

[Anne1717]

I have no regrets that I treated despite the side effects. The thought that I was living with a virus, albeit a short time, and could inadvertently pass it along to someone else was too burdensome.  They didn't say it, they didn't have to, but I knew family and friends were afraid of me - I was afraid of me.   Six months later and so far virus free, I feel a tremendous weight lifted.  

Everyone is different and we have different personal reasons for treating, but that was mine.

[printze]

I was diagnosed recently with viral load 560,000 tye 1a- 53yrs old probably had for 25-30 yrs . Will have fibroscan in October to determine condition of liver . I too am scard to death of this but I will treat and am keeping positive I will lear this by week 4 and stop treatment week 24.Try to stay calm, DO NOT DRINK ALCOHOL OR SMOKE .Eat healthy , get plenty of rest, and eliminate stress . You can do this , after all it is a mater of life or death. You will be fine . I am actually anxious to start treatment and put this behind me , you can do the same . I am still in thre primary stages of assesment , and I will know exactly the full picture next month. My hepatologist thinks its fibrosis stage . Whatever the outcome is , it must be done , there is no other alternative. We are all in this together .    

[curiouslady1]

There are always risks no matter what you do or don't do.  But knowing as much as possible about your body will help you calculate your risks and act or not act accordingly.