Why, why, why??

[beeblessed]

Just something that's been on my mind and my family wants to know too:  
1.  Why treat if all tests are good and I have no symptoms and am not in pain?  
2.  Why treat at all when so much of the population walks around with Hepatitis and doesn't even know it?  
3.  For those of you who have had it long term, did something happen overnight to make you decide to treat?  A pain or some other symptom.  

I will be treating soon but in the midst of it, if I am having bad days, I want to be able to have a valid reason for doing what I am doing.  It's akin to skydiving in a way.  Someone once asked, why would you jump out of a perfectly good plane on purpose??  To some degree, the same could be asked of Hep C treatment.  I hope your answers help calm some fears of some other newbies here too.  Many thanks everyone.  I appreciate your opinions, feedback and experiences.

[willbb]

then everyone is knee deep in sh%t

[oceanblue701]

I was 57 at diagnosis. I was feeling lousy and had several things like hypertension and hypothyroid diagnosed at once. The hepatitis c was diagnosed then too. I got the other things under control and at 58 began the treatment for hepatitis c. I finished the 48 weeks of Inf/Riba last fall and was found to have a SVR this past April.
I had a vl of 150,000 and a mild fatty liver at the start.
I felt that i just didn't want a communicable disease as nygirl7 mentioned in her reasoning. I also did not want the c to complicate anything else i might get or for anything else to complicate it and move me into liver damage.
I do not regret treating at all. I cannot tell you how much it means to me to be done with the c. I did have lots of side effects and they lasted many months past treatment. But, i was still up and about throughout treatment and really i was ok. I still have some limitations like some stiff joints but i do feel really good now. I have real energy. I am happy and just got rid of one of two blood pressure medicines. For me, it was " just do it " and keep your eye on the prize. I wish you all the luck in the world. I wish everyone here the same. Good Luck.

[beeblessed]

I think of you as FIG.  You totally get where I was coming from, LOL!  Weekend rates (I am crying with laughter).  Yes, I admit, I am a person who needs the visuals.  Thank you!

[chuckles333]

I was diagnosed about twenty years ago and from that time on I would go in at least once per year and have my liver functions checked. About six or seven years ago I had a heart attack and while in the hospital they found my liver enzymes were 20 times the normal range. Not a good sign. The time had come to take treatment especially with the cardiologist wanting to put me on anti-cholesterol medications (statins are notoriously hard on the liver). I'm now clear of the virus, my liver functions are normal, I'm taking statins and my outlook would be good if only I could quit smoking once and for all. I'm sure stories out there abound as to why.

[beeblessed]

Thanks nygirl, aj, and lynda.  Your input helps and is deeply appreciated.  Okay, well Lynda, yours was just funny :)  but I needed the laugh.

Will -- You have given me a lot to think about, especially #1.  On #3, I agree with you, as I am knocking on 50's door next year.  I would rather do this while I have a slightly younger body.

As for #2, I'm not sure I was clear.  I guess I meant to say since Hepatitis C is something others have for their whole lives without knowing, never get treated and then die of something unrelated -- how do I make a rational argument to my family that I have decided to treat, as opposed to continuing on like one of those people who lives a full life and dies of something else?  My sister, in particular, though she supports me, is greatly opposed to my decision to treat. Just trying my best to make her understand the rational, if possible.

Ocean -- I truly appreciate you sharing your experience.  Thank you.  Even though I am nervous and scared.  I am opting to do treatment because I do not want to run the risk of severe liver damage over time, and ultimately need a transplant.  That scares me more.

Be well everyone and please keep the comments coming.  Beeblessed!

[nygirl7]

I've seen several friends die of hepc - once you have, you have your answer.