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.

[adamben101]

Treat!  Although many people with HCV will never have physical pain and will die from something other than HCV, Drs, patients and caretakers alike will tell you the symptoms of end-stage liver disease are far worse than the worst treatment sides.  And on top of that, the worrying about infecting others and living the rest of your days with it are simply not worth foregoing treatment.

[curiouslady1]

Why treat?  Do you want to always have to use a condom before sex?  This mode of transmission may be nearly non-existent but it still is often a deal breaker for relationships.  I personally think this infection is a major interference in developing intimacy.

[dreamcat]

in answer to your question re why 3 biopsies, and no, it's not too personal at all... My doctor just wanted to keep tabs on the progression and I thought it was a good idea, too.  

I never considered treatment in the past because the success rate wasn't high enough to put myself through all the potential side effects for so long, but now, there's a good chance to eradicate completely the evil C, so I'm a go!  

I see my doctor this afternoon to go over side effects (although I think I've gotten more information from this site than he can ever tell me!) -- so I imagine it won't be long now... excited, nervous and cautiously optimistic am I!

[beeblessed]

Hi Kirk.  Congrats on being clean and sober, and on losing weight (assuming that's a good thing)!!!!  I agree with you in wishing I were ignorant to the fact I have Hep C.  And I think that is where family (all of ours) have the dilemma i.e., why not just forget you know you have it, since you have no symptoms?  BUT by popular vote.........the day to day knowing, fear of infecting others, having a pre-existing condition, fear of liver damage, etc..., it puts me on better footing to move forward in my decision.  

Still nervous.  Still scared.  But much much more educated on the whys and why nots.  As ready as I'll ever be to skydive into treatment, kill the roots at weekend rates, and slay this elusive slowly creeping dragon -- evil Hep C.  Nighty night.....

[kirk8]

I worried about side effects from treatment and thought why treat.   I whished I had never been tested and thought that ignorance must be bliss.

I don’t worry about the chemicals from treatment anymore.  I worry about all the chemicals I put in my body before diagnosis.

I lost 30 pounds before treatment. Got clean and sober.  And, so far, I am having very few side effects from treatment.  Even though I have a little brain fog it doesn’t compare to how clouded my judgment was before diagnosis.  

Very glad I’ve started treatment.  It is a relief to be on tx.  The anxiety leading up to tx was the hardest thing about it, for me, so far.  

[beeblessed]

Hey dreamcat!  I'm curious.  If it's not too personal, why 3 biopsies?  Were you trying to get treated in years past and then changed your mind?  Or just checking the state of your liver every so often?  Wishing you the best.

Flcyclist -- Dang that bites.  I found out on a fluke too but not after surgery.  Thanks for sharing.

Frijole -- Excellent observations!

Don, Belle & Mykids -- We're all learning together, hunh?  Thanks for stopping by :)

Elpaso -- Hang in there.  Guess these thoughts hit us at the same time.  Good to see you :)

Many thanks to Everyone before and after my posts!  Hope this helps more people.  Blessings to all!