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.

[dreamcat]

I agree with nygirl7... for me, I just want this thing OUT of me -- I was diagnosed in 2000 and have had 3 liver biopsies, showing a progressive slide downward... I am healthy with no apparent symptoms, but now with the triple threat tx, I'm ready to have a go at finally ridding myself of the dreaded C... I'm getting more nervous as the time gets closer -- I should be starting by the end of the month, I think.  And my insurance is covering it, so why not?  

I hate having this disease -- there's not a day gone by since August 21, 2000, that it hasn't been like the albatross around my neck... and that's why I'm finally getting treatment!

[elpasolady]

Wow!  Thanks everyone, especially beeblessed, for starting this thread. It was exactly what I needed!  
It's so easy to get caught up in our own thoughts and misguided perspectives, as innocent as they may be.  I really needed this tonight.
Hugs and blessings to you all!!    Debbie

[doncheery]

Burst out laughing at "weekend rates"  Lovely turn of phrase and visual. To everyone else , great comments. I am recently diagnosed and will be biopsied soon. I have been debating with myself as to the viability  of treatment. I am 60 and have never felt better. Train hard , work hard. This thread has to a great extent clarified my internal debate. If I fit the criteria for treatment I will move in that direction. Thanks to all.

[belle19]

i found out last november i had hep c thru a routine blood panel.  thank god my dr wanted to do one.  i've had hepc for 37 years.  i had no idea as i was going to cardio classes, surfing and i maintain vacation condos.  i've always been active.  this has really changed my life.  as i am 61 i never doubted that i would do treatment.  i had a liver biopsy.  i was stage 2 mild fibrosis.  i'm now in my 7th week and so far i've only been a little tired from the riba.  my studt nurse lowered my dose because i was anemic.  my bummer is i have a rash on my upper body that i've had off and on since before treatment was started.  my dr said it was not from hepc.  not sure about that one.  i'm thinking about seeing an allergist.  good luck with whatever you decide.  for me i decide life!!!   belle

[flcyclist]

1.  Why treat if all tests are good and I have no symptoms and am not in pain?  

I was probably in the best shape in my life just prior to trt, no symptoms at all, no hint of any problems.  Routine blood work by my GI during abdominal surgery last year led to further tests and diagnosis.   I want to live a long life so the choice was an easy one for me.


2.  Why treat at all when so much of the population walks around with Hepatitis and doesn't even know it?

I'm not worried about the population's health, I'm worried about my own.
  

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.  

Just blood test and the results delivered as I was laying in the hospital recovering from surgery.  Certainly didn't make my day.  

[lapis]

Right on.  Good point you make, about us baby boomers being the beginning of the wave.  Thanks for that clarity.