Why do i gotta be clean and or sober 6 months to get treatment for hep c

[Scared2die0071]

I cant find my question on here. I have chronic hep c, doc said id had it for years but how long?? Why do i gotta be clean an sober for six months?? I dont drink, but was smokin weed wich ive now quit, he said my liver levels aint too high now at one point he said they were higher but on third blood test the nurse said they werent that bad unless she was tryin to just put me at ease...please sumone email me? Im scared, i dont no if im gonna die..i got it from either drugs or a woman, both i know is my own fault, sadly, as humans we never prethink our actions..i dont do drugs anymore an,wish i never did, i feel like this is my punishment but i dont wanna die, i dont wanna do drugs no more an will never touch drugs again after this...but why do i need six months off weed? Its not alcohol..an im not doin drugs, why cant they just save me now?? Im not able to sleep, my appetite is intermittent, i even have nightmatmres, from worryin of course..i dont wanna die.. i dont no how long ive had it, how much longer do i have? I aint got no physical symptoms that i no of, no yelow skin etc..just scared...i wanna live! Please email me at thomas ***@****
He says i gotta quit smokin weed for six months first....what if i die before the six months?
I know i deserve this, an probably deaerve to be scared..god im so sorry i ever touched her or drugs wichever the case is..i mean im thankful in one way, atleast its not hiv or aids but im so scared. If my mom was here id be wrapped in her arms lookin to feel safe...i just dont know anything.
Please help

[MHEditor]

Here are some ways to make treatment most successful, including abstaining from alcohol and quitting smoking (cigarettes or weed; doctors want you off drugs during treatment).

http://www.medhelp.org/hepatitis-c/articles/8-Things-You-Can-Do-to-Make-Your-Hepatitis-C-Treatment-a-Success/2262

We're sure it's tough, but when you're ready, quit and get treated. We have a substance abuse forum that may help you during the process of quitting...

http://www.medhelp.org/forums/Addiction-Substance-Abuse/show/77

[iconoclasticat]

Flyinlynn is correct. I had hep C for 40 years. I never knew that I had it, or had any symptoms until I had a blood test one day. Hep C is not transmitted sexually. You probably got it shooting up something with someone who had it. The reason they want you to be sober is because this new treatment (harvoni) is very expensive and they don't want to waste it on someone who might just go out and get it again. They want to know that you're serious about your health.
I know many people who got it in the 'sixties' and some took the treatment that flyinlynn was talking about, but most haven't had any symptoms and are considering this new treatment which is supposed to be 95% plus effective. Don't worry! Your not going to get worse and sick all of a sudden. The main problem is that if you don't get rid of it, there's a small chance that it could cause liver cancer when you get older. So, you can stop smoking and using for 6 months. You'll feel a lot better and then you can get this virus out of your body. And don't think I don't know how hard that might be. I've been on, and come off almost every type of drug. Good luck scared2die0071!! Oh yeah, don't drink alcohol. It's the one thing that can make it worse. Also, avoid tylenol or anything with tylenol in it!

[flyinlynn]

Ok the site does not allow you to post your email address so it was blocked.

Probably a rule from your insurance. They spend  a lot of money for treatment ($1250 per pill) and want to make sure you take your treatment correctly.

I had hep c for 37 years hep c is not a medical emergency. Many folks who used to be here have had hep c for decades because until the last couple of years there really was not an effective treatment for most people. There was a treatment involving shots of interferon once a week for 6 months along with other medicines that made you feel very sick and only worked for about 30% of patients. The new drugs were only starting to be approved in late 2014.

You will be fine.

Just to add hep C in general is not considered to be an STD. If you did IV drugs that is probably where you got hep c.

Stop all drugs and alcohol, wait the required time, get treated and get cured.