Just discovered I have Hep C

[WillyMisty]

I have no symptoms. We can't even figure out how I got it. I was diagnosed after I broke my leg and ended up in the hospital. After I got out I went to the doctor for routine followup and he decided to do all the tests including blood work while he had me there. (I'm not a big doctor goer). Anyway it took about a year before they finally concluded that I do in fact have Hep C.  I'm supposed to start inferon and as well as a pill. I'm going tomorrow to the hospital for a liver biopsy to determine dosage. (sounds pleasant). I have a couple of questions. First, what kind of side effects can I expect and how severe?  Also, has anyone tried milk thistle instead of the chemical way?  If anyone has, I'd be very interested in hearing about it.

Many thanks

[Deb_c430]

Good luck, and remember you aren't alone,  

Get copies of everything,    Ask lots of questions and advocate for your self.

I don't think it really matters how you have it, except for the confusion it brings and the fear.  But let that part go.

There are  a lot of smart people here who can help you with all those things,   Stay calm!

Best wishes,  

Deb

[orleans]

NO NEED to rush. This is a very slow moving disease. I did not start treatment for 2.5 years. You may or may not want to wait that long, my point is that you have time to educate yourself and you NEED to educate yourself as things are not straight foward with this illness and those that are prepared have a better chance of success. This forum is a great resourse. be seeing you I am sure, jerry

[WillyMisty]

Many thanks for the information. I am having my biopsy tomorrow and will begin the process of learning how to read test results. Apparently a nurse is going to contact me and teach me how to give myself the shot. The whole thing was a bit of a shock and I have to admit my first reaction was utter disbelief but as I've never been one to dwell on the negative I'm determined to get through this and move forward. Again, thank you for the insight and information.

[nygirl7]

Most of us had no symptoms and were very shocked when we found out.  It doesn't change the fact you are LUCKY you found out and can now do something about getting rid of it before your liver is so seriously damaged that you need a new one.

Have you had your biopsy yet?

Milk thistle will not cure hcv.  The ONLY thing that can cure it is the current combo treatment of interferon and ribavirin. You will be taking more than one pill a day - and we take them 12 hours apart in two doses.  It depends on your body weight how many you will be taking.

Side effects can and do vary person to person.  There are a whole long list of them but youw on't necessarily get one or the other. All patients have a great deal of lethargy during treatment. Others can include hemolytic anemia, low white blood count, nauseau, sleeplessness (although you are so tired you still can't sleep at night due to the meds), rashes...a whole bunch of things but again you might not get any of them (except the lethargy I  never met anyonewho didn't get that one).

Many of them have solutions that can be ironed out. Helpful is to take two tylenol with your shot, get a prescription for sleeping pills if you need them, painkillers for any aches and pains, procrit for the anemia (make sure your doctor WILL prescribe this, if you need it you will NEED it).............lots of things.

Learning all you can is the most vital part of the process.  Mostly you will just wait on things...waiting to see how your viral load drops is a constant thing we do until we are cured.

Get copies of all of your test results and learn how to read them it's just CRUCIAL to be able to watch what is going on.

REmember nobody cares about you more than you so it's important you monitor your treatment.

However - if you dn't have very much liver damage you might not even need to do treatment right away so it is crucial to you to get that biopsy.  We've all done it - it's NOT painful as you would believe it to be it's more like an uncomfortable needle really.

Good luck. Learn all you can and ask all the questions you have.

[santaclaus]

i found out nearly the same way,
i broke my arm and the doc got a needle stick injury, so i done tests and found out i had hep c. same as u cant think of how i got it but dat doesnt matter as all dat matters is slayin dis bug. i started treatment las fri and so far no sides 2 report but dats jus me and every1 2 der own.

best of luck and keep us informed.

wayne