worried

[tmo727]

Iam 27 years old and have had hep c for 9 years. I got the virus from intravenous drug use. I was a heroin addict for about 2 years and have been clean for about 8 years. i have drank heavily at times and sometimes daily.  I owned a bar which kept me drinking alot for about the last 2 years. I just sold it and have cut my drinking down to once every couple weeks.  i have had right upper abdominal pain for the last 6 months and iam going for a ultrasound saturday and blood tests. iam very worried. can anyone relate with me. I am also getting married in 4 months. just very concerned about everything.

[Kristina538]

I'm stupid.  I tx'd once in 1994 without doing any research (no computer then).  The tx was unsuccessful which made me not "tx naieve".   I was put on the 'watch and wait';  tx'g again was not forthcoming unless I had 'significant progression'.  

Once blood tests appeared to show progression, I had to do a biopsy to be eligible, and the bx had to show significant progression before tx'g became an option (G3, not tx naieve).

I had blood tests done since 1994;  they showed very little abnormality, as I tried desparately to look after myself.  When I didn't take care my body and bloodtests soon showed me.    The 'watch and wait' almost backfired on me (and my specialist).   Eventually, even looking after myself religiously did not stop my bloods from starting to look awry.

I don't recommend anyone "tx'g or not tx'g";  it's a very very personal decision, and I find it hard to understand how anyone can recommend for or against.  I'm thankful I found this site which allowed me to make an informed decision to tx, knowing more about what I was letting myself in for.   I feel desparately sorry for those who come through tx heavily disappointed with sx's, lack of support etc.   I cannot 'blame' anyone for my decision to tx this time around, come what may.

I may have watched and waited too long.   I may have done tx earlier and reacted more severely.  By grace I managed to sustain the 6 months tx.   If I was younger, fitter, and less damaged I may have tried to wait for newer drugs.... but that could have also allowed my state of denial to run rampant.

I'm sorry I do rave on, but I think it's better than giving brief, definitive statements which may have huge bearing on another hepper and their family.

And BTW,  the more I read, the less I know!!      Everytime I get another sx, I do some research, and realise that sometimes I have 'guesstimated' incorrectly, when drawn by overzealous empathy to be of some assistance.  There are too many many variables for us to 'sell' the tx'g argument.  

AND (phew), it appears that many of my sx's have been related to my thyroid - next week, no doubt, I'll find out something else new (to me, but not to some of the really knowledgeable folk who thankfully keep posting!!)

[GreatBird]

tsk tsk tsk. be careful what you say about my home state.

[sunqueen]

I used the "stupid" word when I was new here and it was EPIC FAIL. I was the big moron who didn't recognize that it was probably a little of the drugs and probably a lot of ignorance on my part.

Fortunately we have things like compassion, love and forgiveness as humans with hearts. The words "I'm sorry" go a long way. And shutting up.

[jmjm530]

Mostly from California, where else :)

[mikesimon]

It seems that the less informed are often the most confident or should I say -  arrogant.
Where do these people come from?
Mike

[Trinity4]

I finally realize why I am thankful I have hepc.  It's because I now have stupidity.