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.

[Mary4now]

There are so many individual circumstances to someones choice for treating or not treating.  I have probably had it for 30+ years, closer to 40 years, I'm 59 stage 1, grade 1 Geno 1 !!! no insurance, living with 86 yr. old mom, and I am going to wait.  I'm trying to create a better circumstance for treating.  I work in a dysfunctional situation for very little pay, I am waiting for better drugs, and will probably look into a trial.
Everybody has the right to ascertain their situation and do what they think is best.  I know ppl who went through treatment with horrible sides, could not continue.  Some dont realize the cure after treating, some are succesful.  
I wish the best outcome from everybody...
Lets do what we can to support each other. Gnite

[granitekonig]

I hear people telling you a biopsy is important, yet everyone is pushing you to treat anyway. That sounds a little confusing. You're 27 and you've had it for 9 years. Most likely you don't have SIGNIFICANT damage but a biopsy will tell you FOR SURE.

Do you NEED a biopsy before you start treating?? NO

Fact: You have hep c

Fact: If you want it gone or want to start down the path to rid it from your body, then start treatment.

You do NOT need a biopsy to tell you what you need to do. Is it a the best way to tell you how your liver is doing? Yes. So what??

I started treatment without a biopsy. Why? Because knowing how my liver is doing won't help me. Treating will.

[CMcH]

Please make sure you tell your partner because if you ever decide to treat it is very hard on a relationship and she should be prepared.

[BklynBoy81]

im 27 Gt 1a Stage 2.. i needed the BX because i didn't know how long i had the disease for... i still dont know and i will never know.. I never try any hard drugs just some weed probably smoke weed like 20 times in my life.. i was a social drinker probably more than that.. you definitly will need the bx if you are a Genotype 1.. the doctors do not recommed a biospy if you are a Gt 3.. so find out your Genotype it is important if you deside to treat your HCV... like everyone said stay away from  alcohol as much as you can and it is very good that you got off the junk .. dont be so worry about the Bx it is an important procedure and it will help you on making the desion to treat your not.. start reading everything you can on this forum about HCV... there are other websites to learn more also... i dont know them right now other people here do.. Stay away from the stupid natural BS treatments it doesn't work..  Im in my 2 week of treatment right now... I wanna be rid of this **** right now not later..  

[Trinity4]

You're right Mike, me too.  I've recently read everybody should start treatment, regardless of liver damage because you WILL be cured, which we know is not always true and that way you won't infect anybody else either.  Don't wait because you will eventually die from this disease.  Treat immediately regardless if better drugs are coming.  Side effects won't be any big deal and it's all manageable as long as you take your AD like a good little hepper and keep a good attitude.  Long term sx no big deal.  Right.  If your whites and reds start tanking, just deal with it.  OK.  Energy level isn't going be a problem. Uh huh.   You can just keep going regardless because that's one less person that will be a threat to the population even though they have minimal liver damage.  Sure.  Liver biopsy is NEVER a wasted procedure.  It's helped save my life.  I wish everyone would educate themselves about this disease before they speak.  It can have a devastating effect on new people who may take what they read literally and end up seriously jeopardizing their health unecessarily.  
That's why the long standing members help to set the record straight.  Otherwise, chaos.
Trin

[lalapple]

you are already getting a large amount of info by many very experienced people here.  i wasn't aware of how necessary a biopsy was bc i never had one and went straight to tx with my hepa's ok.  i might have had it for longer than i would like so decided to start tx now bc i was told the earlier and younger you tx, the better.  so here i am almost on wk 32/48.  and really actually starting to feel some of the sx now.  but i have it easier than a lot of the people here..  everyone responds differently to tx.  

best of luck to you!