Living With Hepatitis C
I've been living with hepatitis C for over 30 years; I was first diagnosed when the identification was "Non A, Non B" (about 1979 - just before a stint behind the walls).
When I first entered methadone maintenance (1993), the treatment Dr. told me the disease would, most likely, manifest w/ significance in another decade or so [given my history]. He was correct. Since those "significant manifestations", I've been through [Hep C] treatment, twice. First round = non-responder. Second round (with a 3 chemical cocktail) was terminated after 14 weeks; the chemicals were rapidly killing me.
Prognosis? "....we don't believe your liver [heart, and etc.] is/are capable of withstanding further treatment".
After reviving from treatment, I did extensive research and discovered a Dr. who offered a fascinating alternative for treatment of serious diseases of the liver. I called his office, made an appointment, packed my bags, and was off to the Old South-West. Result? Excellent! I now travel, 2x a year, to see the Dr. who is responsible for keeping me alive. For the first time in many years, I've valid hope for stabilization of this terrible disease.
It works for me.
I'm certain I was infected as a result of using community needles in, either, the late 60's or sometime in the 70's. Who knew?
Hepatitis C is a serious, albeit insidious, disease; early years of infection often have few, if any symptoms. However, once the disease has had sufficient time to become well established, it can devastate your life - as well as the lives of those who love you.
Anyone interested in a discussion about living with the disease, please contribute. Working together, we may be able to help one another find ways to deal with this silent killer and live healthier/ more productive lives.
