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  • TDS Moderators: AlphaMethylPhenyl | paranoid android

how bad is hep c

T

therealog

Greenlighter
Joined
Aug 29, 2012
Messages
35
Location
Coral Springs, FL
Diagnosed today. Can anyone tell me the reality and not some textbook regurgitation please? I could really use some moral support. I'm only 22. Oops probably shoulda posted in TDS
 
therealog said:
Diagnosed today. Can anyone tell me the reality and not some textbook regurgitation please? I could really use some moral support. I'm only 22. Oops probably shoulda posted in TDS
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I have it. But, my Dr. said at this point i'm only a carrier, im contagious, but its not attacking my liver......yet. Had it since 06. Best of luck.
 
One thing to note is you could go years without it having any effects on your health. Like 20+ years. Its most certainly not a death sentence. At this point you have to take care of your liver as best you can, because when it does start causing damage, an already weakened liver form other things (i.e. alcohol abuse) is going to compound the issues. There is plenty of options for treatment, too. Newer forms of treatment have had great success in not only sowing the progression of the disease, but in many cases curing the disease. It probably depends on how aggressively you want to treat the disease. A very aggressive antiviral strategy may have great luck in eliminating the disease, but you will fell like hell going through it and it runs its own risks.

Just an FYI this is just the vague info I remember from past research on HCV. There is plenty of info out there on the web, and I am not just talking about reading up on webMD or similar sites. Look for journal articles and science magazine articles regarding the current treatments for the disease. And make sure to see a hepatologist, not just your PCP or a GI doctor, but someone who is on the cutting edge of HCV treatments.
 
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At least half the IV drug users I know have it...Aside from a few isolated cases, it generally does take at least 15 years to produce any symptoms, it could happen a lot sooner, but it generally doesn't...A lot of people got it in the '0s and didn't realize it for 25-30 years...Take care of liver, eat well, take supplements and learn about the disease...

You have a lot of options, and most likely a long time to figure out how to approach this...My friend got it a few years ago, had the treatments, and now he's clear of the virus...the treatments aren't fun though!

Definitely go see a specialist, monitor your levels and find out what strain you have. It can make a big difference. If the virus isn't attacking your liver, you may wanna wait to have the treatment..

Don't freak out, you'll be okay...
 
BlueHues said:
At least half the IV drug users I know have it...Aside from a few isolated cases, it generally does take at least 15 years to produce any symptoms, it could happen a lot sooner, but it generally doesn't...A lot of people got it in the '0s and didn't realize it for 25-30 years...Take care of liver, eat well, take supplements and learn about the disease...

You have a lot of options, and most likely a long time to figure out how to approach this...My friend got it a few years ago, had the treatments, and now he's clear of the virus...the treatments aren't fun though!

Definitely go see a specialist, monitor your levels and find out what strain you have. It can make a big difference. If the virus isn't attacking your liver, you may wanna wait to have the treatment..

Don't freak out, you'll be okay...
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Exactly like he said, less aggressive treatments will hold the virus off and stave off its damage to the liver. But a real aggressive treatment which I would say is somewhat comparable to have chemotherapy in how it wears you down and makes you feel ill. As a young man it is probably a better option for you. For an older person with various health concerns., whether they be cardiac, renal or pulmonary, it might be too much of a strain on them. Good luck, and make sure you get at least opinion before making decisions, preferably 3 or more. It is best to have multiple viewpoints and opinions when dealing with a serious matter such as this (but also don't panic, you have plenty of time to deal with this)
 
In the best case, the treatment will achieve a sustained virological response (SVR), which means that the hepatitis C virus is not detectable in the blood six months after treatment ends. An SVR is the goal of treatment. Although the virus is not eradicated, its growth is suppressed.

The chance of achieving an SVR depends mostly on the genotype, or strain, of the virus. Successful treatment should be followed by regular check-ups and a healthy lifestyle.

Although the overall prognosis for chronic hepatitis C is good, some people will progress to cirrhosis and end-stage liver disease. A liver transplant may be an option, but any replacement liver will also become infected with hepatitis C.
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http://www.m.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/chronic-hepatitis-c?page=5

Start treatment ASAP, and it looks like you'll have a good prognosis <3
 
My uncle has hep c and he drank after me, and then let me drink after him again. I wrote my fucking name on my party cup(non-alcoholic beverage), and he couldn't take the 3 seconds to see whose cup it was. I'm guessing its like HIV in that I can't catch it this way? If there's a chance I could catch it this way, I'm going to the clinic for sure. I can't catch it this way right? If I can and I did, I will straight up punch his lights out the next time I see him if I caught it. I know I can because I already choked him out once when we were wrestling around once. Sorry for going a bit off topic, and I do trust my uncle enough to have properly disposed of the cup if it is contagious this way, but if its not the case, there will be hell to pay.

I'm sorry for your disease, but my uncle has had it for over 5 years and is still fine. He has had no treatment, at least as far as I know.
 
I don't know that much about Hep C only what my friends who had it told me. I only know of a couple people that needed interferon treatments because they were heavy alcoholics. My sister just found out she has it plus HIV from her recent bloodwork. But no, it's not a death sentence at all. You have to see a doctor who specializes in this. Do you have decent health coverage? If not there's a good chance you will be eligible for SSD and get Medicaid/medicare benefits. I live in Broward too if you need a disability referral.
 
My mom and dad both have hep c. They seem to be doing just fine no medications or treatments. They been with Hep c for about 7-10 years now. Or maybe longer. Ill ask my mom later more about hep c and post here later.
 
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