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Need feedback hep c related

theartofwar

theartofwar

Bluelighter
Joined
Jul 29, 2009
Messages
3,263
Location
Boston
So I've been clean for awhile now. Been having a ton of pain in my right side so I went to my primary care and I did labs. Just got the call back that I have hep c :/. I'm pretty bummed out right now, but I cannot resort to self pity which I did and kept me in active addiction for awhile. What I'm wondering is whose been down this road and what can I expect? I know a good amount of people w hep but tbh I am ashamed of it ATM and don't want people finding out until I come to grips with it. Thanks in advance for any help guys.
-j
 
I do not have hep C but know a lot about it.

I'm glad you are clean, it's the best thing you can do for your liver at the moment. You will not nead treatment as long as your liver levels are ok, nevertheless I would advise you to speak this through with your doctor.

Don't be ashamed of it, Hep C can happen to anyone, people didn't know it existed about 20 years ago, most people get it from surgery etc. You would be surprised at how many people have it.

There are many drugs out there that are very good and much better than the old stuff they use. Depending on where you live (it is yet to be passed by the health ministry where I live) you can use Telaprevier and Boceprevir which have much higher cure rates than their predecessors.

Do you know the genotype of the virus? You might be lucky to find out that it's an easily treated genotype, who knows?

Interpheron treatment is generally considered a bit rough, but this depends on the individual. This is important only if you need active treatment right now, you might not, what did your doctor say?

I wish the best for you, like I said before the best thing you can do is to stay clean. If you continue using you will fuck up a very high chance of getting cured from this disease. You really do not want to develop cirrhosis.

I am sure there are many people who have experienced treatment here. I will write again to keep the thread active.
 
I found out I had Hep C about 3 years ago. I was a heroin addict and I made the mistake of using a used needle. I think I know who gave it to me but that doesn't even matter now. I have genotype 1 which is the hardest to treat. As early as just a few months of contracting it I went jaundice, eyes and entire body yellow and an ultrasound revealed that I already have some liver damage. I was nauseous constantly. I called the doctor, got tested and found out I had it even though I already know I did. They tried to convince me to go through treatment but I don't want to be sick constantly and go through that hell with such a low percentage rate of remission especially in genotype 1 patients. I still drink everyday even though I shouldn't. I'm probably not the best person to give advice about Hep C because I still drink and treat my body like shit. I could be brave and fight it but I just don't feel like it. We are all gonna die someday and I guess when my liver gives out, it gives out. They give you generous amounts of morphine when you are dying of liver failure. I look forward to that. :)
 
Miss Hollywood said:
I found out I had Hep C about 3 years ago. I was a heroin addict and I made the mistake of using a used needle. I think I know who gave it to me but that doesn't even matter now. I have genotype 1 which is the hardest to treat. As early as just a few months of contracting it I went jaundice, eyes and entire body yellow and an ultrasound revealed that I already have some liver damage. I was nauseous constantly. I called the doctor, got tested and found out I had it even though I already know I did. They tried to convince me to go through treatment but I don't want to be sick constantly and go through that hell with such a low percentage rate of remission especially in genotype 1 patients. I still drink everyday even though I shouldn't. I'm probably not the best person to give advice about Hep C because I still drink and treat my body like shit. I could be brave and fight it but I just don't feel like it. We are all gonna die someday and I guess when my liver gives out, it gives out. They give you generous amounts of morphine when you are dying of liver failure. I look forward to that. :)
Click to expand...

The percentage of remission is quite high considering how serious the disease is. Telaprevir and broceprevir have seriously improved cure rates. Interpheron is considered rough and lowers morale but it's better than giving up and is certainly worth a try when you consider that everyone doesn't react as badly to the treatment.

You can always stop taking medication after talking to you doctor if you can't bare interpheron. I thought BL was about harm reduction, I was amazed to see someone almost advising another person not to get treated, especially if there is a big chance of getting better.

OP, talk to your doctor and actually know if you need treatment at the moment, some people go for years without needing any active treatment and you don't even have to be an inpatient while receiving treatment.

worth checking out: http://www.hepmag.com/index.shtml
 
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I too, just found out 2 weeks ago that I tested positive for HCV anitbody. It's not a nice feeling. :(

Though, as the staff said at the sexual health clinic that I go to, it's not/no longer a death sentence. I have to go back in for further testing to determine which genotype it is, LFTs, etc. And from what I've read regarding recently infected patients, it is generally advised to hold off on treatment, unless it is called for, as there are some new alternatives coming out that are much less harsh than Interferon for example. Though, I'm not sure how rapidly cirrhosis of the liver develops. I know plenty of people who have Hep C and it hasn't affected their life at all. I'm no expert when it comes to Hepatitis C, but since I learned that I was infected, I have been reading lots about it.

Ash.
 
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1394 said:
The percentage of remission is quite high considering how serious the disease is. Telaprevir and broceprevir have seriously improved cure rates. Interpheron is considered rough and lowers morale but it's better than giving up and is certainly worth a try when you consider that everyone doesn't react as badly to the treatment.
Click to expand...

Interferon treatment with ribovirin has a 70% success rate with genotype 1, 90% for genotype 2, 65% or more for genotype 3, and 70% for genotype 4, according to that link you posted.
 
Ashley said:
Interferon treatment with ribovirin has a 70% success rate with genotype 1, 90% for genotype 2, 65% or more for genotype 3, and 70% for genotype 4, according to that link you posted.
Click to expand...

Yes, from what I remember the treatment rates were based on a combo treatment (presumably ribavirin+ interferon). Like I said beforei there are many new drugs that are being developed which have higher success rates in initial treatment and much higher rates for relapsed patients (in the country I live you can only receive treatment 3 times if the state is paying for it, we don't have the new drugs either).

What should be kept in mind is that Hep C patients have to pay attention to ther lifestyles. I don't now too much about the U.S and Australia but there should be support groups etc which are great for information especially by getting to know people who have had it for a long time, or that are cured and are helping out others.

It is not a death sentence. I hope it works out for all of you.
 
what you should is wait a little while then go bak and get retested, in not sure of the % is but there is a small percentage like 20-30 that will fight of the infection on its own. while your waiting to get tested again though take lots of milk thisle and avoid alcohol and street drugs.
 
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Guys,
Thanks for all the feedback - I go to the doc again Monday, and will go from there. I take milk thistle, nac and liv52 - those of you who know me know for awhile I was involved in the steroid scene do I had to take care of my liver. Thankfully that knowledge will help me now.
I'll check back when I know more. Thanks again hope you guys have a good day, one love.
 
geez, this takes me back 10, 12 years ago?? I was diagnosed with non A, non b hep. That was before they had a test for hep c. I was put on an experimental drug at that time called "interferon". After a year or so, my virus count went to zero, and I was cured. I guess I was very, very lucky. Wow, I guess the treatment has progressed a long ways since. Gl to you--there's hope.
 
rightlaws said:
geez, this takes me back 10, 12 years ago?? I was diagnosed with non A, non b hep. That was before they had a test for hep c. I was put on an experimental drug at that time called "interferon". After a year or so, my virus count went to zero, and I was cured. I guess I was very, very lucky. Wow, I guess the treatment has progressed a long ways since. Gl to you--there's hope.
Click to expand...

Are you sure this was only 10-12 years ago? Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to be snotty or anything...
 
no, I understand. You made me think. It was over 12 years ago. I'm thinking it was around 1997? A good 15 years ago maybe. Geez, time goes by.
 
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