Re: I'm New...Start Treatment Next Week...Scared

[Guest guest]

Well....first of all...stage 2 isn't all that bad. It's not good mind you,

but could be a lot worse.. As far as treatment goes, be patient with

yourself. You will probably have at least some depression involved. It's

normal

and can be easily helped with the right drugs. I say this because it seems

to me that this symptom is the one I've heard repeatedly from others in the

past. Just let your doctor know. You will also feel a LOT more tired than

usual. Again, it can be helped by drugs. Myself, I developed anemia shortly

into to treatment so they put me on Procrit injections as well. Yeah, what

joy to add another needle!, well...it helped..

Most importantly, drink a lot of water, take a lot of vitamins, and eat the

right foods. All of these will play a key role in tolerating these fun meds.

Push yourself to get out and exercise a little, even when you don't want

to; it will make you feel better.

People differ greatly in the sides they experience. Worst of all for me was

the fact I was so damned tired all the time, but it's NOT impossible to get

through.

Remember this, a year of drugs and inconvience, and you may very well beat

this crap for a lifetime. It's worth the odds.

You can do it!

[Guest guest]

>

> Well....first of all...stage 2 isn't all that bad. It's not

good mind you,

> but could be a lot worse.. As far as treatment goes, be patient

with

> yourself. You will probably have at least some depression

involved. It's normal

> and can be easily helped with the right drugs. I say this

because it seems

> to me that this symptom is the one I've heard repeatedly from

others in the

> past. Just let your doctor know. You will also feel a LOT more

tired than

> usual. Again, it can be helped by drugs. Myself, I developed

anemia shortly

> into to treatment so they put me on Procrit injections as well.

Yeah, what

> joy to add another needle!, well...it helped..

>

>

>

> Most importantly, drink a lot of water, take a lot of vitamins,

and eat the

> right foods. All of these will play a key role in tolerating

these fun meds.

> Push yourself to get out and exercise a little, even when you

don't want

> to; it will make you feel better.

>

> People differ greatly in the sides they experience. Worst of all

for me was

> the fact I was so damned tired all the time, but it's NOT

impossible to get

> through.

>

> Remember this, a year of drugs and inconvience, and you may very

well beat

> this crap for a lifetime. It's worth the odds.

>

> You can do it!

>

>

>

>

> Hi my name is -

I went through two different kinds of treatment-The first one was

the pegalated interf. I didn't finish the treatment with this

medication-the side affects (depression) were totally (for me)

unbearable. Then my doctor put me on regular interf. and within the

first month I had a negitive blood test. That was 2 and a half years

ago and I'm still getting neg. blood work. My doctor said I

have " graduated " in other words CURED!!!!!!! Its very scary and

intimidating, but in the long run it is sooooo worth it. The key

( in my opinion) is stay on your meds,communication with your doctor

is vital and seek support its o.k. to be scared, confused, and

overwhelmed-but in the long run it is so worth it. Hang in there

>

>

[Guest guest]

>

> I have had Hep C for over 20 years and the Dr's decided to get

serious

> and give me a Liver Biopsy...Well the result is Stage 2 and immediate

> treatment. I'm on Combo therapy beginning next week. Any advise?

>

Thanks to you both for the encouragment! I felt sorry for myself all

day yesterday and today I'm looking forward to kicking this virus. I

think it is just " WRONG " that I have Hep C and so I look at this fight

as my opprotunity to " RIGHT " the " WRONG " ! Thanks again for the

encouraging words they do help.

[Guest guest]

> >

> > I have had Hep C for over 20 years and the Dr's decided to get

> serious

> > and give me a Liver Biopsy...Well the result is Stage 2 and immediate

> > treatment. I'm on Combo therapy beginning next week. Any advise?

> >

>

>

> Thanks to you both for the encouragment! I felt sorry for myself all

> day yesterday and today I'm looking forward to kicking this virus. I

> think it is just " WRONG " that I have Hep C and so I look at this fight

> as my opprotunity to " RIGHT " the " WRONG " ! Thanks again for the

> encouraging words they do help.

>

Hi Tammy, Just wanted to let you know that you are not alone. Tonight I start my

treatment. I must say, I am not looking forward to it but I am determined to be

this thing. I

was diagnosed in January during a regular check-up. I had no symptoms and have

never

been really sick in my life so it was quite a shock and very depressing, to say

the least.

Found out that I am Genotype 1a and after my biopsy discovered that I am Stage

1. I have

no idea how long I've had it or how I contracted it but I guess the important

thing is

getting rid of it. If you ever need to talk, email me any time...I could use a

buddy during

this as I'm sure you could, too. Best of luck to you!

Diane