Introduction

[Guest guest]

Dear all

I joined this group last week and would like to introduce myself.

I am a 45 year old who was diagnosed with HCV in 2001(Genotype 1A, >13 million

viral copies per ml blood, very high enzyme levels).

I am an ex IVDU (used heroin, cocaine, amphetamines etc etc for 20 years – I

have been clean and sober for 6 years).

At the time of my diagnosis, I felt that life had come to an end and that I

would never get a partner/get married, everyone would reject me and that I would

die a slow, painful very early death.

My life then became ruled by the virus, I became “Mr Hepatitis Câ€

In May 2002 I commenced a 1 year course of Pegylated interferon and Ribivarin.

At week 12 my PCR showed undetectable viral load. At 6 months I began suffering

from very low white blood cell count and anaemia. At this point my interferon

and ribivarin dosage was halved. I went on to complete 52 weeks of therapy.

Disappointingly my post treatment PCR showed that the virus had bounced back to

greater than pre treatment levels as had my enzyme levels.

At this point I decided that I could no longer allow myself to be ruled by this

disease and that I needed to make a big change in how I approached things

related to my health.

I gave up smoking and began running, eating healthily and taking milk thistle

every day.

Since then I have run 3 half marathons and 3 full marathons raising thousands of

pounds for cancer and liver support charities. I will be running the Edinburgh

Marathon in May.

My health has improved drastically even though at my 6 monthly hospital check

ups the viral levels are still well over 13 million but my enzyme levels are

perfectly normal. I have the occasional bit of liver pain/discomfort but

essentially I am fitter that I have ever been in my life and am living a very

full and happy life. I have also been married for 3 years!

Treatment wise my consultant believes that at the moment there is no point in

trying any of the existing treatments but we are confident that at some point in

the not so distant future there will be something suitable for me and as long as

I keep fit and positive I will be perfectly OK.

My advice to anyone who has been newly diagnosed with HCV is not to become too

negative about it. It is by no means as bad as you think and as long as you look

after yourself physically, emotionally and spiritually you are in with a great

chance.

Take care everyone