Guest guest Posted January 3, 2004 Report Share Posted January 3, 2004 Hello, I'm new to this list but not new to Hep C although there is still a lot I don't know. I am about to go through treatment and am wondering how bad it will be, how much it will affect my ability to work, play and live (semi) normally. And I'm also wondering how much to reveal to co-workers, friends, etc when I start treatment. I hesitate to make my illness public knowledge, as I know people can be judgmental and paranoid, etc. At the same time I feel I will need to say something to account for being ill, less involved, etc. I'm not sure when I contacted Hep C, but it was certainly before 1992 and likely over 30 years ago. I was diagnosed with Hep B back in 1970 (yes from drug use). My GI Doctor said I either had Hep C all along and never had Hep B, or the Hep B went away and I contacted Hep C afterwards. That may have happened even though its been over 30 years since I used drugs, as I was being treated for another illness and often had blood drawn in the 80s and 90s. Anyhow, I've been resisting going under treatment for years now because I have been symptom free and it seemed like the success rate for treatment was pretty low, and the treatment pretty bad. It was like " I feel fine, why would I want to do that to myself? " My bilirubin, AST and ALT had been pretty much the same for decades, generally slightly elevated but not real high. But the doctors and my wife have finally convinced me to do the combo interferon/ribavirin treatment, most likely starting next month. I got good news in that I am genotype 2, so the treatment will be for just 6 months, and the success rate is higher than type 1. If anyone has any feedback re how bad the treatment will be, and what to tell people I'd be glad to hear it. Sorry to be so long-winded, Ray Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 4, 2004 Report Share Posted January 4, 2004 Hi Ray ... welcome to our group. Only 6 months eh? It will be a piece of cake. On a more serious note, some people find it difficult and some find it not so difficult. I've been through the treatment twice and I found it difficult. I had insomnia which was virtually intractable. Fortunately, my doctor prescribed mass quantities of tranquilizers and sedatives. Some people get by with just an antidepressant. I wouldn't tell anyone at work unless it started interfering with work. I continued to work during my first round of treatment. I was unemployed during the second round. The most common side effects are depression, insomnia, fatigue, anemia, and neutropenia. Doug > New and Old Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 4, 2004 Report Share Posted January 4, 2004 Ray, Actually I was honest with all my friends and family about my going on the treatment and what diease I have. I told them straight out I have Hepatitis C. and if they cared to ask questions then I answered them with the best information that I could give them. I didn't lose alot of friends because they found out. In fact some that were casual friends became closer because they wanted to help. The friends I did lose due to them finding out that I had HepC were not really friends anyway. No big loss as far as I am concerned. I am not ashamed to have Hepatitis C. It wasn't like I was out there looking to find a diease to get infected with. It happens. One day you are tooling along having fun in life and then Wham you get hit with the a life changing event. So you deal with it. I was the same way when I went on treatment. I would have a side effect that bothered me,so I dealt with it. I figure out the best way to deal with it, or I came here and asked questions of my fellow members and we all dealt with it. Good luck on your treatment. You will do good. Be sure to keep yourself informed with all the info you need to make your treatment a success. Love Janet > Hello, I'm new to this list but not new to Hep C although there is still a lot I don't know. I am about to go through treatment and am wondering how bad it will be, how much it will affect my ability to work, play and live (semi) normally. And I'm also wondering how much to reveal to co-workers, friends, etc when I start treatment. I hesitate to make my illness public knowledge, as I know people can be judgmental and paranoid, etc. At the same time I feel I will need to say something to account for being ill, less involved, etc. > I'm not sure when I contacted Hep C, but it was certainly before 1992 and likely over 30 years ago. I was diagnosed with Hep B back in 1970 (yes from drug use). My GI Doctor said I either had Hep C all along and never had Hep B, or the Hep B went away and I contacted Hep C afterwards. That may have happened even though its been over 30 years since I used drugs, as I was being treated for another illness and often had blood drawn in the 80s and 90s. > Anyhow, I've been resisting going under treatment for years now because I have been symptom free and it seemed like the success rate for treatment was pretty low, and the treatment pretty bad. It was like " I feel fine, why would I want to do that to myself? " My bilirubin, AST and ALT had been pretty much the same for decades, generally slightly elevated but not real high. But the doctors and my wife have finally convinced me to do the combo interferon/ribavirin treatment, most likely starting next month. > I got good news in that I am genotype 2, so the treatment will be for just 6 months, and the success rate is higher than type 1. > If anyone has any feedback re how bad the treatment will be, and what to tell people I'd be glad to hear it. > Sorry to be so long-winded, > Ray > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 4, 2004 Report Share Posted January 4, 2004 Thanks Janet and Doug for your imput! I guess I'll find out how my body responds once I start treatment. I know from past experience that I generally tolerate medications well, hopefully that will be true this time too. I started an exercise program, trying to get in top shape before my treatment. Weightlifting and yoga. Also hoping that may work to counteract any depression I may go through. I think I'll hold off and telling people at work, other than my boss, who already knows. If my hair falls out I'll just, you know, do Elmer Fudd impressions! Or something. I think I will let some friends know, if it comes up. I had to decide to not be involved with a project I worked on last year with a group of gardening friends who, of course, want to know why. I said health reasons, but that left them wondering so I'll just put it out there. I kinda agree with Janet on that one: your real friends won't get judgmental. And those that too, hey, just move on! Thanks again, Ray Janet wrote: Ray, Actually I was honest with all my friends and family about my going on the treatment and what diease I have. I told them straight out I have Hepatitis C. and if they cared to ask questions then I answered them with the best information that I could give them. I didn't lose alot of friends because they found out. In fact some that were casual friends became closer because they wanted to help. The friends I did lose due to them finding out that I had HepC were not really friends anyway. No big loss as far as I am concerned. I am not ashamed to have Hepatitis C. It wasn't like I was out there looking to find a diease to get infected with. It happens. One day you are tooling along having fun in life and then Wham you get hit with the a life changing event. So you deal with it. I was the same way when I went on treatment. I would have a side effect that bothered me,so I dealt with it. I figure out the best way to deal with it, or I came here and asked questions of my fellow members and we all dealt with it. Good luck on your treatment. You will do good. Be sure to keep yourself informed with all the info you need to make your treatment a success. Love Janet > Hello, I'm new to this list but not new to Hep C although there is still a lot I don't know. I am about to go through treatment and am wondering how bad it will be, how much it will affect my ability to work, play and live (semi) normally. And I'm also wondering how much to reveal to co-workers, friends, etc when I start treatment. I hesitate to make my illness public knowledge, as I know people can be judgmental and paranoid, etc. At the same time I feel I will need to say something to account for being ill, less involved, etc. > I'm not sure when I contacted Hep C, but it was certainly before 1992 and likely over 30 years ago. I was diagnosed with Hep B back in 1970 (yes from drug use). My GI Doctor said I either had Hep C all along and never had Hep B, or the Hep B went away and I contacted Hep C afterwards. That may have happened even though its been over 30 years since I used drugs, as I was being treated for another illness and often had blood drawn in the 80s and 90s. > Anyhow, I've been resisting going under treatment for years now because I have been symptom free and it seemed like the success rate for treatment was pretty low, and the treatment pretty bad. It was like " I feel fine, why would I want to do that to myself? " My bilirubin, AST and ALT had been pretty much the same for decades, generally slightly elevated but not real high. But the doctors and my wife have finally convinced me to do the combo interferon/ribavirin treatment, most likely starting next month. > I got good news in that I am genotype 2, so the treatment will be for just 6 months, and the success rate is higher than type 1. > If anyone has any feedback re how bad the treatment will be, and what to tell people I'd be glad to hear it. > Sorry to be so long-winded, > Ray > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 4, 2004 Report Share Posted January 4, 2004 Excellent idea! If you sift through old postings you'll find I am very much an advocate of physical preparation before treatment and maintenance during treatment. You will find that you won't have as much capacity for physical exercise during treatment but even walking helps. Doug > Re: New and Old > > I started an exercise program, trying to get in top shape > before my treatment. Weightlifting and yoga. Also hoping that > may work to counteract any depression I may go through. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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