Hep C and alcoholism

[Silga]

Hi I love this site and its my 1st post. By the grace of the Great Spirit I have 16months sobreity. I am looking at some aggressive treatment possibly within 6 months to treat Hep C and I am so afraid. Does anyone have any input or been tru this that can share their experience w me please

[Paulie]

Welcome to SR. I myself, have not been through what you face. But I am sure others will be along soon to welcome you that have.

[51anna]

I haven't been through it, but I think you are very brave to face this and ask questions. Hep C is a serious disease and I assume you're talking about the interferon-like treatment that lasts for about a year. Find out what you can and then follow your heart to make the right decision.

[nandm]

Be sure to talk with your doctor if you start having any signs of depression. The medication to treat Hep C can cause a deep depression but there are meds that can be of benefit to treat it. I have had two friends treated for Hep C. It is miserable but worth it in the end.

[lovingseren]

Well Done on 16 MONTHS!

I wish you all the very best.

Seren

[Lily]

Silga,

I have 3 friends that successfully went thru the 6 month treatment. One of them was pretty sick and in a wheel chair at church some days, the other 2 not as bad. the one lady I know was going thru it while going in to work everyday. (she sat next to me and told some days she felt fluey) They were all 3 glad they went thru it though.

blessings to you! Sheila

[CarolD]

Welcome to SR!

Healing prayers coming your way

[Silga]

Wow thanks 4 all that replied I am finding it hard at the moment to Keep it in the Now.. I have no symptoms therefore its hard to accept that I might have to get sicker (interferon) to get better. I realize am trying to predict the future as to find a job beforehand that I would still be able to do if I have sideffects. I am happy, joyous and free most of the time, its when I try to figure out God's will that it gets tense. Thanks for your support

[indigo]

Welcome Silga, and congratulations on your sober time. Hep C is a nasty thing to have but not insurmountable, I have one friend whose recovery was great and another that left him wheelchair bound jmo I think having the treatment is worth a try. Good look and I hope you're not too afraid.
hugs

[Jomey]

hi Silga - My dad has Hep C - he has lived with it for 36 years! He had a liver transplant just 6 years ago. He has done the interferon treatments twice and he was depressed (but that is an issue he has faced at other times in his life) and a bit flu-like at times. He was also in his late 60's at the time. Just to share an experience that I have been close to - listen to your doctor and then follow your heart about what is right for you. blessings!

[PeachStatePam]

Hi Silga. I would suggest going to a Hepatitis C group site and posting there You will find lots of good info and support. While many take treatment for only 6 months, most of us take it for a year. It depends on your genotype. There are lots of good sites and there is a Combo Survival Guide with treatment tips at:
(Well it wouldn't let me post the link so just google Combo Survival Guide and it will come right up)

No two people react to treatment the same so keep that in mind. You might be someone who just flies through treatment and never has a single side effect at all. As someone mentioned, depression can be a side effect and we counsel most people in my support group to go on an antidepressant before they start.

There is a links page about 1/3 of the way down at: (I couldn't post this link either so just google H.E.A.L.S of the South and go to the .com one. The .org one has some messed up links right now. Sorry.)

..... that can take you to a great deal of information and support sites. Good luck and let me know if you need and specific information.

I was diagnosed in 1997, genotype 1a, cirrhosis, treatment failed me in 1999 but I am hanging in and hanging on. Good luck!

Peace
Pam

One of my favorite Yahoo groups is: Check at Yahoo groups and search for HepCingles2 : HepCingles2-Support for ALL with HepC Come join us and ask questions!

[Evanna]

Good post Pam. My hubs also geno 1a used the Hep C support forums quite a lot when go through his treatment. He is not a forum/support group type person generally but the group was very important to him that year. Having been around a fair few people going through treatment i couldnt agree more about no two treatments being the same. I had one friend who wound up in pysch unit (always was a little nuts though ) while another carried on teaching aerobics classes all the way through treatment.

[Silga]

Thank you for all that posted I just have to trust and have faith and practice going with the flow. Thanks Pam for the links