treatment

[peterpam]

I'm new here & dont really know how all this works. I'm starting my treatment on the 11th.Kinda scared.

[MissyMouse]

Welcome Peterpam!

Treatment can be a little scarey but once you get that first shot under your belt it's like a huge feeling of relief.   What's got ya most scare?  How can I help?  I'm currently 18 weeks into my third round of treatment.

Mouse

[negative1]

Yeah...tx can be tough but you wont know until you start. The side affects are different for everyone; some ...about 20%...cruise right through. Others experience some sides...other more sides.
Don't be scared..Just do your first shot and then as you continue through tx you just address any sides you may have as they appear. Your doctor should be more than gracious in giving you things that will help alieviate any sides and get you through this as easily as possible.
What geno type are you?
Chime back in and many here will be of help with suggestions based on what others have gone through or what they themselves went through.
I was a geno type 1 and did 48 weeks of tx and it was successful. I have now been clear for 5 years.
How many weeks of tx do you have to do?
Hope to hear back from you soon!
And once again...welcome to our site.
I know that I could not have made ot without the help of others here when I did my tx. I am sure that you will find the same.

Earl

[Snowflake]

Peterpam, I want to WELCOME you to the site and we look forward to hearing from you..Being scared is natural..I was too!
The most important thing when you start treatment is to keep a possitive attitude..be good to yourself..eating healthy..drinking water and getting the rest your body needs....

Hang In There!!!
    Winona   

[peterpam]

Hello.Isaid I was starting tx on 4-3 but when I went to get my meds,it was powder!So the pharmacy had to order prefilled syringes & now I will start tx on 4-11.Today I found out that my genotype is 1 I thought it was 2.So therefore my tx will last 48 weeks. If it starts working so that it can work that long. I've read on the internet that if the meds aren't lowering your numbers,your dr. will take you off your meds.As you can tell-I still have lots of questions for my dr.I know that I have to keep my job no matter how I feel on my treatment. And getting a svr is the most important responce-I sure hope I dont lose my hair.And I'm pretty scared about the serious side effect-loss of vision..I'm sure you have heard all this before.Well I want to be a part of hcv anonymous.I want to make friends & share feelings & cry if I have to(with yall)& I want to laugh & make jokes & still live while I'm on tx!I know I will get help from you guys & I pray that I will be able to help someone.I don't even know you guys but I have a feeling this is where I belong right now.I look forward to chatting with you guys.My name is Pam.

[Betty W.]

Pam, you are really a part of the best forum you could possibly find anywhere.  The people here (when they check in) are the
most caring and compassionate you will ever know ! If you have a question,just ask someone will come along with an answer !

A little about me, I am now 67 years old or young...I found out that I had HCV and probably have had it 33 years ! The doctor I was seeing at the time was determined I was going to treat ! I am also geno 1....I found this website by accident, joined, and Helen
welcomed me in. I found out tons of information.....I have not treated and three years later my new doctor tells me "I will not
even suggest you treat" ! "At your age the treatment would be so much harder and you would have only a 35% chance of cure".
OH, my biopsy showed very little damage and very little fibrosis. I have a sonogram every 3 to 4 months and will have another biopsy in October of this year !

Now it is your turn to tell us all about you ! I do know that treatment is different with everyone......We will be here for you.
I have a friend that worked the whole time while on treatment  teaching HS Spanish ! Great having you with us !
Betty
 

[DougV]

Hey Pam,

Hopefully you'll sail through treatment with no issues at all.  Many do.  For now might as well relax and enjoy the ride.  Lot of people work, some at really demanding jobs. 

In no time at all you'll be an old pro.  It's funny how quickly you will get comfortable with all this.

I did the powder when I treated, actually preferred it to the pre-filled syringes, but I think I'm in a minority of one. 

If we can help, holler.

Doug

[MissyMouse]

Hi Pam,

1.. Yeppers the docs will pull you off the meds if you don't have a 2 log drop by week 12.

2.  I'm on my third round of treatment.  I did a 48 week course, then a 72 week course and now another 48 week course.   So yeah, it's doable.  I actually worked without missing a single day the first 5 months months of my first round of treatment.  I don't work anymore because I suffer from Rheumatoid Arthritis.

3.  Although I had some pretty significant hair thinning, I never lost all my hair ... and I have 4 years of this junk in my system.

We're here for ya!

Mouse

[peterpam]

Well,this is to you guys that wrote to me.I'm 51.(ouch)I've probably had this for 20 or 30 years.I was in treatment once at Desert Springs-in between Midland & Odessa.About 2 months after I was out,I got a letter from them saying I had it.That was about 6 years ago.Sure wish I could have done treatment sooner but without ins. there was no way.I've got 4&1/2 years clean now.And I've worked for the same co. for 2 yrs. now with good ins.(have never missed a day)I dont know if I should tell my big boss or not.I want to but I'm so afraid he will freak.& I cant lose my job.The thing I'm most scared about treatment is-it not working.Well guys,thanks so much for the support & I will chat with you later.

[MissyMouse]

Do not tell our employer unless you are prepared to expect the unexpected.   I was forced to quit my job of 9  years at a law firm because of harassment.  You are no under obligation to tell them.

Mouse

[peterpam]

Thank you so much for that info.It helps alot to hear that!

[Jazzdenova]

I have to agree with Missy, most of the general public is uninformed and it is not your job right now to educate them. After you are done you can evangilize all you want but for right now you just take care of you. You do not need what I call the self induced stressors. I worked all through my treatment with few sides. I actualy got handsomer and lost weight.... Ok .. just kidding about the weight. Take your time and do some reading, their is this thing called riba rage but if you remember that you are on prescribed drugs you can fend some of the weird feeling off and come in here and rant, cry , laugh and throw up all at the same time. We are here for you, some like me, are insensitive and will poke fun at you but encourage you, others will probably become your best friends or at least show you how to use your computer.
Welcome and enjoy the ride.
And read, read, read. You will probably end up educating your doctor.

[MissyMouse]

VERY well said JazzD

Mouse

[Betty W.]

Stated like a man JazzD.....A lot of truth !!!!

Betty

[pacman]

Just started Tx; first peg shot went well. Appreciate all the advice about hydration and exercise!
Positive beginning!  Thankful to my creator and for my family.