i need an answer

Hi there, Mermaid, and welcome in to this place of caring friends. Where are you writing from? It's always good to have newcomers posting here.

It's late here in Florida, and I'm very tired, but I will try to answer your questions as well as I can.

First, yes, some people become completely cured. The odd's are not as favorable as we would hope, but there are indeed some who get rid of the virus and it never returns. And some who get rid of it and it comes back. Some people never complete the medications because they become too overwhelmed by the side effects, usually depression. Your chances depend a lot on a few things, like your genotype, your viral load and AST and ALT levels, and things like diet, water intake, whether or not you delete certain things from your allowable intake. You should not be drinking alcohol or caffeine (keep in mind that even chocolate has caffeine in it, so you should eliminate chocolate). If you smoke, quit now. All these modifications to your lifestyle are mandatory if you want to win the fight.

You should focus on a good health diet, anything that normally is good for you is usually good for your healing, except things that are high in iron like spinnach, raisins, etc. (while on medication). You should either stop eating red meats or cut way down on it. Cut out saturated fats and sugar as much as possible. Taking Milk Thistle has been the standard advice until recently when a member here disputed that information, so at least you should be taking it before you start treatment... I think that would be safe to say. And some of us take it even during treatment, so you'd be safer to do more research on that issue until we have some more concrete proof one way or the other.

Before we can really help you, tell us if you have had a biopsy yet and what the results were (stage ? and grade ? fibrosis and inflammation), and tell us what your genotype is and your viral load numbers. Also, tell us if you've started doing the treatments yet, and if so, what medications are you taking? All this will help us to help you. If you haven't gotten to this point yet, are you seeing a gastroenterologist (liver doctor) yet?

The 3rd PCR is a bit confusing for me for some reason... are you talking about the 3rd month blood lab results and your viral load? If it's "undetectable" then it means the med's are working and you should continue taking them. It doesn't mean you've won the fight yet, so don't let your guard down. If I'm mistaken, someone here will surely correct me, right you guys? Shawn, you should be a good source for this one.

Marriage. How old are you? Are you in love? Is the Merman in love, too? Make sure of this before you go into something as deep as marriage... too many people jump in for all the superficial reasons and then get divorced in a few years. Sit down with him and talk to him about this (your Hepatitis C), explaining that it will probably be a rough ride during the treatment phase because of the side effects, and both of you should research this so he knows what to expect if you experience depression or unexplainable anger. Keep reminding yourself that it's the med's causing these feelings, not you.

Does he also have Hepatitis C? If not, he won't contract it just by having sex with you, unless there is some blood transmission, either via rough sex or lack of lubrication causing bleeding, or maybe if one or both of you have bleeding gums and have oral sex. Also, avoid sexual contact just before, during, and immediately after menstuation. You know, be real careful to use common sense in how and when you get together.

I was married for 6 years and had a son with my (ex)wife. She and I really got into some intense sex often, even after our divorce, and I insisted on her and our son being tested (in case he may have contracted it from childbirth), and they both tested negative.

Another issue for some people has been reduced sex drive. I personally can't imagine, but this treatment affects different people in different ways. So you may find that one of you experiences a reducion in sexual interest. I think it could be brought on by stress, and the feeling of being "diseased", or "contaminated", or "dirty". I think people bring that on themselves, and it isn't necessary at all to feel that way. I'm as clean as ever, except for my blood, and as long as I don't spread it around I'm okay. If I had a lady to enjoy, I would be definitely doing just that, regularly, and I certainly wouldn't let this get in the way of my libido. If anything, my libido is causing me problems by being too intense, and being single I have to come up with some really creative distractions.

Like I said, this will affect you differently than some others. Your best bet is to be calm all through the treatments, and to take things as they come with acceptance and with faith in yourself and your own powers of healing, and faith in God. Do everything sensible and logical, but make sure you research all aspects of this virus so you're sure that what you're doing is the right thing to do. Drink a lot of good, clean water daily, like a quart for every 50 pounds of body weight.

Find creative ways to deal with stress, and don't dwell on any of the negative stuff, just learn about how you should deal with it. If you have ANY questions, come here and ask... someone will help you every time. If not, ask again. If you or anyone else here has a personal issue and you don't feel comfortable broadcasting it to the world, write me and I will be glad to help if I can. My e-mail address is atclockouts@vol.com and I check it daily.

Remember, be positive, build faith, and use common sense. Read, read, read... knowledge is power. You came to the best place I've found for friendship and caring, and we all are connected to Hep C in one way or another... most of us directly. Live in the light of God's love, and know that a new and better medication is just around the corner!

God bless.