New Member feeling very low

[Jim]

Hi,
Thanks for the welcome. I am feeling very very low as I feel I have been given a death sentence. I am 54 yrs old and only found out recently that I have Hep c and most likely have been carrying it for 30 yrs.
Only 4 months ago I was feeling a real winner, fit and healthy and financially secure, but now after many mistakes made over the years I am facing Financial ruin, Family breakup and now it's all topped off with Hep C!
I just can't understand how my world has suddenly fallen apart.
Well I am here to find advice on how to live with Hep C. Is there some natural way to go or do I go for the Hospital treatment?
Jim from Melbourne Australia

[runningbrit]

Dear Jim:    I am so sorry you are going through a lot of bad stuff along with HEP C.   You have come to the right place.   This forum has given me so much information and support and there are many "experts" on here to guide you through.   I was diagnosed last July.   I do not know how I contracted it but, like you, have probably had it a long time.   In my humble opinion there are no "herbal" remedies which will cure hep c.   If you have not had a liver biopsy I suggest you get one as soon as possible and, based on the results, talk with your hepatologist about your options.    We all know how you feel.  Please keep in touch with us and let us know what your hepatologist recommends.   We are all here for you.
Lynda

[sweet sue]

Jim, you are feeling everything we all felt when finding out we have hep c. Totally sucks, be we understand and are here for you. There is no natural cure for hep c, although some of us believe that some supplements may help while others will vehemently argue otherwise.

As runningbrit mentioned, a biopsy and geno type will help us to help you. Don't panic, this isn't a death sentence.

I do know the new triple therapy is not yet available in Australia, but should be coming along soon. If you need to treat right away many people have cleared using the interferon/ribavirin treatment.

sweet sue

[greyrocker]

I posted most of this in the Welcome forum; hadn't realized this was here already.

Sorry about things, sounds like a rough go. Lots of us found out about having hep c many years later, in my case, probably 25 years after some stupid choices.

In answer to your last question, if you want to seek a cure from Hep C, then the only way to go is through the recognized, research-supported medical approach. Some natural ways may, and I emphasis may, make you healthier but they will NOT cure Hep C. Buyer beware though with promises from natural products.

greyrocker

[banarep]

Jim,

so sorry to hear about your diagnosis.  I am 58 and was diagnosed on my 39th birthday
oh, so long ago.  there is life after diagnosis and everything will be okay.

like GR, SS and RB said,  first thing you need to do is get a genotype and have a biopsy,
those two things will tell you what you need to do.

as for "natural cures"  there are  now.  what occurs in the hep c world today is the newest
version of the snake oil salesman.  Native American Herbs, Chinese Herbal medicine,
mother in law potions,  you name it and someone is pushing it,  but none of it works.  None of
of it.  Some of it will make your liver worse. 

BR

[relay]

Jim,

Everything must change...
For now, you've gotten to the right place for the advise and support that you'll need to move forward.
You now have to focus and educate yourself so that you can make positive changes to your health.
Take the advise given to you by your new friends, and know that we're here for you.
Get back to us soon and most importantly... relax.

 
gabe

[B]

Welcome, Jim.  We have all been through the feelings of confusion, fear and not knowing which way to turn.  The replies you have received thus far are from people who have experienced many different types of treatments over the years and are wonderful sources of real information.  Do learn your genotype, staging as well as your IL28B allele.  Knowledge is power!

Breathe deeply, you are amongst friends. And some darn smart ones too!

Bye for now,
B

[runningbrit]

mother in law potions

 

I am glad these don't work otherwise my son in law may have taken full advantage of them

[alice]

Welcome from Alaska, Jim.

I'm awfully sorry you're having such a rough go now... things can really pile up. I have to agree with my friends here... there is no herbal cure (some herbs might help, some might hurt), and if you want to get rid of this, the Western medicine (pharmaceuticals) are the only way. However, without your biopsy and genotype results, there's no way to offer any suggestions as to which approach is best.

Wow, you do have a lot going on. I hope you can get some of that sorted out before tackling this HCV.

Take care and please come back often. We have a few other members from Australia too.

alice

[Steph]

Welcome from Tennessee, Jim. Your diagnosis is not a death sentence. There is a standard treatment regimen, as others have mentioned. You'll find a lot of information about it online and here at this forum. Many of us here contracted this virus decades ago. I know I did. I'm 53 and treating now. Treatment lasts months and has side effects that can, repeat can, overshadow your life during the treatment period. That's why Alice wisely suggested you take care of whatever challenging business may be at hand for you at this time before you begin treating. It's often said here to not make big decisions or undertake major life changes while treating. Life is hard and life goes on, Jim. Breathe deeply and try to relax some. Hope to hear much from you in the future. ~Steph

[ScaredyCat]

Hi there.
Sorry to meet you here - you'll find a lot of people on this site that were healthy, working out -just a little tired (well a lot tired) that found out they'd had hcv for many years. I felt like it was a death sentence too until I got on this site - phew. It will be okay.
Well, you're not the only Australian on this site - so you will have someone to help you with what's the best way to get treated there.

Take care-
ScaredyCat

[Jim]

many thanks to all of you.
Jim

[Feb4]

Hi Jim.
What you are feeling is totally normal.
Just take a deep breath and get your labs taken care of first.
Hep C is a slow mover. I am 54 and as best as I can figure have had Hep C since I was 18.
Upon my diagnosis and liver biopsy in 2006 I was Stage 1 Grade 1 which is mild. They say when you contract Hep C when you are younger the body adjusts better to controlling the inflammation.
Good luck to you and post any questions or concerns here.
There is a lot of experience on this site at your disposal.
F4

[welshchef]

Jim,

Welcome. you found the right place for support. The shock and disbelief will wear off and you will get through this. I most likely have had the virus for 25 plus years.

Western medicine is the only way to beat the virus! The medicines are currently and always being refined. The meds I'm taking are currently working, so there is wonderful ways to handle this.

You'll win this!

Welsh

[firefly326]

Hi Jim,

My heart and best wishes are with you.  I had a spell of one blow after another in every area including the hcv blow as you describe and it can heal and rebuild and I will be cheering for you to come out of it all stronger than ever.  May I please suggest that you be very careful with natural remedies.  Well meaning people have offered me everything from cleanses made of things that can cause harm to an injured liver to an adrenal support from a chiropractor that raised my alt to 440 and took 3 months to bring down to 143.  Milk thistle has never hurt, helped manage but not cure.  I am on triple treatment now.  The side effects are hard even when mild but like Welsh said - it's working and decades of experiments some with disastrous results did not work for me.  There's lots of new more tolerable meds around the corner but I am older and inflammation had become constant so decided not to wait.  Good luck to you and I too hope you can resolve some things before you deal with hcv.