Author Topic: hi,this is all new to me............ (Read 799 times)

leigh · « **on:** January 30, 2012, 02:27:02 PM »

Hey,i found out a week before christmas that i had hepatitis c and my head has just been one big cycle of mess and questions since,i was told by my g.p to stop drinking alcohol,this was just a red rag to a bull in my head and i started to drink more than ever,self destruct mode kicked in.I have my first appointment in two days time with the gastroenterology clinic and am scared stiff!Idont know what to expect,i have been told that i have at least 6-12 months of treatment ahead of me and that im going to feel like crap!!Can anyone help please or enlighten me more as to what i will be going through as the health services where i live are vague to say the least!thanks.

alice · « **Reply #1 on:** January 30, 2012, 03:06:43 PM »

Quote from: leigh on January 30, 2012, 02:27:02 PM

Hey,i found out a week before christmas that i had hepatitis c and my head has just been one big cycle of mess and questions since,i was told by my g.p to stop drinking alcohol,this was just a red rag to a bull in my head and i started to drink more than ever,self destruct mode kicked in.I have my first appointment in two days time with the gastroenterology clinic and am scared stiff!Idont know what to expect,i have been told that i have at least 6-12 months of treatment ahead of me and that im going to feel like crap!!Can anyone help please or enlighten me more as to what i will be going through as the health services where i live are vague to say the least!thanks

Hi leigh,

Welcome to the site. I hope we can help you through this tough time. Most of us aren't too terribly happy tto learn we have hepC so your reactions are not unusual. Of course, you know the drinking has got to go... you are correct, it is terribly self-destructive. Many of us-- myself included-- have had some trouble with the drinking after this diagnosis and all I can say is that if you can't stop by yourself, please try to get some help. If is not likely they will allow to you treat if you are still actively drinking because alcohol, specifically alcohol, interferes with treatment and can make it not work.

As fr what to expect at your docotr visit...probably you'll go over any lab results you have, your doctor may order some more. Common lab lab tests will generally include a comlpete metabolic panel which will help give an idea of how your liver is functioning, a complete blood count which will give you a baseline count of your different blood cells, and you should get tests to confirm what genotype (which strain) of heptatitis C you have and how much virus you have in your bloodstream (viral load). Your GI will probably suggest that you get a liver biopsy to assess the degree of fibrosis (scarring) you have in your liver. The biopsy is usually no big deal-- just a poke. Some doctors are using blood tests instead of biopsies these days.

Affter you get all that information, you will probably meet with your doctor to discuss treatment options. Depending on your genotype, treatment (tx) options vary. If you decide to treat now, then you can start preparing for tx. Not everyone has a difficult time on tx! Most people have a couple/few days a week when they feel mild-moderate flu-like symptoms but some others have more difficult symptoms. Everyone is different.

I hope this helps. Please feel free to ask us any questions you have and read through the site's info-- there's a lot of info here and a lot of support!

take care
alice

leigh · « **Reply #2 on:** January 30, 2012, 03:23:03 PM »

Thanks alice,so far my g.p has taken bloods up as far as the test to check wether my liver is producing the clotting agent?in my blood,ive read up so much and am waiting to find out which genotype i have.The worst thing is that i have been a drug addict for nineteen yrs up until september last year,i decided that was that and my life needed to turn around,i gave up the drugs,drink and even stopped smoking ciggarettes all in the space of six weeks without a methadone/subatex programme,cold turkey or nothing and i did it ,am still clean now ,but like i said the booze was an issue and still is.I know i have to stop it though and have finally accepted that i have hcv,denial,self destruction and depression have been my life since i found out,punishing myself i think?but onward and upward is the way now,thanks again.

ole44 · « **Reply #3 on:** January 30, 2012, 04:07:13 PM »

Leigh read you post and wonted to say congrats on clean since Sept and hope you keep it up, I have 25 years c@s now but I do remember the day where I was in your shoes so don"t give up on it life is better without. as for you recent news on you HC. read all you can read ask all the questions you can think of , there is someone out there with the answers and this is a great place to start.

mike

leigh · « **Reply #4 on:** January 30, 2012, 04:21:41 PM »

Quote from: ole44 on January 30, 2012, 04:07:13 PM

Leigh read you post and wonted to say congrats on clean since Sept and hope you keep it up, I have 25 years c@s now but I do remember the day where I was in your shoes so don"t give up on it life is better without. as for you recent news on you HC. read all you can read ask all the questions you can think of , there is someone out there with the answers and this is a great place to start.

mike

Thanks and thanks again mike,my mind has just been allover the place since found out,felt alone,guilty,selfish,dirty,undeserving and so low at times im still wondering how i didnt just give in and relapse tbh,somehow though the reality of hcv and knowing i have to battle my past for a better future won through and my children need their dad in their lives are factors that have made me strong and determined,ive constantly been asking myself if its all worth it and as time goes on the answer is much clearer

ScaredyCat · « **Reply #5 on:** January 30, 2012, 04:47:40 PM »

oh Leigh!
All those feelings - we all have them when we first find out about this HCV -like a dying, walking plague. But it just isn't so.

I was alone too until I found all these people. Somehow hcv makes you feel that way. Maybe because you never meet anyone you know with it -well, hardly. There's a lot of hcv out in the world but people don't want to talk about it.

Yeppers. The alcohol is def out. Like pouring gas on a fire. You will find plenty of people in your situation on here. Get your liver tested to see where you are as far as disease progression and then you will know what you need to do. To treat right away, get into a clinical trial or wait a year or two to see what is approved for new treatment.

Thanks for posting and realizing your children need you. It will be okay. I thought I was going to die and give this to everyone - guess what - I'm not dying at all and I haven't given it to anyone! phew.

Take care-
ScaredyCat

leigh · « **Reply #6 on:** January 30, 2012, 04:59:28 PM »

Thanks you dont, well you probably do now-realize how much better im feeling just being able to get things off my chest,only close family know and yes it does feel like the plague.I know tha booze gotta go and yes i do love life and all the good it brings which ive never fully appreciated due to drug addiction,but only i can help myself,doctors and specialists can help but i know that only with my input things will get better and also talking to others in my shoes too so thanks for understanding and take care

MidKnight · « **Reply #7 on:** January 30, 2012, 05:29:37 PM »

Great bunch a people here feel free to ask us anything,we mean anything! I just picked up my seven year chip. It will definately make a change in your social circle. It did mine, and that was exactly what needed to happen. We are here for you.

leigh · « **Reply #8 on:** January 30, 2012, 05:55:10 PM »

thanks and your right its such a weight off my shoulders just being able to talk about life with others on here knowing also that you all understand,feeling less like a leppar already

Jeano · « **Reply #9 on:** January 30, 2012, 06:46:35 PM »

Hi Leigh,

Welcome to the forum. Yes we all are scared when we find out the dreaded news. I too had a few beers after finding out but knew I had to stop.

It took about six months for the docs to do all the testing and then decide on treatment. In that six months of waiting my viral load started at over 4 million. The doc said no drinking!!! I freaked out and slipped a couple of times while waiting to treat. However by not drinking, my viral load when I started was cut in half I was sitting at 2 million.

The lower the viral load when you start treatment.....the more better.

We are all here for you....it's a hard road to go down but you can do it. This forum is the best! A lot of caring people who are helping each other, help each other.

Take care,
Jeanne

Survivor · « **Reply #10 on:** January 30, 2012, 07:17:08 PM »

Hi Leigh,I found out when I knew

Survivor · « **Reply #11 on:** January 30, 2012, 07:24:53 PM »

Try this again...I found out when I was in treatment for first time when I realized I had to stop everything including drinking and alcohol..It is a common reaction to say puck it and just drink or drug ..I used these excuses for years to continue to self-destruct...
I feel great now even though I am awaiting to do this at a more suitable time(relapsed the first time after thinking I was in the clear)..
When I finished treatment I quit smoking and start eating healthy(saw nutrionalist and continue to stay eating healthy some four years later)..My experience is when I stepped up to the plate to do something finally to stay healthy it just steamrolled in my life and drinking or drugging is not part of my life any longer and I love it..

Good luck
Survivor

alice · « **Reply #12 on:** January 30, 2012, 07:50:47 PM »

Quote from: leigh on January 30, 2012, 03:23:03 PM

Thanks alice,so far my g.p has taken bloods up as far as the test to check wether my liver is producing the clotting agent?in my blood,ive read up so much and am waiting to find out which genotype i have.

Hi again, Leigh.

Sounds like your doc might have asked for a Complete Blood Count... among other things, that will tell you what your platelets are; platelets help with clotting and are often low in people with advanced liver disease.

I'm really glad you've found these replies helpful and congratulations on getting off the dope. Good luck with everything, including the drinking. You will continue to get a lot of support from us--- that's why we're all here, to give and receive support so keep coming back.

alice

Steph · « **Reply #13 on:** January 30, 2012, 07:51:50 PM »

Leigh, you're a strong and graced man! Getting yourself clean like you did shows that. You're getting a new life, man! Many here have been in your shoes and are leading rewarding and satisfying lives now. You fight for it, ya hear!

greyrocker · « **Reply #14 on:** January 30, 2012, 11:35:47 PM »

Hi Leigh! In about 2 weeks, I'll have been clean 19 years; best thing I've ever done. One thing I know, if I kept living the way I was, the hep c would have been the least of my worries and I would have died by now. No doubt in my mind whatsoever. If alcohol is still an issue, as you say it is, then you need to get some help with that if you can't stop on your own. It's about the worst thing you can do when you have hep c. Some studies have indicated that alcohol actually enhances viral replication, so you're playing with a loaded gun, my friend.

As for hep c, here's a good guide for you to read and get to know more about it. I say over and over that knowledge is power, so here you go.

http://hcvadvocate.org/hepatitis/factsheets_pdf/Newly%20Diagnosed.pdf

take care
greyrocker

Member Testimonials:

HCV Support Newsletter