hi,this is all new to me............

[leigh]

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
[/quote]

thanks Jeanne 

[leigh]

Hi Leigh,I found out when I knew

i just hit the self destruct mode which has always been normal too me?well tomorrows the first day of clinic/tratment anyway and i am quite scared tbh,but i have to do this for my kids they are my life now i have blown mine on drug addiction!thanks for helping me realise im not the only one out here though 

[leigh]

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

thankyou alice and also for the advice,i will continue to ask if unsure about things and im sure now that the futures alot brighter than it has been 

[leigh]

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!

thanks and i will fight now i have something to fight for 

[leigh]

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

thanks and also congratulaions on being clean too,life is much better when you dont wake up in pain every morning looking for that fix to mask the misery of addiction and i love it,the hep is the next biggie to overcome now and just being able to talk about it is helping me no end thanks again 

[hburgart]

Hi, I'm new to this world of concern too. It's really something that after I finally learned how to have a drink or two and stop I had to learn how to not drink at all.

[leigh]

Hi, I'm new to this world of concern too. It's really something that after I finally learned how to have a drink or two and stop I had to learn how to not drink at all.

i was never much of a drinker or big drinker until i found out so tomorrow is my first appointment at clinic and am expecting them to lay the law down to me about the booze  of course i will listen as i know i have to stop,full stop.

[leigh]

Well today was the day  had my first appointment at gastroenterology clinic,was anxious as hell and up earlier out of bed than normal  finally got to clinic and started talking hcv with three loveley nurses only to find out that the bloods my g.p had taken were not the correct coloured bottles!!!
Anyway sat down had a good chat with said nurses who were really understanding and also eager to help me through my anxiety,had an examination and was told my liver is slightly swollen and possibly fatty??
Have got to wait now though til a week friday to have bloods taken again from my groin as they couldnt find a vein in my body to get any from  and was also told that after they taken bloods i gotta wait four weeks for them to genotype me and start treatment.They explained how treatment works and how i have to inject myself like a diabetic everyday and advised that i take meds at night so i sleep through symptoms.They also told me that its gonna be a tough time ahead and that basically treatment for my hcv is a little less worse effect wise as chemotherapy??Does this sound about right?And can anyone relate to what ive been told??