Hey David,

Your viral load isn't anything to worry about. 1.5 mil isn't that high and regardless of viral load (quantity) it doesnt affect the likelihood of successful treatment. If it's above 6 million, they will extend treatment length from 8 to 12 weeks in some cases, but that's about it. These new treatments are simply effective. You will do well once you get this show on the road! Keep us updated when you know more. Enjoy your vacation!

Hi Dave

Your story is so similar to mine.  I found out in Nov 2014 also.  I also think I got it from the sample couple of experiences as you about 40 years ago.  I thought most of my symptoms were from aging although they were much worse than all my friends of the same age.  Liver area pains brought me into the doctor along with constantly catching colds every month.  I finished Harvoni back in Feb.   Enjoy your vacation!

Well the latest set of labs are in.  My viral Load dropped all the way to 1.5 mil, and I finally know the genotype is 1a.  Guess I have a shot at the new, yet way expensive meds.

So I leave for vacation in a couple days and get in bed with a GI when I get home.  After 40 years with it, I doubt whether I'll die because of it within the next couple weeks.

Thanks Tig, I've seen many friendly, and compassionate conversations on your forum.  You've all made me feel really welcome.  Once I get my head settled down, and get a couple more tests in, I'll be able in better shape between my ears.  I'm sure I'll have questions then.

I was blown away when I started reading about some of the new meds.  That's made HepC an easier pill to swallow because before I found out about high percentage numbers of quick cures, the only thing I could think about was a good friend I lost to HCV complications about 7 years ago.  I watched him go through two or three series of interferon treatments that were never successful.  I wish he'd had a shot at some of the drugs we have now.

I'm glad I'm here too, thanks for the welcome. 

Hi David,

Welcome to our group, you're among friends here. Let us know if you have any specific questions and we'll help you get them answered. There seems like there's a lot on your plate right now, but don't let it overwhelm you. One step at a time. The treatments available today are nothing like they were just 3 years ago and are totally doable. I'm glad you're here!

Awesome on the treatment results!  I'll keep my fingers crossed that I'll be able to have half as much luck in getting this thing treated.

Thanks Cinnamongirl,  there's no such thing as too much information and you gave me a lot of it.  Maybe after I get new test results in next week I'll be able to get this HepC monster out of my head until I can get an appointment with a GI and see what my options are.

Hi David, welcome from me too, I`m glad you found us.

Yes, it`s quite possible that you`ve had the virus for 40 years without any noticeable symptoms except for tiredness.  Hep C is in most cases a very slow moving disease and often people have no idea they have been infected until they get the diagnosis many years or even decades later.

Yes, Bubble is right, the first thing you need to do is see a gastroenterologist or a hepatologist and have some further tests done. 

You don`t need to be concerned with your viral load, 6+ million is not considered high, but you need to know your genotype as that will determine which treatment options would be right for you.  It would be very useful for you to know what shape your liver is in too, by having a biopsy or a non-invasive fibroscan test.  Once you have more information then you`ll be able to move forward with treatment. 

Try not to worry, Hep C is very treatable nowadays, you`ll get through this! 

It usually takes a month or more to get an intro appointment with a Gastroenterologist here, so it's not going to happen before early-mid August, maybe into Sept.

Hello BDave, Welcome. Be at ease here. A lot of great people and experienced advice. When you getting on the trainride?

Fun and games guys.  I've had a few chronic illnesses throughout my life.  Psoriasis, Psoriatic Arthritis, Epilepsy, and newly dx'd with HepC.  Can't get much luckier than that I guess.  I tested positive for anti-bodies in November 2014, with a Viral load of 6.35 million IU/M1 just a couple days later.  Genotype wasn't specified on the second test, but that was probably due to it being ordered by a rheumatologist who was more interested in prescribing Embrel or Humara for my other issues than he was a "little problem" like the HCV virus.  He finally advised me of my HepC status this week...  7 months after the initial testing came back as reactive.  Smart fellow.

To my memory the only thing I've ever done to place me at risk for HepC was 2 or 3 experimental trips down the needle sharing path way back in the mid 70's.  That was 40 years ago!  Everything I read says the disease sometimes goes 20 to 30 years before symptoms begin to appear.  But 40 years?  At this point the only symptoms I notice are tiredness (napping is an awesome pastime) and some problems with reflux and nausea for days after injecting meds for PSA.  (reflux has been a problem for years especially after beginning some meds that are notorious for damaging the hepatic system) My Rhuematologist and I always figured the side effects were associated with the injected Methotrexate I was taking for Psoriactic Arthritis.  I stopped those meds back in March after testing with slightly elevated liver enzymes, the first time they've ever tested as high.

Over the last couple days I've devoured loads of what seems to be generalized information from the internet about HepC, but not much that really addresses a 6+ million viral load and the amount of time that's passed since my possible exposure 40 years ago.

I'd love to read any information that you guys might be able to share with me.

biminidave