Welcome Anna. Just so you know there is a small percentage of alcohol in alcohol free beverages. While on treatment it is best to avoid this. I hear you about stress and wanting to do that after work but you can take a walk, do some physical activity, meditate, talk to a friend. There are options today. I am in recovery so I can understand this. Just try to not indulge while on your treatment. Pray about it is my suggestion. You got this!

wendy

Hi Anna.  The best news I'v had all day was reading this thread that you have started treatment  and your going to kill a type 3 beast. The new drugs these days the virus dosent have a chance.  Your timing is perfect, however I would never advise anyone to put off treatment for any period of time. Especially anyone with type 3.   Your going to do well, you got this. Thanks for making my day!!   RC

Thank you so much for the support and kind messages :) It's great to be here

Hi Anna,

I am genotype 1a, and I am being treated with Harvoni 8 to 12 weeks.

Yes, I did struggle with alcohol.  I am a straight up alcoholic.  Can't say it any nicer than that:)  However, the good Lord above lifted that burden from me January 6th, 2016.  I haven't even thought about drinking since then. I don't even desire it.  And my sister, if you haven't already, please stop the alcohol.. You will be empowered and strengthened if you do. Alcohol will, if you allow it to, creep into your very soul, and linger with efforts to somehow, and someway destroy your very existence. I will always advise my brothers and sisters to confront alcohol as a staunch enemy, cut it down now while you have the power to do so.

If you need any assistance, there are so many people who care and can offer ways to stop drinking. You can contact me via message and I can answer any questions you may have on this. I consider myself pretty much an expert in this field, sorry to say, but true.

Welcome Anna,

beginning treatment is a stressful time for most of us. You have to stop being in denial,and realise that the past has played a huge role in where you are now - that was hard for me. Also along with that comes the unwelcome reflection on what damage you may have caused others. Then there's the worry about the drug's side effects and whether it will result in a cure. 

No wonder we're most of us, a bit shattered for a while.

i hope you keep posting, it helps.

Syd

Welcome Annat,

You found a great place with lots of friends. I would like to make a suggestion. You said you counted your pills ... Please get a pill dispenser, there are lots of pics posted of them here and expect you will see another soon.

It is really important to take them on time and daily. With that little plastic case, you will never wonder again or miss one. It is one of the best things you can do right next to drinking more water than you ever have before. It will help immensely with side effects. You will hear it often, it has merit and is important. Approx 3 liters or close to it a day is a good target.

Once again, welcome and we are all here for you and each other.

Be well.

SF

Hi Mike,

Thank you for the warm welcome. That's just some street art in my city :)

My treatment is for 12 weeks, i'm further along then 8 days, i just counted my pills, I'm actually on day 12. I blame my foggy brain ;)

I appreciate your statement about being silly.  The guilt is still there. I hurt alot of people. It was a long time ago, but i don't think i'll get past it. I do lead a happy life though.

Mike, what kind of treatment are you on? Are you a geno type 1? It seems that most people on here from the US are a 1. I heard that's one of the most difficult types to treat.

Also, i noted that you have some troubles with alcohol. I have as well, mostly just wanting a wine or beer after a stressful day at work. I've dimmed my ache for it by drinking alcohol free beers. They actually taste pretty good, like real beer. Particularly great if you're going to a bbq, and you want to fit in. Just put it in a cooler and no one's the wiser ;)

By the way, where did you get that really cool avatar image?

Hi Anna,

Yes you came to the right forum for sure. I was not able to see, but how long is your treatment period if you don't mind , let us know.  I also am on treatment and will remain on treatment till about June 1st or so, unless the doctor pulls me off early. Don't be too hard on yourself for at one time being young and doing things you now realize were not the things to do. Believe me, we have all been there and done that so you are not alone in that category for sure. If you knew some of the silly stuff I did when I was a teen, you would laugh at me for a month.  So I won't share any of those stories. But I am glad you are seeking support from a forum like this one because the people who are here, really are here for all of us, and you will always be steered in the correct direction. If you have any questions feel free to ask anyone here, we all will tell you truthfully and directly. Nice to be here with you:) 

Thank you so much for your information, i've updated my signature, i still don't know what those numbers mean, but i'll pop over to "what the numbers mean?" section ;)

The abbreviation link is helping tremendously. Thanks guys. I can see some of you have beaten it! Which is such great news. Congratulations :)

Thank you thank you for such a lovely welcome :)

Hi Anna and welcome from me also. All of us here have our past and I regret some of mine too, but we also are working to have a better future and beating Hep C is a huge part of that. It's a 'we' thing around here and we are all supporting each other so that we can all accomplish our goal and live the remainder of our lives with beating Hep C as part of our new 'positive' past.

 These new DAA medications are very effective and that means this will work, you can stop worrying, and you can be normal again (whatever normal is ). So make yourself at home and make taking care of Anna your top priority right now. During treatment it is important to stay compliant with your medication schedule and to keep your body adequately hydrated with 3-4 liters of good water daily. Try to get adequate rest, eat reasonably healthy and get some exercise but don't over do it. Keep us up to date on what's going on with you. We are glad you're here.

Hi Anna,

Welcome, great to have you here!

You landed in the right place, lots of friendly, helpful folks here to help you on your journey to being HCV-Free.

HERE's a list of abbreviations used on this site in case you need it.

It's great that you have already started on the meds ... good job!

We'll be here all along the way, questions ... just ask, just feel like talking ... plenty of us to talk to.

Not to worry about the past ... just enjoy today and the future 

Dave

Hi Anna,

Many of us did silly things when we were younger. Live and learn. I try not to dwell on it. I am not that person any longer. Please keep us posted on how you are doing with treatment and remember to stay hydrated. 

We are here for you!

wendy

Welcome to the Family Anna!

JimmyK

Hi Anna,

I'm so glad you introduced yourself! You're among friends and we'll do our best to make you welcome and informed.

We have several members from Australia and New Zealand, as well as every other corner of the planet! We use some abbreviations and assorted terms, so I'm going to provide a link to them at the bottom and it includes info on how to add some details in your signature line. That's the information you see at the bottom of our posts. That helps people know your genotype, treatment and various other things. It helps us respond to your posts and you don't have to repeat it if asked and you will. 

Our search function at the top center will allow you to find things we've discussed on the forum. Use a key word or two and you'll arrive at several topics on the subject. The Recent Topics selection on that same line will show you the most recent topics being discussed.

Others will be along shortly to welcome you here. You'll get all the help and information we can provide, so don't be shy about asking! You're going to do very well on your treatment, it's a good one! Welcome to the family! 

Abbreviations/Signature Link

Hi!

I'm Anna, i live in Melbourne, Australia.

I have geno 3 and i've been living with it for 17 years now. I've just started sov/dak combo and i'm 8 days into the treatment. My liver has always been good, and my doctor and i put off treatment until these were on the pbs. We're lucky to have the drugs so cheap.

Hopefully this works, and i don't have to worry about it anymore. It would be so nice to be normal again. This was the ultimate punishment for doing silly things in my teens.

I look forward to reading your posts. And thanks for having me :)