Hey Silverecho,

So glad to see you here again!! And to hear back on your good news/progress.

I was wondering how you were making out - lovely news!! Somebody else around here also had a superb low ALT like that just recently - unreal!! Really happy for you, to be UND! It really does remove the fears, layer by layer, doesn't it? - all the repeated good lab results. It does feel shocking and thrilling - yes, amazing, exciting, allowing the thought's in, of how life will be now. (Hope and joy are ALSO side effects of these drugs!!! LOL). So glad you got that opportunity for the Zep.

Am really impressed and happy for your energy and your newly won clarity too, a real bonus prize. I don't have a clue about the emotion thing, if it relates to the Zep, nor about the hair thing .... but I sympathize. I too have a hair "thing" (maybe not as impressive as Tig's mind you), but disconcerting all the same, in my girly vain kinda ways, although I know for a sad fact mine started a few years back and got worse just this year (all prior to treatment). I expect we will both regrow what we need, after treatment, when we are re-cooping and regaining the rest of our healthy equilibrium.

I think I asked Tig, once before, why he had "faded" his avatar - now I know, beard problem. And Tig!!, it seems one has to dig to find out YOUR good news!! Big ole out LOUD hooray for you! One stop shopping for double good news.

Your hair thing can't be too bad dear, if a feller still asked you out!

Ah, disclosure ... I can't help you there ... you are the only folk I have shared with, aside from my wonderful partner, GP and my specialists team, but I seriously struggle with the whole issue of disclosure in general. Just prior to starting treatment (in midst of a very high stress level), I had to go for a routine periodontal appointment, I cried when I got home because of my shame, guilt, putting her at risk, by NOT having the guts to disclose to her my C. I made a mistake, and I am still very much struggling with this - leaving her office without telling her. I had every opportunity to do so, then, AND now! I feel horrible about this, and i still am not sure if I am going to be able to totally reverse my mistake. My experience is just offered up as another perspective for you to consider - I would like to know what other people go through on this topic too.

Well, that certainly was a downer!! I get waaaay too serious at 3AM it seems. I prefer to converse about good stressors and not the bad ones! Speaking of which, didn't you say you had a big move planned, for right when you were to start treatment?? How do people cope with children, major moves, AND treatment, all at the same time. Good excuse for stress I'd say. It is more than just your (and Tig's) lab results that impress me

Things are sure looking good in your corner, new digs?, you got your sweet boys, a sweet new future (and gee maybe even a sweet new beau)! Yup, you should feel stoked, as Gracie would say!  C.

 That is the greatest feeling isn't it? 

I spent 32 years with that nasty dragon and knowing I am Undetected, is still a surreal and exciting feeling! I am almost like a normal person.

I am so, so glad you will have energy to raise and enjoy your little ones.

bless, 

Alison

Hi Silver echo,

such great news to hear that you are already virus free. i can relate to that identity problem thing. Who am I? Oh yes, I'm the person who has Hep C, who must warn people before they get too close, who worries about it possibly getting to one of my kids..... who am I if I'm not that? It seems too good to be true doesnt it? and the answer to the disclosing issue is that it will be a choice to tell people, not a duty.

It's hard living with the sides but having an end of treatment date, and keeping in mind that when you finish the side effects will finish too, will help. 

Your skin, your mind and your liver all already look better.

so happy for you.

Syd

Good thing! Ribavirin wouldn't be much fun on top of what you're already going through. Hopefully these nasties will let up and give you a break. I lost a lot of hair during treatment and my beard looked like a porcupine missing half it's quills. It just stuck out at every angle but down. But I hadn't been without one in 40 years, I wasn't going to start then! It will grow back afterwards, but this might give you good reason to buy that fancy hat or high dollar hairpiece you've always wanted lol! I lived in a ball cap once it got sparse. Splurge, it's the beginning of your Hep free life, woot! Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate and avoid all those things that might yank your chain. Good luck! 

Hi Tig,

I am not taking Ribavirn, not that I am aware of anyways. ;) I never quite trust these drug companies. I have read on the insert that hair loss was reported in people taking just Zepatier, but I couldn't find much about the anger/rage issues. 

Hey SE,

After reading your problem with the side effects, I have a question. Are you taking Ribavirn with the Zepatier? Those sound like Riba side effects, especially the hair loss, depression and anger. I don't see any mention here on your bio or past posts that mention Ribavirin, so I thought I'd ask. It would explain those issues if you are. Just keep pushing fluids and watch your diet. Put good food in there whenever possible and get lots of rest when you feel that fatigue getting to you. It'll be over before you know it and you'll be dancing round the dead dragon!

Greetings,

I don't know you, but I do know this. You are a great MOM! That makes you a good Woman and yes you are blessed just like those are that have the good pleasure of knowing you.

I hope you start posting more here. There is always room for good Family Members.

Regards!

JimmyK

Hi Tig,

Thank YOU for taking the time to share in my joy! I bet it feels amazing each and every time the blood work comes back negative. What are your thoughts on dislosing to others, that at one point you were positive? I am having a hard time wrapping my head around that part. Do we actually get to go on with our lives and not worry about that anymore?

As far as how I am feeling, the first few days were rough. I felt awful a few hours after I took the pill, but that only lasted a couple days. I was nauseaus and super tired. The one side effect that surprised me was my uncontrollable anger. I was mad at the world! Everything annoyed me. The way I helped change this is I switched my time for taking the meds from the morning, to 4:00pm and that seems to have made a huge difference. That way I slept off those feelings. I didn't think that was a side effect of this med but for me it certainly was. I also started to notice that my body hair as well as the hair on my head is starting to thin (Quite a bit).

After 3 weeks on treatment my energy came back. I could think clearly again, which is my favourite part of this. I thought I was quite intelligent but I didn't feel like that for the last few years. Prior to treatment I couldn't find my words, I couldn't remember simple facts that my son would ask me about. I was getting very depressed and was going in a downward spiral. I seriously feel amazing right now. My ALT came back with an L beside it, my levels are currently below what is considered normal. My nurse said that is good, so I am trusting it is!

Thanks again for your awesome response. It really made my day!

Hello Silverecho,

Thank you so much for your uplifting and encouraging post! That's the stuff I really like to read. It's a great moment when you get that first report that says "Undetected". Really, there's nothing quite like it. I just got notified today of a viral load done on Monday, Almost 2.5 years SVR and it's still viable and holding strong. Getting these reports never gets old, ever... Congratulations, what happy news indeed!

I'm loving the story of the kiss! I've got a 21 month old grand daughter and she's starting to do the same thing. Nothing in this world is as precious as a kiss from someone so special. You've got so much to look forward to and a lot of years left to do those important things. Remember this time, your life just turned a corner and is only going to get better from here!

I'm very happy the Zepatier is your magic bullet. I'm anxious to hear how you've been feeling. Please share as much of your journey as you feel comfortable sharing. There are a lot of us very interested in what you have to share. I hope you have a wonderful time on your date, let the good times roll........ 

I have been taking Zepatier, accessed through Mercks Compassionate Care Program, for 29 days. I had blood drawn on the 21st day of treatment and to my surprise the virus is already UNDETECTABLE! I'm shocked and thrilled but I still don't actually believe it! Its hard to wrap my brain around it, considering I've been walking around + for more than half of my life! I know that it's not guaranteed at this point but I am hopeful.  

Despite the fact that I am losing quite a bit of hair, I feel better than I have in years. I have so much energy and my brain fog is completely gone (I think lol)! Woo hoo! I must be feeling and looking better because I was asked out on a date yesterday For the first time since my i got pregnant with my toddler. I've closed myself off for the last few years because I just didn't want to have to tell even one more person that I had Hep C.

Im so excited and I can't wait to see how this is going to effect my life as a whole. I felt so limited before starting this treatment. Now I feel hopeful and optimistic that I will lead a "normal" life.

My 21 month old son kissed me on the lips yesterday, which he had never done before. It's the first time, as a Mother for the past 11.5 years, that I didn't worry that I was passing this ******* of a disease onto one of my boys. I'm so blessed. 

Thank you so much for reading this.