I'm with you on that one! I wish I wouldn't have had to go through those two interferon protocols either. Such a difficult time and the long term effects from them aren't much fun. These new treatments may not be the "Cats Meow" but they're mighty close. We've got to encourage patients and doctors alike to follow the testing guidelines established by the AASLD. Advocate and educate!
fourlocos said
Jul 23, 2016
12 years prior to getting diagnosed I was seeing a gastro doctor for reoccurring gastritis. He did an endoscopy as well and never tested me for Hep C. I was the right age for sure. He didn't ask my history or even discussed it. Many people have digestive issues for years without ever knowing about Hep C. I am glad now that I didn't find out back then. The treatment wouldn't have been something I would have handled! Maybe it was karma that it was found literally three weeks after Harvoni gained FDA approval. It all played out perfectly for me.
Soon, My lab work will be done this coming week. I should have my regular results the next day online but then the wait of at least two weeks to hopefully get them by phone because my appointment with my specialist is not until August 30th. I believe if my LFT`s are looking good then the rest will fall into place. I am just hoping for that right now. I will of course update what I know when I know it. I trust you are doing great being dragon free. I hope everyone has a great summer.
Thank you for posting that article. I think the most important message in it comes at the end of it.
"Separating HCV from the stigma could lead more baby boomers to follow the CDCs recommendation that anyone born from 1945 through 1965 get tested for hepatitis C.|
This was also mentioned in another article I read here recently. If the doctors know you have it, they can treat it. It will go a long way to eradicating this insidious virus and hopefully no later than 2030 as mentioned in yet an other article. This is a reality. It can happen. Let hope it does so although this is one of the best forums ever, it will no longer be needed for HVC, we can just rant and party as cured people.
Have a great weekend everyone.
SF
Loopy Lisa said
Jul 19, 2016
Some of us are not baby boomers, and don't live in the US. A lot of HCV came to Europe due to war, a blood donation scheme through prisons - there was no test for HCV as they didn't know it existed, modern art - tattoos and the like, rough sexual practices where blood can occur, work accidents; nurses/Doctors, and or contaminated instruments and drug use.
The bottom line is, no one deserves it, no one should have to hide it, its a curable disease. Because its curable, people are not so bothered anymore. Sure, they wouldn't want to share a razor, but its hardly the worst disease on the planet. It simply can happen to anyone from all walks of life, and it does.
I think the media has done a lot to change thoughts on Hep C and people are not afraid to test. Since the word CURE is now used and not SVR, it makes a world of difference.
The biggest problem faced, is that a lot of people don't fit the profile of possible candidates to have it, and they go largely over looked. I was tested for H.I.V, Hep B and A when I started having problems and not one Doctor thought to check for Hep C. It was found by accident through an IVF procedure. Its highly likely that if I had not done it, I may have never known.
Now its needed to educate Doctors to check for it. :)
Linuxter said
Jul 19, 2016
Hi Tig,
Read this or a very similar article a short while back, I'm glad that you are making it available to all here.
Obviously, regardless of the manner in which anyone has become infected with the Hep C virus they need to be treated and hopefully with respect and dignity just as with other medical treatments. It's great to see at least the initial trend of dispelling of the stigma that follows HCV.
Thanks for the article,
Dave
Tig said
Jul 19, 2016
I thought this was an interesting article and wanted to share it with those of you that continue to wonder about where or how they contracted this evil disease. Doesn't matter in the big picture, getting rid of it is. But the school of thought may be changing. This was published by the Lancet recently and there are links to their publication in the article.
Hi 4L,
I'm with you on that one! I wish I wouldn't have had to go through those two interferon protocols either. Such a difficult time and the long term effects from them aren't much fun. These new treatments may not be the "Cats Meow" but they're mighty close. We've got to encourage patients and doctors alike to follow the testing guidelines established by the AASLD. Advocate and educate!
12 years prior to getting diagnosed I was seeing a gastro doctor for reoccurring gastritis. He did an endoscopy as well and never tested me for Hep C. I was the right age for sure. He didn't ask my history or even discussed it. Many people have digestive issues for years without ever knowing about Hep C. I am glad now that I didn't find out back then. The treatment wouldn't have been something I would have handled! Maybe it was karma that it was found literally three weeks after Harvoni gained FDA approval. It all played out perfectly for me.
Soon, My lab work will be done this coming week. I should have my regular results the next day online but then the wait of at least two weeks to hopefully get them by phone because my appointment with my specialist is not until August 30th. I believe if my LFT`s are looking good then the rest will fall into place. I am just hoping for that right now. I will of course update what I know when I know it. I trust you are doing great being dragon free. I hope everyone has a great summer.
Take care,
SF
EOT+12 SF
The Linuxter
Thank you for posting that article. I think the most important message in it comes at the end of it.
"Separating HCV from the stigma could lead more baby boomers to follow the CDCs recommendation that anyone born from 1945 through 1965 get tested for hepatitis C.|
This was also mentioned in another article I read here recently. If the doctors know you have it, they can treat it. It will go a long way to eradicating this insidious virus and hopefully no later than 2030 as mentioned in yet an other article. This is a reality. It can happen. Let hope it does so although this is one of the best forums ever, it will no longer be needed for HVC, we can just rant and party as cured people.
Have a great weekend everyone.
SF
Some of us are not baby boomers, and don't live in the US. A lot of HCV came to Europe due to war, a blood donation scheme through prisons - there was no test for HCV as they didn't know it existed, modern art - tattoos and the like, rough sexual practices where blood can occur, work accidents; nurses/Doctors, and or contaminated instruments and drug use.
The bottom line is, no one deserves it, no one should have to hide it, its a curable disease. Because its curable, people are not so bothered anymore. Sure, they wouldn't want to share a razor, but its hardly the worst disease on the planet. It simply can happen to anyone from all walks of life, and it does.
I think the media has done a lot to change thoughts on Hep C and people are not afraid to test. Since the word CURE is now used and not SVR, it makes a world of difference.
The biggest problem faced, is that a lot of people don't fit the profile of possible candidates to have it, and they go largely over looked. I was tested for H.I.V, Hep B and A when I started having problems and not one Doctor thought to check for Hep C. It was found by accident through an IVF procedure. Its highly likely that if I had not done it, I may have never known.
Now its needed to educate Doctors to check for it. :)
Read this or a very similar article a short while back, I'm glad that you are making it available to all here.
Obviously, regardless of the manner in which anyone has become infected with the Hep C virus they need to be treated and hopefully with respect and dignity just as with other medical treatments. It's great to see at least the initial trend of dispelling of the stigma that follows HCV.
Thanks for the article,
Dave
I thought this was an interesting article and wanted to share it with those of you that continue to wonder about where or how they contracted this evil disease. Doesn't matter in the big picture, getting rid of it is. But the school of thought may be changing. This was published by the Lancet recently and there are links to their publication in the article.
Baby Boomers and HCV