Hep C Discussion Forum

Hi Dancer,

Absolutely not! At your young age, the likelihood of severe liver damage is very unlikely. If there is a good aspect to this, it's your age and finding out early on that you may have it. This is a disease that often lies dormant in those infected and it goes undiagnosed for decades. That's when it has it's chance to do it's damage. I was first infected with the disease in 1980-82 and wasn't diagnosed until 1996. I treated and failed in 96 and again last year, this time I succeeded! My liver tests are all normal now and life is good! So don't worry about it shortening or reducing your quality of life. Let's find out first of all if you have an active infection, the next tests will tell you that. Finding out is easy, so do that first and make any decisions after that. There is no reason to fear this diagnosis, it's easily treatable and your life will as special as you always hoped it would be. This is just a bump in the road, nothing more. Plan for the life you wanted and stay positive! It's the only way to live...  

Tig

Hey Dancer,

Welcome to the forum. You're with a good bunch and we're here to talk, and to support. We all understand what you're feeling and know what an initial blow it can be. Try to not beat yourself up too badly. You're feeling bad enough as it is, don't compound it. What's important is that one, you ended the lifestyle that got you here and two, the treatment for HCV has never been easier, nor has it ever been as effective. It's a good time to treat if that's the direction this takes you. Right now all you know is that you're positive for the HCV antibodies. Everyone infected develops the antibodies first. The next test will be an RNA viral load. It will determine if you have are actively infected. In 25% of the cases, during the acute phase of the infection, your body's own immune system can fight off the infection on it's own. The RNA test will show an actual viral quantity in the blood, if it has progressed to a chronic infection. If you're one of the 25%ers, the test will come back undetected. Regardless of whether you have beaten the disease, you will always have a positive HCV antibody test. So do your best to not over stress right now. Let's get the next test out of the way and see where you stand.

Treatment doesn't hurt. Depending on the protocol (drugs used) there can be some side effects, but it's all tolerable. The new treatments aren't like the days of old, so don't dwell on those stories. There has never been a better or easier time to treat and as we speak the treatments are getting easier and more effective. It can be very expensive, but don't let that be a concern at this stage. There are a number of payment assistance programs available, as well as good discount programs offered by the drug manufacturers. But like I said, lets get you diagnosed first and then discuss the possibilities. The health care community has many options available for you today, you're not alone in this by any means. We're here for you...

Tig

Welcome to the forum.  Lots of good advice here.  With all the new treatments coming up, both of you have a good chance of getting rid of this nasty virus!  In the meantime, definitely stay away from stuff bad for the liver, especially alcohol.  I've taken Milk Thistle for years...don't know if it's worked or not, but I've had Hep C for 40 years and my liver is still F0.  Green smoothie every morning.  Other than that, I eat most everything I want in moderation.

 

Good luck and keep us posted on your progress!

There is no liver diet, But what i learned here is that you learn what your liver likes and what it does not like"Pain" . It is best to eat small amounts. take plenty of fiber. and stay away from processed anything.
One of the things I do is I keep cut up green salad in the fridge. lost of dressings, and No lunchmeat or white bread so i wind up eating the greens, and that is good for me.
The one thing you do not do wile on treatment. Do not take any sT. Johns Wart, Aloe Vera Juce, Milk Thissle, These things will clean the liver, fine after treatment, but during it is a NO No because it will weaken the drugs. water them down. Eating a green salad two or three times a day will clean the liver too but in a good way and wile on Tx is all the liver cleaning you need.

We need to know your genotype, VL, Ect. in order to talk more about treatments, every genotype has it's own protocol. You can put this on your Signature line, in the Edit profile page.
Welcome and hope you kill a lot of virus today.