Do you know anyone who has Hepatitis C?

[bertha katzenengel]

I think I know why fatigue has been kicking my ass for a few weeks. I have Hepatitis C and I think my viral load must be up. DUH.

I need to go and see my GI doc, but I'm afraid to. She'll probably just say, "I told you, get the Hep B vaccine and lose weight." We've already examined the possibility of taking the cure (3 self injections per week for a year) -- I can't do it. I could self-inject, but a side effect of the drugs is major depression and I can't risk that.

I got HCV from a blood transfusion, either in 1963 or 1971. I also had a transfusion in 1998 but docs think it's extremely doubtful that I got it then.

I slept 14 hours Friday night/Saturday morning. Going out to dinner and 4 innings of a baseball game yesterday kicked my ass. I just had to chug a quart of fluid because I used a socket wrench to put together a cat tree, and now I am totally fucking done for the day. The thought of going to work tomorrow makes me want to cry. (/whine)

Anyone else have HCV or know anyone who has it? Any tales to tell?

[xmas74]

1. I used to work w/ someone who has it.

She came into contact w/ it on the job. She is now on disability. She thought that there was something wrong w/ her for years but they never tested for it until a new doctor had joined her clinic. She is now suing her former employer (State of MO) for knowingly having a patient there who had the disease and not informing his primary care staff (his family clued us in on it. She complained of the extreme fatigue and they told her to get tested for it since he had it for years).

[bertha katzenengel]

12. I hope she has success against the state.

What a terrible position to be in. :eyes:

[xmas74]

19. We know she contracted it there.

A few others did too. She had gone for so long w/ it that she was going into liver failure, last I heard (and I have not heard from her in about 6 months-I really need to check up on her).
My old state job screwed everyone over-mental institution. When people fight they sometimes accidentially share bodily fluids yet their attitude was that it was never their responsibility.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

2. Yes

my husband contracted the disease as a result of a blood transfusion about 30 years ago. Our holistic physician spotted it-he was going into liver failure. She put him on a regimine of Vitamin C Alpah Limpoic Acid IVs, herbs, and supplements. That was nearly four years ago. He worked as a car/truck mechanic and didn't lose a day of work because of the Hep C. Last time we checked, his liver functions were all normal except bellirubin-it was 1 point high. He still takes the supplements/herbs and does an IV about once a month. He was laid off from work or would still be doing mechanic stuff.

[tjdee]

6. I think I want a holistic doc.

After this whole nonsense with my neverending sinus infection, allopathic medicine is looking less and less attractive.

What is the difference between holistic and homeopathic, hmmm......

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

8. well

my doc calls her practice "integrative medicine". She's an MD, but uses homeopathic, herbs, and hands on healing techniques as well as diet and prescriptions as necessary. Are you near Arkansas? Check out her website if you are: http://www.futurevisionsfoundation.org

[Quakerfriend]

3. Oh, Bertha you've got a duzzy of a virus

No one truly understands the meaning of the word fatigue...unless they've got HCV, IMHO. Sympathy and hugs wi:hug: going out to you!

I will tell you a wonderful story about a friend of mine who had HCV.

I had widely disseminated cancer and ended up going on a juicing diet where I drank 13 eight oz. cups of either carrot juice (3 large carrots + one green apple) or green juice (any kind of greens + one green apple) every hour on the hour every day. To make a long story short I was completely cured of all cancer in less than 5 weeks. That was 7 years ago.

During this time a dear family friend (age 42) developed HCV and could no longer work (full-time computer pgmr), or help to run the family restaurant, or care for her three boys. She was placed on the transplant list at UPenn. Eventually, she became bed ridden and her 70 year old mom took over with all the house work.

Anyway, I convinced her to try juicing. And, she began drinking 6-7 cups of carrot juice/daily. No other changes were made in her diet. In several weeks she began to regain her strength and her doctor told her "I don't know what you are doing but, you have no more signs of the disease". She no longer takes any meds and to tell you the truth I have 'nt even talked to her about the hepatitis in several years! Needles to say she never had the transplant. She looks wonderful when I see her at parties and this has been at least 5 years now.

Complete healing can occur. And, I believe that juicing is a wonderful way to heal from almost anything!

Please, read Norman Walker's juice book!! I'll be praying for you to regain some of your strength. O8)

[bertha katzenengel]

9. thanks, Quakerfriend

I'm sure you won't be surprised if I express skepticism, but I have an open mind. . . . and I've always wanted to try carrot juice. :hi:

[Placebo]

4. My father...

stay off the Interferon! If your viral load isn't that high you can live longer and happier just through taking a huge load of vitamins and changing your lifestyle, ie: no drinking, no smoking, etc....

Interferon turns you into someone you don't want to be.

But you of course probably know all of this already, but to others out there, a warning!

Hope you feel better.

[bertha katzenengel]

10. Thank you, Placebo.

Your user name is cool in this context. ;)

[Cobalt Violet]

5. I know someone, two someones, really well who have it.

Your not alone. I want to take the tx but I doubt I could work. I can't go a year without work. I have no doctor, no insurance. I do need to do something soon.

I work out everyday and this has help me with fatigue. I am living with a lot of liver pain. I try my best to just ignore it, forget that I have this disease. There really is nothing I can do.

There is no support structure for us like there is with other disabling diseases such as cancer and HIV. Hell it's not even considered a disability.

[bertha katzenengel]

11. No, it's not considered a disability, and it damn well should be.

I'm a legal secretary supporting four attorneys. Can you imagine the looks I'd get if I went into my main boss's office and said, "I have hepatitis C and will be putting in for medical leave" -- of course I'll have all the ppwk w/ doc's sig, but she'll think it's bullshit, and I'll get attitude, the silent treatment, etc., etc., etc....

GRRRRRRRR

[Cobalt Violet]

16. There sure is plenty of ignorance out there in regards to Hep C.

Have you checked out Hepatitis Neighborhood? They have message boards, chat rooms, and information. It is sponsored by Shcering Corp. but there are over 11,000 regular members.

http://www.hepatitisneighborhood.com/default.aspx

[LeftyMom]

7. my mother and aunt have it

My aunt is really healthy, Mom has no energy and just looks sick, although her liver values are still pretty good. She does do better when she eats fairly well and takes her vitamins and milk thistle, but as a result of her depression she dosen't bother to treat herself well, then her depression gets worse...

Mom finally went on half days at work, and now she's out on disability. I don't know if she'll ever work again. I hope so, her depression gets worse when she doesn't work, but her job and her supervisor were taking a lot out of her.

[bertha katzenengel]

13. LeftyMom

I'm sorry to hear about your mom. It's so easy to get depressed when you're not working -- or doing something. Maybe she can find something to occupy her time.

If she likes cats, send her to my house... ;)

[RandomKoolzip]

14. My dad used to have it.

The complications from his Heroin abuse....later he developed cirrhosis and died from that.

[Beaverhausen]

15. A friend of mine does a lot of awareness and fundraising for hep C

and I have another who has had the treatments and is doing OK. But while she was being treated she was very tired most of the time.

Kelly from Kelly's Lot - http://www.kellyslot.com/
has done tons of work to help out with awareness of Hep C.

She is doing an internet telethon this saturday (I performed in the one she did last year)

Go here for more info:

http://www.hepcaware.org

Good luck to you :hug:

[Taverner]

17. Sigh...I wish I could convince you to take the cure

Hep C is a HORRIBLE virus...and with complications it can be as nasty as Full Blown AIDS and at that time there's not much you can do.

I understand the depression is bad...is there any way you'd consider Medicinal Marijuana to curb the depression?

Best of luck to you though! Hugs and good Karma from Palo Alto!

[bertha katzenengel]

20. Man... Palo Alto is a helluva nice place to get hugs & good karma from....

Thx, Taverner. I have much to discuss w/ Mrs. V. and my doctor. As to MJ, Mrs. V. is violently allergic to it, so that's out. Although I've had little daydreams about it.... usually around 4:20....

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

18. A few things Bertha

I believe you also snore (you said so in another post) and have been worked up for sleep apnea.

Between the sleep apnea AND the hep C, the ONLY way to treat both effectively is to lose weight.

I know that has been very hard for you, but have you considered actually arranging for a vacation and taking it at a weight loss resort or similar type of facility?

It is not cheap, but just rearranging your metabolism to have several snacks a day to assist you in better metabolism may make a difference...so will increasing your vitamin B intake.

I don't want to bum you out with this news but the MOST effective way to treat sleep apnea is weight loss...although if you were prescribed a CPAP machine that should help a bit...but between the hep and the apnea, you have TWO reasons to be exhausted.

The hep vaccine is hard on the body..several of my clients have had to have it due to industrial exposure to hep...

[bertha katzenengel]

21. I give you the standard Katzenengel family answer to your solution:

"I know." I guess it's the same thing a smoker says when someone tells 'em they should quit.

I have never thought of a weight loss resort. My attempt at a fantastic clinic failed last year when I realized -- very late -- that there was no way I could come up w/ nearly $500 cash per month. No insurance coverage for that kind of medical weight loss plan, and it's infuriating. (But they'd cover having my innards hacked open and re-routed. I know it's great for some folks -- not for me, thanks.)

I appreciate your thoughts very much, NSMA.

[Texasgal]

22. MY husband

was diagnosed with Hep C right before we got married.

He went on a year long therapy of an experimental injections thatmade him REALLY sick, but he got through it and he no longer has the virus. However is Liver has been damaged.

He is currently at end stage liver failure and in need of a liver transplant, his employer of 27 years fired him because he was ill. He has no insurance coverage.

So, all I can say is go to your GI and make sure that you are being evaluated often, otherwise you could be in my husbands boat.

Good luck.

[pnutchuck]

23. My cousin has it.

She has to take a lot of meds, but they have it under control. She still experiences fatigue sometimes, but it's much more manageable now.

[ismnotwasm]

24. Please, please

I work as a nurse on a transplant unit. The large majority of Liver transplants are HCV. Please, please do whatever you have to do to get your disease under control while you still have a choice. I know it's hard to change, hard to accept, and denial works wonders for many of us psychologically. (myself included) but HCV can eat your liver up. There is also something called hepatorenal failure, where the liver trashes the kidneys. Then you need a liver and a kidney. Trust me, it sucks. Please. (I usually lurk, and I don'tlike giving advice, so I apoligize If I sound like I'm lecturing)

[bertha katzenengel]

26. Thank you.

I am listening to you. Thank you for de-lurking. Thank you very much, honestly.

[Ernesto]

25. I've had it for almost 40 years

The Docs think that I may have got in Vietnam. Anyway, I monitor my condition closely with regular liver function tests & @ age 59, I feel no symptoms. Just lucky? I don't know.