Hello.
While researching what to expect from Hep C treatment. I found this site and Allen's documentation of his treatment journey. It was very helpful. I decided to follow suit and keep a journal of my journey.
I was diagnosed with Hep C on September 17th of this year, 2015. I was immediately angry as I have been working on my health and diet for the past 2 years and my primary care physician had been treating me like a fat alcoholic with no control. I continued to tell him I rarely drank, he seemed not to believe me and scolded me on my weight, never mentioning my weight loss. Ultrasounds for two years showed fatty liver.
I had completely changed my diet and exercise habit, had lost weigh, all of my vitals had improved, yet my liver was not improving by much. When he looked at my past blood tests he saw that my liver had been going downhill for at least the past 5 years and he never ordered a hepatitis test. Really? Isn't that the first thing you do with a compromised liver?
Then of course the referral to a gastroenterologist took over a month before they even made an appointment. I am seeing a nurse practitioner or it would have been two more months before my first visit. So I saw her. Could make an appointment to see her again in another month, because one of the blood tests takes a week and a half to get back. Really?
So labs were taken in early November. A second visit with pressure to have Hep A and Hep B vaccinations before she would request treatment for Hep C. Another really? Further compromise an already compromised system? And make treatment dependent on your agreeing?
So, results were:
Hep C, genotype 2b, viral load= 28,689 (yes, much lower than others I've seen), liver stage 2, no cirrhosis.
Not sure how and when I contracted Hep C. That special circumstance about
being born between 1945-1965 fits me best, but Really? What exactly is that as a risk factor?
Treatment has been approved for 12 weeks Sovaldi 400mg and Ribavirin 1200mg. Approval came quickly with no rejection of the claim. Hopefully that is becoming more the norm. I have Anthem Blue Cross insurance and Medico is the provider. Copay is $15 per month for both medications.
I start treatment today, December 12, 2015. I am a 57 year old female and weigh 165 lbs. I take Thyroxine 25 mcg for my thyroid and will continue it during treatment.
I am a full time school teacher and practice yoga. I plan to continue to walk/run, practice yoga, and eat a diet rich in folate to mitigate the probable anemia that may occur while taking ribavirin.
My doctor does not anticipate that I will need to be off work.
I am feeling fearful that this is a bit much to handle on a full schedule. I am very apprehensive of side effects. I am also a redhead, which may have some relation to the amount of pain meds I might need to take.
So here I go! Going to have my first doses with my morning smoothie. Adding 1 Tblsp coconut oil and hoping for no nausea. Wish me luck...
Post Edited (Allison K) : 12/12/2015 9:25:39 AM (GMT-7)