Been doing a little research on Hep C and found myself here

I found the following information on the

Department of Veterans Affairs website.

Does anyone know where I could find proof that these stats are correct. I have found some valuable information on this site.  They explain every blood test in terms I understood.  I am debating treatment for Hep C.  I want as much information I can find before I do anything. I've been lurking here for a few days and find the support encouraging.

Thanks

 

Here is a snapshot of the long-term effects of hepatitis C.

Out of 100 people who get hepatitis C:

• 15 will get rid of the virus without any treatment
• 85 will develop a chronic infection

Of those 85 who have a chronic infection:

• about 17 will develop liver cirrhosis in their lifetime
• about 2 will develop liver cancer

 

Thanks for the reply. 

So then technically I could be virus free. 

I guess I should start from the beginning as far as treatment.  That would mean finding a new doctor.  My last doctor ran a Hep C clinic, but there was something about him I did not like so I stopped going.  He wouldn't treat me anyway because of the side effects of the drugs they used.  I was wasting my time going to him.  

I've been reading a lot and have hope for newer treatments.

Thank you for mentioning National Institute of Health I've already been there reading everything.  I loved the VA's  description of possible blood tests.  I will be better prepared when I go to the doctor because of their information.   

Post Edited (emwell2) : 9/20/2014 4:15:22 PM (GMT-6)

I saw my PCP today. She asked if there was anything I wanted to talk about. I said yes as a matter of fact there is. I walked out of there with a referral to a hepatologist. Didn't plan this. Step 2 of making the phone call for an appointment will be the tough part.

I managed to get out of making the phone call.  I just received a letter informing me of when my appointment is.  That was easy.

So, how soon can they see you? ML

I made it to my appointment.    The doctor was amazing. I felt very comfortable with her.  Apparently in my area, there is  a waiting list for treatment for Hep C.  I am now on that list.  We are doing blood tests and an ultrasound to see where I stand.

I am so glad I did not let fear stop me from going to this appointment.    

emwell2....well done. I agree with themiz...keep duplicate records of everything. And here is an example of why....at one point Mike was almost 3 years post Transplant and the NEW meds were not yet available AT ALL and his nice new liver was getting messed up again. He got a call from his TP center that they were to be host to some Phase II clinical trials and needed some candidates to get the Sovaldi and Ribavirin. Well, he was all over that, of course..free meds with great trial results so far. There seemed NO reason not to do it.

But, they said, there was a very narrow window on getting a slot in the trial and facilities were notoriously slow in getting paperwork when the center sent release forms for scans, biopsies, bloods, etc etc and there was a list of about 50 documents they needed for the trial.

Well, someone on this site gave us this good advice YEARS ago and we had EVERY document and MRI disc, got in the car and drove to Miami with a BOX of stuff.

Unfortunately he did not get chosen...because his fibroscan was F3, not cirrhosis and so he was not sick ENOUGH after TP to qualify for the arm of the trial that had openings. We were sorry he missed that chance, but in 3 months the Sovaldi became available anyhow and he got the treatment March, April, and May of this year.

So, lesson learned...save your stuff, make a file system or notebook. Itcould save your life.

Hugs,

Mama Lama