Hep C Discussion Forum

HI,

Well, I had the virus for 48 years or more.  I was UND at week 4 of Merck trial and am now past SVR12.  I will be 80 in August, so I have had it for many years.  I also was curious to see how I felt without Hep C.  I feel MUCH better.  The difference is more subtle than obvious.  I am not tired like I was.  I can do more things.  Downside, I am old and live alone in a rural area--Now, I get bored so easily.  I remember long ago when I was curious about just nearly everything.  That is coming back. Each day I seem to be more in touch with my feelings and that seems odd.  Feelings of resignation are going away and I want to do things.  I have stamina.  I did not think Hep C had affected me much, but it obviously had.  Strange things, my thumbs had become very painful to use for several years.  Now, they are strong and I have no pain in them. What I considered "old age" was, in large part, Hep C.  Unfortunately. the wrinkles and white hair seem to be remaining.  

My experience probably is much different from those who are younger, but I am sure that many things you dreamed about will become realities without the draining of energy that Hep C causes.  I am so pleased that many can now easily treat and have a healthy energetic lifestyle.  My hope is that one day Hep C will be a disease of the past--just as polio, measles, chicken pox, whooping cough and others have become. 

The changes began a few weeks after treatment and each day I feel a little better. It is a pretty day and I need to go out and mow the rest of the lawn before it gets hot. 

SuziQ          

Hi J,

This is something that has actually come up for me quite often and with my doctor. I was born with it so in essence it has been part of who I am my entire life. I often wonder if I'll "feel different" once these meds are clear of my system and I begin a "normal" HepC free life. It's weird because I don't think I've ever "felt sick" but then again I wouldn't know if I was sick as anytime I haven't felt well I just assumed everyone has times like that. The virus has been in me for 30 years (I'm 31 but my blood work the day after my 31st bday is what came back UND!) While this dragon has been hitching a ride in me my entire life, I've never had abnormal liver function tests but i guess the headaches, muscle aches and fatigue could be related. I've always written them off as side effects of childhood sports injuries and stress.

I'm down to 8 days of treatment left and then hopefully this meds will clear my system in another 8-12 weeks following and perhaps  by August I'll know what "normal" feels like!  My doctor is actually very intrigued as i'm the only patient at the transplant clinic where I treat that was born with it; he's equally anxious to know if there's a difference. And maybe this will make sense to you as I'm not sure others have understood the thought process behind it: I was obviously eager to treat and I'd love to reach SVR. However in the beginning there was this very odd sense of uneasiness as it literally is PART OF WHO I AM.  It's been there forever, it's controlled my career path choice, who/how I went about dating, etc. It's also been something I've been discriminated against in for example the dentists office. Those are obviously not "good" parts of it but it's almost part of my identity and it's weird to think of a life without it.

Well, we shall see! Best of luck to you!

Hi J,

Of course you knew I'd chime in here! I agree with Kellie, I haven't felt this good in years. I really began to notice the difference after my SVR 12 date. It takes awhile to get your strength back after treatment, but how that applies to the new treatment protocols remains to be seen. Interferon and Ribavirin take months to clear your system and once that happens the differences are amazing. I noticed my motivation and willingness to get reinvolved in life increase weekly after a certain point. Regardless of the increase in motivation, I have to remind myself that my body isn't as ready as my mind is. Treatment took it's toll on my muscle mass and the HCV over 35 years took it's toll on everything else. Be ready for a big improvement but allow your body the time it needs to handle the action you're going to expect it to provide!

Tig

omg! I feel so different now. my thinking and energy are more than ever before. I dare say that i felt this good before i was infected. I was 16 when it happened and 50 now. I'm learning to live in my new virus free body. I understand what you say when you don't know who you are.

i'm so happy now. partly because i don't have to worry about my liver, like i used to anymore.

i'm free and you will be too, very soon. hang in there!