Hep C Discussion Forum

Just wanted to share the story of my hep c journey so that others may find encouragement & enough to keep trudging along through this journey:

 I contracted Hep C sometime in my younger, wilder years through either a piercing or tattoo. Like most people, I did not find out I had it until March 2014. How I found is rather important, peculiar, and extraordinary all at the same time. I began experiencing incredible pain in my joints. The most sever pain I've had, next to childbirth. It was strange as well as excruciating. It would come on and get stronger and stronger over the next few hours until it debilitated the limb it began in. 1-3 days later I regained use as pain moved to another spot in my body. Then I had several days, sometimes even weeks before this cycle of horrendous pain returned, affecting and debilitating an area before moving on to another, then another, and another. It came in my shoulder, then in my wrists, elbows, fingers, toes, ankles, knees. I have been in a sling, crutches, wrist braces, ankle braces, bed ridden. I used to literally crave ice packs. I wanted to share this for 2 reasons: 1: I wanted others experiencing this type of pain to not feel crazy! I began to feel a little crazy when every blog I read and everything I had researched never suggested the type of pain I was experiencing to be a symptom of hep c. Even my hepatology specialist would not believe that this severe pain was being caused by hep c as she quickly brushed me off to seeing my primary care for it instead of prescribing something to ease the pain. 2: I believe God manifested this pain within me so that I would go to the doctor to have this diagnosis revealed so that I could seek treatment for it before it was too late. Otherwise I do not think I would have gone as I am not much of a doctor goer. Once I went and discovered the diagnosis I researched for hours and hours, days and days. Like everyone else I realized how scary and dangerous this virus is. To top it off, my very insurance company was mentioned in numerous blogs as being one of the most common insurance companies for denying hep c treatment over and over each time it was appealed by people. This made me incredibly worried. I prayed and got my church involved to pray over me and with me. I knew God had planned to save me but how?? Treatment is absolutely unaffordable without insurance!! Do we sell our house? Take out as much home equity lines of credit as we could? Sell off everything we had?? After seeing the specialist, taking all the blood & liver tests, the doc sent over the request for treatment needed for Genotype 2b. Not only was I experiencing a rare side effect of hep c but I was also one of the most rare genotypes there are in America. I worried and my faith wavered. The pharmacy called me less than 48 hours later to tell me I was approved and they were shipping the first month of treatment pills to me immediately. I couldn't believe my ears and spent 20 of the 30 minutes we were on the phone grilling the representative to ensure there was absolutely no mistake! He assured me there was not so I praised God more than I had during my entire life, I'm sure. Then I began to worry about the side effects of the drugs I had to take. There were pages and pages of typewritten side effects as I was prescribed Ribivirin and Sovaldi. God blessed me there as well. I had absolutely NO side effects AT ALL!!! I took the treatment for 12 weeks. Another 12 weeks after treatment ended I was tested again (12/01/2015) and the results were negative for hep c, I was cured!!!! I am sharing this story because I believe God healed me through his Son Jesus who died on the cross for not only our sins but also for our diseases, sicknesses, and all other inequities. I believe He wants me to share with anyone & everyone who will read. I also believe there are people suffering right now who are waiting for approval from their insurance companies, or waiting for the second, third, fourth, fifth appeals to be approved as well as some that are waiting for a liver transplant who need real life encouragement and hope for their own futures. I am here to give that to you. Never ever give up and keep on waking up each morning thinking this is the day that it's going to change for you!! Here are a few Scriptures I clung to:

For the glory of Your Name, O Lord, preserve my life. Because of your faithfulness, bring me out of this distress. Psalm 143:11.

 I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry for help. Psalm 40:1

 Lord my God, I cried to You for help and You healed me. Psalm 30:2.

 Show Your favor to Your servant; save me by Your faithful love. Psalm 31:16

 The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, and delivers them from all their troubles. Psalm 34:17

 My son, pay attention to my words; listen closely to my sayings. Dont lose sight of them; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and health to ones whole body. Proverbs 4:20-22.

 Finally, I was taught to realize this awesome healing wasnt about me, but about Gods glory and Jesus Christs glory. So then it does not depend on human will or effort but on God who shows mercy. For the Scripture tells Pharoah: I raised you up for this reason so that I may display My power in you and that My name may be proclaimed in all the earth. Romans 9:16