Hep C Discussion Forum

 Welcome to the forum Ashley from me also. There is a solution for this and you're in an excellent place for support to get you through it and on to a healthy, happy, Hep C free life. Make yourself at home and try not to worry. Look around the site and if you need definitions for all the abbreviations we use around here see this list. Easy does it. This too shall pass...

-- Edited by wmlj1960 on Wednesday 17th of February 2016 02:05:12 AM

Hi Annabel!
I'm new to the forum and treatment too. I completely understand why you're scared, I was too! I went into pure panic mode when I was told I tested positive for it. I pretty much scared myself to death by googling everything to do with it and built up so much fear in myself that by the time I received the meds I was almost afraid to take them. After I found this forum and was able to read what others were going through and getting support and advice on a daily basis from the members, I laugh at how I over reacted to it all. It's truly not as bad as your mind will allow u to think. The members here are extremely supportive and go out of their way to help ppl. I know I've sure bugged them to pieces with my questions and concerns. Everything will be ok! If there wasn't a cure then we could all have a nervous breakdown together, but there IS a cure and I have faith in you that you'll do just fine! So take a deep breath ;) You have unlimited support right here! Best wishes!!!
Btw~ a very heartfelt welcome to you!!!

Hi there, 

I am pretty new here too, but I can vouch for this ... you have come to the right place.

Rest assured, being here will be of great help to you. I too was diagnosed not that long ago, and yes it is a lot to grapple with. 

Of importance, is that you are not a drinker, which is a very good thing (I am lucky that way too), of less importance is how high your VL is, mine is 10 million.

Try  NOT   to worry - concentrate on learning more, and you will as you are here among friends who WILL help.

Canuck      (edited!! I meant to say .... try NOT to worry!) 

 

-- Edited by Canuck on Wednesday 17th of February 2016 01:28:18 AM

Hi Ashley,

Welcome to the forum. I have to echo Jimmy's recommendation, don't panic! I want you to stop the attack on Google to find out everything under the sun, for now anyway. We can help you figure this out and we're pretty good at providing the right information and doing it without all of the hype you'll find on so many websites. We can provide you with just about anything you need to know and where to find it. Don't waste your time looking for magic fixes that claim to do everything from cure to placing it in remission. The only thing I recommend is to educate yourself and we'll help with that, concentrate on eating a good nutritious diet, no alcohol and be as positive as you can possibly be. There's no reason to not be positive. It's unfortunate that anyone discovers they are infected with HCV. The good news is the treatments available today are so much better than ever before. We have a bunch of people that are starting or undergoing the newest treatments now and you'll meet them as time goes forward. We have a bunch of very nice and knowledgeable people here, that are more than willing to provide you with the support you seek. If you have any questions, about anything, you feel free to ask. 

Here's a good source of information for you. It should help to explain what's going on and after you're done reading it, I want to point out our own search function at the top. It will take you to conversations we've had here on many subjects. Just use a keyword or two and you'll see what I mean. Write down your questions, so you remember. There's a lot to learn, but the important thing I have to stress is, don't be scared, the treatments now are excellent and they work. It doesn't matter how you got it, just that you found out really early and your liver is still in great shape. Most of us didn't find out for decades! You'll get this taken care of in no time. 

Before I go, I want you to let us know what you hear from your doctor regarding your test results. Things like your genotype, liver blood tests (ALT and AST) and anything else they give you, help us provide better informed opinions. As for the rash, start using a mild soap, don't shower every day either, that can make it worse sometimes and don't shower in hot water. Lukewarm is good. Try using an oatmeal based soap if you can find a mild product. You can take oatmeal baths too when the itching gets bad. Use out search function and put RASH in there, you'll see you're not alone. Get some Calamine or Caladryl lotion to apply topically. Your doctor may allow you to use an antihistamine like Benadryl or Zyrtec as well. Stay in touch!

http://hcvadvocate.org/newly-diagnosed/

A few things that would be helpful of course is some more information.

General location of where you live, (Country and State) this helps in determining what is available.

Do you have Health Insurance? Do you work?

When forming options they often are based on such things.

As you must realize we cannot give medical advice and if we did you should run. That is for a professional that can based on all of your criteria properly assess and address.

What we can tell you is we are in the most opportune moment in history if ever to have this. One thing for certain is how you may have come in contact with it is irrelevant and not a thing we particularly care about. Helping each other, is.

There will be many here to respond so just get comfortable as if at home becuse you are one of us now and we will always look out for each other.

 

JimmyK 

Greetings and welcome to The Family here.

 

Please do not be afraid. The viral load has little to do with treatment and varies from person to person. First step is to arm yourself with as much information as you can and be assured you have a huge database of information followed by the most caring folks on God's green earth right here.

You will be fine. I have had this Dragon twice as long as you have been alive and can tell you do not be afraid. You are in the best time if ever to have found out and be thankful you know.

JimmyK