Hi!:)
I am a newbie to this site. I was directed here by a dear friend of mine.
I am 56..have chronic-active hep-c virus. Last biopsy indicated between stage 3 and 4 grade 2-3. Was first diagnosed in 1996.
I CHOSE no treatment.
I also have back problems, I am diabetic type 2 on insulin and diganosted with depression also.
I am happy to be here and hope to meet some wonderful new friends and get and give the support needed.
thank you!
Peace and Love,
Dreamweaver51

Hi Dreamweaver,

I am Chuck. I had chronic hep C about 18 months ago when I cleared the virus using the standard combination therapy of Ribavirin and Interferon. I was genotype 2B and had no significant liver damage so I was able to do a shorter treatment of 16 weeks.

I have been coming to this forum for about a month now simply because I feel a kind of compassion for those who have been diagnosed with the virus and want to do what I can to help. Besides, I find that those of us who have the virus or have been cured from the virus are a rather unique group of people. Also, it is a kind of motto of mine that "no one who has hep C should ever have to fight alone!"

It's nice to meet you. I am curious as to how you are feeling as the virus progresses and also if you are being monitored by a qualified doctor as you have learned to live with the virus rather then treat it.

Don't get me wrong, I find nothing wrong with electing not to treat. In my opinion that is a personal choice that all of us who have hep C must make. You said you were approaching stage four on your last liver biopsy. Are you feeling the effects of this?

I really hope that your quality of life has not diminished to much because of the disease. I wish you the best of luck in whatever you do and hope to hear from you again.

Chuck

Hi Dreamweaver,

Our bout with health challenges are mirrorred in more than one way. I was 48 and diagnosed with Hep C. Did not give me a lot of info except that my liver was failing fast (didn't need to be told this). I sincerely wish for you a good quality of life. I would never judge someone for their choice in how to deal with the differences Hep C makes in our world. I was too sick for any treatment and I chose the transplant route or actually it chose me (different story). I am very glad I did because I have 6 lovely grandchildren that I want to see grow up, Lord willing. The transplant left me with drug induced diabetes which has not (and I'm told will not) go away. I am able to keep my sugar under control through the use of insulin and diet. I still have Hep C and started therapy 4 months post transplant. Lasted 10 weeks before I was stopped due to health problems from the treatment. I am now 18 months post transplant and the Hep C has not done very much damage to my new liver (inflamed and small amount of fibrosis). Looks I'm going to get to spend those years with my grandchildren. Sometimes things just happen and it is what it is. One thing I found out during the last 2 years is there is alot of people out there who care an awful lot about me, I never knew it but now I do! Good luck to you and may you always start the day.

Hello dreamweaver, I also refused to do the Tx. Not to many on this site that do not want the Tx. I am geno 1a, viral load was 10 million 8 months ago, last month it fell to 1.4 million a big drop!! I eat the foods that help your liver and take supplements too, I guess it is working. I also suffer from depression and take plenty of meds for that. I have had hep c for about 35 yrs and just found out 2 yrs ago when I had my first full physical at age 50. I posted a couple of threads on here that tell you of some foods and supplements but most hep people tend to do the Tx. Way to many side effects for me and only a 50/50 chance of it working. I hope you are feeling well and continue to do so. Take care, Joe