i feel ashamed....

[nannymarch]

hello all

I was diagnosed with hepatitis c nearly 2 years ago. I felt so bad that I had contracted

this virus that I have not pushed very hard for help. I had an initial appointment with

a consultant who told me to "wait 2 years" which I have now completed and I would be

given the new treatment that has been highly praised and priced. I now have an apt

set for june 2cnd 2017. however, it isn't at the same hospital I first went to and I am

concerned I may have to wait another 2years on the new hospital list. I'm probably stressing about nothing but that's just another of my acquired ailments "ANXIETY".

can anyone clue me up on what I might expect at the apt or with treatment offered.?

Oh by the way I'm a 60 year old female with a lot of questions. thanks for reading my post

[Bermuda1]

No need to be ashamed , best get treated though , where do you reside , UK , US or elsewhere ?

[mherbie]

He!lo, I remember first appointment with the liver nurse. Weighed, blood pressure, blood tests and a conversation about what happens next. Next appointment ultrasound. Next appointment fibroscan. Discussion on the drugs currently available on the NHS and those best suited for my Genotype and viral load ( blood tests ).

My consultant got in touch by phone and letter..the medication came by courier.. I am currently 5 weeks through an 8 week course of Harvoni. My results mid way look very encouraging though the true test is 3 months after.

From discovery I had Hep C on Nov 2nd ( which came as a big shock!!) I was thankful for the time I had to look after myself as well as I could. I followed cleansing liver diets, walked my dog, slept when tired, Obviously cut out alcohol (but didn't stop my social life).

I am 56. So by the time we reach over 50 ... We have worked out that whatever life, the universe gives us we can handle it! So one day at a time my friend, trust that all will be well

[LAJ123]

Nannymarch,

Of all the emotions and thoughts that bombard us when we receive such a diagnosis, the least appropriate or helpful is shame.

The majority of illnesses are avoidable, therefore there may always be grounds for it being 'our own fault'. But of course we know this to be nonsense. However, that doesn't stop us being irrational at times like this. My diagnosis was alcohol related end stage liver disease. Disappointed ? yes, shame never.

Do not ever allow anybody to make you feel any less deserving of help and support than anybody with any other illness.

You need to accept what has happened and learn to live with whatever it takes to overcome your condition Obviously, we don't know anything about .how much damage has been caused to your liver, I suspect it is not too bad, otherwise you would not have been asked to return in two years. I don't imagine for a second that the 'two year wait' will begin from the start just because its a different hospital. That doesn't seem very logical.

As for your future, just read what mherbie has written and you can see that hepatitis C is very treatable and there are many success stories both here and in the Hep C Health Unlocked Forum.

healthunlocked.com/hepatiti...

As for the understandable anxiety, that should diminish as you understand more and realise that your condition will be given all due consideration by which ever hospital you go to and the treatment is relatively quick and simple to administer. If the anxiety is interfering with your life and making you ill you really need to see your GP ( family doctor) and see if there is some support available.

Take good care of yourself and keep us informed of how you get on with your appointment.

JIm

[PaulDavid]

Hi, you should not feel ashamed although unfortunately there is a stigma and a lot of ignorance surrounding hep c! This is perpetuated by a lot of professionals within the health service.You do not state your genotype or how long you estimate you have been infected.I suggest that leaving it 2 years is completely unreasonable and treatment should have been available to you! You should have had a fibroscan and all appropriate tests to determine the level of liver damage and given advice on lifestyle and dietary changes! I quite understand your issues with anxiety, doctors and specialists seem to have very little understanding of the health impact or the challenges of living with an active virus! So do not let them delay treatment, best of luck with everything! ! Paul

[Dldtx]

No need to be ashamed , here we are all in the same boat. The medications I was given did work, I have no prof of where or how I got hepatitis C . Maybe once you get this appointment over your anxiety will drop some, in the meantime if you haven't yet read all you can about Hepatitis C and ask questions, there are diets you can follow, but the medications did work for me. Good luck

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