Hi guys
I thought I'd be the first to introduce myself. My name is Simon and was dignosed with hep c from a tattoo in September 2015.. Not been offered treatment as of yet. The one thing I have noticed about this disease is it is a very lonely situation and looking to meet new friends who can offer support and guidance. As I am scared to death.
Hi Simon87, Thanks for sharing your experience with us.
Even though the community is very new and growing, I'm sure that you landed on the great place to get peer support. Stay positive!
Hi Simon,
It may feel perplexing at times but you have caught this early and the new generation drugs will mean you will have hope of clearing the virus in a short time.
Keep on at your GP and ask for a referral so you can get treated quickly.
Stephanie
I had Hep C geno type 1b for 42 years. It took two treatments but its now in remission. You have no had it long so I think you will soon be offered a treatment that will kill it. I had it 30 years before the doctors found it. It is a very lonely situation, thats one of the outstanding features of this disease. It can produce a lot of body pain, loss of appetite, sleeplessness as well as depression. My only concern would be if they wanted to treat you with interferon, it wrecks all kinds of damage onto the mind, body and spirit. I think its rarely used now.
Yes rag I only have yellow wee if I don't drink enough water
Hi simon87 I am the same as Catfishjumpin - I too had Hep C for 42 years - June 1973 when I had my baby - lost 14 pints. I was genome type 1A. Found out in 1991 when tried to give blood. Went on Clinical Trial Interferon and . Did not work, phoned to stop, my viral load was the same. The interferon had horrible side effects, I still remember.
Developed Primary C (Lymphoma) 2012, operation resection early 2013.
In October 2015 I started treatment of Harvoni and Ribavirin - finished January this year. My HCV is undetectable.
We are all here to give you support. Remember Catfish and I have endured 42 years of HCV. There are going to be lots more treatments available very soon!
Dear Simon87
Following a radio ad campaign I had a blood test for Hep C in 2009 having been an occasional intravenous drug user between 1981 and 1983. I was absolutely confident that I was being over cautious as I hadn't had any symptoms at all for 25 years and the test would be negative. It wasn't. I was incredibly shocked and terrified. My GP sent me to Kings College Hospital in Camberwell in London and I took a course of treatment (tablets and injections). I can't remember how long it took - about a year I think - and it made me a bit weak and nauseous but I was able to carry on with my everyday life. I've completely forgotten about it now and am absolutely fine. And I hear from a friend that the treatment is 'softer' now! No more self injecting!
So, don't be scared, just take the treatment and don't take any risks with infected blood and you'll be fine.
Good luck!
Hi seasidewild
Am glad to hear you have cleared the virus and had a relative easy time on treatment. I have geno type 3 and they offered me interferon and rib which I declined as it would mess with my depression and ability to function..they won't be offering me the new drugs for about a year .
Hi Simon
I don't know if this is any help but I had geno type 3 and took interferon and rib and I am also a depressive. Before the treatment I was on 100 mg of sertraline daily and during the treatment I took 200 mg per day. It was a risk but I chose the risk of depression (and, yes, I know this can also be a fatal illness) against certain death from a horrible physical disease.
Thanks you for input it seems we have a lot in conman lol..I will have to think about it because I don't want it to affect my work..also I have only have hep c 10 months and the nurse says i can wait but I can change my mind and take the treatment at any time.
Hello again Simon87
Sounds like you have an excellent and supportive nurse. And 11 months is not long at all. Sending you very best wishes and lots and lots of reassurance that it is all going to be ok! Having been terrified when I was diagnosed I would never have believed that 1. I would get through the treatment successfully (support from fabulous doctors and nurses and family and friends helped enormously with this) and 2. I would then virtually forget I had ever had the disease!
Hi Simon ! Don't worry too much ! luckily these days there is a good cure/therapy
stay positive !there is always a solution
No need to be scared, you'll be ok
Lucky in a way you had it now not thirty years ago like me
New effective treatments will help/cure you.
There's Hep C support groups all over UK
You could google and meet others that way too
Good Luck and Best Wishes for your full recovery.
Hi jolly ,Am not as scared now that it has had time to sink in..am trying to focus on the positives I will be cured even tho I have to wait a year for the treatment..I declined the old treatment interferon. I have spoke to hep c trust a few times for reassurance, good people 
I stay off google a lot of negative things about hep c that's what scares me in the first place lol
Thanks for reply jolly
Take care Simon
