So I am a 26 year old male who just recently was diagnosed with Hep--c (genotype 1). My liver enzymes are normal. Viral load is on the low side. And no serious symptoms except some joint pains, and of course anxiety.
Since then I have quit drinking, altered my diet, and started taking Milk Thistle regularly. I think I contracted it when i was 17-20 years old when I was down and out with a drug habit. That is no longer my story anymore. I have made lots of changes since then.
I am now just waiting. The doctor said I could get treated when and if I wanted to. He recommended I wait. For the sake of some new treatment options being researched as we speak. Should I just go through with the treatment now? should I wait? Will it hurt me in the long run if I wait to get treated? Are there any natural remedies to keep the dragon at bay?
Also I am curious about how easily I can spread this to my partner. She is aware of the hep-c and supportive to me around it. But we both have fears about me passing it on to her sexually, even though chances are low. What can I do to avoid doing so while still sharing intimacy with my love. Is it passable though kissing if say cold soars are present, or a bit cheek, or flossing cuts on gums, etc.
If anyone knows a good reliable website for information and news I would appreciate that as well.
Much love and here is to Pheelin Phine.
Justin

Welcome Justin, lose the anxiety about passing the hep to your partner sexually. Blood to blood is transmission. If you can, lose any anxiety. It does no good.

Time is on your side. You are heading in the RIGHT direction, taking care of yourself that is.

You will amazed in the coming week how many people are going to welcome you here and the amount of advice you will get.

They are better at giving the advise than I am.

Read the threads, go to the archives if you have to. Just about every question about this disease is covered somewhere in this folder.

Howdy doo Justin and welcome to The Zone... I'm ure Rob will be bringing the bus shortly - jump on and make yourself at home... we're all phamily here. It's a bit overwhelming I know but it sounds to me like you are doing and thinking about all the correct things.

First off - congrats on kicking the drug habit... if you drink you should consider significantly reducing your alcohol intake or stopping altogether... alcohol is NOT your livers friend! Mt personal recommendation is that if you aren't having an symptoms you should probably want to wait for some of the new treatments that will be coming out soon (despite the fact that I opted for treatment - let me tell you - for most people treatment is pure HELL).

As for natural remedies/treatments well there are different opinions on here (and in the scientific community) about them (there's a lot of differences of opinions here but that's a good thing). Some of the other Zoners can probably comment on them better than I can since I went the down the other road of treatment. I have heard that coconut oil is an excellent natural treatment - there's a site here that tells a little about it (not the one I wanted to post but I've lost that link apparently - do a search for coconut oil and hepatitis c and you'll find a lot of info) - http://www.coconutresearchcenter.org/
There's tons of other natural remedies that various Zoners have tried to varied success but they can shime in on that.

As for transmission. It is surprisingly easier to spread than most people realize (with the exception of The Zoners here) - DO NOT share any personal hygiene devices - this includes everything from razors to nail clippers to hair brushes to toothbrushes and just about any other personal hygiene items. There is some chance of transmission via sex and if there are cuts in the mouth it's probably best to avoid kissing. This applies to after brushing teeth as well... gums tend to bleed some whether you notice it or not and it's just not worth the risk - wait a good hour or so after brushing to be safe.

There are people here who have much better info on the subject than I do and they will no doubt be adding their opinions and experiences for you to learn from.

My only other advice it to not be too freaked out about it (don't stress) and make sure you check in with your doctor regularly. And DON'T DRINK! It's bad for ya liver!!!

Here's a couple of sites to check out
http://www.epidemic.org/theFacts/hepatitisC/transm ission/

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hepatitis-c/DS000 97/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugs

http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/chro nichepc/

http://www.cdc.gov/HEPATITIS/

There's other sites out there that are probably more thorough but the phamily will put them up I'm sure.

You've come to the right place bud... careful though - this place is addictive and so are the people who inhabit it!

Peace, love, and uh... all that stuff!
Brian

Welcome Just-In...as my two buds have said you have stumbeled into the right place...glad you could join us. For now I'll just be part of the welcoming commitite ....hang out , keep coming back and have some ice cream on me.,,,peace, mack

If I recall you are pretty young, Justin, and Geno. 1's are a 50/50 proposition. So, if your functions are all good, and your doc. is leaning towards waiting, and you've already made some healthy changes... well, why not wait? HCV feeds on stress, so find a way to let that go, buddy.

I would opine that blood-to blood contact with your partner is an extreme longshot, with common sense used. I've been married 20 years and the wife is fine.

Please feel free to hang out here more often and continue to ask questions, as theres a ton of experience to share.

FIRST BIOPSY 4/21 SO i'M ScARED IF BLEEDING STARTs THEY WILL be sending me to surgery to remove cyst well don't want to leave this world but it's not up to me

It will most likely go just fine. Many here have had them including myself will no ill effects. I had some post biopsy pain but it was like I took a fist to the ribs but I am the exception. The waivers they have you sign are the most frightening part.

Keep us posted with any questions you have and let us know how it comes out.

peace

whitey-x a.k.a. oatmeal for brains

All the best for your biopsy.

The first one is a bit scary, just like the first of about anything... It only takes a mili-second to get the biopsy. The hole is so small you can hardly see it when they are done.

And yes, it feels like you were punched in the side ribs, just as Whitey discribed. By Friday 4/22, you won't even know you had the procedure.

I've had 3. Two nearly painless and one, well, they hit a nerve on the way in...Even with that one, by an hour after, I was fine.

Bring a comfortable pillow. They may keep you on your side for 4 hours after.

JoeTee...I am the most jittery patient in this world but the biopsy was fine, and as Betsy said a little post op soreness...they list crazy things for aspirin ...horrible side effects that basically never happen...because one person may have reported a possible reaction or connection. We are all here and have 99% been through liver biopsies and you will too...but you better believe I understand!

JT, I've had two biopsies also. The worst thing about them were the jitters before the first one. I don't know that "punch" is the best description...but it's close. Relax, and have some

Clem

Hello from Ohio! When I got the biopsy they had this drug, versed, which had no fun side effects(just kidding I'm clean and sober now), anyways as soon as I got the versed I woke up wondering when they would do the biopsy. It really wasn't bad. And a biopsy is the best way for a doctor to make sure you are OK waiting for better treatment options to come along. Hep C (unlike B) is not considered very contagious except blood-to-blood, after already getting hep C, I had two children who never got it from me. I was allowed to keep working as a nurse aide after being diagnosed. Usually, if people who have sex together both have hep C, it's usually because they both shot dope, like me and my first husband. After studying all the facts, you and your friend can agree on how to deal with this together.

Phriends, is it OK to say I need your help too? The car accident that killed my husband Ike, will be six years ago April 18. I could use your good vibes and prayers. Peace and love, Fran

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{Fran}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

Clem

(((PeacefranPeacelovePeacefranPeacelovePeacefranPeacelove)))

Thanks phamily. Justin I hope you found some help here. It sounds like you are thinking this out as best as can be done. Peace and love, Fran

And Whitey I hope you are feeling OK!

Just-in, WAIT!!!!!

{{{{{{Fran and Ike}}}}}}

Lots of good folks here, Justin. And between us there's probably no aspect of hep C or treatment we don't have some knowledge, or at least an opinion, about.

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Tr••dle™

Just-ins taken a few months off Zoning...

My Hep C story. Found out about 2 years ago now about my diagnosis, got tested after my boyfriend of many years tested positive for Hep C. Figured I must have picked it up back in 85-86 when I shared needles a few times. Drank a lot over the past 25 years being oblivious that I had this disease. Liver enzymes are normal, I had an ultrasound of my liver, also normal. I am not sick, in fact in pretty good health. Dr advises no treatment and I may never even get sick. Of course I am worried that some day bad things will happen to me because of the Hep C.
On the other hand I think I may be safe since nothing has happened in 20 plus years and I was still drinking to boot. Anyone have a similar story, maybe shed some light for me?

Welcome to you, china cat, glad you found us.

Thanks judit. The worst part of this is feeling guilty that I've passed this on to my boyfriend, and that he has this becuase of me. He has no risk factors for Hep C, we have the same genotype, we were never careful about blood contact over the last 20 years, since I was undiagnosed for so long. He has only mildly elevated enzymes and is otherwise healthy, but I worry more for him than myself.

Welcome China Cat....I'd follow my doc's advice and get follow up testing as your doc suggests..
and I think you will be OK.
There are more people everyday that are in your situation and are not treating yet.
Hope you keep commin back...peace, mack

Welcome to the board, CC.

Let the guilt go, cuz' it doesn't matter how ya' got HCV or from who... just begin to deal with it sensibly. I'd say quitting drinking is a good idea for starters, if you haven't already, and be thankful you're still in good shape.

Please feel free to hang out here as there is much experience to share.

Thanks for your support and kind words. Still have a few drinks occasionally but have cut way back and am generally just taking better care of myself. My job is pretty high-stress and I'm worried that might not be the best thing for me. I feel fortunate things are not worse, and I feel for those of you who aren't as fortunate as I've been so far.