I was diagnosed with hepatitis C, stage II, genotype 1 in 5/06 at age 52 after feeling lousy for a couple of months. Never in my wildest dreams did the idea of having Hepatitis C come up in my mind. The doctors estimated that I had the virus for 20 years. I began the peginterferon-ribavin therapy, which lasted 48 weeks. It was a grueling treatment. I never had felt so exhausted 24/7. Some days I had to tell myself to put one foot in front of the other so I could walk. I chose to take my shots Thursday nights, took every Friday off work, and slept for two days. I would come home from work and fall sleep sitting up on the sofa. My family, doctor, and co-workers were wonderful and I would not have been able to complete the treatment if it was not for them. There were times when I almost quit. The first six weeks of treatment were hell, and I asked my doctor if I could have a note to take a couple of weeks off work to take care of me. His comment was "if you can't handle this, then maybe we should discontinue treatment." I convinced him to give me the note, and found another doctor in his practice. The new doctor called me when I had questions, was supportive, and was the complete opposite of the first doctor. Finding the right doctor is essential in getting through this treatment. I have achieved sustained virological response within three months from when I started treatment. Almost three years later, I am still virus free. I consider myself cured.

I was diagnosed year ago after insisting I was not "depressed." I just could not get my 33-year old butt out of bed in the mornings even after 12-15 hours of sleep. I was in fantastic shape back then! I did the interferon, did not know to drink more water than I could ever stand and I learned about treatment side effects from a friend who was a research chemist I did great for maybe 7 years, then the virus came back. I did the combo treatment and now I am blessed with chronic diarrhea (IBS), depression/bi-polar, migraines, and now have Diabetes and high blood pressure. The government still doesn't believe me to be disabled. The good news is I have been okay since then other than occasionally pooping my pants. My hep C has been unavoidable for 7 years now though so I am remaining optimistic.

I was diagnosed in 1981 for Hep.C. There was no real treatment for it back then. I had a liver biopsy done and no damage was found. In 2002, I started Peg-Intron treatment for 11 months. It was rough.A t the end of the treatment, tests showed zero viral load. Each year since then I have been tested and each year I have tested zero viral load. I was an occasional drinker. However, since 2004 I really don't drink at all. I have known several people who quit the treatment and are no longer with us.

I took peg interferon treatments for one year. My symptoms returned after about 6 months of treatments. My viral load levels are now over ten million.

I can only suspect that I became infected with HCV when I injected drugs over 30 years ago. I was diagnosed HCV-genome 4 about four years ago after a lot of blood work done in a follow up to a routine check-up. I had just turned 60. I am still asymptomatic and have recently been treated for bladder cancer and currently being monitored for recurrence. I have tested negative for cancer since my tumor was removed about two years ago. I will soon return to my liver clinic for a meeting with my doctor to discuss my current status and to discuss treatment.

I was diagnosed with Hep C in 1994. The treatment at that time was 6 months with Interferon A. After treatment I was still extremely ill and found a doctor who sent my blood away to get a count of the virus. Then he kept giving me Interferon until the count was zero for six months. All together I was on Interferon for more that 18 months. For the next 5 years he sent my blood off and they found no virus. I have had no recurrence and my liver functions have been normal ever since.

I got a tattoo 5 years ago and within weeks had a terrible rash all over. I was tested and found positive for hepatitis C. I immediately went on the treatment program and had a terrible time, developed every negative symptom. It turns out I am allergic to Interferon. I now have cirrhosis, with high ammonia levels in my blood. I am so bloated I look 9 months pregnant. I can't find a doctor specializes in liver disease and every time I get my news it's bad. I found out a transplant isn't possible because Hep C is a blood disease.