Just diagnosed with hep c, have a daughter due in may. Need a helpful ear and ad

[I’m strong enough]

Hello all,
I was recently diagnosed with hep c, I have an appointment on the 30th of this month with my Gastroenterologist. I’m nervous and very much so scared for my wife and child due in may, as I do not want to be a burden in such an amazing time in life.

I’m thinking I contracted the virus about 8-10 years ago due to receiving tattoos from someone who wasn’t in a professional setting. In the last two years I’ve dropped a decent amount of weight. I’m a 29 yr old male, and 5’9 at 144lbs( still technically a healthy weight for age sex and height) but I’ve always been a little heavier and stockier but that’s no longer the case. I’m cold a lot, or sometimes very warm. My hands are purple at times with bright red or pink spots, I believe that’s classified as Purpura, also abdominal pain which isn’t bad enough to make me stop dead in my tracks, but it’s noticeable. I’m lucky that I have a good paying job and opted for the top insurance offered, however I’m nervous about treatment as I’m the boss and I work normally 9-12 hours mon-fri and a short shift of 4-6 on Saturday.  ALSO VERY EXCITED AND SCARED AT THE SAME TIME  for my daughter who’s entering this world here shortly.

I know symptoms do not measure liver damage but I’m still freaking out that I’ve damaged my liver.
Please help... any food advice, supplement advice, etc will greatly be appreciated.

[Lynn K]

Avoid supplement is my advice especially with just about to start treatment and truthfully there is little evidence today they do anything more than drain your wallet.

As far as diet just eat a normal healthy diet the heart smart diet for example is also a liver smart diet.

Hep c is not likely to spread in a household setting just avoid sharing personal care items like toothbrushes, razors, and fingernail clippers. There is a small rush of sexual transmission but for long term couples the CDC does not recommend the use of protection.

As to your other symptoms that is best diagnosed by your doctor. Hep c normally takes decades to cause liver damage with only about 20% of patients infected for over 20 years developing cirrhosis in that amount of time meaning 80% do not.

I was on Harvoni for 25 weeks because of having cirrhosis due to having hep c for probably for 37 years. I worked every day and even went on a short business trip to Italy multiple time zone change and had to turn it around in a week time to my home time zone.
Hand in there you will know more soon best of luck.

[I’m strong enough]

Thank you for responding, it helps tremendously. Luckily I’m blessed with a very understanding, kind, and strong wife. She was tested and was not infected. Thank god, literally my biggest fear and concern in this whole matter.  Today was mentally rough, I feel mentally drained and almost like I’m focusing to hard on everything and possibly making things worse. I still have an appetite as the thought of juicy chicken and rice is very appealing, and I’m happy in the sense of catching it ten years in. I understand things could be or could have been played out in a much worse way, but I’m still taking it just as serious as if it was.

I really need to focus on being positive and not thinking to far into it, and I think this forum will help. I hope to share my story and in many ways help myself and others.
Thank you again.

[Salal]

Twenty-nine.  I don't think you should let this virus worry you too much.  Take the necessary precautions to protect your wife, like avoiding anything that could result in blood to blood transmission, Lynn listed a few things.  Not sure why you are seeing a gastroenterologist, and hope you will get a referral to a specialist in infectious diseases soon, if you haven't already. They are the specialists who usually do the kinds of tests you need to have before a decision can be made about which DAA (direct-acting antiviral) you should have.  Assuming you don't get much of the fatigue side-effect of HCV treatment, you won't likely have to change your routine at work.  The cure rate is very high, these days, the new DAAs are miracle drugs for this virus.  You sound like it is 1940 and you have just been diagnosed with polio   Do what you have to do, step by step.  If I were you, I would nervous about becoming a parent, not about HCV. But you are here to talk about it, that's what we do here.  I am just trying to put your mind at greater ease.

[Lynn K]

For myself I was treated by a gastroenterologist. They are one of the types of specialists well able to treat hep c. Infectious disease specialists are great treating the virus but determining if there is and extent of any liver damage is best determined by gastroenterologists or hepatologists

[Salal]

Thanks Lynn.  I guess it works in different ways in different places. 

[Lynn K]

Yeah everyone’s situation is different plus insurances may have differing requirements.

The important thing is getting treated and getting cured

[petite-a-leet]

Good morning
Just breathe! It’ll be ok. I am 33 and was diagnosed several years ago. My gastroenterologist has always encouraged me to wait for the new pills rather than go through the old treatments with lower success rates. My liver is not terribly damaged and I just completed my first week of harvoni. I’ve felt a bit strange and have had some powerful heartburn but that’s about it so far. I know we are all different in different situations and I understand being worried for your family. Just means you’re a good dad and husband. I have a 5 year old daughter who I had naturally and did not transmit the virus to. I have been with my husband for a long time and he is also free of the virus. In my experience I think sometimes we get a little worked up and can sort of imagine things as being worse than they are and maybe even make ourselves feel things that aren’t really indicators of the severity of the virus. Luckily for us we are pretty young and we will have the benefit of the cure much earlier than some of our friends on here. Of course it is serious but in the grand scheme of things it’s not really the worst thing. I would recommend playing it all by ear, working with your doctor and taking it one day at a time. If you don’t want people at work to know you’re being treated at least from my experience you should be able to get away with keeping it to yourself and continuing with your normal work and family responsibilities. You’ll be able to enjoy your baby and help your wife and work. There could be some bad days. I was worried that there would be a lot of them but after the first day (when I learned that pizza wasn’t the best option for my first meal) I’m starting to think that it won’t be so bad. Keep your head up! It’ll be over before you know it. Hope this helps set you at ease.

[I’m strong enough]

Thank you, your words of wisdom and experience has helped tremendously as with everyone else’s. I know your right about our thoughts making things seem worse than it actually is, and truly my biggest concern was and is being able to contribute to my daughters growing up. All in all this forum is exactly what I need.
Thank you all
And I will keep this thread up to date as I learn more.