Combat Hep C

Yesterday I went in for my liver biopsy, a procedure I needed done to assess the damage to my liver from my Hepatitis C. And it was so easy. A little bit of pain after, but I am feeling even better today. I have attached an illustration, I figure that would be less gruesome than actual photos.

I saw my infectious disease doctor last week, and he had good news. Turns out I have been approved for treatment. So for the next six months, starting next week, I will be giving myself injections of "peginterferon alfa-2a" and six "ribavirin" pills everyday. The treatment is not always successful at getting rid of the Hep C and the side effects are quite intense, but it is better than the alternative. According to my doctor I have about a 70% chance at getting rid of it, which are pretty good odds. I actually don't even feel sick at all from the hepatitis, would not even know I had it unless I had gotten the original blood test 4 years ago. That is what is so dangerous about it, it can live inside some people for 20 years before their liver begins to fail. I read that Hep C is the number one reason for liver transplants today.

The weird thing about this is that one day I went into a walk in clinic, for reasons totally unrelated to Hep C, and when I mentioned my disease to the doctor, he ordered various blood tests, and then made me an appointment to see a specialist. And now here I am, days away from treatment. And I never would have known that my liver function was deteriorating if it hadn't been for the walk in clinic doctor. Bless him.