Jenny
My Husband is also infected by the hep c virus. 5 yrs ago he was diagnosed, infact right after we got married. The doctor told us it was nothing to be worried about and sent us on our way. I was watching a tv program one night and the topic was hep c. It was very informative but, at the sametime, it started a fear in me. It was now 2 yrs later and we had moved into our new home. I decided it was time to talk with another doc and get another oppinion. This was the best thing we could have done. This doctor was wonderful. He put us in the right direction. I also went on to the internet and did exstensive research. He sent my hubby to a gastroenteroligist, where he had extensive testing done and a liver biopsey. Which is the only way to tell the extent of liver damage. His bio came back showing he had grade 2, stage 2 liver disease, which is what hep c is. He recomended my hubby to start the combination treatment of rebitol and interferon. Which is 6 pills per day and 3 injections weekly. Unfortunatly for my husband, he is a nonresponder to the medication but, there a many people young and old who respond to this treatment. There are alot of other treatments, one of which was just FDA approved and we are going to try again. If not, then not to worry, there are alot of meds in the works that are on the verge of being completed. The best way to managage this disease is to stay educated. Take care of yourself. Get 8 hours of sleep per night, eat healthy, take multi-vit, such as centrum silver, no iron, see if you can get ahold of some natural supplements, such as milk thisle, excersise regularly, a possitive outlook is also key to managing this disease, not letting it run you and last but not least if you feel you need an anti-depressent, then by all means do so. They are a big help with the stress level. All this combined together are the tools you need for a happier, healthier life, living with hep c. I'm not a doctor,just a wife who loves her husband and has done everything to keep him healthy. These are the things I found that work. I hope I was helpful to you and good luck... Sincerely, Jenny