I discovered I had HepC, genotype 1 back in 1997 after liver function tests showed damage was being done to my liver. I was in a alcohol rehab in central NY.

My best guess is that I contracted it back in 1975-1976 by shooting heroin with my friends for six months. I never shot it up after that, but continued to have alcohol addiction problems for many years.

I also have mental illness which contributed to the inability to cope well with the problems. I was married twice and now live alone. I am now 48 years old. I was about 19 when I contracted the disease. But I did not know I had it till I was about 40 years old. But thank God neither of my wives or my children contracted the HepC. I also learned that I have the antibodies for HepB. This indicates a previous exposure to it. When I came home from overseas I remember feeling like I had the flu for about a month, but I had no clue that it was HepC or HepB.

Where it is now is that I have a high viral load-over two million. Back in 2001 a liver biopsy showed my liver was 2/3 scarred and I had the beginnings of cirrhosis. Now I have uncomplicated cirrhosis and my liver and spleen are enlarged and high blood pressure in the blood canal between the liver and spleen because of the poor blood flow due to the scarring in the liver and inflammation of the spleen.

I get some swelling in my lower legs and also wicked cramps in the calves. I have experienced a lot of fatigue which is normal for HepC.

I get lots of help from the VA medical system. They asked me to participate in the research study that approved Pegasys with ribaviran treatment. I got sick on the treatment and had to take less ribaviran as the white blood cells and red I think were too low a count. I had to take shots of iron also. And I got pretty depressed. Back at the beginning of the treatment my viral load was around 860,000. After six months the treatment was stopped and they said I was unresponsive. I still had the virus in my blood.

I have learned some things about doing natural treatment. Silymarin is one natural herb that can help the liver. I also take Bee Pollen caps and Royal Jelly because I saw on TV several men that lived to be over 100 yrs old and they all said they take Bee Pollen caps. So I figure it can,t hurt!
I also take multivitamins, vitC and vitE. And I take Liver Detox from HCBL(Health Center for Better Living). It is a mixture of herbs good for the liver.

My goal is to live to be 100! One doctor told me considering everything wrong with me I am doing pretty good. Yet what I believe to be the biggest help is prayer. Many people have been praying for me and I feel very blessed. Hey, I am still breathing and walking the earth, so I can,t complain too much. After all I self-inflicted this disease, although I am far past condemning myself for it.

My faith in God is strong and a real great gift. I encourage anyone to look up to Heaven for help and support!