I did not know I had chronic hepatitis C, until I went to my Doctor to see if my heart was the reason for my chronic awe inspiring fatigue. I had had a massive Coronary a few days before Christmas in 1999 and the Doc installed a "stent”" in my Coronary Artery, and I was wondering if it could be the problem.

I was stunned with dis-belief when my Doctor ran some tests and informed me I had hepatitis C. I did not believe it at first as my wife had had Viral hepatitis B years before, and my usually incredible immune system had not allowed me to contract it, so how could I have hep C now? I was hardly ever sick, I did not even have a regular Doctor until my Heart attack, and I was 48 then.

I have talked to several Doctors about the "interferon" treatment and do not feel the Pros outweighed the cons in my case, besides the fact that even with Medicare (which I now have) I could not and cannot afford the co-pay. I changed my eating habits drastically, mostly eating fish, chicken, veggies and fruit. When I was initially diagnosed I was 6'2" 225-240lbs, 2 months later still 6'2" but down to 160lbs. I have now stabilized at 175 lbs a couple years later, and most of my energy has returned, but the first year of dealing with hepatitis C was one of the worst I have ever spent on this planet.

I imagine it feels like the person who is bitten by a Vampire, is taken right to the brink, and then pulled back, only to be taken they’re again the next day, and the next, and the next.
However,,, I have been granted a reprieve for now and feel pretty good, eating normally (junk too) I have even starting riding my "crotch rocket" Honda again. As of this date 1-23-2005 I have not had the interferon treatment despite the fact that I know 3 people that have had the treatment and beaten the Virus,,,,,, so far. I may yet have to have the treatment if I can manage it into my finances, but so far,,,,,,.