My WebMD Sign In

Please enter email address

Enter your password

Keep me signed in on this computer

Show more Information

If you select "Keep me signed in on this computer", you can stay signed in to WebMD.com on this computer for up to 2 weeks or until you sign out. This means that a cookie will stay on your computer even when you exit or close your browser which may reduce your levels of privacy and security. You should never select this option if you're using a publicly accessible computer, or if you're sharing a computer with others. Even if you select this option there are some features of our site that still require you to log in for privacy reasons.

Forget your password? Having trouble signing in?

Why should I
sign up for WebMD?

With a WebMD Account you can:

Track your way to weight loss success
Manage your family's vaccinations
Join the conversation

See more benefits Sign Up

Why WebMD?

My WebMD

Show Menu

Facebook Twitter Pinterest

WebMD Home

Hep C Support Group

Trying to make a difference in the lives of those with Hepattitis C. If we ... more

Last Reply:

Hepatitis C

BTD53 posted:

Hello, I'm a 56 yr. old male with Hep C. We think I got it in 1970 from a blood transfusion. I was diagnosed this past Nov. after giving blood for the first time. I got registered letter from the blood center and wondered "What's this?" So after numerous blood test,ultra sound and liver biopsy it was confirmed that I had Chronic Hep C .Stage 2. My liver enzymes were normal and still are, I into my 8th week of treatment with peginterferon and ribavirin. I also have Type 2 Diabetes. The treatment has caused my blood sugar to rise (260) and my white blood cell count to fall. My doctor has made ajustments to my meds to help get my numbers back in normal ranges. I thought I felt tired before I found out I had Hep.C, man I was wrong!! I stay exhausted now. I had to quit work, I have no energy. I have almost no appitite.
I can't remember anything(but my memory wasn't much before).Some nights I sleep great,some nights I don't. My skin itchs me to death!!!
My wife is doing everything I used to do around the house, on top of her full time job. I don't like that at all, it's not fair to her.
I don't know if I can take 40 more weeks of treatments. My viral load was over 1,400,000 before I started meds. They will check again at 12 week mark.
All I can say to anyone else is "hang in there" I know everyone's situation is different, but it can get worse! Since I've been diagnosed I've had 2 friends pass away- one heart attack and one cancer. At least we've got a chance to fight this disease!!
If you want to talk,I'll be happy to listen.

7 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Hepatitis CHello, I'm a 56 yr. old male with Hep C. We think I got it in 1970 from a blood transfusion. I was diagnosed this past Nov. after giving blood for the first time. I got registered letter from the blood center and wondered "What's this?" So after numerous blood test,ultra sound and liver biopsy it was confirmed that I had Chronic Hep C .Stage 2. My liver enzymes were normal and still are, I into my 8th week of treatment with peginterferon and ribavirin. I also have Type 2 Diabetes. The treatment has caused my blood sugar to rise (260) and my white blood cell count to fall. My doctor has made ajustments to my meds to help get my numbers back in normal ranges. I thought I felt tired before I found out I had Hep.C, man I was wrong!! I stay exhausted now. I had to quit work, I have no energy. I have almost no appitite. I can't remember anything(but my memory wasn't much before).Some nights I sleep great,some nights I don't. My skin itchs me to death!!! My wife is doing everything I used to do around the house, on top of her full time job. I don't like that at all, it's not fair to her. I don't know if I can take 40 more weeks of treatments. My viral load was over 1,400,000 before I started meds. They will check again at 12 week mark. All I can say to anyone else is "hang in there" I know everyone's situation is different, but it can get worse! Since I've been diagnosed I've had 2 friends pass away- one heart attack and one cancer. At least we've got a chance to fight this disease!! If you want to talk,I'll be happy to listen.

AMN330 responded:

Hi,
My boyfriend was diagnosised almost 1 year ago and we have still not been able to start treatment, due to the great joys of insurance companys. So the fatigue is a big issue? He seems to be sleeping alot more lately and I know there could be a number of reason for this, some depression and the weather in Ohio is not the best right now. Any suggestions or just let him sleep? I just don't know what to do to help him out. Any suggestions?
Thanks so much-hope to hear from you.

Report This| Share this:Hepatitis CHi, My boyfriend was diagnosised almost 1 year ago and we have still not been able to start treatment, due to the great joys of insurance companys. So the fatigue is a big issue? He seems to be sleeping alot more lately and I know there could be a number of reason for this, some depression and the weather in Ohio is not the best right now. Any suggestions or just let him sleep? I just don't know what to do to help him out. Any suggestions? Thanks so much-hope to hear from you.

BTD53 replied to AMN330's response:

Hi, Fatigue is one of the main symptoms of Hep C.Before I found out I had Hep C, I had several blood test done to try to find out why I was so tired all the time,all the test came back negative. I can't think of anything that helped me. Letting him rest is probably the best. I felt a little better durning the summer months. Eat healthy, stop drinking (if he does).

You can fight the insurance co.Have your Dr. write a letter saying the treatment is necessary! Then request a hearing with them. Sometimes they change there mind! Good Luck !

Tell him he's not alone.It does get to be depressing feeling tired all the time, I know it's hard, buy try to keep a
positive attitude.

Hope this is some help to the both of you! God Bless

Report This| Share this:Hepatitis CHi, Fatigue is one of the main symptoms of Hep C.Before I found out I had Hep C, I had several blood test done to try to find out why I was so tired all the time,all the test came back negative. I can't think of anything that helped me. Letting him rest is probably the best. I felt a little better durning the summer months. Eat healthy, stop drinking (if he does). You can fight the insurance co.Have your Dr. write a letter saying the treatment is necessary! Then request a hearing with them. Sometimes they change there mind! Good Luck ! Tell him he's not alone.It does get to be depressing feeling tired all the time, I know it's hard, buy try to keep a positive attitude. Hope this is some help to the both of you! God Bless

linuxangel replied to AMN330's response:

I have HEP C and the fatigue. That is what led me to the doctor and the testing to begin with. I had fatigue badly and I felt the need to rest after any stress or any activity. Some days when I had to keep up I would even run a low grade fever. People all thought I was depressed and thats why I slept and had no energy but I am an enegetic and very happy person. I am not even close to depressed. It is just all that makes sense to most people so they think it and it frustrated me. I am ill, my body is fighting a virus, please let me rest. lol
Try to give him the rest he needs so his body can handle this awful virus. This is totally normal. Good luck to you both.

Report This| Share this:Hepatitis CI have HEP C and the fatigue. That is what led me to the doctor and the testing to begin with. I had fatigue badly and I felt the need to rest after any stress or any activity. Some days when I had to keep up I would even run a low grade fever. People all thought I was depressed and thats why I slept and had no energy but I am an enegetic and very happy person. I am not even close to depressed. It is just all that makes sense to most people so they think it and it frustrated me. I am ill, my body is fighting a virus, please let me rest. lol Try to give him the rest he needs so his body can handle this awful virus. This is totally normal. Good luck to you both. <img src="http://img.webmd.com/community/images/smile.gif" align="top" border="0">

BTD53 replied to linuxangel's response:

I know what your talking about. I have friends/people tell me all the time " you need to cheer up" or "you need to smile more". If they knew how "crappy" we felt they might understand why we look and act so crappy.
Good luck to you!!

Report This| Share this:Hepatitis CI know what your talking about. I have friends/people tell me all the time " you need to cheer up" or "you need to smile more". If they knew how "crappy" we felt they might understand why we look and act so crappy. Good luck to you!!

Dletmedown responded:

Hang Tough & Keep Us Informed On How Your Treatment Is Going. Tell Us The Good, The Bad & The Ugly. It Helps Us "ALL" The More We Know The Better Decisions We Ca Make. If We DON'T Share What We Know WORKS Who Will ?

Report This| Share this:Hepatitis CHang Tough & Keep Us Informed On How Your Treatment Is Going. Tell Us The Good, The Bad & The Ugly. It Helps Us "ALL" The More We Know The Better Decisions We Ca Make. If We DON'T Share What We Know WORKS Who Will ?

BTD53 replied to Dletmedown's response:

I'm in week 20 of treatment, 28 to go. My 12 week check-up was great! My viral load went from 1,400,000 to 47 !!! All other liver test are good!! My white blood cell count is low 1.2. I've been taking Neupogen for 5 wks.It helped at first, but now it's not working. GI will decide at next appt. what's next, if they can't get white blood cell count up, I will have to discontinue treatment. I don't want to,but I sure as hell won't miss it!!
I 've had been fatigued the whole time, seems to be a little worse now, then when I started.I don't sleep very long or very peaceful now. I quit taking naps during the day hoping I would sleep better at night, doesn't work! I'm losing my hair on my head,plus it's growing slow. My beard is still the same, have to shave everyday.
The Itching has almost stopped, just a couple places on my back. The Eucerin lotion is a life saver!!
My appetite is still lousy,I have to make myself eat most days. I have also added Ensure to my diet
.Thank God Tylenol helps with the headaches.
Don't expect any sympathy from most people, they don't know anything about it, and don't have it, so there for they can't relate.
Hope this helps,I know this site has helped me. I don't have anyone to talk to about this problem, that understands.

Report This| Share this:Hepatitis CI'm in week 20 of treatment, 28 to go. My 12 week check-up was great! My viral load went from 1,400,000 to 47 !!! All other liver test are good!! My white blood cell count is low 1.2. I've been taking Neupogen for 5 wks.It helped at first, but now it's not working. GI will decide at next appt. what's next, if they can't get white blood cell count up, I will have to discontinue treatment. I don't want to,but I sure as hell won't miss it!! I 've had been fatigued the whole time, seems to be a little worse now, then when I started.I don't sleep very long or very peaceful now. I quit taking naps during the day hoping I would sleep better at night, doesn't work! I'm losing my hair on my head,plus it's growing slow. My beard is still the same, have to shave everyday. The Itching has almost stopped, just a couple places on my back. The Eucerin lotion is a life saver!! My appetite is still lousy,I have to make myself eat most days. I have also added Ensure to my diet .Thank God Tylenol helps with the headaches. Don't expect any sympathy from most people, they don't know anything about it, and don't have it, so there for they can't relate. Hope this helps,I know this site has helped me. I don't have anyone to talk to about this problem, that understands.

Dletmedown replied to BTD53's response:

I'm glad things are better & that your viral load has dropped & hope your white cell count gets better. Stay strong & KNOW there ARE people that UNDERSTAND & CARE! I'm 57 & have not treated to date. I have a good friend that has been Hep C FREE for two years now after treatment.

Report This| Share this:Hepatitis CI'm glad things are better & that your viral load has dropped & hope your white cell count gets better. Stay strong & KNOW there ARE people that UNDERSTAND & CARE! I'm 57 & have not treated to date. I have a good friend that has been Hep C FREE for two years now after treatment.

More from WebMD related to this Discussion

Type 2 Diabetes | low grade fever | liver biopsy | heart attack | depression

Women's Health Newsletter

Find out what women really need.

Spotlight: Member Stories

Dletmedown

I am a male born 6-20-1953, diagnosed 2002 geno type 1A. I have not treated to date. We all have burning questions about hepatitis "C". I ho...More

See All Posts by Dletmedown

More Members

There are no other member stories at this time

Edit your story | See All Members

Popular Discussions

Start a Discussion | See All

Helpful Tips

"NEW" Telaprevir TRIAL Starting In November 2010 ( A MUST READ )

On 10-20-10 I went to see a Hepatologist / Gastroenteroligist for a checkup & hopefully some advise on my Hepatitis C. It was a total ... More

Was this Helpful?

11 of 16 found this helpful

Post a Tip | See All

Helpful Resources

Be the first to post a Resource!

Post a Resource

Related Drug Reviews

Drug Name User Reviews

Report Problems to the
Food and Drug Administration

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Other Member Communities

Dieting Club: 10 - 25 Lbs Member Community Share Your Tips and Support!
Caregiving Member Community The Support and Understanding You Need!
Parenting Friends Talking Member Community Get Support from Members Like You!

The opinions expressed in WebMD User-generated content areas like communities, reviews, ratings, or blogs are solely those of the User, who may or may not have medical or scientific training. These opinions do not represent the opinions of WebMD. User-generated content areas are not reviewed by a WebMD physician or any member of the WebMD editorial staff for accuracy, balance, objectivity, or any other reason except for compliance with our Terms and Conditions. Some of these opinions may contain information about treatments or uses of drug products that have not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. WebMD does not endorse any specific product, service, or treatment.

Do not consider WebMD User-generated content as medical advice. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your care plan or treatment. WebMD understands that reading individual, real-life experiences can be a helpful resource, but it is never a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified health care provider. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or dial 911 immediately.

Hep C Support Group

See All