Addicted and with Hepatitis c?!
Question: I was diagnosed with hep c about 8 years ago. I am also what some people call a recreational addict. I have been for about 17 years. I dont use all the time just in spurts, and binges. I recently found poppy pod tea. I love it and its relatively easy to get and make. Since i have been using it...about 2 weeks now...I have noticed my upper right side throbbing with pain .
I am scared want to stop the tea. I can but is it too late? I have been so scared to get the treatment and i dont have the money for it..its about 2000 a month..someone give me some answer..please
Answers: I was diagnosed with hep c about 8 years ago. I am also what some people call a recreational addict. I have been for about 17 years. I dont use all the time just in spurts, and binges. I recently found poppy pod tea. I love it and its relatively easy to get and make. Since i have been using it...about 2 weeks now...I have noticed my upper right side throbbing with pain .
I am scared want to stop the tea. I can but is it too late? I have been so scared to get the treatment and i dont have the money for it..its about 2000 a month..someone give me some answer..please
Seventeen years of abuse to your liver may be taking it's toll. However, it's still not too late to do something positive for it. The liver is a very tough organ and will withstand a lot of abuse before it starts to fail. Your pain is a signal; your body is telling you something and it's time for you to listen. I have seen many people wait until it's too late to do anything about it. The thing is, eventually you will quit your drug use. If your liver begins to decompensate (fail), you will become too sick to use, drink or do anything. Death from end stage liver disease is not pleasant or pretty. You still have time; please change your lifestyle habits.
As for the medication, both companies that manufacture the medications for hep c treatment have patient assistant programs. They give you the medication for free if you qualify. Most people do qualify. Here are the links, but you will need to get a gastroenterologist first, and then he/she will need to sign a form. You will need to fax or mail in your income information (from last years tax return) and the forms to the company. They both have 800 phone numbers with nurses and support. It depends on how motivated you are to do it. Here's the links:
http://www.pegasys.com/injecting/hep-c-s...
Or phone them 1-877-pegasys
The other company is Schering Plough. Their program is called Commitment to Care:
http://www.schering-plough.com/schering_...
Best wishes; hope this helps. By the way, I cleared hep c 7 1/2 years ago on treatment. It's worth a shot, pun intended!
My husband has had Hep C for more than 40 years. He has just started treatment. He was infected when he got a transfusion in Viet Nam . STOP doing drugs and alcohol. You are killing your liver. Go to a free clinic and see about the treatment. It's not fun and there are side effects. But to go through the treatment you must be willing to give up your way of life. Even in spurts you are hurting your self. If your liver does not have a lot of damage, you can live a long normal life, even if you have hep C. You just have to be careful about your blood getting on someone else. It is not sexually transmitted unless it is rough sex and there is blood with both people. Just changing how you live your life can make such a difference.
There are different treatment options, it all depends on the condition of your liver. I suggest you speak to your Dr. and let him/her know what is going on, by you using that tea you are increasing stress on your liver. You should find out how your body is doing now and get help.
I can understand your fear as we have heard some negative things about Hep treatment, try getting treatment from a Hep C specialist. Also understand what the side affects are before hand and be prepared, you will get the benefits from it afterward.
You mentioned your recreational drug use, I agree you need to look into moderating your drug use as it all affects your liver, and the progression of your health.
Do the right thing for your body, get help.
tea is unrelated to your pain. Hepatitis C rarely causes pain to the liver, unless there is a mass lesion or a blood clot. Those can both be checked by an ultrasound. Much more likely you are creating the pain with years of abuse. At some point you need realize your body has been trying to give you a message for a long time, and you need to listen this time.
Cindy is most correct, You have had hcv probably a lot longer than just 8 years. Doing drugs, (alcohol is included in drugs) as well as over the counter meds ect, are causing more damage to the liver much faster as it gives hcv a free ride.
you MUST quit the drugs and be sober for 6 months before anyone will attempt to treat you.
the pain your having is called URQ pain (upper right quadrant pain) that more than likely means it is inflamed and pressing on other organs.
your over doing it. if you view it this way you might have a good chance at a full recovery:
MANY HEPPERS SELF MEDICATE. Disease comes first (in some) then depression, pain and then addiction.
It's not always addiction that causes HCV (ie, sharing things that spread hcv infected blood).
Get off the merry go round, be sober and hop on the antiviral chemotherapy train! Welcome the HEALTH!
HUGS!