I discovered I had HCV approximately 22 years ago, quite by accident. I had a routine blood test and it was determined by elevated liver enzymes that I tested positive for the virus.

I have never since that time had any symptoms whatsoever. I can only assume that I contracted the disease when I was in my early 20's by sharing a needle while injecting drugs. When I found out that I had HCV I definitely altered my lifestyle. I had stopped using drugs by age 24 and when I found out I had HCV (age 31), I also greatly reduced my intake of alcohol. I now only drink at social occasions and that is limited to 1 glass of wine.

I also started on a vitamin regimen including vitamins, milk thistle and other liver anti-oxidants. My liver enzymes were always only moderately high and they have leveled off and been reduced slightly. I also maintain a good diet and exercise regime. I tried the Interferon therapy the first time about 11 years ago, which included 3 shots a day. At the time, a liver biopsy was done and I never was informed of the results, only that I was a good candidate for the interferon therapy. I started on the interferon and the therapy after approximately 2 months, as I felt horrible. Continued on my healthy routine for the next 11 years and was again encouraged by my (new) hepatologist to try the Interferon therapy again, as it was supposedly much improved. This was the combo therapy of interferon/ribavirin.

I had another liver biopsy and was advised it was a stage 3 (fibrosis, but no bridging). I am also a Genotype 1A. I decided to go forth with the Interferon Combo Therapy. I should backtrack a bit however. At the time I was trying to make a good decision as to whether to not to go back on the Interferon therapy, I asked my hepatologist if she could tell me what the results of my 1st biopsy were that was done 11 years, as I don't think I was ever informed at that time. The hepatologist advised me that she didn't know, as she could not find the results in the file.

I also was not aware until after I started the Interferon therapy and read the materials that came with the medication, that Genotype 1A is the most resistant to the Interferon Combo Therapy and has the lowest success rate of reversing the virus. I started the therapy and 2 weeks later I was in the hospital due to my heart going into A-fib. Since I have never had heart problems, and one of the side effects of the interferon therapy is hyperthroidism (which can cauase A-fib), it was determined that in all liklihood, the interferon/ribaviron caused my heart to go into A-fib.

I immediately stopped the therapy and am now dealing with getting my heart back into rhythm. I am sure that for some people the interferon can reverse the virus; I just want to inform everyone that you need to thoroughly investigate what you are doing before you agree to go on this potent medication. Examine your lifestyle and determine if you can make more changes in your diet, exercise, intake of alcohol, etc. before resorting to Interferon. Hopefully in the future something better will come along for us. Until then, I will continue down the non-toxic road of Maximum Milk thistle, Liv 5.2, no alcohol, health diet and exercise. Hope my story helps.