Comments on: The Unforgettable Natalie Cole

By: Marie

Marie — Sat, 16 May 2009 05:33:46 +0000

I went to the doctor in 2005 because I just kept feeling tired, hot and cold flashes, confused, etc. Looking back, I was also going through menopause, and at the time the physician suggested I get tested for HCV. HCV symptoms mirror menopause also. Turns out I tested positive for the HCV antibody and subsequently had the RNA test which was in the millions, and a liver biopsy, which showed mild fibrosis. Of all things, the practitioner told me she felt she did a terrible thing by testing me for HCV because I will probably die from old age before it gets me – even if I continued my chronic alcoholism. I have elected to not do treatment and hearing Natalie’s story about the kidney damage makes me even want to not try it more. My genotype is one also – which is a 50/50 chance of getting rid of the HCV. I believe that the reason doctors don’t take this serious is because, quite frankly, my diagnosis made me feel even worse since I was already depressed. I’m not sure what to think. I guess on one hand I’m glad to know why I was tired, mixed up, etc. all the time, but the treatment could be worse. Peace to you all.

By: Janet

Janet — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 18:45:45 +0000

I have Hep C also and more than likely I got it through IV use. I also have Hep B which was a complete surprise. I knew about Hep C, but not B. I’ve heard that the treatment with interferon is horrible, but is it that bad with pegulated interferon with riboflavin? I’ve heard that isn’t as bad, but I don’t like to be sick and I don’t know if I could work going through treatment. It effects people so differently. Have heard that some breeze through it. They can work, eat and feel good, while others have a terrible time. I eat healthy, don’t and haven’t used IV drugs in years, but like so many of us our past comes back to haunt us in spades. Thanks Karen for being honest, and thanks to Natalie for bringing it to the forefront where it needs to be. Hopefully new ways of treatment will be explored because a whole generation is at a huge risk of death. It’s that serious.

By: karin

karin — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 23:30:54 +0000

i have hepatitis c. the treatment doesn’t work for a lot of us. there are several genotypes and the people with genotype one only have a 50/50 or less chance of the interferon treatment working. i have done it and it is brutal. brutal with a capital b. myself and many other hepatitis c people just keep waiting for something to come out to work for us. there must be a lot of baby boomers who have it and don’t know it. i found out only because i saw an article or two and decided to have a blood test knowing what I had done in the past. Even if you just snorted coke thru the same straw or bill that someone with a bloody nose did you can get hep c. or thru a tatoo and of course needles. sex not really high risk. if you were a hippy or did some drugs recreationally or were with someone who did get tested for sure. i was horrified and surprised when i found out i had it and still do. boo hoo. best to natalie. i did not know interferon could do that to someones kidneys. wow