I was diagnosed with Hepatitis C in 1998. At the time I knew very little about the disease and the

first thing I thought was that Hepatitis was related to food poisoning. I found out that it was but

that was hepatitis A. After my doctor explained hepatitis C to me, I was mortified. I did not know

anyone with the disease and started to research it more. The more I read the more frightened I

became. I went to a liver specialist and was given the introduction to Interferon class, which

freaked me out even more. How could I possibly go through this treatment with all these horrible

side effects?

I was fortunate to have been recommended for 6 months of treatment and not 12. I finally decided

to go ahead with the Interferon and began the treatment. To my surprise I sailed through it without

having any of the side effects at all. The injections were a small price to pay if it was going to help

me. My liver specialist called me the poster child for Hep C.

After the six months, there was no sign of the disease in my blood. Now that it has been nearly ten

years, my family doctor has told me that it is most likely gone forever. Before dismissing the

Interferon treatment, I would highly recommend trying it for a week or so to see how the treatment

affects you before deciding that it is not going to work for you. I think we are all different and all

react differently to the Interferon. I hope this gives some of you the will to try Interferon and to

stick with the treatment if at all possible.