I have had Hep C since at least '94, when it was detected during tests for another ailment. In 2002, I was told I have geno 2 and so, a much better chance to get cured than the geno 1 type. Also, my liver has little scarring (barely level 2 with only a 50,000,000 to 75,000,000 viral load. The results varied most probably due to amount of alcohol consumed). But then I also needed knee replacements, and was advised I could not endure both the Hep C treatment and the bilateral replacements at the same time, so I chose the new knees. I didn't have another opportunity (time, plus insurance coverage, etc.) to take the Hep C treatment until now.

I was told to stop drinking anything at all for three months and then I could begin treatment. I was warned of the side effects, but did not expect them to be this bad. I'm now going into my eighth week., and most of the time I'm really exhausted, short of breath, dizzy, achy all over, even inside. I had to get a quart of blood last week, but did feel way better for a few days afterward. I take the Interferon shot once a week and started out on three capsules of the Rib two times a day. But I've just been reduced to two caps a day to help with the side effects. I think my doc feels okay with the meds reduction since, by the third week of treatment my virus was undetectable and has remained so!

Still, I'm told I must complete the full 24 weeks to have the best chance of totally kicking it. I started my first day of treatment with three caps of the Rib about noon, took the shot about 9 p.m. and the other three caps of Rib around midnight and went to bed. It was a really rough night. It felt more malaria-like than flu-like. I had wild and colorful dreams and lots of sweating too. But the following shot symptoms have not been anywhere near that intense. Still, I suggest trying to sleep through it if you can. Yeah, they told me that it gets better but so far I still feel like crap most of the time. Now they say well, it's not so much that it gets better, as that you know what to expect and learn how to cope with it.

Do drink lots of water. That helps flush the stuff out of your system faster because you still have to keep constantly putting more into your system every day. A lot of it comes out of me through sweating it out every day (I'm already through menopause so it’s not that, but it could be hormonal related. I don't know). This sweating can happen anytime, not just with the shot. Mostly, I'm sweating from my scalp and it could be day or night, outside or inside in air conditioning. It does not matter; the heat just comes on and thoroughly soaks my hair. I sweat all over, but it seems about 80 percent is coming from my head.

I sure hope this therapy works. Some friends tell me I ought to stop now as there are better drugs with fewer side effects and higher cure rates right on the horizon, but I don't think there has been enough follow up on their cure rates yet, and this therapy (although pure hell) seems to be working. Plus, I sure would not want to build up a resistance to these drugs by stopping now and then having to start again from the beginning with maybe a higher dose or an additional drug! So I'm hanging in there. Good luck to you all.

I have genotype 2. Low viral load. My immune system almost killed it but after a couple months to see if it would happen, I started interferon three weeks ago. I take the shot on Friday night and have not had any side effects yet. I don't take any pills, just the interferon.

I can't explain not having the side effects unless it is because I wasn't prescribed the ribavirin.

you can work and do treatment.

I have hep c type 2 and I am uncertain at this point whether I am going to start treatment. Everyone I've talked to suggests to wait because I am a recovering drug addict and the injections and being sick would be a risk to my sobriety.

I'm really confused at this moment as to what to do, so I would appreciate some comments from others with experience.

I was told there are two genotypes of HCV and that I had the one that was more difficult to cure. I took the Pegasys Pack and Ribaviran and continued the treatment for six months after I reached the undetectable levels. Six months after discontinuing treatment I had a blood test and found that HCV reared its ugly head again, so the treatment failed. Does anyone know which genotype I most likely have? I was told I have one of two, but when I researched it, I found that there are six.

I just found out yesterday that I am genotype 2 with the hep c virus. I'm starting Pegasys and Ribavirin treatment right away.

The doctor suggested I take the Interferon shot on Fridays after work so I have time to recover for work on Monday morning. The more I read up on the side effects the more concerned I become. I am in business management and I don't want the treatment to effect my job life.

I would, however, rather get rid of the virus and get the viral load to an undetectable level. Any advice as to what I can expect during the start of my treatment? Any what I can expect going forward? I'm praying that I will be one of the many who don't experience any side effects.

What if you don't get treated. What will happen?

I was diagnosed with Type 2 Hep C 15 years ago. At the time, the doctors said success rate with interferon was 10 percent. Yesterday at my annual visit I was told that interferon combined with other drugs had a success rate of 75 percent for women.

Although I am symptom free, I am seriously considering the treatment in April. I am 51 years old and feel very young, healthy and am very active. My main concern is that I will not be able to work.

I am an owner of a very successful small business, and the only salesperson as well. I'm truly blessed to be so busy in this terrible economy. I'm afraid if I cannot work, I will be out of business, compromising our family's lifestyle (college expenses coming soon, mortgage payments and other necessary expenses).

Since my husband is in the business as well, we would be devastated if I couldn't work, since his job depends on my sales. Is it really possible to maintain a full working week while being so sick? I feel as though the doctors really downplay the side effects. Can someone give me an honest answer on this?

I was diagnosed with Hepatitis C type 3 in 2007. I was offered treatment at the time but i refused as i was still an i/v drug user. I have now stopped using drugs and have done for two years. In Jan 2011 i started treatment for Hep C. Before this i felt ok and i wouldn't have known that i had this disease. My treatment consists of interferon 180 mcg and ribavirin 200mg. I have one injection a week and four tablets a day.

The first week i started getting side effects like headaches, lightheadedness, dizziness, no energy and feeling tired, aches and constantly feeling sick. These side effects seem to last between two or three days. I was told the first injection was the worst and after this i wouldn't feel to bad. I thought i would be able to manage this with no problems.

I am now just starting my week four. My second and third week have been a lot worse than week one. I am getting all of the above side effects plus feeling short of breath. If i were to go into the kitchen to make a cup of tea, i would be out of breath. All these side effects seem to be lasting longer all the time. I have not been too bad with my sleeping but it has been affected. I am also getting rashes/itching mainly elbows,knees and legs.

The worst side effect that i have to put up with is being very short tempered and depressed. I am constantly going mad at my girlfriend and i have told her to leave two or three times already. We have been together for five years and never argued until now. I am breaking down crying all the time,(even at the hospital today) and i have even thought of giving up on life a couple of times already.

I have started getting pains in my lower left back. I went for an ultrasound scan today on my abdomen, I was told things were ok apart from something to do with my spleen. I am waiting for my results to come back, was told two or three weeks.

My son has invited me to my Granddaughter's first birthday in February. I have told him that i don't want to go! That is how hard the depression and lethargy is hitting me. It's not going to be easy. I am a male of 39.

I had Hep C since probably 1983 but back then we did not call it Hep C. I was treated with pegysas and ribavirin back in 2003 and have been cured since completing the therapy. I had genotype 2. It was difficult during the therapy but now I'm glad I'm cured. Dallas, TX

I have been diagnosed hep c type 2, since the birth of my son at nanaimo bc in 1983. I received tainted blood at the hospital.

The doctor said he wants me to start treatment, but I am moving to Ottawa, Ontario in december and would like to resume the treatment there.

The doctor said i need a general practitioner first. What exactly does the treatment consist of? he keeps telling me about anti depressants, thyroid medication and I'm allergic to his thyroid medication. The only thing i can tolerate are aspirins or tylenol and lenoltec with codeine -- sometimes.

I was just told i have type 2. I'm very scared of the outcome of this. i could have had it for year and it is just now showing up. I have called everyone I have slept with over the years but it has not been many.

I hope when the rest of my tests come back that this can be fixed and it's not more than type 2. Not AIDS. thanks for letting me talk. --kemmitjlot

Until recently the treatment was three shots a week.

I have Hep C genotype 2, and have been taking treatment for two months. I take my shot Friday nights and start feeling pretty miserable (flu-like symptoms) by Saturday afternoon. However I start feeling better by Saturday night. During the week I get tired quickly but other then that I feel ok.

My husband is receiving the same treatment I am. He has definitely experienced more side effects than I have. He has a lot of muscle aches during the week, and often has a hard time sleeping at night. He also takes his shot Friday night, his flu-like symptoms start Saturday evening and go into Sunday. I guess everyone experiences the side effects differently and you won't know what it will be like for you until you start.

I am 49 years old and in average shape. a little over a year ago I was diagnosed with Hepatitis C Geno type 2, December of 2008.

I started treatments in January, 2009. I self injected every week and took the ribavirin pills. I would give myself a shot on Friday and the worst part of the side effects would start Saturday afternoon. I would feel like I had the full blown flu until Sunday evening and then would start feeling tolerable.

During the eight months that I was on the medication I never was physically or mentally comfortable. Only a few times did I feel as if the side effects of the medication was intolerable. I had a great support group which is absolutely necessary, I was able to work for six months but was very limited in my physical and mental activities. I had to take off the last two months.

I was viral free starting the second month but had to continue the medication to adhere to the protocol. After getting off the medication it took one month to feel completely well, however the fever that I had consistently had for eight months went away within two weeks.

Today, I feel great and feel like a cloud was lifted from me. I wish you the best and please know there is nothing special about me, I am not extraordinary, I made it through the treatments and so will you. Thomas W., Dallas, TX.

today i was advised that I have Geno 2. I was advised I would not get sick, I would not have to miss work, I would not lose my hair, I would not massive side effects. Are the doctors just trying to console me, or is it true. Just scared and wondering.

in 1998 i was diagnosed with hepc geno 3 which is unheard of in the us. it's more common in other countries. anyhow i did the interferon with ribivirn

i did the treatment for 1 year, and i took my injection 3 times a week. it was the toughest year of my life because i endured every side effect there was. But i'm pleased to say as of july 15, 2009 i have been undetected, so i would advise anyone given the chance to do the treatment to do it. it's well worth it. by the way I was never an iv drug user. back before tattoo parlors were the way they are now i was stupid and young and went to a tattoo parlor where sterilization was not a priority.

@angeldovep - Drug doses generally vary based on physician recommendations. I've heard of Interferon being prescribed daily, every other day, three times a week, or once a week. It all depends on the severity of the problem. Also, I don't know if the single dosage is always the same. So, for example your one shot could have the same milligrams as three separate (but lower dose) shots. In the end, it's about what the patient's doctor feels is best....

I have never heard of taking a shot 3 times a week. I was on treatment and I took 1 shot a week with ribavarin pills 3 in am and 2 in pm which made you pretty darn sick. I couldn't imagine taking a shot 3 times a week and I never hear anyone else doing that either. And yes I have Geno 2 I also took the Liv. 52 during my whole treatment and I believe it is great stuff!!