Getting Older and Having Hep C

By Kimberly Nash

2 min read

Many of us deal with the side effects of hepatitis C daily. Joint pain, muscle pain/weakness, and brain fog are only a few of the issues we face each day. Somedays are what we call horrid, some are ok, and then we have the "woo-hoo, yippee, I am fantastic" days. But all in all, how do we know and understand what is a natural aging in our bodies and what is hep C?

Hepatitis C symptoms versus aging

To clarify and what I have come to terms with, I know the same overall symptoms I have been experiencing daily for 10 years. And gradually I have began having other issues like more bone deterioration and doctors finding that my bone density is getting bad. That, my friends, is more of a hereditary issue, based on what my liver specialist has mentioned.

Long-term effects of hep C

Sure, the older regimes of interferon and ribaviran might have played a key role into my bone issues, but reality is that there is no documented proof I can say clearly “Yes, this was because of my hep C.” What I do have documented is a family tree, with family members suffering from this very issue. So, in my view, to blame hep C for my bone issues would not be correct.

Can hep c do more damage than we think to our bodies? YES, YES and YES! Therefore, I strongly suggest that we treat hep C as soon as possible. If you feel you might be at risk of having hep C or have been exposed, please get tested and find out. The longer we wait, the more physical damage hep C causes.

Get tested and get cured!

No one wants to age, let’s face it, but it happens and we have NO control over that. However, we do have control over getting tested and cured of hep C. Don’t put it off; Take it from experience - if I would have known earlier that I had hep C, before it got to stage 4, I would have saved my body lots of agony from lasting effects from hep C.

Do not wait – GET TESTED!

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davoe Member
Hi it's been 3 yrs since doing Epclusa cure Geno 3,I hstill have so many problems,,I feel much worse now maybe because I'm older 67 ,and had virus long time,seems every week there's another problem,even know I didn't get sick and my liver is ok considering ,I always seemed to have high VL , maybe that was damage being done with virus ,even now I have no virus,but I have so many ongoing problems from nausea numb feet really sore legs to naturopathic problems,I really hope it was from the hcv an not Epclusa DAAs my dr does not no much about it, Thanks
1. ohiobikertrash Member
 <inline-mention username="davoe" user-id="3519827"/> I too am 67 and they had me take harvoni after the 3rd week it had destroyed me could not walk or even function Now its one year later have to use a cane as I stumble a bunch get dizzy and have gotten lost two blocks from home memory problems and concentration gets worse everyday At least my computer read all web pages to me and just like this I talk and it writes for me
2. Leslie Anne Castro Member
 <inline-mention username="ohiobikertrash" user-id="4141608"/> Thank you for sharing. I’m sorry to hear you’re having problems post receiving Harvoni. I can definitely relate to having memory issues in part of having liver failure. I’m glad that you have your computer to text everything you’re saying. Post receiving a Hep C donor’s heart, I had multiple complications, which led to me using talk to text on my computer since I had a stroke on my left arm and hand. I suffered nerve damage in my hand. I hope you are doing well now. Leslie (Community Moderator)
poofitsgone Member
Yes, please don't hold back due to embarrassment or finances. There is nothing worst than your pride ruining your future! And there are programs that will help with the expenses, ask for them to help. I'd file bankruptcy if I would have known what the long term damage would have caused me. Please, do not wait, you need treatment, do it for yourself, your family, and a longer healthier life.
1. Leslie Anne Castro Member
 <inline-mention username="poofitsgone" user-id="3504438"/> I definitely agree with about not waiting to receive medical attention. Advocating for one’s self is important and to having a healthier outcome, as well as, a longer life. Leslie (Community Moderator)