Beginner’s Guide to Hepatitis C

So you've come here to learn about the hepatitis C virus. I'll bet you've found that this can lead to that, and if you take this, then something else will happen. There is so much to learn in the beginning about the hepatitis C virus. Here are some tips to get you going and keep your focus as you learn about hep C and how it will affect your life.

Focus on reliable and easy to read information. Look for websites that break everything down for you. Stay away from scary pictures or negative stories.

Find a trusted medical team. Your doctor may be a primary care, general practitioner, transplant surgeon, gastroenterologist, nurse practitioner, or physical assistant. We all need that one person who is in our corner. It may be the receptionist, but just be sure that YOU trust them to help you through the process.

Have a back up team for special services. That can include your Veterans Administration, social worker, psychologist, pastor, or counselor. If you don’t know who to call, start with your nurse and ask for special resources to support you.

Be ready for complications. You may have some things crop up as you prepare for treatment. You may have some symptoms during or after treatment. Don’t expect the worst, but be prepared for anything. Then it won’t hit you like a ton of bricks!

Think about your whole body. Even though the treatment is focused on getting rid of the virus, you need to look at your health plan as a whole. You might have other areas that need attention such as heart problems, joint pain, diabetes, ulcers, headaches, or other concerns. Take care of the whole you.

Feed yourself good clean food as much as you can. Support your body and the Hep C treatment by including vegetables into your diet as much as possible. Avoid fatty, processed foods, and too much red meat. You will feel much stronger. I ate a very clean diet before and during treatment. That is one of the things that kept me going as far as energy and mental alertness.

Listen to your body. If you feel tired, get more rest. If you are thirsty, drink more water. Sometimes our body gives us simple clues to how we can feel better.

Stay active. Simple exercise such as walking can be the best for you right now. Weight bearing exercise helps to build strong bones and also gives you stronger muscles. You will increase your energy level by walking for at least 15 minutes 3 times a week. If you get short of breath, sit for a minute and then try again. Stay close to the house, ask others to walk with you, or walk indoors if you are anemic. This also goes for when you have extreme fatigue.

Be patient with the process. It takes time to learn about how your body works. Some of the instructions your medical team give you can be confusing. You don’t have to know it all today. Focus on what is important and the process will take care of itself. You’ll be feeling better in no time!