12 Tips to Help You Get Through Hepatitis C Treatment & Recovery

This year, I’m celebrating a special anniversary for getting beyond hepatitis C. It’s been 7 years since I received the cure from hepatitis C.

For myself, I had hepatitis C a long time. I had two unsuccessful treatments and a long waiting period until new treatment for hepatitis C came out that offered a cure.

I, personally, held onto faith and hope that one day I would get beyond hepatitis C. My faith in God held me together as I journeyed through my dark valley with hepatitis C and recovery. By God’s grace, I’m a conqueror.

I learned 12 important tips that helped me with hepatitis C treatment and recovery:

1. Have faith

Personally, I held onto my faith and focused on Christ, His Word, and leaning on Him for strength throughout my entire journey with hepatitis C, treatment and recovery.

2. Maintain perspective

Each day is a new one. If you're struggling with treatment side effects, don’t make the mistake of thinking what you’re feeling like right now is how you’re going to feel forever.

3. Monitor diet

Eating a well-balanced, nutritious diet helps equip your body as you fight hepatitis C, and boosts your immune system.

4. Avoid sun

Staying away from heat and the direct sun (especially in the summer) helps not to zap your energy while in treatment and recovery.

5. Stay full

Keep a little something on your stomach, even if you don’t feel like it. In my experience, this helps keep your blood sugar level, prevents or alleviates nausea, and boosts energy.

6. Stay hydrated

Drink at least 64-ounces of pure water daily. Infusing water with citrus or cucumber is refreshing and offers variety. Water helps keep you hydrated and flushes your body of toxins.

7. Set goals

It’s OK to push yourself a little. Each day, try to set a small goal and work toward it. If it takes longer than usual to accomplish something, that’s OK too. Remember, you’re still moving in the right direction.

8. Listen to your body

Give yourself a break and take rest stops. Your body needs it while you’re in treatment and recovery.

9. Let others help

Care and support are a gift and will give you strength and encouragement.

10. Take it one day at a time

1Don’t focus on the long haul of treatment time. Focus on getting through the day and one week at a time. Each day represents one day closer to the goal of finishing treatment and receiving the cure.

11. Laugh

Look for some humor. Try to look beyond the temporary circumstances of treatment and find joy.

12. Stay humble

Make a thankfulness/gratitude journal. Write at least 10 things each day that you’re thankful for, and list different things each day. This helps you keep your focus on the good things going on in your life. A healthy mental habit helps your body.

This one’s a bonus: Do something each day that makes your heart happy! It could be simply enjoying a glass of tea or visiting with a friend. The simple things in life often bring great pleasure. When you wear a smile, it makes you feel better all over. Who doesn’t need that?

Taking the plunge with treatment is not always easy but if you don’t you’ll never move beyond where you’re at. You can do it, my friend. Remember, you’re in it to win it!