Treatment Questions and Answers

Throughout the course of your treatment, you will have many questions-this is understandable. The following information may answer some of them. If you need more information contact your doctor. In addition, the Nurse Counselors in The Be In Charge® Program are always available to help.

Q: Before I begin treatment, is there any way the diagnosis is incorrect? I don't feel that bad.

A: Many people with hepatitis C have no symptoms, making it difficult to accept diagnosis. Before confirming diagnosis, your doctor likely performed a variety of tests. A liver biopsy might also have been taken. Don't be afraid to ask your doctor what tests he or she has done, and what other tests are available. Getting a second opinion can verify the original diagnosis.

Q: Can I go on disability during treatment?

A: The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires your employer to look for ways to accommodate your disability if it starts to interfere with your job. That means that you and your boss must together come up with ways that you can keep working, despite your illness, without disrupting the business.

To claim your rights under the ADA, you must still be able to perform the essential functions of your job. You should be able to work with your supervisor to come up with creative ways to continue to do your job despite the impact of hepatitis C on your energy level and schedule. You might ask for such reasonable changes as flex time or shorter workdays. Perhaps you can take work home so you can go to outpatient therapy or get additional rest as you are getting used to a new drug treatment.

Your employer is not required to spend a lot of money to give you an entirely different workplace, or give most of your responsibilities to other workers. He or she is also not required to change the basic requirements of your job.

Q: Will treatment affect my ability to have children?

A: You should not begin treatment if you are pregnant, and you should not get pregnant while you are being treated and for six months after treatment has been completed. Treatment can cause death, serious birth defects, or other harm to your unborn child.

Talk to your physician about when it is safe to become pregnant.

Q: Why can't I drink alcohol? My liver is already damaged.

A: Alcohol destroys liver cells. By continuing to drink, you will damage your liver even further, making it more difficult for your liver to replace the damaged cells. You may end up developing cirrhosis, or even liver failure. By far the safest course of action is not to drink alcohol at all. Talk to your doctor about their recommendation on alcohol use.

Remember, alcohol and acetaminophen (an ingredient in some pain relievers and cold medicines) taken together can cause fatal liver failure. You should never combine these two substances.

Q: Can I still spread the disease even if I am being treated?

A: It is still not known whether treatment reduces your chance of spreading the disease. However, if the amount of virus in your blood is still undetectable six months after completing treatment, your chances of spreading hepatitis C are extremely low.

Q: Should I tell my dentist that I have hepatitis C?

A: Yes. Your dentist needs to take precautions since oral surgery and even routine dental procedures can involve exposure to blood and therefore has the potential to spread hepatitis C. If you are having blood drawn for any purpose, inform the phlebotomist (the person who draws your blood) that you have hepatitis C so that he or she can take the necessary precautions to avoid needle stick injuries.

Q: What if I can't make it through treatment?

A: Treatment can be difficult and last up to one year. But clinical experience has shown that the more patients stick with treatment, the better their chances of responding to treatment. Therefore, it is important to follow your doctor's instructions for the treatment regimen carefully and avoid missing doses. If you are having difficulty with your treatment, talk to your doctor.

Q: Why am I so angry?

A: Being diagnosed with chronic hepatitis C can leave you feeling angry at the world. You may have gotten infected through no fault of your own: after a blood transfusion, or from an infected partner. If you suddenly learn that you've had the disease for years, you may be angry with yourself because you feel that somehow you should have known. All kinds of troubling thoughts may cross your mind.

It is important for you to get help so you can regain your strength and get on with your life. You should consider seeking professional counseling. In addition, an experienced Nurse Counselor at Be In Charge or a support group may be able to help you with your feelings.

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