I was that Told Hep C Progressed Slowly

Guest Blog: I was told that Hep C progressed slowly, even after I was diagnosed with Hepatitis C 11 years ago. I contracted it through drug use, and continued to use regardless of my diagnosis. Throughout my drug use, I had short stints of sobriety. Those sober periods usually involved going to a doctor, and getting my liver checked out. Sometimes I got some blood tests. That’s IF I could follow through. I saw well over 20 specialist doctors over the course of the years.

I was that Told Hep C Progressed Slowly

Each time I went to a doctor, they told me I that could live my life completely normal and symptom free. It was a “slow progressive disease”. Which is the case for some, I guess.

Not once was I warned of the actual damage that could happen if I didn’t get rid of Hep C.

In addition, I was never told how Hep C could affect my hormones. I had no idea how it changed my emotional state, and my physical body. I knew it could possibly kill me in the long run, but that was more or less brushed under the rug. “You’ll be fine”, they said. “Most people live 20-30 years symptom free”, they said. WRONG.

The Best Years of My Life

Fast forward to the best years of my life. I found the man of my dreams, I got sober by the grace of God, I had a beautiful daughter. I was living a life that I never thought I’d be alive to live. A year and a half/two years into my sobriety I began to have sudden, life changing symptoms. Drenching night sweats (changing my clothes 4-6 times a night), inability to eat or properly digest foods I’ve been eating my whole life. I also had flu like symptoms, extreme physical pain, depression, anxiety, and inability to control my emotions.

This was Not who I wanted to BE

Unable to be a wife, mother or friend, I lost myself in my sickness. Soon, I began going to doctor after doctor, test after test, no results and no answers. No one could figure out what the cause was. Not one person. I even had one doctor say “I don’t even know what to do with you”. Heartbroken. All I wanted was my life back.

After over a year of feeling sad and hopeless, I was finally referred to a liver specialist. I finally felt a sense of hope. I learned that my GI issues were a result of me losing the ability to digest protein. Night sweats from fevers because my body was trying to fight for me. Everything I’ve been experiencing was a result of a virus that was killing me.

Because of my liver. It’s super weird, but I also began to look forward to my period. It seemed like the time during my monthly cycle was the only time I felt energetic. I felt normal on my periods because my liver lost the ability to filter my hormones.

I Believed the Myth

Never once did I think that I would experience any of this because of hepatitis C, not this early on. Sadly, I had trusted and believed the myth and stigma. Each case is different. The difference for me was my genotype. I am 10% of the world with the most rare and aggressive strain of the virus.

100% Cured

I am now 100% cured and totally free of hepatitis C. I was lucky enough to be able to take Epclusa. It was not all fun, I felt terrible at times. But I now have a future to look forward to. I am regaining my health and am able to function to the fullest for my family. In addition, all of my symptoms have slowly faded away after becoming cured. My body is feeling better than it has in many years.

I was that Told Hep C Progressed Slowly

After learning that my liver was hurting, I became vigilant about using clean products on my body and in my home. I discovered that the liver is our body’s own chemical processing plant and keeping it clean is vital for whole body health. My wish is to bring awareness to this disease and anyone suffering. To break the stereotype and stigma. Fight for your health because no one else will. If you’re told that the Hep C Virus progresses slowly, please don’t stop there. Ask questions, do your homework.

I am not sharing this for any other reason than to bring light and awareness. My hope is that my story can be a comfort or helping hand to another.

“Your heartache is someone else’s hope. If you make it through, somebody else is going to make it through. Tell your story.”

-Kim McManus

I’m pretty proud to call Riane a friend here on the Best Friends site. You can also find her on Instagram at riane.nesper and you’ll want to follow her life changing story and see how she’s making her dreams come true.

If you’d like to tell your story, drop me a comment or email. We’d love to hear from you!