Surprise Hep C diagnosis has a happy ending

Overwhelming fatigue, sluggishness, and weight gain can be signs of serious illness. It's a good idea to get it checked out.

It started with symptoms that impacted his life

Tony* knew that something wasn't right. What began with a bit of fatigue grew to overwhelming exhaustion. Getting up in the morning suddenly felt like climbing a mountain. He was sometimes late for work or appointments and dragged through his days, which was not like him at all. Despite a healthy diet, he was gaining weight and feeling sluggish. And he began to feel depressed.

Tony is a patient at SFCHC. During routine lab work as part of Tony's PreP treatment, SFCHC's Dr. Chris Angara noticed an increase in liver enzymes. It was unexpected, as Tony had no risk factors for liver disease and his previous tests had all been normal. But when Dr. Angara put together the lab results and Tony's symptoms, "I knew I had to look further," he said.

An unexpected diagnosis of Hepatitis C leads to a treatment plan and a cure

Chris Angara is a PharmD Pharmacist and Director of SFCHC's La Vida Care program. He asked Tony to describe his symptoms and how they were affecting his life. He and his team set up tests and guided Tony through the process to get answers. The diagnosis turned out to be hepatitis C.

"I'm so glad that Tony kept up his tests and told us how he was feeling. Because he did, we were able to diagnose him correctly and start treatment quickly. The medicines we have available today can cure most Hep C patients in eight or twelve weeks and have almost no side effects."

Quick Facts About Hep C

• About 5,000 new cases of Hep C are reported in the U.S. each year, but the number of undiagnosed cases may be up to four times So it's important to talk to a healthcare provider if you're not feeling well.
  
  
• Untreated Hep C can be very serious, leading to lifelong infection, permanent liver damage, cancer, and even The good news is that medication can cure about 95% of patients. The treatment usually takes eight or twelve weeks, and many people start to feel better much sooner than that.
  
  
• Men between the ages of 30 and 49 are at highest risk, but the virus can strike anyone of any age or
  
  
• The most common source of transmission for Hep C (43%) is through shared or contaminated needles or Still, more than half of all Hep C cases (57%) have other causes, including sex and childbirth. So while avoiding injectable drug use and practicing safe sex are still the best ways to protect yourself from the virus, a Hep C diagnosis just means that you have a treatable medical condition, like any other. The caring team at SFCHC provide diagnosis, treatment, understanding, and advice -- but no judgment.

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Getting treatment for Hep C and other conditions can make you feel better, happier, and like your old self again.

The SFCHC Experience from the Patient's Perspective

Tony said, "Dr. Angara assessed my symptoms and labs through a different perspective, which helped narrow down the diagnosis, the timeline, and the mode of possible exposure. It was definitely an eye-opening experience."

"The process of the treatment was very positive. My energy levels immediately rose. This helped balance my sleep, which in turn impacted my mood in a positive way. I was feeling more energized and happy...Prior to the treatment, i would rapidly gain weight. I didn't realize just how much liver health plays a significant role in metabolism. For the first time in a long time, I felt normal.

"My experience with Dr. Angara and his clinical team has been nothing but joyful... All staff made me feel comfortable, safe, and taken care of with their nonjudgmental, patient-centered approach. Dr. Angara's vast knowledge in this area was also very comforting. [He] and his team were exceptionally reassuring..., and I could not be any more thankful."

If something feels "off", don't wait. Contact us at 818-963-5690. We're here to help you address all your medical needs.

Read more: Caring for the Whole You. 

*Not his real name. "Tony" was kind enough to share his story with us, and to give us permission to use it to help others.

Author

Michelle LaPointe Michelle LaPointe is an award-winning copywriter, creative director, and marketing strategist. She creates content for multiple channels and needs, develops creative and memorable ad campaigns, and writes marketing plans. She has worked with dozens of clients in many sectors, including healthcare. She writes about marketing on Substack. Michelle supports SFCHC's mission writing informative and easy-to-follow communication materials for special programs, including Care Circle and LaVida Care.