FAQs?

Yes, FAQs. First FAQ:

Question #1: "How many FAQs are there?"

Answer #1: Don't know. Just know that information on Hepatitis-C is changing so rapidly that it's hard to get a grip on all of it. Because of that, and other limitations, I have included two FAQs here, along with my own "TOP 10 FAQs."

s.m.h.c, and

"The Combo Survival Guide from A to Z." These ladies have prepared an excellent resource with humor and dignity. I applaud them.

Now that you've seen some of the best, here's my top ten list of questions.

Question #2: "Why does this FAQ begin with question #2 instead of question #1?"
Answer #2: Question #1 was addressed above.

Question #3: "What th ...???"
Answer #3: The correct answer to this question is either, "Yes", "True", or "C - both A and B" ... depending, of course, on the context in which the question was asked. If you got this question correct, you need not go any further. You know the rest.

Question #4: "What's wrong with the Redskins?"
Answer #4: That's not fair! That was a trick question. They fired the wrong guy. They should have fired the owner, Dan Snyder. But then, you can't really fire an owner, can you? HhhhMmmmm. We must ponder this one further.

Question #5: "I've been diagnosed with Hepatitis-C. Is this good or bad?"
Answer #5: Both! I mean, it's not good that you have Hepatitis-C. But it is good that you were tested and properly diagnosed. I think. Yes. Being properly diagnosed is definitely a GOOD THING.

Question #6: "What are my options?"
Answer #6: Can't really say with any specificity without knowing your particular case (and then I wouldn't want to "play doctor" anyway). Aside from that, the only FDA-Approved treatment is this God-awful stuff put out by Shering-Plough called Rebetron - a combination of Ribaviran capsules (taken daily, # based on body-weight) and Interferon-alpha (an injectable substance taken three times/week).

There's new stuff coming along all the time. For example, researchers have been able to modify the characteristics of the basic Interferon (called - peglyated interferon) to both enhance it's treatment properties and reduce the side effects from the non-peg.

There are also alternative therapies.

Question #7: "Side effects?"
Answer #7: Yes

Question #8: "Are they bad?"
Answer #8: All depends on your concept of good vs. bad.

• If you mean, "Will I see Cyndi Lauper's hair in a nightmare?" kind of bad, the answer is, quite likely.
• If you mean, "Can/does it lead to hair/weight loss, joint pain, depression, irritability, fevers, chills, sweats, loss of appetite ...(the list goes on and on)?" the answer is maybe. Depends. Sides vary from person to person. Some get them all, and some get few, if any.
• If you mean, "Will this ruin my sex life?" The answer is, no more than it already is.

Question #9: "Are there any undocumented side-effects?"
Answer #9: Quite likely. I have found one, myself -- an increase in the number and probability of "bad-hair" days. I have awoken on succeeding mornings with: Don King's hair! Lyle Lovett's hair (thank heavens not his nose)! Buckwheat's hair! and just yesterday morning, Phyllis Diller's hair! Now these are truly scary!

Question #10: "Is it true you can get Hepatitis-C from kissing toads, screaming banchees or toilet seats?"
Answer #10: No! And any such rumors should be dealt with appropriately! Besides, I don't know anybody in their right mind who would want to kiss a toilet seat to begin with!

Question #11: "I thought you said this was a 'Top 10 FAQ'?"
Answer #11: So I lied

Question #12: "Is there any more I need to know?"
Answer #12: Yes, but then, that's what the FAQs are for, isn't it? HhhhhMmmmm? Look also under "Useful Information."

"Thank you for sharing!"

You're quite welcome.