Los Angeles, Aug 29 (IANS): Actress Pamela Anderson, who has battled Hepatitis C for 16 years, says that her doctors have prescribed a new Food and Drug Administration approved drug regimen that eradicates the virus and this has given her new hope.

"I'm very fortunate that I've had Hep C for about 16 years. Sixteen years ago that was (presented to me) as a death sentence. I think it really worked on my self-esteem. Even though I may have looked confident on the outside, I think it really was a dark cloud that lingered over me," Anderson told people.com.

After experimenting with various alternative medicines, the "Baywatch" star decided to try the new anti-viral medication.

She said: "I could be Hep C free within the month. I don't have any liver damage and I don't have any side effects.

"I'm living my life the way I want to but it could have eventually have caused me some problems and so it was a real blessing that I was able to get the medicine. I'm half way there."

Anderson, who's the author of the new coffee table book "Raw", is really excited about it.

"I feel good. I feel so blessed. I've always been an advocate of trying to remove stigma from hepatitis C from aids. I think subconsciously (the disease) just works on you," she said.

The 48-year-old also feels better than ever.

"I actually just look in the mirror everyday and I feel like I'm looking younger and younger and I feel like I'm getting those 20 years back," she said.