Hepatitis Forums
Hepatitis C Main Forums => I Just Tested Positive for Hepatitis C => Topic started by: needhelp on September 28, 2014, 10:41:58 am
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I just found out on Fri 9/25/14 that i have hep c and i knew nothing about it or where it came from and yesterday i sat online and looked it up and now I'm scared. I have abused my body drinking and drugs and alot of other things. I don't have any insurance to even get seen by a Dr i found out when i gave blood. and over the past year i lost alot of weight and in pain but always just though it was all the crap i put my body through and when i was reading it says don't drink have stopped that 4 years ago.
I'm just lost and don't know what to do
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hi, needhelp, sorry to hear that but you have come to a good forum,, these days the new drugs for hepc removal are great! as you will see you have good good answers to all your questions,, we all started right where you are at, some from abuse of substances[such as I,, I put my body and mind thru a lot in my lifetime] and many others have different ways how they encountered this DRAGON[you will see if you stick around ,dragon is the name given to hepc and as you read earlier posts as I suggest you do you will see a large group of people who have SLAYED THE DRAGON. I started this journey around April of this year as far as being detectected, etc. I was put on solvadi and oylisio with a viral count of 25 million and geno I/ 7.1 iuetc.i am on a 12 week regiment which as of tonight ,tomorrow I will have 9 pills of that combo and I am hoping I will be free of hepc.at 6 weeks It was undetected by the GRACE of GOD , and the new meds. they have come out with, so welcome and I am sure if you stop back tomorrow you will have had many comments and answers to your questions. THERE ARE plenty of people as far as insurance goes that were and are in the same boat your in and I don't think I have heard of a case yet where their treatment was not taken care of in one or more ways. there are programs out there, numbers to call, plenty of hope so withthat said try and relax, if your going to have hepc,these are pretty good days to have it. PATIENCE is a big one so slow down, relax and remember there is a ton of HOPE LOVE AND FAITH on this site and plenty of SMART people. ''just' Willie g thanks for coming on by and please come back
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I just read your reply and wanted to thank you. Before coming here I felt like i was alone but reading the post from people and your wonderful words of hope I know I'm not alone in this fight for i am thankful and grateful to you.
Thank you
tom
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Hi Needhelp,
Welcome. I am sorry you need to be here, but glad you found us. I'd like to start with one question - What kind of test was used to diagnose your hep C? You say you have no insurance, and I am wondering if the doc ordered a hep C-antibody test. If so, was an HCV viral load test also ordered? If you don't know what these things mean, hang in there with us - we'll walk you through it. First, find out what test was ordered. Even better, get a copy of it.
The good news is that you don't drink. That is the biggest protection you have right now, so stay sober.
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First thank you for replying.
They way i found was i was donating blood and they found it they have here on the sheet they gave me HCV antibody was positive and the second one says HCV RAN (virus) was positive they don't say anything about a virtual load is this a good thing or bad
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Their is one thing i need to ask i live in a house with 4 other people should i be doing anything to make sure i don't pass it on to anyone else
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Hi,LUCINDA is right(always is lol she knows her stuff and if she doesn't she will find out) without a copy of your full blood draw it is hard to give any concrete advice,,you definitely need a viral load, geno type if you even have one etc. Where ever you had your blood draw,,go get a copy,,,,they will give you one but you will have to go there probably or. You can go on to confidental site(from the name of the place who drew your blood and there will be a copy there.) I would go get a copy first and at the bottom or somewhere on report it will give web site code etc. GEt that come on back give all your readings etc. As far as your housemates go talk with your Dr. If he has results,takes around two weeks for him or her to get them..if you have an upcoming apt. And you want to know something sooner like i suggested bring readings and someone would be glad to do all they can.i am currently in treatment,i am not a Dr. But i can share my thoughts with you.you will see once you get going and if you want to remain on site you WILL learn alot,,good luck my friend,,, ""just"Willie g
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Hi Needhelp,
OK, it is likely you have hep C, but the question now is, how long? There is an acute phase and a chronic phase. Approximately 19% of men and 40% of women clear hep C on their own in the acute phase (first 6 months after infected). At this point, best to get a referral to a gastroenterologist or infectious disease specialist.
However this turns out, keep in mind that hep C is curable. You can get through this. You didn't say what your risk factor was, but it is possible that you could have also picked up other viruses, such as hep B or HIV - but you didn't. So you need to find out how to protect your self against getting anything else, and passing it to others. Here's some basic info to get you started: http://www.hepmag.com/articles/2512_18758.shtml (http://www.hepmag.com/articles/2512_18758.shtml) and http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/C/cFAQ.htm#transmission (http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/C/cFAQ.htm#transmission)
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SEE,that was fast!LUCINDA KNOWS HER SHIT!(sorry that was suppose to be Stuff and I'll be darned,me backspace not workin and me Spellcheck hit the Shitter, oops. Lol "just" wilie g. LUCINDA get some sleep,big day tommorow(im psychic,or is it psychotic?) TOO THE MOON ALICE!
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Thanks for having my back Willie - I need people to tell me to remind me when its past my bedtime.
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no problem LP you take care,, ''just'' willie g
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I also just found out that I test positive for HepC antibodies. I've been donating plasma for over 2 years and all the preliminary testing, monthly testing and the testing of each donation prior to processing has always been clean. Seemingly overnight, the tests are showing a positive reaction for the antibodies.
My doctor did lab work and confirmed the presence of the antibodies and I'm going today for a viral load test.
I NEVER did drugs... ever. If it takes 2-3 months for it to show up in the blood, then the only consistent event has been the donations.
I am beyond scared.
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I also just found out that I test positive for HepC antibodies. I've been donating plasma for over 2 years and all the preliminary testing, monthly testing and the testing of each donation prior to processing has always been clean. Seemingly overnight, the tests are showing a positive reaction for the antibodies.
My doctor did lab work and confirmed the presence of the antibodies and I'm going today for a viral load test.
I NEVER did drugs... ever. If it takes 2-3 months for it to show up in the blood, then the only consistent event has been the donations.
I am beyond scared.
Hello Worried2,
It doesn't matter how you got it.....we don't judge here (about that fact anyway).
Being scared is completely normal, but on the bright side this is a revolutionary time for curing HepC. What type doctor are you seeing about your condition? Some insurances requires that see and IDS or Gastroenterologist that have experience with treating HepC.
Bucky
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Just seeing my regular doctor right now for the blood testing. I guess once that's done he'll refer me to a specialist.
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Hi Worried2, I am so glad you found this forum. I too was recently diagnosed and have no clue where or when it decided to join my life. Guess what, it really doesn't matter and no one, I mean no one here is going to think poorly of you for having Hep C or B or A or anything else. It's a horrible stigma and we are all fighting it together. I was so scared to post here and to tell anyone what was happening with me. I was really sick and a total wreck. Today I have been here a mere few weeks, the other members are incredible and their wealth of knowledge is beyond belief.
Please know you will not be judged, you will be supported and hugged. No question you need to ask is stupid and the more questions each of us ask and share the more answers we get to make the best choices for ourselves. Hep C can be cured these days and without the dreadful treatments many of our fellow members have already been through.
Keep your chin up, I am scared too but together we can all help each other through this.
~Mel~
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Hi Worried2,
I was scared as hell when I found out I had Hep-C. In fact, I started digging a grave and had one foot in it. The more I learned about the disease, however, the more I understood that it was something I'll die with - not die from.
That was 15 years ago, and, with the advent of the new drugs, it's now very curable.
15 years ago, I had no hope as I failed the only treatment available - a 48 week course of injections and pills that had terrible side effects. Those were the old days.
A new morning has arrived: I slayed this dragon in July with a new drug protocol, and, I'm hear to tell you - there is great hope.
In fact, this is the best time to find out you have an infection - because there is real, concrete hope you can get rid of this!
Regarding your question about roommates: It is very difficult to spread Hep-C, as there has to be a blood-to-blood transmission. You can't contract it from kissing, hugging, sharing a drink or passing a joint. It is also very hard to transmit through sexual contact, unless you're having very rough sex with direct blood/body fluid exposure (and a lot of it).
Some basic precautions: Don't share razors, toothbrushes nail clippers and so on (though the chance of transmission from these modalities is very low). Definitely don't share needles, snorting tubes, such as rolled bills, straws and so forth.
This is a great forum with a lot of knowledgeable folks from all walks of life.
There's also no such thing as a dumb question. Please feel free to ask any questions you have and I'm sure someone will be able to answer it.
Hang in there and keep your chin up.
Best wishes, Mike
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Thank you Mike and Battle The Beast!!
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I started treatment last week in August I went to undetectable after 8 wks. I was taking olysio and sovaldi Dr said I was supposed to have ribavirin
also so now I am still taking until all medicine is used. Then have to go for lab work and see dr every 3 mos. I have a little scarring on liver.
Feel great only side effects is itching sometimes. The brain fog getting better. I lost about 10 lbs. that's ok was a little over weight It works. Hope it works for everyone
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I didn't just find out other treatment made me sick and white cells went down had to take iron shots. Had blood transfusion in 1983 after miscarriage
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I started treatment last week in August I went to undetectable after 8 wks. I was taking olysio and sovaldi Dr said I was supposed to have ribavirin
also so now I am still taking until all medicine is used. Then have to go for lab work and see dr every 3 mos. I have a little scarring on liver.
Feel great only side effects is itching sometimes. The brain fog getting better. I lost about 10 lbs. that's ok was a little over weight It works. Hope it works for everyone
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Hi Sharon!
That's great you went undetectable in August, how long is your treatment plan going to be? It seems to differ a some based upon our histories and viral load and many other "technical" details :).
So glad you aren't have any major side effects even with ribavirin; even if you do just remember it's all worth in the end to beat this beast! You said you are losing weight but it is really important to eat healthy and regularly with the battle going on inside of us. Healthy food choices and lots of water are something my doctor says to me every time I see him.
~Mel~