Hepatitis B positive, I'm emotional and confused

[Magpie211]

I was recently diagnosed with Hepatitis B. I just left my doctors office and he told me that I have chronic Hep b and i have a high viral load but my liver function was normal. he said that i was most likely infected at birth or in my childhood. I have no symptoms. He told me that the reason why he is not putting me on medication is because my liver function are normal. but they have to monitor it every six month. I am  so confused no one in my family have hep B or liver cancer. I'm not American but i was vaccinated before i came here in 1998. I'm 21 years old and i feel like I've been sentenced to death . I am so terrified. I can't talk to any one in family because they are so judgmental.

Does anyone have any advice, input?  I'm so lost right now

[badbradley]

Hi Magpie211,
    Sorry for your diagnosis. I found this link for you it seems to be quite informative. It is fairly current. Hope this helps.     Brad http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/177632-treatment#showall

[ArtVandelay]

Magpie,

You are NOT alone! It is important to realize that this sentence is absolutely NOT a death sentence. There are exciting treatments available and more in the pipeline for HBV.

I have had HBV since birth and have spent a decent chunk of my life being very secretive about it and not telling even my close friends. It is definitely scary as a relatively young person to be infected by hepatitis.

The good news is that your liver function tests are normal! This is wonderful news. This means right off the bat that you could be in the same situation I was in - high viral load but with no symptoms and not a lot to be worried about.

The main thing to remember is to 1) not let your blood expose others and 2) notify sexual partners of your virus. Both are the responsible things to do.

At the same time, realize that you are not alone and so many others share this disease. Just as there are with other diseases of this nature, it can be tough to deal with.

If you have questions or want to talk please feel free to ask! Also, you may want to consider reading my post that I just entered on this forum.

You are going to be okay 

[yolandajones]

This might not answer your question but here goes.

Me: I Have something to tell you, I have Hep B

The following are some reactions from my family.
Family member 1: Is it Syphilis or Gonorrhea?  Are you having sex
Family member 2: Where you stuck with a needle? Are you having sex?
Family member 3: What is that? are you sleeping around?
Mum: Honey take a deep breath everything will be alright. We will figure this out.

I don’t know how close you are with your family but I feel I shouldn't have told some family members. The only person I should have told is probably my mum, the rest I don’t wanna talk about it. Am 24, not American and feel like shit right now. Love love your name by the way. I feel like am reading am own story right now. Two weeks back, I got a call from my Gyno telling me I have HBV. What, I thought to myself, that’s impossible. I refused to believe her so I went to my primary doctor but unfortunately I found he was leaving for good so it took almost a week to get my results (imagine the stressful suspense). I got the shot in 2013 before I stared a new job. Apparently I have to figure things out since my doctor switched hospitals. The doctor signed off on my results and faxed them to me with a note “please see Specialist Dr Bacon best liver specialist in st.louis area”. From my results it was obvious I have Hep B. 

Hep B surface Ag is POSITIVE
Hep B core Ab Total POSITIVE
Hep Be Ab POSITIVE
All Liver enzymes look good.

Honey it’s an emotional roller coaster dealing with this thing. Some days I wanna die, some days I really wanna die. It’s funny how my family say if there’s anything you need call me. I don’t think I should call them. Why cant they call me and check up on me. I hate some of them.  Sorry am getting stressed right now. Email me if you wanna talk.   

[lporterrn]

Yolanda - Dr. Bacon is one of the best liver docs in the world, not just in St. Louis - hope you get to see him.

[ioliparade]

Hi from me too!
I felt the need to write back. I am 26 years old and six months ago, I went to donate blood and the hospital sent me a notice that I should go for a re-check. I was diagnosed with chronic HBV. My parents and my sister did also exams. My mom has a chronic HBV too, but my father and my sister are perfectly fine. I was relieved for my dod and sister. I was the unlucky though.
I spent three months crying, feeling that my life is over. In my mind, the only thought was that I will never be able to have a proper relationship again in my life, as everyone will run away since they know. A proper relationship has not happened until now and I haven't talked with many people about the issue. Only my family and some close friends know about it. I blamed my parents a lot. I often wonder if I would be happier if I never knew. No symptoms. My life would be exactly as before, I am the same person. Now I feel like I have grown up 10 years in only few months.
On the other hand, now that this happened to me, I feel that all other problems are so minor. I know that Hep B can be treated nowadays, but unfortunately we will be carrying it for the rest of our lives. Unfortunately, we have to live with it. Fortunately, we have so many things to see and live. Since, this happened to me I only seek my personal peace. I can't be bothered with issues at work and grambiness. Actually, it kind of motivated me to do many more things and travel. And I am taking care of myself much more, which I didn't do before.
Also, sometimes you learn things because there is indeed something to avoid. My first blood tests were absolutely fine. However, after three months the virus rates in my blood accelerated. No one knows why. It could be all this depression I went through. I have to do a liver biopsy to see what the next step is. If I have to take a treatment or not. Whatever comes, I should do, because this is not what determines my life. We are all many more than a virus.
Talk, write, express yourself. And find a good doctor that can advise you!
My best!

[lporterrn]

Beautifully said ioloparade - thank you!

[ioliparade]

Also, one last thing as I am rereading your post. I think you should talk to your family. At the first month I couldn't tell them, as I could not imagine their reaction. I was ashamed, afraid, many things. To my case, it was found that it was a family thing and didn't have to do with sex.
Most of the cases happen between families. Or with blood sharing. It is sexual transmissive too, but I don't think that this is the most common case. My father for example never had it, although he is with my mom for 30 years. The easiest way is blood to blood. So, don't think about them being judgemental. You really need them right now. And I am sure they will be there for you!

[beto]

Though it was 40 years ago that I contracted non A non B, about 20 years ago I was diagnosed with chronic Hep-C.  My liver enzymes were elevated slightly and my liver was already stage 2 fibrosis.  The news media of the day latched onto Hep- C as the new horrible disease and highlighted the worst imaginable stories and prognosis's.  I too was scared.  I had two beautiful kids and wife, a successful business and soon began having symptoms.  I decided that in spite of what I was hearing everywhere, I was going to find a way to beat it.  There is a long story that I will not go into now, however the short story is that I am still here, my kids are through college and I ran a Marathon on my 51st birthday 15 years after diagnosis.  (there was someone at the time that told me I would be lucky to see my 50th birthday).  Now I am on harvoni and have cleared the virus in my 6th week of treatment.  Ready for the grand kids now. Your fears will become hope and you have support through your hepper family.  Also many new drugs are showing great promise.  You will be OK.