Tested positive

[imdeadnow34]

34 yo M and I was just informed, that I have hep. I can't believe it. I've had nightmares about this before, I'm not quite sure if others have experienced that but I've woke up several times with that feeling of dread, probably my body telling me something. I don't have a family physician or anything so I had to make an appointment today in order to get a referral to see a specialist unfortunately I don't know what type I have or if it's even curable. The Dr, didn't tell me, all he said was there's a cure for it called Harvoni so I shouldn't worry but now I wonder though if I have A, B or C?
My fiance was diagnosed with what she said was HPV years ago, and she had to go get paps  now and again. But as I'm learning about this HCV and HPV kind of sound alike and could be confused. I would never point the finger at her because she's a really good girl and always has been unlike me, I had lots of partners between 16-26. And they wouldn't be doing paps for HCV anyways.
I immediately googled hep when I found out and it's overwhelming, I don't know how this conversation between her and I is going to look I don't even know how to bring it up. Her sister died of cirrhosis in her mid twenties (I was told by her and her family due to drinking) and fiance's daughter has had liver problems since she was really young because of her weight and diet (10 yo and autistic so she only eats a few kinds of foods) according to her Dr. and they've never said anything to us about it being hep, I've heard her Dr. call it fatty liver. So I'm not sure what's what anymore. I also have Humana caresource Medicaid because I was laid off from work, a job that I've had for 10 years so if anyone knows what medication they'll cover I'd like to know.

[Lynn K]

The word Hepatitis comes from the meaning "hepa" from Latin having to do with the liver and "itis" meaning inflammation so simply hepatitis means liver inflammation. Harvoni is a treatment for hepatitis c only so I assume you were tested for not only the antibodies to hepatitis c and a later blood test to confirm you are currently infected with the actual virus with the HCV RNA by PCR test.

Did you have a two separate blood tests?

Hepatitis c virus IF you have it refers to a virus that causes liver inflammation. HCV and HPV have nothing in common and are entirely unrelated. HCV means hepatitis c virus. HPV means Human papillomavirus.

Here is a link about HPV from the CDC
http://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/stdfact-hpv.htm

I do see HPV is sexually transmitted so if she is not cured you should be using barrier protection i.e. condoms and for oral sex dental dams. If she is cured of HPV the reason for the paps is to monitor for cervical cancer as because of having HPV she is at an increased risk.

I say if you have hep c as if you only have one blood test for the antibodies to hep c about 25% of people can beat the virus on their own and eridicate the virus from their bodies so unless you had a second test the HCV RNA by PCR test you may not have hep c.

However even if you do have hep c it is a very, very slowly acting virus taking decades in most cases to cause serious liver damage. I had hep c for 37 years before harvoni was discovered, approved and I was able to finally be cured. After I was infected for 30 years I was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis. So as I said hep c generally takes decades if ever to cause significant liver damage. Only about 20% of people having hep c for 20 years will develop cirrhosis.

So what I am trying to say is your name is hardly correct you are far from dead now. If you are infected you will be treated and be cured of hep c.

Yes heavy drinking can cause cirrhosis especially if the person has hep b or hep c. Hep a always resolves on its own and does not become chronic. Having a fatty liver can also cause liver inflammation and scarring so being overweight is another risk factor for liver damage.

There it so much bad information on the web please only check good resources like this one from the CDC

http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hcv/cfaq.htm

But first things first. See the specialist and determine if for sure you are currently infected with hep c virus. The next step will be to seek insurance approval. Many here will good ideas if you have difficulty getting insurance to cover you. I have seen that many insurances are loosening up their requirements.

Harvoni could be for you as simple as one pill a day for either 8 or 12 weeks with the majority of people reporting minimal side effects. Most common sides reported being mild headache. The recommendation you will hear from us is to make sure you are drinking enough fluids as this seems to help with headaches if you do experience them.

Best of luck to you

[gnatcatcher]

Hello, you'reNOTdeadnow34.

Lynn has given you a lot of detail; these are the key points:
1. HCV isn't HPV or even related to HPV.
2. Harvoni treats HCV (hepatitis C) and is easy: 1 pill per day.
3. There's a chance you won't need any treatment. The specialist will figure that out.
4. Medicaid differs in different states, but if you need treatment and have trouble getting Humana to approve treatment, Hep Forums can help you get approved.
5. HCV is NOT a death sentence, not with today's good medicines. I had it for over 30 years before I found out; I had it for almost 44 years before I was treated with Harvoni. I'm CURED. My specialist says I'll probably live a normal life span.

Wishing you a good, long life.

Gnatty

[Coach Mike]

Hi Not Dead,

Everything said above is correct.
The first question I asked my doc after the diagnosis was "Is this a death sentence?"
That was two years ago.  Now, I'm cured. I had the crap for 30 years and drank like a fish for most of it. My liver has some damage, but is healing itself nicely.  The liver is a tough, amazing organ.
Anyone who can get their hands on a $1000 can get generic medication if their insurance won't pay the big bucks.
See the specialist. Find out exactly what's up.
You'reNotDeadYet....
Probably be more likely to die in a car wreck than this disease given today's treatment options.
Learn everything you can about HCV while you are waiting for appointments and test results.  This forum is a great place to start. FixHepC.com is another great resource. There are millions like you in the U.S. alone.
Good luck!
cm