Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.
March 28, 2024, 04:19:33 pm

Login with username, password and session length


Members
  • Total Members: 6307
  • Latest: golfer
Stats
  • Total Posts: 55125
  • Total Topics: 4851
  • Online Today: 125
  • Online Ever: 1314
  • (June 22, 2016, 05:23:42 am)
Users Online
Users: 0
Guests: 87
Total: 87

Welcome

Welcome to the Hep Forums, a round-the-clock discussion area for people who have Fatty Liver Disease, Hepatitis B, C or a co-infection, their friends and family and others with questions about hepatitis and liver health. Check in frequently to read what others have to say, post your comments, and hopefully learn more about how you can reach your own health goals.

Privacy Warning: Please realize that these forums are open to all, and are fully searchable via Google and other search engines. If this concerns you, then do not use a username or avatar that are self-identifying in any way. We do not allow the deletion of anything you post in these forums, so think before you post.
  • The information shared in these forums, by moderators and members, is designed to complement, not replace, the relationship between an individual and his/her own physician.
  • All members of these forums are, by default, not considered to be licensed medical providers. If otherwise, users must clearly define themselves as such.
  • Product advertisement (including links); banners; and clinical trial, study or survey participation—is strictly prohibited by forums members unless permission has been secured from the Hep Forum Moderators.
Finished Reading This? You can collapse this or any other box on this page by clicking the symbol in each box.

Author Topic: Questions Regarding Hep C and Nursing career.  (Read 9318 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline rnpj2000

  • Member
  • Posts: 11
Questions Regarding Hep C and Nursing career.
« on: August 27, 2015, 02:49:41 pm »
Hello everyone!
 I am a nurse  and I am beyond scared.  I was diagnosed about 6 or so years ago.  My primary doctor put me in with a specialist.  The specialist did an ultrasound and said all was OK and that I should wait for treatment because there are new meds that are coming out that looked promising!   Lately I have been seeing Harvoni ads on TV I thought it is time to see if I should be treated or not.   I got my primary doctor to order labs.   My  Genotype is 1a and my viral load is 9000.    I just found out that my ex husband (divorced over 20 yrs) has hep C so I figure I have had it over 30 yrs. What scares me is  I have Right upper quad  pain (comes and goes), horrible fatigue, and the occasional brain fog.   I have never heard that my liver enzymes were elevated and don't have any other symptoms.  I know any viral load can't be good.  Was wondering how bad the 9000 is.   I know I will learn a lot on the forum in time but I am wanting to prepare for anything that I might encounter If I am approved for the meds.    I hear the side effects for most of the meds are fatigue, possible headaches etc.... (heck I am already so tired I don't want to do anything but stay home so it scares me that it could get worse). Does anyone know if these could be bad enough that I need to think about being  off work?  Being a night shift nurse the  brain fog and fatigue isn't a good thing to have.  I have short term disability but don't know if this kind of treatment would be covered. 

 Thank you for any info.
 
 Pam
Probably infected 30 yrs ago. never diagnosed or treated.
Geno-type 1a
viral load    9690000
alt             18
ast             22
A page of other tests to be ordered between 10-1 and 10-2)  Saw doc 1st time 10-28 they are on the ball!

Offline slats1056

  • Member
  • Posts: 765
  • SVR to all and to all a good life!
Re: Questions Regarding Hep C and Nursing career.
« Reply #1 on: August 27, 2015, 04:39:40 pm »
 Viral loads can be all over the place. My pre treatment was 1/2 million. Past blood work has been as high as 6-7 million. Apparently I am in the 2-3 percent that had bad sides .First four weeks were Hell On Wheels. But manageable. I work full time 8-10 hours a day , it's been rough but I don't give up. Week five saw My sides diminish greatly with a new series of pretty minor sides kicking in. Also ,sleep habits seem to have returned to normal. Other than flare ups of joint paint and some severe headaches I have been feeling rather good lately. Just starting week 6.. Tinnitus in left ear is extremely annoying . I was able to fill out paperwork for disability at work but have not used it as of yet. Read Your policy it should state if Your circumstances make You eligible, or talk with HR people at work is possible. No journey is without its pitfalls. Be brave, persevere, research, ask questions, talk with Your Doc! BTW the only dumb question is the one that is not asked!!!!! Remember to use the forums and welcome again. We are all on the same side in this epic battle against an unwavering foe. But we will conquer it . Good Luck with Your journey and stay in touch!
P.S. Many others have had little to no or minimal side effects. Don't be scared, confront them and manage them as needed. Do You have any labs,blood work numbers, biopsy results that You can post?
73 non ab 98 hep c refused pegint/riba
6-15 Gen.1b 1/2 MIL ALT72 AST37 No cirrhosis
7-15  Harvoni 12 weeks
10-14-15 EOT VIRAL LOAD NON-DET  
12-30-15 EOT+12 VIRAL LOAD NON DET  SVR12            8-9-18 HCV LOAD 1.02IU/ml AST22  ALT30 RELAPSE?
9-18-18 confirmed gt 1b relapse
10-16-18 approved 16 weeks Mavyret

Offline rnpj2000

  • Member
  • Posts: 11
Re: Questions Regarding Hep C and Nursing career.
« Reply #2 on: August 28, 2015, 09:25:05 pm »
My primary doctor didn't put in my consult.  Luckily I had an appt with my neurologist and he was reading my primary doctors notes and found only a note without a consult!  He put in that consult immediately!   Hopefully the infectious disease doc's office will call Monday to schedule an appt.  I talked to his office last week and they are about a month out on appointments.  Right now all I have is my Genotype and Viral load.   Thanks for your reply! 
Probably infected 30 yrs ago. never diagnosed or treated.
Geno-type 1a
viral load    9690000
alt             18
ast             22
A page of other tests to be ordered between 10-1 and 10-2)  Saw doc 1st time 10-28 they are on the ball!

Offline lporterrn

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,969
  • LucindaPorterRN
    • LucindaPorterRN
Re: Questions Regarding Hep C and Nursing career.
« Reply #3 on: September 04, 2015, 01:05:38 pm »
Pam,
You are in the scary part because it is all new. It is easier to deal with once you get a grasp of how slow hep C is, and how well you are. In the meantime, try to pursue things that keep you healthy, and try to limit your time on the Internet. Most of us end up with all sorts of Internet-created catastrophes, fortunately most of which never happen.
Lucinda Porter, RN
1988 Contracted HCV
1997 Interferon nonresponder
2003 PEG + ribavirin responder-relapser
2013 Cured (Harvoni + ribavirin clinical trial)
https://www.hepmag.com/blogger/lucindakporter

Offline rnpj2000

  • Member
  • Posts: 11
Re: Questions Regarding Hep C and Nursing career.
« Reply #4 on: September 20, 2015, 01:19:47 pm »
Thank you for your reply.   I have not been on here much at all yet.    I am going to see if I can get in with the specialist this week instead of next week because I am off work.  I am so tired of being sick and having all this fatigue is really getting me down.  It takes every thing I have just to go to work.   I ask for low census every chance I get because I feel like I am falling apart!  In addition to all of this my gastroenterologist thinks I am having issues with my gall bladder so he ordered a Hida scan.   Now  I am wondering if I have to have surgery can I still take meds for Hep C.?   

I found out I have probably had hep C for over 20 yrs.  But the good news on that is that I don't think it has caused me any problems up until now.  It does add to the anxiety level though because until I have a liver biopsy I will not know for sure.   As soon as I  find out my lab results  and other info I will post it!   Thanks or all the advice!   
Probably infected 30 yrs ago. never diagnosed or treated.
Geno-type 1a
viral load    9690000
alt             18
ast             22
A page of other tests to be ordered between 10-1 and 10-2)  Saw doc 1st time 10-28 they are on the ball!

Offline lporterrn

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,969
  • LucindaPorterRN
    • LucindaPorterRN
Re: Questions Regarding Hep C and Nursing career.
« Reply #5 on: September 20, 2015, 02:00:56 pm »
The beauty of the new meds is that for most people, basically nothing much changes as far as living the rest of one's life. There are a few meds that might interact, but otherwise, you can have procedures, flu shots, and anything else that crops up.
Lucinda Porter, RN
1988 Contracted HCV
1997 Interferon nonresponder
2003 PEG + ribavirin responder-relapser
2013 Cured (Harvoni + ribavirin clinical trial)
https://www.hepmag.com/blogger/lucindakporter

 


© 2024 Smart + Strong. All Rights Reserved.   terms of use and your privacy
Smart + Strong® is a registered trademark of CDM Publishing, LLC.