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Author Topic: Recently learned I was hep C positive  (Read 9186 times)

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Offline BeccaC

  • Member
  • Posts: 3
Recently learned I was hep C positive
« on: October 07, 2018, 11:48:23 am »
Hello. My name is Becca and was just notified that I have Hepatitis C. I have been racking my brain to try and figure out how this could be. No partners for over 12 years, no crazy stuff when I did have sex, no drug use, none of the regular “risk” factors apply. Recent gallbladder surgery, c-section...I do my clinical externship in a hospital for the last few months, but use universal precautions. Any thoughts? 
The biggest problem for me is I have no insurance. I am a student in a medical program and work part time as a waitress. How can I get assistance?
My viral load was low, but my enzymes have been high for a while as well as fatty liver diagnoses. I work in ultrasound and my liver looks very good so I don’t get that.
I am confused, scared and don’t understand. Since my numbers are low (190000) do I need to start treatment right now? Should I try to get insurance somehow?  Also, do I tell my son who lives with me? Should he be tested?
Any help would be comforting.
« Last Edit: October 07, 2018, 12:53:10 pm by lporterrn »

Offline lporterrn

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  • Posts: 1,969
  • LucindaPorterRN
    • LucindaPorterRN
Re: Recently learned I was hep C positive
« Reply #1 on: October 07, 2018, 01:11:27 pm »
Hi Becca,
My first thought is to ask your mother if she has been tested. You don't say your age or if you were born in the U.S.. I am guessing that your mother is a baby boomer, and thus is the most likely source. Any chance that you could have received a blood transfusion prior to July 1992?

The low numbers are clinically insignificant. Do you need to start treatment immediately? You and a doc should sort out the timing, but that answers your other question - yes, you need to get insurance of some sort, whether it is Medicaid or Affordable Care (aka Obomacare). If you want more guidance on insurance, I recommend calling Help4Hep 877 Help 4 Hep (877 435 7443) or the Hep C Careline - http://hepatitisc.pafcareline.org/ 1-800-532-5274.

Yes, your son and any other children you may have need to be tested. The chances that they have acquired hep C from you is quite small, at around 6%.

Hang in there - now that hep C is curable, it isn't the worst diagnosis in the world. The fear gets better, and we are here for you.
« Last Edit: October 08, 2018, 12:20:44 pm by lporterrn »
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 BeccaC

  • Member
  • Posts: 3
Re: Recently learned I was hep C positive
« Reply #2 on: October 07, 2018, 08:40:52 pm »
Thanks Lucinda
No transfusions and unsure about mom as she has dementia and cannot be relyed upon. I will check on Medicare and other insurance this week. Any other help on insurance or drugs that are particularly effective is appreciated.

Offline BeccaC

  • Member
  • Posts: 3
Re: Recently learned I was hep C positive
« Reply #3 on: October 07, 2018, 09:20:40 pm »
Lucinda the link http://www.hepatitisc.pafcareline.org/ was inactive. Could you check and repost?

Offline lporterrn

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,969
  • LucindaPorterRN
    • LucindaPorterRN
Re: Recently learned I was hep C positive
« Reply #4 on: October 08, 2018, 12:20:15 pm »
Thanks! Let's see if this works (I'll fix it in my post above too.)
http://hepatitisc.pafcareline.org/
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

 


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