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Just found out I have Hepatitis C

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Posted 10/5/2006 4:20 PM (GMT 0)
First off, I'm new here, hello!

I went to the Dr's about a month ago for light lower back pain (I was rear-ended in a car accident) He told me it was probably nothing major but ended up giving me a check-up anyways, so he sent me to get some blood work done. A week later he called me back and told me to come in to talk about the blood work. That's when he told me my Liver Enzymes count was a bit high, I believe it was around 72, in which he told me I should be around a 50 or so. He then sent me back to the lab for more blood work focusing on Hep tests. I got a call this past Monday and my Dr. wanted to see me again.

Well he told today that I have Hepatitis C and it freaked me out since I had no clue how I could have got it. I've never touched a drug in my life, I exercise, eat well, don't smoke and don't sleep around and been in the same relationship with my g/f for the past 2 years. I do have alot of tattoos that were done at professional places with a good name. I had 1 done a few years ago at a tattoo party that seemed to be done professional.

I have no symptoms at all for having Hep C. I sleep great, walk everyday, exercise, don't eat fast food, no aches, no pains, no nausia, no fatigue, no signs of Jaundice, no nothing.

I have an appt in a month to see a Gastroenterologist (sp*) for a further look into it. Should I really be alarmed with this at this time? Or just keep doing what I do everyday. I'm an all-around healthy person so this is freaking me out a bit :(

Thanks

Posted 10/5/2006 11:14 PM (GMT 0)
first of all,definately keep doing what your doing,,,that will help prevent cirrhosis on down the line:) I would wait to see the GI dr before being too worried,,,,,,if they found it early ,,,,,,alot can be done fore you,also there is a possibility of a false positive,,,,which happened to my husband,,,he didnt find out til after seeing the GI that it was NOT hep c,,,,good luck and keep up the healthy lifestyle and attitude,,,,,,let us know how things go
Posted 10/6/2006 5:20 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome to the Forum.
hopefully you will find out that you don;t have hep C, however if you do, it is obviously an early diagnosis and there is treatment. You have a very healthy lifestyle. I did too, but for some reason my body rejected my liver, causing autoimmune hepatitis and cirrhosis. I consider myself unlucky for having this disease but fortunate I have great doctors, medication that is controlling the disease (it will not be cured) and a great support network. (husband, 2 sons, 2 daughter-in-laws and a beautiful granddaughter plus my Forum friends whom I could not do without.)

Good luck and take care.
Marg
Posted 10/6/2006 7:18 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the replies.

I never heard of there being false negatives, I wonder how many times that has happened?

Wheredidigo - What did it end up being? Just overlooked by a DR?

Marg57 - Thanks for the words and good luck with everything, I wish you the best!
Posted 10/7/2006 12:01 AM (GMT 0)
it was a false positive,,not false negative,and im not sure how many of the first tests come back positives,,,but are actually negative,,,with my husband he also tested positive for hep b,and he DOES have that. good luck
Posted 10/7/2006 1:32 PM (GMT 0)
I meant false positive sorry.

That would be great news if that's what I receive after my GI visit.
Posted 10/7/2006 2:47 PM (GMT 0)
R31

I too am new here to the forum. I wish you good luck on whatever the doctor's say. Hopefully they will find out that you dont' have hep C or any other liver problems. It sounds like you are worried about how the diagnosis will impact your life and I can totally understand that. My life changed dramatically once my symptoms really began, I was just recently diagnosised with autoimmune hepatitis after a long period of problems. Just wanted you to know that I have found this forum as a wonderful source of information. education. and support. Hope you will keep us updated.

Lucy
Posted 10/7/2006 5:48 PM (GMT 0)

i have hep c--it has been "in emission" with no detectable viral load and no effect on my liver for 5+ years.  I was a drug user and my old circle of friends eventually came down with this disease.  I did a course of interferon for 17 months.  The treatment was hell but I am completely symptom free today, thank God.  At the time of my diagnosis, we think I had had it for about 12-15 yrs. or so, but like I said, today I am fine.  I get tested yearly and am grateful I had an aggressive doctor who treated me beyond the recommended (at the time) 6 months.  So, don't give up hope.  And the test may have been false, like others have said. 

If the test is positive, early treatment helps a lot.  I also have tattoos that were done after my recovery period but I made sure to get references from other people and asked lots of questions before I was touched with any tattoo needle.

Take care--don't worry--it helps nothing.  Get facts, be proactive and keep doing what you are doing.  Your healthy lifestyle is a big plus.

Sue

Posted 10/7/2006 6:42 PM (GMT 0)
thanks for sharing the wonderful news about the remission,Sue:) Let us know what the GI dr says R31! Hope its good news and also if you do have it,know we are all here to help with whatever questions we can and for support for you. good luck :)
Posted 10/17/2006 5:10 AM (GMT 0)
One can test positive for hep C or B, but it not be active.  This means that at some point, you were exposed to hep C or B, but your immune system threw it off.  In this case, no treatment is necessary.  The only way to tell if the hep you have is chronic ACTIVE is to have a liver biopsy.  Active hepatitis means that the virus continues to attack your liver.  I have CAHC.  I also test positive for antibodies for hep B, but it's not active--immune system dealt with it.  Hope this info helps a little to understand.

Posted 10/17/2006 8:12 PM (GMT 0)
I had a regular appt with my Dr yesterday just for a check-up again.

He noticed my ALT went from 72 to 65, which I'm guessing is a good sign. But he told me I have antibodies and that I'm still a Hep C positive. My AST

All my other blood work is normal along with my Liver working 100% in it's normal range.

Could my immune system be fighting this off?
Posted 10/17/2006 8:56 PM (GMT 0)
hm,,,,,,we were told that if antibodies show up on the bloodwork,then your body has kicked it,,,,,this was not the GI dr,right???? i know my husbands first family dr,was very confused when it came to test results and we had to teach him,after seeing the GI dr,,,,
Posted 10/17/2006 11:17 PM (GMT 0)
No, this wasn't the GI Dr. Just my own PCP, I went in to see him and ask a few questions before I see the GI on November 14th.

I still don't understand alot of it, I thought antibodies came out when I have HEP C and infect the blood.

I think I better read up more lol
Posted 10/18/2006 1:27 AM (GMT 0)
I think so :) lol I just hope the GI gives you good news,,,,will be thinkin of ya
Posted 11/4/2006 3:02 PM (GMT 0)
hi . your story sounds similiar to mine. i went in for my regular yearly exam and my blood levels came back high.they did further testing and diagnosed me with hep c. i have never done drugs,never had any transfusions am in the same relationship for 6 years. have had 2 healthy kids and dont feel sick. i am seeing a specialist next week. i dont understand this whole thing either.somehow i cant bekieve it.just wanted to wish you luck and know there are a lot of people going through this. :-)
Posted 11/4/2006 3:20 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, Im new here too, hey everybody!

I found out I had hep C in 2001 from sharing a shaving razor (in the shower) with my roommate. She told me she had it but i never thougt about getting it from her since we didn't sleep togethr or anything. Lately, i have had blood work for this or that and come to think of it they didn't say anything about my hep C. Do they hve to run a specific test fo find it or would it show up automaticly?

Stu
Posted 11/4/2006 5:46 PM (GMT 0)
Stu, yes, there are specific, separate blood tests for hepatitis.

Sue, it's "in remission" not "emission." ;) Remission is good news.

If one has antibodies for hep C or B, it means the person was exposed to it, but the immune system overcame it. The surefire way to know if one has active (still attacking the liver) hepatitis is by liver biopsy.

Please do not panic at the first news of hep C. It could be a false positive, could be antibodies and not active. Above all, see a gastroenterologist or hepatologist.

Connie
Posted 11/4/2006 6:59 PM (GMT 0)
Silky, the immune system can definitely fend off the hep viruses. I don't know about antibiotics--not for C, for sure. I know little about hep B except that I had it at one time...didn't even know it...and my immune system threw it off. I have the antibodies for it, so it shows up as positive on blood tests. My doctor said I can never get it again, nor can I give it to anyone. I wasn't so lucky with the C...it's chronic active. I also developed a cancerous liver tumor from it. I underwent treatment earlier this year, and will probably have surgery once I heal from hip surgery I just had.

Silky, did you receive treatment for hep C 4 years ago? My guess would be that you have not been tested specifically for hep C lately. How about a liver panel? Elevated liver enzymes would be an indication that you still have it. Usually, when hep C is diagnosed, it was contracted decades before...in my case in the 60s.

Connie
Posted 11/5/2006 1:34 PM (GMT 0)
silky,your own body can fight off hep b or c on its own,,,normally its the first 6 mths of contracting it,,,antibiotics are not normally prescribed,,its my understanding they dont work on hep,,,,actually with hep b,,only about 1 percent of ppl who contract it,actually develop chronic active,,,but during the time your body is fighting it,there is usually no symptoms,,,except flulike symptoms the first couple weeks,,and most ppl do NOT know they have it through this time,and can be infecting others ,,,,,,,,,,ive have read that 1 out of 20 ppl in the US are infected with hep b,or have been infected,,,,most just dont know it ,,,i would recommend you be tested again through a hepatic panel,,and if your still testing positive,,,please see a specialist,,,the earlier its treated the better chance you wont develop liver cancer or other complications,let us know how it comes out. take care
Posted 11/5/2006 1:38 PM (GMT 0)
just wanted to add a big welcome to you stu,and know that your not alone,keep us updated on how your doing.
Posted 11/6/2006 8:54 AM (GMT 0)

Hi R31,
 I was diagnosed with Hep C in 1998 and in 1999 with early cirrhosis. My Gastro feels I've had Hep C for at least 20 + years, and I do not know how the heck I got it either.

I know when I was told I had Hep C I hadn't a clue of what it was...all I could think about was who I had given too. I freaked out because I didn't know the first thing about it or knew anything about how you could get it etc.

All I thought about was Hep A&B and how contagious that can be....but Hep C is nothing like either of those 2. Hep C is passed from Blood to Blood.

 

Stay away from Tattoo parlors! No matter how reputable you may think they are! It's the ink and or the tool that can be contaminated with the Hep C Virus.

 

Keep us posted on your up coming Gastro appt and let us know what he says. Good luck.

 

Sabrina

 

 

 

R31 said...
First off, I'm new here, hello!

I went to the Dr's about a month ago for light lower back pain (I was rear-ended in a car accident) He told me it was probably nothing major but ended up giving me a check-up anyways, so he sent me to get some blood work done. A week later he called me back and told me to come in to talk about the blood work. That's when he told me my Liver Enzymes count was a bit high, I believe it was around 72, in which he told me I should be around a 50 or so. He then sent me back to the lab for more blood work focusing on Hep tests. I got a call this past Monday and my Dr. wanted to see me again.

Well he told today that I have Hepatitis C and it freaked me out since I had no clue how I could have got it. I've never touched a drug in my life, I exercise, eat well, don't smoke and don't sleep around and been in the same relationship with my g/f for the past 2 years. I do have alot of tattoos that were done at professional places with a good name. I had 1 done a few years ago at a tattoo party that seemed to be done professional.

I have no symptoms at all for having Hep C. I sleep great, walk everyday, exercise, don't eat fast food, no aches, no pains, no nausia, no fatigue, no signs of Jaundice, no nothing.

I have an appt in a month to see a Gastroenterologist (sp*) for a further look into it. Should I really be alarmed with this at this time? Or just keep doing what I do everyday. I'm an all-around healthy person so this is freaking me out a bit :(

Thanks

Posted 11/8/2006 6:28 PM (GMT 0)
welcome sabrina,how are you doing now? have you had treatments for hep c? feel free to share what youve been through or just vent when you need to. this is a great site for support and info
Posted 11/9/2006 12:16 AM (GMT 0)

Hi wherediditgo,

 Yes, I did Interon A with Riba in 1999. I had a severe reaction to treatment and my Gastro took me off TX 5 days after I started it.

He told me I would have to wait til a new agent came out that didn't have Interferon in it...as Slow as the FDA is on approving new meds that could take forever til a new drugs comes out...so I wait til one does.

I've been doing somewhat ok. Been sick alot lately but my PCP doesn't seem to think it has anything ot do with my Hep C or Cirrhosis of the Liver. eyes   LOL,I disagree with my PCP!

I will be seeing my Gastro Doctor in a few weeks. I had a MRI of the Liver done about a month ago and it showed a Lesion on the right lobe of my liver. Of course my PCP doesn't think this lesion is cancer, but he isn't a liver doctor either. That is why i requested another referal to see my Gastro again to see what he thinks about this lesion on my liver.

PCP just do not know enough about Hep C or the Liver so best to go back to my Gastro.

All in all...I guess I'm doing pretty good considering my health problems.

Thanks,

Sabrina

wheredidigo said...
welcome sabrina,how are you doing now? have you had treatments for hep c? feel free to share what youve been through or just vent when you need to. this is a great site for support and info


Post Edited (Ark) : 11/8/2006 5:19:37 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 11/9/2006 11:55 PM (GMT 0)
Sabrina,
yes id have to agree,its best to see GI for this,regular drs are not very informed about liver issues..we lucked out and my family dr has a good friend who is a GI,,,so when i contracted acute hep b from my husband(who has chronic active hep b),,he picked his brain while they were golfing and studied about it,,,my husband switched to him,,,hopefully the GI will help figure out whats going on with you. take care
Posted 11/10/2006 12:02 AM (GMT 0)

Hi Trish,

 I agree with you 100% that I need to go see my Gastor again.

I requested an appt. to see him thru my Internal Medicine Doctor, and he said that the lesion on my liver is nothing more then a cyst and not cancer. I mean how the heck does he know this for sure! He doesn't!

I see my Internal Medice Doctor on Nov. 16 and going to request a referal again to my gastro. I have to get another referal again to see him because it's beenover 3 years since I saw my Gastor last...and if it's been over that period of time, they require another referal.

I'm just floored at my Internal Medicine Doctor as him thinking he knows all about what is on my liver. Well I will get that referal if I have to go to another doctor to do so. I will keep ya posted as to what all comes about.

Thanks for your reply.

Sabrina

wheredidigo said...
Sabrina,
yes id have to agree,its best to see GI for this,regular drs are not very informed about liver issues..we lucked out and my family dr has a good friend who is a GI,,,so when i contracted acute hep b from my husband(who has chronic active hep b),,he picked his brain while they were golfing and studied about it,,,my husband switched to him,,,hopefully the GI will help figure out whats going on with you. take care

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