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hello, I am 23 years old have recently been diagnosed with chronic hep B

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Posted 2/27/2009 2:56 AM (GMT 0)
thanks for reading

as you now know I was diagnosed with chronic hep B about 3 months ago.

I have been seeing a liver specialist and going to the doctor monthly so far for blood work.

my liver specialist seems to think I have acute Hep B but I am having a hard time believing it. my doctor said it was chronic in the beginning.
the reason I think it might be chronic because I have been feeling pretty bad for about a year now and went to the doctor for a complete check-up about 3 months ago and that's when I found out what was wrong.

I just need some friendly words and advice because I am completely devastated and anxious.

right now the doctor has me coming in for tests once a month to monitor my situation.
the first time I went and had my ALTs they were 500s
the second time a month later they were 700s
the third time a month later they were 800s
the most recent test they were 700s

all of my other test results are normal, my liver enzymes are just really high.
this freaks me out everyday to think about.

next months I go in for tests again and my liver specialist says I will need anti viral medications if they don't go down.

I have been having constant abdominal pain for about 3 weeks and my doctor knows, I had an ultrasound and everything looked fine just a little inflammation of the liver but they said nothing serious.


I just need something, somebody with this disease who can offer some hope to me, I am completely hopeless. I need help, please.


thank you.
Posted 2/27/2009 4:16 AM (GMT 0)

Transparent, welcome to the forum.  I have hep C, though I also contracted hep B around the same time (1968 or '69.)  My immune system threw off the hep B, but not the hep C.  However, since I have the hep B antibodies, I will always test positive for it.

It is my understanding that hep B is highly treatable.  If your liver enzymes continue to be high, perhaps it would be best to go ahead and take the antivirals that your doctor recommends.

I know we have one member whose son has chronic hep B, though she hasn't posted in awhile.  Perhaps she will see this and offer some insight. 

Meanwhile, please try not to worry.  I'm assuming that you are not drinking or using illicit drugs, both of which are terrible for the liver.  Try to eat a healthful diet with no red meat, and get enough rest.  Also, learn all you can about hep B and keep us posted on how you are doing.


Posted 2/27/2009 4:26 AM (GMT 0)
thank you very much for the response! I do not use any kind of illegal drugs, I do take a beta blocker for heart palpitations but that is it, I have always avoided any kind of medication unless the doctor says I HAVE to take it to live. for the past two years I had been drinking alcohol every night in excess but since my diagnosis I have almost completely stopped drinking. when I do drink now its wine and I limit myself to three glasses only at the most one night a week. I do eventually plan to stop drinking completely and I am getting help with that.
I also have a pretty healthy diet, not perfect but pretty close! I eat better than any person I know so I feel like thats a good thing.

thanks again!
Posted 2/27/2009 5:26 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome to the forum Transparent. It is really important that you continue to get help with quitting drinking. Even one glass of wine is very bad for a person with liver disease. It combined with the virus even in small amounts does great damage to your liver and will speed up the progression of the disease.

I'll be praying for you.
Posted 2/27/2009 5:58 AM (GMT 0)
Hello Transparent and welcome to HealingWell. Glad you found us. Looks like you already ahead of the game with your good eating habits.........just need to completely stop any drinking as the others have advised. When you drink with a damaged liver think of it as throwing gasoline on a fire. The hep B is already damaging it so you don't want to damage further.

It's great that you have a liver specialist that's testing you regularly.

Take care............thoughts and prayers..........
Posted 2/27/2009 10:01 PM (GMT 0)

Transparent, after reading about your drinking, I suspect that you are causing a bad flareup from this habit.  I'm glad to hear that you are getting help with stopping, as it is really imperative to do so if you want to live longer.  Drinking ANYTHING at ALL is the single worst thing you can do to a diseased liver.  I have been sober in AA for 22 1/2 years, so it is possible, my friend.  I was a daily drinker.  The "one day at a time" perspective really works.

I'll be rooting for you!


Posted 2/27/2009 10:38 PM (GMT 0)
I know that I do not need to drink, I haven't had a drink in over 2 weeks.

thanks
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