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Post Info TOPIC: Worried I May Have Hepatitis C
Canuck


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RE: Worried I May Have Hepatitis C
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Hey, I almost missed this one! That is great news for you, and thank you so much for letting us know. No worries now. Spread the word, about the documentary you saw and the importance for hepc antibody testing to folks you know, you may just end up doing someone else an importnt favour in conveying the info to them. smile C. 



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HCV/HBV 1973. HBV resolved. HCV undiagnosed to 2015. 64 y.o. F. Canada.

GT3a, Fibroscan F3/12 kPa - F4/12.6 kPa, VL log 7.01 (10,182,417), steatosis, high iron load.

SOF/VEL with/without GS-9857 trial - NCT02639338.

SOT March 10 - EOT May 5, 2016 - SOF/VEL/VOX 8 week trial.

 

(SEE UPDATES IN BIO)
Tig


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That's wonderful news, Michelle! I felt your odds were low and I'm glad that proved true. It's a good day for you and I'm pleased you shared the celebration with us! Good luck... smile



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Tig

68yo GT1A - 5 Mil - A2/F3 - (1996) Intron A - Non Responder, (2013) Peg/Riba/Vic SOT:05/23/13 EOT:12/04/13 SVR 9+ years!

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WhatIsMyFuture


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Hi all,

I got my test results back today and they're negative for Hep C.  Thanks for all your posts and support x



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Canuck


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Hi there,

Glad you came here - Tig is quite right about your odds being low. And your doc is quite right about that it is a "good" sign your lver functions tests were normal (very understated that doc of yours) - in my book, knowing you have current normal liver function tests (so long after a suspected exposure event - about 27 years later!) is a VERY telling fact indeed!! Normal LFT's bode very well for the negative hep c antibody test result you are wanting to see. I am just sorry the approach to getting an antibody test was accompanied with the fear - every baby boomer age person should be tested for the C antibody - it should become "routine" to expect to be tested. Great your doc had previously done LFT's on you, that he has them on file, and that he tried to reassure you with them. I think Observer brings a valid point in that over the past 27 years, you, like her, might have easily noticed something by now - always look for the largest elephant in the room, the most telling are your normal LFT's, 27 years after a "possible" risk exposure! When you get your negative antibody results, and are feeling relieved that you have no need to be treated, then you can use this opportunity to educate other baby boomers around you to seek testing if they are not being routinely offered testing for hep c. Don't worry. 

There are so many people out there in this world who don't get tested for the hepc antibody, who do not even know they should routinely be tested. The ones who are fortunate enough to be able to discover they have hepc can be easily treated, and many of those who are found to have HCV will never know how (exactly) or when they contracted it. Others, by way of the antibody testing opportunity, find out (to their delight) that they were of a select group (about 20ish percent of the population) who were exposed to hepc virus (somehow/sometime in their lives) but that their positive hepc antibody result only leads them to another test, which shows they successfuly fought off a past hepc exposure, all by themselves, and do not require hepc treatment. So, you can see why hepc antibody testing is not all bad news! And in your case I think it will be good news!  smile C.



__________________

HCV/HBV 1973. HBV resolved. HCV undiagnosed to 2015. 64 y.o. F. Canada.

GT3a, Fibroscan F3/12 kPa - F4/12.6 kPa, VL log 7.01 (10,182,417), steatosis, high iron load.

SOF/VEL with/without GS-9857 trial - NCT02639338.

SOT March 10 - EOT May 5, 2016 - SOF/VEL/VOX 8 week trial.

 

(SEE UPDATES IN BIO)
WhatIsMyFuture


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Hi again all, thanks for your further posts and reassurance.

I went to my GP yesterday and had a blood test for Hep C.  He said the risk is low, but advised me to get tested.  I will get the results in around 2 weeks.  The Dr also looked at my records and saw that I'd had a blood test a few years ago, it also checked my liver function which was normal.  He said that was a good sign, but I'll be glad when I get the results back, either way.

When I saw the BBC documentary what shocked me at how one woman was fine for 25+ years then became unwell suddenly with no warning.  She had also been transfused after giving birth in 1991.   

I told my husband yesterday I had been tested for Hep C.  He is obviously worried but I said it is treatable.  I'm just going to get on with life for the next two weeks and what will be will be ....



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Observer


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Michelle,

I too had a blood transfusion after a rather dramatic delivery. I lost 10 units of blood (we have 16 when pregnant) so I had 4 units transfused. 

My eyes went yellow within 2 days, I went to a Dr and he told me I had hep B. He was wrong but we didn't find out it was actually hep C for 18 years. 

I had one Dr tell me, most people get HepC like a bullet that quietly replicates and expands,....but transfused tainted blood is like a bomb that completely bombardes the system instantly. I was very sick for many years from the day I got it.

I'm telling you this to slightly ease your mind. You still must/should get tested, but try not to worry. If you have it, the meds now are great.

Alison

 



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61 y/o, Infected via transfusion Oct'83, GT-1a, F-4 cirrhotic,
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4 years.... successful dragon slayer 
beertastic


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Its true what you said about getting tested and getting treatment earlier. It bothers me so much that little awareness is being created about hepatitis on the public media. It intrigues me how even after series of blood tests this virus remains unsuspected until it begins to cause severe damage and sometimes, death. When I started having severe diarrhea coupled with other symptoms the docs never suspected hepatitis c. I never thought I would become infected with something like hepatitis c. Today I understand it is almost very easy to become infected. It is not risky behaviors alone that puts people at the risk of becoming infected. I wish I had suspected this earlier and got tested. Now I see why hep is referred to as the ticking time bomb.

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Tig


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Beertastic,

I have to politely disagree with your statement about not worrying. If an individual is chronically infected with HCV, it is something to be very concerned about. Hep C is a progressive and damaging virus. It can and does affect every system in the body. If a patient has no symptoms, good, it's the perfect time to seek treatment. I had no symptoms for decades and when I finally was cleared of it, plenty of damage had occurred. I didn't think much was going on either. Took Milk Thistle, which kept my enzymes down, but that turned out to be false hope due to skewed blood tests. It is my opinion that the sooner a person is diagnosed and treated, the better. Simply put, it's better to not wait based on symptoms alone.



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Tig

68yo GT1A - 5 Mil - A2/F3 - (1996) Intron A - Non Responder, (2013) Peg/Riba/Vic SOT:05/23/13 EOT:12/04/13 SVR 9+ years!

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Tig


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Michelle,

You're welcome! I hope you can get some assistance from the NHS. It is wise to get in and get tested. The importance of determining HAV/HBV exposure and immunity is without question. If you need anything, please ask!

 



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Tig

68yo GT1A - 5 Mil - A2/F3 - (1996) Intron A - Non Responder, (2013) Peg/Riba/Vic SOT:05/23/13 EOT:12/04/13 SVR 9+ years!

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beertastic


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Its a good thing to get tested and vaccinated if you have not received immunization shots for hep A and Hep B already. There is no effective vaccine for C yet but fortunately there are much better treatment options out there today with greater success rates being reported. Don't panic. If you currently have no symptoms of hep C then there is nothing to worry about than getting tested right away and receiving vaccines to protect yourself. All the best.


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WhatIsMyFuture


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Thanks Tig56 for your reply and the link.



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Tig


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Hi Michelle,

Welcome to the forum. I'm sorry you're so concerned about this, it's understandable, but don't allow that to happen. We know the feeling, but you're in a supportive environment here and we'll help to educate and assure you that undue anxiety is unnecessary. The odds are slim, but because you did receive blood products prior to the screening was initiated, you need to be tested. They will perform a simple Hep C antibody test and you'll know one way or the other. The chances are low, so don't worry. Even if you test positive, treatment is way easier and faster than ever before.

Since you're in the UK, I'm going to provide a link to the Hep C Trust. They are a great source of information and can provide you with all kinds of help and support.

http://www.hepctrust.org.uk/nhs-treatment

I'm on my way to the airport, and will check in when I can. There are others here that can answer your questions as well. Don't hesitate to ask! 



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Tig

68yo GT1A - 5 Mil - A2/F3 - (1996) Intron A - Non Responder, (2013) Peg/Riba/Vic SOT:05/23/13 EOT:12/04/13 SVR 9+ years!

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WhatIsMyFuture


Newbie

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Hi all,

I live in England and am concerned after watching a documentary today on Contaminated Blood and the major cover up that's gone on.  Donated blood wasn't tested for Hep C until late 1991.

I gave birth to my first child in 1990, and due to a massive bleed and collapse after birth I was given a blood transfusion.  I understand that this virus can lay dormant, or rather the carrier shows no symptoms for years until liver damage has occurred.  I'm worried that I could have it?  I'm going to my GP when I can get an appointment and ask to be tested.  I've known about the Hep C risk for some time but thought I was ok until I watched the documentary  today and then read the NHS guidelines which said I should get a blood test if I had a blood transfusion prior to September 1991.  

I guess I'm looking for reassurance.  I know it can be treated with drugs but it's the unkmown ...



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