What a great fact sheet to dispel myths. I do have to say that I was asymptomatic. I never felt sick though I usually have the flu once a year. I never had muscle pain, headaches, fatigue or any of the usual symptoms of HCV. I felt fine until I started tx. Then I was sick. But I'm glad I did the tx just saying that some of us are asymptomatic. The entire time I new I was positive (20 years), I never felt any symptoms contributed to HCV. I guess I'm very fortunate.
gigi
Tig said
Nov 30, 2014
It is a good document and I believe something that would greatly benefit every reader in one way or another. It's an excellent first article to present to a new patient or someone curious about their own personal risk in a relationship with an HCV + partner. If we were able to dispel the myriad myths, we could also make progress improving/removing the stigma that continues to follow this disease.
Tig
Harvoninme said
Nov 30, 2014
Great leaflet! Thank you!
"Myth HCV is an asymptomatic disease" - aka 'silent' disease... this one has stuck in my craw for a long time. I've read many stories from people who went to their DRs with complaints and symptoms for years only to be ignored, or give pain meds, antacids and stern lifestyle lectures. Finally some odd blood test alerts the Doc and an HCV test is done. Then they still tell you your symptoms have nothing to do with HCV.
dustbear said
Aug 2, 2013
Thank you for the link to this recent document written in April 2012.
"Myth People with normal ALT levels have minimal disease progression ...
some people (about 20%) with normal ALT levels have moderate to severe HCV disease progression,
and, many experts believe that the only way to really tell if an HCV positive person has liver damage is by a liver biopsy rather than through the measurement of ALT levels."
We need more complete testing in Canada and everywhere.
If the ALT levels are normal, they do not go any further with testing and this is wrong.
I could have been diagnosed years ago, but no, my ALT levels were normal until last year. I know I've had it for 30+ years, unsymptomatic!
And, the treatment should be paid for everyone who is infected, not just when the ALT levels are out of range.
-- Edited by dustbear on Saturday 3rd of August 2013 12:49:17 AM
Neil_Canuck said
Aug 2, 2013
Great article. This should be a handout from Dr.'s to newly diagnosed patients
What a great fact sheet to dispel myths. I do have to say that I was asymptomatic. I never felt sick though I usually have the flu once a year. I never had muscle pain, headaches, fatigue or any of the usual symptoms of HCV. I felt fine until I started tx. Then I was sick. But I'm glad I did the tx just saying that some of us are asymptomatic. The entire time I new I was positive (20 years), I never felt any symptoms contributed to HCV. I guess I'm very fortunate.
gigi
It is a good document and I believe something that would greatly benefit every reader in one way or another. It's an excellent first article to present to a new patient or someone curious about their own personal risk in a relationship with an HCV + partner. If we were able to dispel the myriad myths, we could also make progress improving/removing the stigma that continues to follow this disease.
Tig
Great leaflet! Thank you!
"Myth HCV is an asymptomatic disease" - aka 'silent' disease... this one has stuck in my craw for a long time. I've read many stories from people who went to their DRs with complaints and symptoms for years only to be ignored, or give pain meds, antacids and stern lifestyle lectures. Finally some odd blood test alerts the Doc and an HCV test is done. Then they still tell you your symptoms have nothing to do with HCV.
Thank you for the link to this recent document written in April 2012.
"Myth People with normal ALT levels have minimal disease progression ...
some people (about 20%) with normal ALT levels have moderate to severe HCV disease progression,
and, many experts believe that the only way to really tell if an HCV positive person has liver damage is by a liver biopsy rather than through the measurement of ALT levels."
We need more complete testing in Canada and everywhere.
If the ALT levels are normal, they do not go any further with testing and this is wrong.
I could have been diagnosed years ago, but no, my ALT levels were normal until last year. I know I've had it for 30+ years, unsymptomatic!
And, the treatment should be paid for everyone who is infected, not just when the ALT levels are out of range.
-- Edited by dustbear on Saturday 3rd of August 2013 12:49:17 AM
Great article. This should be a handout from Dr.'s to newly diagnosed patients
to help ease the fears we've all experienced.
Excellent link - thanks for posting this.
http://www.hcvadvocate.org/hepatitis/factsheets_pdf/Myths.pdf