Thank you for the kind words and your support. It has helped aleve a measure of anxiety.
Cinnamon Girl said
Feb 16, 2014
Hi Russell, welcome to the forum, I`m glad you found us. Aprilee is right, there`s no need to panic, try to stay calm and take it one step at a time.
A positive result to a Hep C antibody test just means that you`ve been infected with the virus at some point in the past, and the next test will be to find out whether or not you actually have an active infection now or whether your immune system has cleared it spontaneously. If that result comes back positive and you have a measurable `viral load` then the next step will be to see a hepatologist to find out more information, for example what genotype you have and how healthy your liver is, so that you can start looking at treatment options.
If you do have an active infection then you really don`t need to be scared, this disease is very treatable nowadays, especially with the new drugs which have recently become available, and you`ll stand an excellent chance of clearing the virus within a fairly short space of time.
We all understand how you`re feeling right now, we`ve been there ourselves! The best advice I can give you is to read up on some basic information about Hep C and current treatment options, so you`ll be familiar with the facts before your next appointment.
Wishing you all the best of luck!
aprileee said
Feb 16, 2014
Hi cortez...dont freak out. The new meds available are very good and there a lot of people here to help you understand it all. Just do what your doctor tells you to do...and stay positive :)
cortezpirasea said
Feb 16, 2014
More tests are being done? I'm guessing to find out what geno type I have? Doctor didn't tell me a single word about nothing. Just that more blood would be taken. And possibly be referred to a hepatologist. A little stunned and a lot scarred. Next appointment is march 19 and I'm wondering what questions I need to ask... Overwhelmed.
Thank you for the kind words and your support. It has helped aleve a measure of anxiety.
Hi Russell, welcome to the forum, I`m glad you found us. Aprilee is right, there`s no need to panic, try to stay calm and take it one step at a time.
A positive result to a Hep C antibody test just means that you`ve been infected with the virus at some point in the past, and the next test will be to find out whether or not you actually have an active infection now or whether your immune system has cleared it spontaneously. If that result comes back positive and you have a measurable `viral load` then the next step will be to see a hepatologist to find out more information, for example what genotype you have and how healthy your liver is, so that you can start looking at treatment options.
If you do have an active infection then you really don`t need to be scared, this disease is very treatable nowadays, especially with the new drugs which have recently become available, and you`ll stand an excellent chance of clearing the virus within a fairly short space of time.
We all understand how you`re feeling right now, we`ve been there ourselves! The best advice I can give you is to read up on some basic information about Hep C and current treatment options, so you`ll be familiar with the facts before your next appointment.
Wishing you all the best of luck!
More tests are being done? I'm guessing to find out what geno type I have? Doctor didn't tell me a single word about nothing. Just that more blood would be taken. And possibly be referred to a hepatologist. A little stunned and a lot scarred. Next appointment is march 19 and I'm wondering what questions I need to ask... Overwhelmed.