I was freaking out when I was diagnosed about my wife and two children being infected also. However, HCV is apparently harder to contract than most people think. I've been married to my wife since 2004. This is the same year I got the tattoo that infected me. My wife tested negative for even the antibody and luckily the same outcome for my kids was later verified. What a relief!
My point is, it's unlikely your spouse and or unborn child are infected if indeed you do have an active virus. Hopefully this puts your minds at ease until tests can verify that. Try not to worry, these new treatments are effective and very tolerable if you need them.
-Good luck! Rob
TazKat said
Nov 3, 2014
Swarm & Larry, I am TazKat from MIss. I went thru 4 treatments in the last 14 yrs. first three failed. I am a genotype 1a which is the hard head of the genotypes. I perservered (sp) thru it, living alone, crying alone. had the support of family & friends. but guess what. I am hep C free. the solvaldi riba & interferon that I had to do starting in april & ending in july was brutual. BUT... I have seen the end of rainbow & there was a pot of gold waiting on me.. cured. I really stressed over it, but that did not do me any good. so go with the flow. u are in the best times of curing rates. Just keep the chin, roar & get er done. this forum has the best group of ppl in the whole world. many many ppl that are like doctors to me. they have very very good info. Keep on Keepin on. You will get there as I did. Your wait won't be as long as mine. So.. Be Strong.. Do it. Don't worry Be Happy!!!
Peace out
Taz
swarm said
Nov 3, 2014
Thanks so much to everyone!! Never have I had such a warm welcome from a message board. And thank you for all the advice and well wishes, I tend to get really freaked out with medical stuff in general. Now, the main reason I'm very concerned is my wife is pregnant with our first child, she and I just got married in April. So I am also super concerned that if I'm positive I may have passed along to both of them š°š my uncle is a renowned doctor and I finally contacted him, he looked at my results and spoke with his colleague(who is a hepatologist) and they agree that I should be getting a viral load & pcr test first and foremost. He said the same about the false positives and says that even based on the s/co number being accurate that it's very unlikey that I am hep c positive. This was comforting, at this point.... Off to the lab again and once and for all getting my answer!! Hah btw my uncle is a stock holder with Gilead, he said there is a cure available now (depending on viral type) and not to worry about a long and painful treatment barring a positive test. I will update as soon as I do the test and let everyone know more of what's going on. Thanks again everyone
Sierrajen said
Nov 3, 2014
Good Evening to you Swarm and Larry.
All the technical stuff I will leave to the pros here. Such a wealth in information in this group. You've come to the right place guys.
What I can do is suggest you not worry. Worry can make you feel a lot worse. I have had it for 40 years and I'm still here. My best advise for you is to just not stress to much. When all the testing is done and you know for sure whats happening you can make the best decisions with your doctors help. Also Live Clean! Eat right, Drink water and get good sleep. Worry won't help you. you're amongst friends here. We've all been where you are now.
Hugs.
Jen
Isiscat2011 said
Oct 31, 2014
Welcome Swarm and Larry:
You need to have a PCR test, Swarm. The antibody test you had does yield a high number of false-positives and it doesn't show whether you have active HCV. One step at a time; first find out whether you have HCV. Ask for a copy of the lab report. It should also show genotype and viral load. If you do have HCV it is not the end of the world; this is a treatable disease. Check back in and let us know!
Dzdayscomin said
Oct 31, 2014
Welcome Larry and Swarm,
You've come aboard at a tumultuous time with the newest tx's coming out and there seems to be an overload of stress here as of late, but you really have joined o n e of the best most supportive places to ask questions and get some great info on all things related to HCV , so I hope you find it as great of a place as I have to ask questions, vent, and share your support to others as well.
My prayers and well wishes are with both of you thru your tx journey and recovery.
God Bless,
Duane
RMLARRYM said
Oct 31, 2014
HEY SWARM, LARRY HERE. I am new to this too although I have been Hep C positive for about 20-25 years. I have not really had too many problems. I have had some skin issues and fatigue are the major two. I started the "****tail" of ribavirin, Olysio, and solvaldi just 10 days ago. Feeling more tired, but other that that I am still working and really looking forward to kicking this devil's butt.
It is a scary thing to learn about, but it really is not so bad. If you have it, talk to an infectious disease person who is good and get it taken care of..
'
Best of luck!
Fireman Rob said
Oct 30, 2014
Welcome Swarm,
Like Tig said, if the viral load test comes back positive, there are options available. It usually takes many years for the active virus to cause any major damage. I was extremely stressed when diagnosed in March but have recently been treated and I can now see it's not a death sentence as I first thought.
It's definitely easier said than done not to stress but all you can do today is live a healthy lifestyle and go through the process of discovery. Hang on and feel free to ask questions while educating yourself.
Best,
-Rob
Tig said
Oct 30, 2014
Hi Swarm,
Welcome to the forum from me too! You're among friends and the first thing I can recommend is to not let this scare you. Your test results show a positive antibody test, that's all. The next thing that needs to be done is a viral load test. That is a sensitive test that will confirm or deny an active infection and the quantity of virus in your blood. The specialist of choice to discuss treatment is either a Gastroenterologist or a Hepatologist. There are a number of tests that can be done that will provide you and your doctor with an accurate diagnosis of your health and the condition of your liver. There have been some fabulous advances in HCV treatment recently and there has never been a better time to treat.
So first things first, get an appointment with a liver specialist, get a few preliminary tests done and then they will help you make some decisions based on your health and circumstances. Any questions you have can be asked right here and we'll do our best to give you the straight scoop. We have lots of friendly, educated and helpful people here that want to help you through this! Do your best to not worry, it will all work out and we'll help you get there!
Tig
LC said
Oct 30, 2014
We all have been there. Even if it is positive you have Hepatitis C, they can knock out in about 2-3 months usually. So you picked a good time to get it if you got it. I know it's hard not to, but try not to get too stressed about. Read the forum, ask your questions, and you should be fine.
-- Edited by LC on Friday 31st of October 2014 03:49:14 PM
Trainhopper said
Oct 30, 2014
Welcome.... I too am new. This forum has been very awesome for me. In support and to have first hand knowledge from veterans who've had this and conquered it and who are still conquering this nasty disease. As far as labs go... I've had my fair share of questions and this forum again came to the rescue. I'm sure your P.c.p (primary care physician) will run a full metabolic panel. Once that's done then a viral load Geno type tests... Most likely (as with done with me) they will just draw like 14 tubes of blood and smash it all out at once.... From first hand experience.... DON'T STRESS!ā¢ā¢ THAT'S THE LAST THING YOU NEED!!!! But once your panel has been done most if not all of your first few questions will be answered. And as far as treatment.... Its crazy right now with badas* Chems (Rx) that are working miracles with really resistant people.... So yeah.... Glad ur here.... Hope to see more of you.... And yeah like I said.... This forum rocks!!! People here love to help whether it be with support or knowledge
swarm said
Oct 30, 2014
Hello all, So I felt I needed to join and try to get some answers as I am very scared and having a tough time. So after thinking i was tested for HCV over 9 years ago when I first got sober, I looked back into my medical records and we did not see any testing. After seeing my Dr recently for a lump in my sternum area we did an ultra sound and they found that it was part of my rib cage that had grown some fibrous tissue and that it was really nothing, however they did notice a small amount of fatty liver. So I went to a liver specialist and she noticed that the ultra sound did not a possible swelling of the gallbladder but it was within normal range. She recommended that I do a hep c test and an mri. So I did the test which I later found out was just an antibody test not a viral load test(sorry im brand new to this and am not educated at all) not sure if the verb-age is correct. Anyways, it seemingly came back positive, which is scaring the living crap out of me as of now. However my Dr(not the liver specialist but my gp) looked at the result and was very cavalier about it, he said it doesnt look like I have an issue based on the test and that certain labs get false positives a lot especially with how my results seem.
I could use some advise,encouragement and information based on real experiance here. I am loading a snip of my results section here so you guys can see what I am dealing with and maybe give me some opinions. Anything helps here. Thanks very much,
Swarm,
I was freaking out when I was diagnosed about my wife and two children being infected also. However, HCV is apparently harder to contract than most people think. I've been married to my wife since 2004. This is the same year I got the tattoo that infected me. My wife tested negative for even the antibody and luckily the same outcome for my kids was later verified. What a relief!
My point is, it's unlikely your spouse and or unborn child are infected if indeed you do have an active virus. Hopefully this puts your minds at ease until tests can verify that. Try not to worry, these new treatments are effective and very tolerable if you need them.
-Good luck! Rob
Swarm & Larry, I am TazKat from MIss. I went thru 4 treatments in the last 14 yrs. first three failed. I am a genotype 1a which is the hard head of the genotypes. I perservered (sp) thru it, living alone, crying alone. had the support of family & friends. but guess what. I am hep C free. the solvaldi riba & interferon that I had to do starting in april & ending in july was brutual. BUT... I have seen the end of rainbow & there was a pot of gold waiting on me.. cured. I really stressed over it, but that did not do me any good. so go with the flow. u are in the best times of curing rates. Just keep the chin, roar & get er done. this forum has the best group of ppl in the whole world. many many ppl that are like doctors to me. they have very very good info. Keep on Keepin on. You will get there as I did. Your wait won't be as long as mine. So.. Be Strong.. Do it. Don't worry Be Happy!!!
Peace out
Taz
All the technical stuff I will leave to the pros here. Such a wealth in information in this group. You've come to the right place guys.
What I can do is suggest you not worry. Worry can make you feel a lot worse. I have had it for 40 years and I'm still here. My best advise for you is to just not stress to much. When all the testing is done and you know for sure whats happening you can make the best decisions with your doctors help. Also Live Clean! Eat right, Drink water and get good sleep. Worry won't help you. you're amongst friends here. We've all been where you are now.
Hugs.
Jen
Welcome Swarm and Larry:
You need to have a PCR test, Swarm. The antibody test you had does yield a high number of false-positives and it doesn't show whether you have active HCV. One step at a time; first find out whether you have HCV. Ask for a copy of the lab report. It should also show genotype and viral load. If you do have HCV it is not the end of the world; this is a treatable disease. Check back in and let us know!
Welcome Larry and Swarm,
You've come aboard at a tumultuous time with the newest tx's coming out and there seems to be an overload of stress here as of late, but you really have joined o n e of the best most supportive places to ask questions and get some great info on all things related to HCV , so I hope you find it as great of a place as I have to ask questions, vent, and share your support to others as well.
My prayers and well wishes are with both of you thru your tx journey and recovery.
God Bless,
Duane
It is a scary thing to learn about, but it really is not so bad. If you have it, talk to an infectious disease person who is good and get it taken care of..
'
Best of luck!
Welcome Swarm,
Like Tig said, if the viral load test comes back positive, there are options available. It usually takes many years for the active virus to cause any major damage. I was extremely stressed when diagnosed in March but have recently been treated and I can now see it's not a death sentence as I first thought.
It's definitely easier said than done not to stress but all you can do today is live a healthy lifestyle and go through the process of discovery. Hang on and feel free to ask questions while educating yourself.
Best,
-Rob
Hi Swarm,
Welcome to the forum from me too! You're among friends and the first thing I can recommend is to not let this scare you. Your test results show a positive antibody test, that's all. The next thing that needs to be done is a viral load test. That is a sensitive test that will confirm or deny an active infection and the quantity of virus in your blood. The specialist of choice to discuss treatment is either a Gastroenterologist or a Hepatologist. There are a number of tests that can be done that will provide you and your doctor with an accurate diagnosis of your health and the condition of your liver. There have been some fabulous advances in HCV treatment recently and there has never been a better time to treat.
So first things first, get an appointment with a liver specialist, get a few preliminary tests done and then they will help you make some decisions based on your health and circumstances. Any questions you have can be asked right here and we'll do our best to give you the straight scoop. We have lots of friendly, educated and helpful people here that want to help you through this! Do your best to not worry, it will all work out and we'll help you get there!
Tig
We all have been there. Even if it is positive you have Hepatitis C, they can knock out in about 2-3 months usually. So you picked a good time to get it if you got it. I know it's hard not to, but try not to get too stressed about. Read the forum, ask your questions, and you should be fine.
-- Edited by LC on Friday 31st of October 2014 03:49:14 PM
Hello all, So I felt I needed to join and try to get some answers as I am very scared and having a tough time. So after thinking i was tested for HCV over 9 years ago when I first got sober, I looked back into my medical records and we did not see any testing. After seeing my Dr recently for a lump in my sternum area we did an ultra sound and they found that it was part of my rib cage that had grown some fibrous tissue and that it was really nothing, however they did notice a small amount of fatty liver. So I went to a liver specialist and she noticed that the ultra sound did not a possible swelling of the gallbladder but it was within normal range. She recommended that I do a hep c test and an mri. So I did the test which I later found out was just an antibody test not a viral load test(sorry im brand new to this and am not educated at all) not sure if the verb-age is correct. Anyways, it seemingly came back positive, which is scaring the living crap out of me as of now. However my Dr(not the liver specialist but my gp) looked at the result and was very cavalier about it, he said it doesnt look like I have an issue based on the test and that certain labs get false positives a lot especially with how my results seem.
I could use some advise,encouragement and information based on real experiance here. I am loading a snip of my results section here so you guys can see what I am dealing with and maybe give me some opinions. Anything helps here. Thanks very much,