Hep C Discussion Forum

Jaded · Senior Member

RE: Just tested positive for Hep C....scared and confused.

Cinnamon Girl · Guru

That's really great news, Manchego, I'm so pleased for you! Yes, it certainly sounds like your immune system was able to clear the infection on its own... very lucky indeed!

Thanks for letting us know, we were only too happy to help.

Tig · Admin

Hi Manchego,

That's fantastic news! Big woot on that one!!! If you tested positive for the antibodies (first test) and negative on the RNA viral load, then the probability of your own immune system knocking it out is likely. That only happens 20% of the time! I would request a repeat viral load in 6 months to be absolutely sure you're in the clear. But it sure sounds like you avoided the Dragon's Den this time, whew!! That really is good to hear. You have every reason to be upbeat, enjoy your good fortune!!!

Manchego · Member

Thanks again for the replies! I got the second results back with the RNA test and there was no virus detected at all. I guess I'm one of those lucky folks who was able to clear it on their own. I've got an appointment with a gastroenterologist on Monday anyway just to be sure I do my due diligence. But I must say, I'm feeling way more upbeat than I have been the past couple of weeks. Again, I really appreciate the feedback.

Cinnamon Girl · Guru

HI again Manchego,

People often do have more pronounced symptoms during the acute infection stage, that`s not unusual and you don`t need to be overly concerned about them. Here`s some information about acute Hep C, including possible symptoms, you might find this helpful to read through..

http://www.hepatitiscentral.com/hepatitis-c/hepatitis-c-signs-symptoms/

I don`t think standard blood tests would include Hep C unless it was suspected. Although sometimes an irregularity in liver function results can flag up the need to test for the antibodies, which is how I got my diagnosis. Another thing to consider is that the HCV antibodies don`t show up in a blood test for the first few weeks or months after being infected.

Try not to worry... smile

Manchego · Member

Thank you all for your replies! They truly do help. There was some abdominal pain and other GI issues that first prompted me to go to the doctor. I'm very paranoid about my health (once I went to the emergency room because I slashed my finger with a wine glass stem and worried I had damaged a tendon). I got the tests done while I was there not really thinking anything of it. The pain has persisted after the tests. Right around my liver, my back and on the upper left side of my abdomen as well. I've also been dealing with itchiness and sporadic joint pain. These all seem like classic symptoms. My hope is that this infection is still in the acute phase and maybe can be knocked out within a year's time. I got blood work done back in November as a part of a standard physical and everything came back normal then. I'm just wondering a couple of things now--if HepC is checked for in a standard blood test and if it's red flag if I'm having symptoms in the acute phase (granted that's where I am).

Jaded · Senior Member

Finding out you have Hep C is not a nice experience...but today it is not like it used to be. Hep C is a slow progressing disease and when you become aware you have it while young and your liver has not yet suffered the toll of the years that most of us on this site have had to deal with...it is something you can expect to overcome without any residual problems in most cases. You are doing the right things by avoiding alcohol and taking as best care of yourself as you can and take comfort in knowing you will be treated and free of it hopefully sooner than later. When I was 1st diagnosed 19 years ago all I could besides failed trial treatments is hope for a miracle cure. You are lucky in the sense that you don't need to do that because it's already here and you likely have plenty of time to get treated and carry on with your life.

-- Edited by Jaded on Monday 3rd of August 2015 02:38:26 AM

Manchego · Member

Thanks so much to everyone! This has really been a challenging weekend for me and going back to this board and reading everyone's reassuring words has really helped me. In preparation for meeting with a specialist to discuss the next steps I've definitely started taking precautions. I've gone cold turkey on alcohol and I've also started shopping for good detox foods that can help naturally cleanse my liver.

I've actually been dealing with some mild, yet notable, abdominal pain these past couple of week that I'll definitely be sure to mention when I go in. Not sure if this is normal or if maybe it indicates the acute infection, but I do hope it goes away soon.

Again, thank you all for your kind words and welcoming me. I'll definitely start sharing more of my story as I know more and I look forward to all of your insight!

fourlocos · Senior Member

Yes you have youth on your side! It usually takes years and years before liver damage occurs. I had it 40 years and didn't know until this past November. I went in for what I thought was gallbladder area pain. I finished Harvoni treatment back in Feb and am undetected still (fingers crossed). My only advice is if you do drink alcohol, please stop! Your liver will thank you. Good luck with your journey. Everyone here got me through it and they can help you too!

Cinnamon Girl · Guru

Hi there Manchego, welcome!

I agree with all the comments here, we all felt much the same as you do now when we were first faced with a possible diagnosis of Hep C, it usually comes as a complete shock to most people.

As others have said, you really don`t need to be scared though, if the tests do show that you have an active infection then you`ll be able to have treatment and clear it with minimum side effects and then get on with your life.

I must have been infected for about 35 years before I did my treatment when I was in my early 60's. You`re still young and have a lot of living to do yet!

Try and take it one step and a time and don`t panic! Do keep in touch and let us know how it goes. And remember we`re here any time you want to ask questions or just to talk to someone. smile

Groupergetter · Guru

Good morning Manchego, the advice that Tig gave you is spot on. Enjoy the day, do something fun. Tell someone you love them. No worries :)

Manchego · Member

Thanks so much Rufus1, and congratulations! I'm 30, and I believe it was detected early, for whatever that's worth. I had blood work done back in November as a part of a physical and nothing was detected then. So I believe the exposure happened sometime this year. But we'll see what the second test results say....I'm just eager to get to a specialist and set a game plan. Thank you again for your words!

Rufus1 · Member

Hi Manchego, I think most of us get that initial shock. I was told right away its not a death sentence. I only found out three years ago and I am now svr 20 and ready for the rest of my life. It sounds like you are young and if you are chronic you will have no problem killing this dragon. Good luck and my this forum help u thru all these fears. A

JLynch30 · Senior Member

I have had it since 1988 and I never missed work because of it -- the medicines now are incredible. I think I finally beat it!

Manchego · Member

Thank you all for the insight! It really means a lot to me. I'll just try to take it easy until the second batch of test results come back. I've opened up about it to a couple of friends who have been very supportive, but I'm especially glad this online community exists.

Tig · Admin

Hi Manchego,

Welcome to the forum, I'm glad you found us. You have already received some excellent information and advice. The initial shock is difficult to take and harder sometimes to understand, but believe me, the treatments today are nothing like they used to be and are far more effective. As Alex mentioned, you have likely tested positive for the antibody. That's the first test that the majority of people get that informs them of their uninvited guest. We fondly (?) refer to HCV as the "Dragon". You'll see it referred to that way often. The secondary blood work you had done is the RNA Viral Load. It actually tests you for the active infection. Depending on how long a person has had the infection, if it's in the neighborhood of 6 months, they call it the Acute Phase, after that, if the body's immune system hasn't cleared it on it's own, it then enters the Chronic Phase, which is what most of us had or have now. If your immune system has successfully cleared it on it's own, then your viral load will come back as undetected and you're done. Otherwise, it will show a detectable viral quantity and an amount of active viral particles in the blood. Wait until you get those results back before coming to any conclusions. There are some preliminary tests that will be done if you are found to be detected, but they're fairly straightforward and easily accomplished. Cross that bridge when and if you get to it.

How you got the infection can be a real crap shoot. Many people have no clue how they got it. I got mine from years of unsterile tattoo work. Shoot, nobody knew about that kind of thing back in the 60's. 70's and 80's. They didn't even discover what HCV was until around 1990. It used to be called "Non A - Non B Hepatitis". Many people got it from blood transfusions before they tested the blood supply for it. It is transmitted only by blood to blood contact. The chance of sexual transmission is very low. Certain types of sexual encounters where blood exposure occurs, raises the chances of transmission. But you need to know, it doesn't matter how you got it. If you do test positive, it's the best time there is for treatment. Your chance of eliminating it have never been better and never been easier. Getting through the initial diagnosis and the start of treatment seems the most time consuming. Try not to worry, you'll be fine and we're here to make sure of that.

You have found a great bunch of people here. I hope you get to know us, I think you'll feel a lot better about everything. There are many helpful and knowledgeable people here and we're all more than willing to help. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask. Make use of the search function at the top and a keyword or two will deliver you a list of topics discussed here on the forum, on that subject. We all can recommend scores of good, informative websites, etc. Try and avoid overloading your brain with article after article. There are good ones, and some that aren't worth the paper they're written on. We pride ourselves in providing honest, accurate and non judgemental information here. We won't steer you in the wrong direction or tell you fables. Trust me when I tell you, if you have it, you will beat it, not if but when. So take a deep breath and do your best to relax. It is by no means the end of the world or life as you know it. Hang in there!

Brian1412 · Guru

Hi,
Accept no stigma as many have. Hep c as transfusion .some from risky activities such as tatoos using someones razors needle drugs or sharing a straw to snort coke. Transfusion. Prior to testing bloof dupply. RRely unprotected. Sex but thst is rare. A policman could have it,your neighbor. You boss etc.
The good news you have discovered it at a time that new drugs that can cure it. Without the old treatments and fairly quickly.
The people here can and will help you get there. So ask questions read the site and. Get this fixedd

dragonfly · Senior Member

First of all, take a deep breath and don't panic. This is not the be all and end all of your life. I have had this since 1976 and it does no good to look for the whys and how you got this. Now focus on getting your body ready for any treatment and just keeping healthy. You sound to have been living a healthy lifestyle anyway and if it helps I has an extremely unhealthy one for many years. I would recommend apart from this forum which is excellent - look at the Hep C trust website which has loads of info even if you're not in the UK. The new treatments are fantastic and I have cleared the virus, be prepared for a roller coaster because you will feel out of control for a bit but don't worry - there are good people here who can help you . Keep informed, make it a fight and you'll be fine.

Good luck

Nirmalee

freesoul · Member

Hi there! I am fairly new here too. I just want to welcome you to the forum. I am sure others will soon be along to say more too...lots of nice people here! A very helpful and well informed bunch!

When I first tested positive for Hep C, I was told that a second test was necessary to confirm that I actually was carrying the virus. This is because some people come in contact with the virus, but their immune system is able to fight it off successfully, and they never become chronically (long term) infected like most of us here. They still test positive for the first test, which is only testing for an antibody (which you would have, since your body recognizes the virus) but not the second test, which tests for the active infection. So that is why you have to wait for the second results.

I was in shock when I first learned I had HCV, too. I didn't have any symptoms at the time or for several year after, so I think what bothered me the most was the perceived stigma...I felt infectious? It was hard telling my partner and family. I went through several stages of anger and learning before just accepting it.

Symptoms vary from person to person, some people hardly have any at all, some have more. It is a very slow moving disease and you can live with it for decades without many effects if you take care of yourself (esp don't drink alcohol...). Also, the new treatments are really good, depending on the subtype of Hep C you have, success rates can be really high, and the side effects are better than before, quite tolerable for most.

Look around the forum, lots of info! there are several sections you can explore.

All the best,

Alex

Manchego · Member

Just did a full set of STD tests a week or so ago and learned that I tested positive for Hepatitis C. When I went in to the doctor's office to discuss my lab results this morning, they drew more blood to run some additional tests to verify, and I should be hearing back in about 5 days or so. To say this completely came out of left field for me would be an understatement. I don't have any tattoos or do any drugs. I've had unprotected sex with a couple of guys, but I thought I was doing my proper diligence by discussing STDs with them and verifying they didn't have any...but Hep C was never part of that discussion. I guess that I should wait for the second batch of test results to come back, but I'm really in a weird place now. I'm in such a haze and I don't really even know what to feel. More than anything, I just want to connect with some people who are living with Hep C and getting treated to fight it off. What adjustments have you had to make in your lives? How effective are the treatments you're undergoing? What side effects have you been dealing with? How are you coping? I feel so scared right now and I've even isolated myself. Since discussing with the doctor earlier, I've been in bed all day and don't even want to do anything. If there's anyone reading who has an experience or a story to share, I'd really be grateful.

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