your info is koo koo, 90 percent of B patients clear with Pegasus/ribivirin, and the tx is half as long, as for HepC1a at least in PDX it is done this way.  However, you have load VRL, did you know 20 percent of people clear this virus on their own? Yes it's rare, but not unheard of. So if you are that low, your own immune system may clear it...and with all your other probs, it might be wise to wait for a better drug at least, hopefully shorter tx with less sideeffect, and here in 2-4 years,
also, get a biopsy, only way to tell how long and how much damage. If no damage, and low symptoms, wait for a better treatment in 3 years. this drug takes 20-40 years to take one down completely, and even in stage 3 fibrosis is reversible, the liver replaces itself completely every 18 months. It sounds like you are no where near critical phase.
Since back pain is made worse, and other things can happen, I'd wait if I were you, depending on your biopsy confirming your early stage and no visible liver damage..

like your style, which doc do you go to in PDX and how's that working out?

The only thing that would worry me about you tx'ing is the depression. I started on prozac b/f tx so I could handle that issue if is comes up. With a good shrink and dr. and us, I think you could tx if you think you are ready. Your stage 2 isn't so bad that you can't wait for the VX treatment. I know how you feel though. Once I made up my mind to tx, that was it!

Work with those VA docs and any support groups they have, I hear they are good, and see if you are less depressed and stable enough for them to approve your tx. Is there any way to see another Dr. at the VA?

I know 1b's are hard to tx, but so are 1a's and there are lots of us here, as you know.

I would work on getting your power back and convince these dr's that you can do this tx. As long as you keep everyone posted as to your down feelings, and not bottle them up, people will be able to see you are not handling tx well and help you out. Hope you find someone to listen to you.

Good luck, buddy!
Linda

hey buddy,been reading yur posts and enjoyin your personable approach...My 2 cents on trx-i think the 10% stat is way low,but i am justa patient w/ a 'little knowledgr" y'know;dangerous..these meds will definately make yu feel Much worse before ,hopefully,making you bettr...the depression and anxiety effects are All too real(for me anyways) and seem to greatly magnify pre-existing tendencys,pains,conditions...But if you want to trx,maybe it's time to get a 2nd opinion from a proactive trx center;weigh your options and then decide...Goodluck & give yur dogs a pet for me

The first thing I will tell you is to see a good doctor and ask hin all the questions you want/need answers to. Now,as far as your question goes, yes you are infectious, which means that you have to practice safe sex, and not share any personal items that would "share" your infection/blood. No nail clippers, razors, etc. You should also tell your doctor to give you the Hepatitis A vaccine, so that you won't have your body trying to fight off more than one infection, which can be very serious. There is no vaccine to prevent Hep C (at the present time) but we are still hoping. There is a Hep B forum on here as well. You may want to try that for more info. Good luck.


2hep2it

Reactive, I'm just going to jump in here for a moment and I'm sorry I jumped your posting.  I'm 52, male, am probably about forty pounds overweight, Grade III Stage II Viral Load seven-million and genotype 1b.  I also suffer from excruciating lower back pain that requires an implanted pump that injects morphine into my spinal canal twenty-four/seven and I suffer from chronic depression and generalized anxiety disorder. (God, when I see this all printed out it makes me think perhaps it's time to see good ol' Dr. Doom.)The VA does not want to treat me because they feel that the treatment would make all my other illnesses far worse, and they claim that ONLY 10-15% OF GENOTYPE 1B CAN BE CLEARED.  What's your take on this?  I don't know if the damage to my liver was done in the last ten or thirty years, I still have twenty-thirty years?  I want to treat and I think they will but do you guys agree with 10-15% success rate?  I'm just not sure what to do but I don't want this stuff in me any more!!
The Dog_Lover wishes all of you, my new found friends a peaceful and comfortable weekend.

Actually, this is a HEPATITIS forum. There isn't anything that states one particular form of hepatitis or another. ALthough MOST of the people on here DO have Hep C. I guess the best we can do is HELP Whom we can, when we can. And hope for the best.


2hep2it

Reactive,

Your tests indicate you have Hepatitis B (HBsAG positive).

Your viral load of 518 IU/ml (AND I MAY BE INCORRECT on the conversion!) converts to about 300 copies/ml which is very low.

It appears you tested reactive for antibody to Anti HBeAG which is good, in that this form of the virus replicates at a much lower rate than if you tested non-reactive to this antibody.

Generally accepted treatment levels for HBV for Anti HBeAG positive folks is 10,000+ copies/ml.  For those with Anti HBeAG negative folks, the bar is raised to 100,000+ copies/ml.

Your ALT levels are fine, which is also one of the main indicators for treatment as it indicates liver damage.  Your doctor should be monitoring your full liver function tests along with viral loads to monitor to see if you need treatment.  At some point a biopsy may be requested.  Most folks lead perfectly normal lives without need for treatment, and then those that do require treatment find good results with the new medications on the market today.

In regards to your final question, yes, you are contagious.  At lower levels of HBV in your blood, you are 'less' contagious than others, and some doctors may refer to you as an 'inactive carrier', however, the fact remains that you are contagious.  all household and intimate contacts should be vaccinated against HBV as it can be passed through bodily fluids and blood.

You should follow up with your doctor and perhaps ask to be referred to a gastronenterologist or a hepatologist for a full checkup and detailed information on how to monitor yourself.

Hope this helps,
Leeac

B.B.; I'm currently giving one of my babies a belly-rubbin' with my foot and giving a serious ear-scratchin' to the other one as I dictate today's postings. I have two "mutts" I rescued from the Oregon Humane Society. I can not understand how anyone could possibly wish to part with either one of these two companions of mine. They are large dogs, male one female but both "fixed." The dogs figured that my hands would be far better served tending to their ears, bellies and other "hot" spots than wasting so much time on Daddy's silly small TV that always pi**es him off. So they pooled their allowance for several months and bought me a copy of Realize Voice 4.1, voice recognition software,pretty cool stuff. You just speak into a headset and it types the words out for you. It's intelligent but not perfect.

Just wanted to thank you wonderful folks,once again for your input on today's emergency. I'm proud to be affiliated with you. Having said that I was able to get some very good information about my pending Social Security claim a few weeks ago are those folks out there following today?  I just had a couple of questions ...

Nice day today in Portland, not very warm and kind of cloudy but that's how  me and my webbed feet like it.

Peace
Dog_Lover

Not sure at all on Hep B.  What did your doc say??  GOOD LUCK!!

this is primarily a hepC forum and there are no doctors or medical experts...You need to discuss your situation&options with an informed specialist or 3....that said,someone may be able to offer yu some insights here on your stats,lots of well-informed patients loitering,nay ,stalking the savage vrus,Dragonslayers All---Goodluck