2nd pcr test for hep c

[rio300]

i used to share needles and i was told i had shared with a hep c carrier.i went for a test and i came up possative on the hcv antibody test.i then had a pcr done and this came back negative but i have to go back for another pcr in may.what i dont understand is why?if it came negative how can the virus come back.what are the odds on the second test as i gather this is routine.thanks

[NYgirl]

You can ask any of the old timers in here I was the same way...doing the "what if...just in case" thing.  Had my whole "next" treatment mapped out. I wasted a lot of time and energy doing it but it made me feel better like I had a backup plan. I do understand - those of us who are used to fighting for everything we need in life, well it's just our nature to be used to doing so.

Honestly though...now that I am UND I am happy that while I had the plan I didn't need to use it LOL.  I am always a better safe than sorry person bt the thing with this disease is nobody can tell the future no matter what you do.

[jmjm530]

You're OK. Prilosec isn't technically an "antacid" -- it's a PPI (protein pump inhibitor) that suppresses acid production. Unlike antacids such as Tums, Gaviscon, etc, Prilosec does not interfere with ribavirin absorption. Should you decide to take something like Tums in the future, some suggest spacing it at least 2-3 hours away from the ribavirn. BTW I've been taking two Nexium (another PPI like Prilosec) a day for most of treatment.

-- Jim

[rio300]

thanks nygirl im clean now and have been for several months.i just hope i stay lucky.the doctor told me the 2nd test was 50/50 chance but i dont know if he was saying that to get my hopes down so that im more relieved when it comes back negative.thats why i wanted someone elses opinion 50/50 sounds like scaremongering to me.only worry is i did share one more time when i was drunk just prior to the test but i couldnt get it twice could i while one was in my system another was incubating?

[HCA]

Sorry to say you most certainly could have become infected from the last IVDU injection,regardless of whether you were already infected.
Report ALL of the information to your doctor.
You are probably O.K, but you have asked a direct question which deserves a direct answer.
It takes (I think) about 30 days for a new infection to show on a P.C.R.
As you are anti-body positive only a timely PCR will tell you if the last fix was infected.
The good news is that if you cleared the virus spontaneously during the acute period, you would probably do so again in the unlikely event that you re-infected.
Good Luck!

[rio300]

thanks hca thats put my mind at ease a bit.i shant be taking any stupid risks again hopefully all will end well in may.

[NYgirl]

Unfortunately there are MANY types of HepC and you can most certainly get more than one of them - you see I am a genotype 1A and also a 1B ... TWO KINDS of infection in my blood.  If I went out and used and shared with someone who was say a Genotype 2...then I could have geno1A, 1B and 2A or 2B...you see?

Also if you didn't have it - if your body had managed to kill it off and then you used with someone who has active chronic hep...you sure will have it.

I don't think your doctor was scaremongering AT ALL unfortunately this disease is RAMPANT in America - more people have it and don't KNOW it than you can possibly imagine (estimates at like 3million with only 5% treating or something!)  

I had it for many, many years and never had a clue I had it at all until it popped up on a routine blood exam that my liver enzymes were messed up.  My liver is in pretty bad shape (of course all the years of drugs and alcohol didn't help at ALL because they really magnify the effect of the virus).  

So you see he's not scarmongering you - not a bit this disease is cr*p real real cr*p - believe me.

I sure hope you don't have it and am glad you are not using anymore...that is the easiest fastest way to make sure you do get it...believe me.

[rio300]

thanks nygirl ill be keeping my fingers crossed.not long till i find out for sure anyway.will let you know the results

[rio300]

thanks kalio will let you all no,i do feel blessed now:)

[cuteus]

just to add another question, how sensitive is the PCR test used? A few members have tested negative with a test that is not sensitive when in reality they were harboring a very low viral load. No matter how low the viral load is, it would mean that you are chronically infected with hep c, since the term hep c carrier is not used at all nowadays. You are either infected or not. Get copies of your tests results and find out how sensitive the tests were. Here is an idea of what kind of tests to ask for
http://www.projectsinknowledge.com/Init/G/1665/1665-TxReporter.pdf

[OnAPrettyPoison]

I don't mean to jump a thread, but they are all used up today.  Just checking on you.  How is the hgb?  I hope this finds you well and your sides are few.  Please update us soon!

[anise]

I just read on an earlier thread that antiacids lower the riba response.  Since you have had GERD, is this a fact?  I take Prelosic (sp) because of having had H Pylori.  Should I be stopping the Prelosic?

[NYgirl]

it means that while you were exposed you do not have the active virus in your body - that by some miracle you are one of the few who's body was able to kill it off on their own.

i suppose they want you to have another test just to make sure it was not in an incubation period or something like that.

I tell you you are so VERY fortunate - all of us in here are active with chronic hepatitis and doing treatment and suffering side effects and things like that.  If you go to use again...please realize that this disease is a REAL bummer - it's just not worth it buy your own needles or clean then or exchange them or something but don't take the CHANCE on getting this...it is truly something you don't want to ever have to treat.

Best of luck I hope you remain clear.

[OnAPrettyPoison]

I was reading the above maxed out thread about relapse/retreating.  Didn't we have a poster that tested detectible right after completing treatment, and then undetectible ever since?  Maybe the body, after treating, develops an immune response that kicks in and kicks remaining virus.  It is different treating 24 vs 48 weeks.  As a 1A, 31/48 weeks, I think I would have to have a break before doing it again, so I would probably wait, retest, and go it again.  Jim, I am already thinking of future battle plans in case I relapse before I even finish!

[jmjm530]

I asked my doctor today about this very issue, referencing the poster who tested detectible at end of treatment and then non-detectible. My doctor's opinion was that the initial test was a false positive although now that I think about it, the poster may have had two tests. Very hard to draw conclusions from a single experience.

Regarding thinking of "future battle plans" in advance, I see absolutely nothing wrong with it as long as it's not adding more stress. In fact, for some people (like myself) dealing with future scenarios actually takes some of the stress off the equation cause if I wasn't thinking about it consciously, I'm sure my unconscious would be dwellin' on it. LOL. Whatever works for you is whatever works.

Be well.

-- Jim

[OnAPrettyPoison]

My very nature is a problem solver.  It is the way I relax!  Sad but true, but it can be useful!

[can-do-man]

you said....OK. OK. I'm going to Disneyland then..... Just where in the heck you think you been for the past 54 weeks. Wasn't goofy your first clue?

[jmjm530]

CDM said: .OK. OK. I'm going to Disneyland then..... Just where in the heck you think you been for the past 54 weeks. Wasn't goofy your first clue?
---------------------
LOL. You're killing me.

[OnAPrettyPoison]

On an earlier thread (now full) you were asking about the genotypes.  My doctor explained it that the genotypes were predominantly seen geographically.  They are probably transmitted the same way though.
This is from Janis, and I didn't realize there were as many genotypes as there are.  Just goes to prove it is still mutating.  Scary thought, huh.
1a - mostly found in North & South America; also common in Australia.
1b - mostly found in Europe and Asia.
2a - is the most common genotype 2 in Japan and China.
2b - is the most common genotype 2 in the US and Northern Europe.
2c - the most common genotype 2 in Western and Southern Europe.
3a - highly prevalent here in Australia (40% of cases) and South Asia.
4a - highly prevalent in Egypt.
4c - highly prevalent in Central Africa.
5a - highly prevalent only in South Africa.
6a - restricted to Hong Kong, Macau and Vietnam7a and 7b - common in Thailand.

[can-do-man]

Anise, i've been on that little blue pill sense. (OPPS WRONG PILL) Please don't take that one. I meant to say the little purple pill Nexium sense before tx. Prilosec same thing only now you can get them over the counter. Have i told you how very very nice gal you are lately?


Pretty poison says.....My very nature is a problem solver. It is the way I relax! Sad but true, but it can be useful!

I could have fun with that one. But you might break bricks like Anise does with her bare hands. So let me say your very nice to.

[anise]

JimJim, thanks for easing my mind about the Prelosic.  I did take Nexium before treatment, but am on the OTC Prelosic.  I will remember not to take Tums.

Can-do-man, yes, you have told me what a nice kind person I am :)  Actually, I am a really nice kind person, just don't cross me or mine :)

[OnAPrettyPoison]

LOL, you are a bad boy!

[jmjm530]

Not unusual. 20-30% of all those infected with Hep C are able to cure it on their own. All it leaves are the antibodies which don't mean anything.

Getting a follow-up test in May is a good idea and if you want to be extra cautious, you could follow that with a third test in 3-6 months. But from what I understand, the chances are you've already cured yourself -- especially if there was any amount of time between when you shared the needles and had your first PCR test.

Accept this as a wake up call and seriously consider some  lifestyle adjustments.

-- Jim