scared, just found out I have hep c

[gymjunkee27]

Just found out I have hep c.
Never knew. Used to be iv drug user. Clean over 8 yrs and just now finding out. My liver enzymes are good.
I went to dr since I hadn't been to one in over a decade and decided to have bloodwork done since I'm 46 and now have insurance. Have appt on sept 9 with gastro Dr.
What can I expect? I'm scared. I take care if myself, eat right, exercise always.  My only issue is joint pain for pay 4 years. Thought it was due to aging.
Any input is greatly appreciated.
Very scared

[gymjunkee27]

Thank you. I believe I just had the antibodies test. Says nothing on my lab report about Geno type. Guess that's next.
Thank you again. Glad I found this forum.
Take care...

[patra_]

G:  'What pooh55811 said'!!  Now take a deep breath and try to relax.

First order of business is to get the specifics.  As Pooh said, the hep c Dr should do all of those and answer all those questions.  If you have questions about anything you learn, this is definitely the place to come for answers, information and just plain old moral, mental, and spiritual support.  There are some very experienced people on here who generously share their knowledge and experience.  

Welcome to the Forum and remember, we are here to help and support each other, this includes you now.  Look for the bright side, the uplifting, the unexpected.  This is truly an interesting journey you are embarking on and you are in good company.  I think I can safely say that, before it is all over you will be changed in positive ways.  I am seeing this in my own life and have seen others post the same thing here.

Pat, hepc Gt3, had it for 40 years, treated (tx) in 94/95, null responder, now on day 78 of 168 (24 wks)' on Sovaldi/ Ribavirin.

Oh, and don't start panicing about the enormous cost, when you hear.  There are all sorts of paths to help, depending on your situation you could pay very little to nothing.  It would be very good to make sure the specialist is really familiar with al the aspects, treatment and otherwise, of hepc AND has good experience filing for insurance pre-approval.  That helps a lot, too.

[pooh55811]

Welcome to the forum.

Just to be clear, which test did you have done. Was it the Hep C antibody test or was it the HCV RNA (viral load) test?

If it was just the antibody test, then you can be positive for the antibody (meaning you were exposed to Hep C at some point in your life) and yet still not have chronic Hep C.

However, if you had the HCV RNA test done, and you have a Detectable virus and viral load, then you have Chronic Hepatitis C.

Getting a diagnosis of Hepatitis C is very frightening. This is very normal. We were all frightened when we received our diagnosis. However, there are very successful treatments now and they are shorter and considerably easier than the previous treatments.

Your joint pain may disappear after successful treatment.

Your Gastro doctor will order more baseline tests, a test to determine your Genotype, tests to determine liver fibrosis stage, and other tests. Your Genotype will determine which treatment is used.

Be sure that your Gastro doctor is up to date on the new treatments. Not all of them are. Currently there are some good treatments with new drugs. There are also more new drugs, with even better efficacy, that should be out on the market within the next few months. The new regimens are all oral, so no need for Interferon shots.  

This is a good forum. I urge you to stay on it and post any and all questions you have. There are people here with a lot of knowledge who can answer most or all of your questions.

Many of us have already been through treatment. Many are treating now. Some are preparing to treat.

Just for the record, I had the virus for 37 years before I was diagnosed in 2011. I treated from Sept. 2011 through Aug. 2012 with Interferon, Ribavirin, and Incivek and I attained SVR (cure). I am now 2 years post end of treatment. I feel better than I have felt in decades.

You will also be cured. Just hang in there.