Rheumatologist Appointment

[LifeIsHard321]

Appointment in 9 days and I'm still very nervous. If you follow my previous posts, you will see that my Rheumatoid Factor is elevated at 20 (1-13 range). ANA negative. ALT 12, AST 10, ALP 35, T BIL 0.2, wbc 4.7, platelets 305, albumin 4.1, high normal globulin at 4.2), never used drugs, several professional piercings and tattoos, drink a glass of wine maybe once every 3 months if that, parents both drug users (not sure if they ever tried needles), shared razors with my mom more than a handful of times growing up, used to shave my grandfathers head and face (Vietnam vet), Anemic as a child and have always battled contact dermatitis and eczema. Not worried about me, worried about my kids. I'm worried sick. Thinking Hep C is a real possibility for me. Just really needing some advice. Who all has or had positive rheumatoid factors??? Do you generally see liver enzymes that low with active hep infection? I'd love to hear from all of you and Hector would be great as well.

[AWorriedMom]

I am so sorry that you left the appointment dissatisfied. You can buy an HCV antibody test for $60.00 without a doctor's prescription. It is an FDA approved test using the same technology that is used by your doctor's laboratory. You can buy the test at www.homeaccess.com.

[LifeIsHard321]

The rheumatologist I seen has been in practice for 37 years so I hope he is right!! But it still doesn't take away the worry, so I know I need to have the test done.

[LifeIsHard321]

I did have my appointment yesterday and told
The rheumatologist of my concern for hepatitis TWICE. He said my liver enzymes were excellent and he did not feel it is the source of my problem at all and said because of my numbers  and low risks he will not test me for it. He said he has never seen someone with hepatitis with enzymes as low as mine and he also said they are almost always elevated. I left feeling disappointed, but he was more geared towards possibly lupus or kidney issues. If the ten tubes of blood he took yesterday turn up nothing, then I will definitely push for the Hep testing. I will be asking for it again anyways to relieve my anxiety. It was a little difficult trying to push for it when he was against it and I've never really dealt with something like this.

[patra_]

hi.  If I count correctly - and some days that is questionable (hee hee) - you should have had your appointment yesterday.

How did it go?  What did you find out?  

Let us hear from you.

Pat

[Dee1956]

When I was a child we were given gama globulin shots, now everyone knows that they contain other peoples blood. Veterans were also given these shots, it was supposed to help with their immune function though no one knew that is contained HCV as it was not discovered until 1991.  Not sure how much longer it went before they started checking the blood.

I think I got HCV when I was given a gama globulin shot in 1977

Have you ever had a manicure? Pedicure? Surgery? Dental work?  There are many ways to get it. If you have ever shared a toothbrush or a rolled up bill or straw to snort anything.   Baby boomers are most at risk because no one knew back then so rate of infection was higher back before they knew about HCV.

I hope you don't have it, Dee

[LifeIsHard321]

I'm sorry to hear that. Hopefully when I donated in 2007 they were practicing strict guidelines. I'm not saying everyone is a drug user, etc. I know there are several routes of transmission. Just checking through my own risks. It could be anything I guess.

[keepingOnkeepingOn]

I got this virus at a Plasma center that shut down for giving people Aids and Hep. It was in fall of 1980 or '81-can't remember which year. I only donated 5 times. The place was dirty and blood was comingled. Plus you never knew if you got your own blood put back into you. Things are different today as a machine extracts the plasma and whole blood is never taken in a bag and then put back like they used to do. A former phlebotomist confirmed my disease transmission as well as another plasma center. They only checked people for anemia back then.

[LifeIsHard321]

Don't drink*** though sometimes I don't think as well. Lol. Long day!

[LifeIsHard321]

Thank you Dee. From what I have understood on here those low liver enzymes mean nothing especially seeing as I don't think or use any type of drugs. Heck I don't even use ibuprofen or Tylenol! I hate meds! I'm trying to push it to the back of my mind for now, but still worried. All of my family members would be considered high risk. And when I say all, every adult in my household was either African American, baby boomer, drug user,Vietnam veteran, or a combination of those! So considering I did just grab a razor out of the cabinet in my younger teens not even knowing about hep c, I'm scared. Shaving my grandfathers face and knicking him and knowing I bite my nails and always have, terrified. So realistically I do think the risk is definitely there.

[Dee1956]

Hi I'm sorry I see why you are worried but being tired can be caused by so many things.  Having children is tiring.
You could have RA.  Please don't worry.  Many of us would love to have your numbers.
Take Care

[Dee1956]

Hi my RA was 80.  It turned out it was caused by the HCV.
Your ALT AST look better than I have seen anyone look.  Not only that but your platelets are in great shape. Unless you have have had an experience where you shared blood with someone you know had HCV it doesn't look like you have anything to worry about.
I never knew I had HCV neither of my children got HCV.
Why do you suspect you have HCV?  
My best to you
Dee

[LifeIsHard321]

Thanks everyone. 8 days until my appointment with my Rheumatologist. Do you normally have to wait until a follow up appointment for results or do you think I could ask him to phone me as soon as he receives them? Also will he as my results back to my OB office? I don't want them knowing anything seeing as I'm friends with the office staff and doctors aides as well. Just trying to make sure I'm fully protected and everything will be kept confidential and between as few people as possible!

[AWorriedMom]

I'm glad you are trying to calm down. It really will help if you find out your hep C status. You may be worrying for nothing. There is a kit you can buy from Home Access where you prick your finger and send the test out and you get results in 10 days. It is confidential and no one in your town will find out. As for your kids, most of us have kids here and very few children got infected. Remember I told you that 5% get infected. That means 95% do NOT get infected. You really need to know. It is foolhardy to hide your head in the sand, especially now with an easy cure for over 90% of HCV positive people.

[patra_]

Thank you for hearing what we are telling you!  Truly (first post had 'truly' in it but I spelled it wrong : -/.), it hurts US to see someone so panic stricken, and believe me, we know what it feels like.

We will certainly be hoping (and praying) for good outcomes for you and yours, and thank you for the good wishes!  

We are all each of us AND you and everyone else who wish fase this battle, stronger than we ever know until called upon to use that inner strength.  In addition to that, we gain strength from and through each other!  That is why so many, who have treated and are now virus free, keep coming back to send their support and expertise.  You have come to the perfect place for HepC support, information and caring.

Hang in there, wait for information and then just keep on keeping on toward whatever must be done!

Pat

[LifeIsHard321]

I appreciate it so much. I feel like a crazy person worrying this way. You all are so strong and brave and it's so good to have the support of others who have possibly been in the same shoes. I hate this for each and every one of you and I thank God they are making so many advancements. I am going to calm myself and try not to worry too much. I will keep you all posted. Fingers crossed for me. Good luck all!

[patra_]

Hey, Mom!  Relax!  Trult!  EVEN IF, read my lips, EVEN IF your children have hepc, they are young and healthy.  

HepC is a Very Slow Developing Diease!!  Read that line again.  Your are making yourself ill for something that hasn't happened, And may not ever happen and ---- here come the important part. --  EVEN IF THEY HAVE T NOW, THAY HAVE PLENTY OF TIME TO WAIT TO TREAT - til the are grown!!!!   That is the truth.  

Many, I might even say most of us on here have had this disease for 20, 30 even 40 plus years and are treating now (I have had it 40 years, myself).  If you look at it in perspective, any one of us could wind up with longer treatment, pain, and be disabled at the end  (now, please, don't start stressing over that, it was just an example).

My whole point is, don't worry!  IF you have it (notice the IF) then get treated and get over the Dragon..  

THEN, IF the children have it, have them monitored by a hepatologist, til the are adult and can treat.  Heck, by then they may have that one treatment thingy they have been working on.

Again, in both cases, we are talking IF/THEN.  So you are really stressed out wayyyy before you have any facts.

flyinlynn shared a quote with us sometime ago.  I want to pass it on to you.

        "Worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow, it only saps today of its joy."

                  Giving credit where the credit is due the author was Leo Buscaglia


It know I sound kind of harsh here, but I am only trying to get your attention, to get you to focus on what we are telling you instead of making yourself sick, worrying.

I see you have your appt already.  Now, take a really deep breath, exhale, and relax!!  Try to put this out of your mind, concentrate on the kids and other important things in your life until you find some answers.

We are here and will walk with you through this as others have walked with us!

God Bless and hang in there - appt time will get here soon!!!!

Pat

[LifeIsHard321]

I know I need to get tested. I'd go in there and do it 100 times if I knew it was going to be negative. I'm very worried about the outcome though. Very. I wouldn't even care if I had liver disease as long as my kids were spared! Of course I'd prefer not to have it but my kids are just so innocent I can't imagine since there are no new treatments for kids. If you can't tell all I'm worried about is my children. They need to get the ball rolling on those treatments. Children's treatments should come first and be easier than the adults in my opinion, not harder. I will know soon enough though. Thanks for the well wishes.

[Livelife777]

Hi there.  I will say this.  Even tho you may/maynot have Hep C, its doubtful that you have serious liver disease.  Your blood looks magnificent.  Every # I would hope to obtain in a lifetime.
Good Luck on your Hep C results and keep us posted.
......Kim

[hepcandme]

Just go get tested and then your worries will most likely be over.

If you do have Hep C, then you can address that issue with one of the new miracle drugs


So, no need to stress. The test is just a blood draw

[Rbeth]

Oh sweetie,now I remember the whole story. I'm so sorry for situation you're in. All too STOP.... Gonna send you personal msg on here... Look for it:-)

[LifeIsHard321]

Also before my first pregnancy, I gave plasma once or twice to a plasma center. I recently looked them up but they closed down. Is there any way I can find out if I carried the hep antibodies? When I went I had switched phone carriers and numbers in between visits and my mail all went home while in college. My mom received my mail and if she opened something like that I don't think she would tell me. That's how messed up she is. Im just really scared right now. Sorry for ranting guys.

[LifeIsHard321]

I'm not worried about myself. I'm worried about my children. I cannot bare the thought of potentially passing something onto them. I have not yet had Hep C testing. I wanted to ask my OB but I'm friends with everyone at the office and have grown very close to them with my pregnancies, so I just honestly can't bring myself to it with the stigma attached, knowing their kids go to school with mine and i don't want my kids to be discriminated against. The nurse
From my docs office even messaged me on fb and asked how my they my appointment went because she knew how concerned I was. I feel so embarrassed about this. I know I would never judge another individual based on their conditions, but I do know how cruel the world is and I have heard others speak about others and Hep. I just feel so mad because I can't even ask my mother about her status and I talk to her on a daily basis because she is an alcoholic, would tell everyone, and would obviously be in denial and I know she has probably been tested because she has had cancer twice and continues to drink heavily, etc. I feel so devastated like I know the diagnosis is coming since the ANA eliminated autoimmune diagnosis.

[Rbeth]

Hi, nice to see you back! How are are you getting along with testing for your viral load, if you have one? I remember your last post, and I'm not sure if I responded( think I did) re: elevated RF. I'm also not sure of your labs ref range but my RF has been between 22-29 for a long long time. I've not been Dx with RA. I'll have to dig in memory bank but I think it may have been somehow connected to my liver. I'll post back with correct info or link. I've had hep c for ( we believe) 38 years & until 2013 I did not have elevated AST ALT, some are just like that! I did show very high in viral load up to above 29 M, but that fluctuated & not an indicator of liver damage- useful in monitoring treatment response & obviously SVR.
I really , as worried mom said, see nothing in your clinical history to fear. Of course, get a HCV RNA for viral load to ease your mind..
I hope I'm not being redundant, (mom's post) but in fact, just trying to let you know I've had the things you questioned.. Does not mean you have Hep c!
Please do get checked, and hopefully be free from this concern
Best to you
Randy

[AWorriedMom]

There is really very little to fear now. The new drugs are very successful and the side effects are minimal. The chance of transmitting the virus through pregnancy is about 5%. You should be tested but there are many
reasons  for elevated RA Factor besides being hep C positive. Approximately one third of hep C patients do have normal liver enzymes. Try not to worry. The future for hep C patients is excellent.