we both had paradontal diesease and he had hep c

[blondie717]

My husband found out he was hep c positive in 2006. I met him in2007. He never told me about the hep c. He used my tooth brush. When ever he lost his while out on the town drinking. And he used my tooth brush too many times to count prior to my use as he always showered first. He would also steal my razor s and use them. We both have bleeding gums. My husband found out about his hep. Through routine lab work prior to surgury. or atleast about his enzymes. I also had lab work for several orthopedic surgeries and none of my lab work ever said anything about high enzymes. I also had bloodwork for a pregnacy for dieseas. I found out he had hep c. Because he has been so violent towards me and arrested several times since the marriage and prior. So I went and picked up copies of his arrests reports. I learned he had a fight with a police officer, blood got on the officer, My husband said I hope you get what I got and die. He told the hospitol hep c. and they tested him with positive results. I have since tested positive for hep c. Heres my problem my gastro? Makes me feel dirty, he makes me feel like a liar and a drug addict. Yes I do have 2 tatoos done at the same place and the same time over 27 yrs ago. Last time I saw him he picked me apart. I had been doing out door work I fount a tick dug into my colar bone area. I had scratches all over from briars (viney thorns) while clearing over a mile of fence row. and chiggars and fire ants are horible out here. He asked me well whats that ( tick bite) his finger touching. Then he said whats that pointing @ a tatoo. I put off my biopsy and any possible treatment for 2 reasons. one I wanted hubby to do his first ( ive since given up on that idea because he wont even go to the doctor) But the other reason and a big one is my doctor. The way he made me feel and when I asked a few questions ( and i didnt even know what 2 ask) He told me to look it up on the internet. I told him i dont have a computer,barely know how to use one, and our small town library is not discrete at all. So based on this I put it off for over a year. mainly im not sure of his treatment and ethics or ability.My primary said hes all weve got around though. I had the biopsy 4 days ago and monday I have to go back and see him.  I dont understand how a dr. would not aknowlege  a risk between 2 people having bleeding gums and sharing a toothbrush (abiet not by my choice) or razor stealing. Heck my husband was so lazy he probally only held my toothbrush under the rinse water for half a second. I need clairafication as to the risk of sharing toothbrushes please. And anything else. Hubby and I are done now. And I have been honest and up front in my new relationship.

[Trinity4]

Should read:  "right hand side of the page"

[Trinity4]

Here's the link but it always on the left hand side of the page under Most viewed health pages then click on Common Hepatitis C Acronyms.

http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Hepatitis/Common-Hepatitis-C-Acronyms/show/3?cid=64

Trinity

[blondie717]

im too tired to properly thank you all for your information. I guess 3 hrs sleep just dosnt cut it for me. lol...I am not too tired to read however. I dont understand all the abrievations though. like svr, tx , and all those other ones . is there a area on this forum. where the abrievations can be looked up?

[Deb9991]

Asfar as doctors, Blondie, I understand.  Seriously, HCV is no respecter of people and it striked people from all walks of life.  I live in Utah, and my Mormon family will having nothing to do with me because they think I was some low-life junkie -- I was far from that -- nothing against junkies, they are just addicts, and many of us have experienced addiction.  Also, I've seen it in the medical profession here.  I will leave after treatment.  I have felt, and maybe it is my imagination, that I am a second class citizen because I contacted hep C.  I'm tired of experiencing that "dirty" feeling you speak of.  I've decided to fight back -- no doctor or nurse or any any else for that matter, is going to intimidate me.  I'll hold my head up high.  I live a good life, and I'm sure you do to.  We all make mistakes in this life, and sometimes things happen to us that are not our fault, and then sometimes things happen that are our fault.  If that is the case. we correct the problems, and move forward.  

In all sincerity, I have met some of the classiest, intelligent, kind, and compassionate people on this forum -- and I would take all of them over the judgmental prudes any day.  Oh, and by the way, those judgmental prudes have their dirty laundry too, including many doctors.  In fact, HCV is rather high amongst MD and so is drug addiction -- they have access, they can steal, powerful mediations, and the best delivery route is through a needle.  Also, what difference does it make?  As far as drus, I mean if you drink it, snort it, smoke it, inhale it, or use a needle, you are still using a drug.  The delivery system desn't matter -- other than we know the dangers now of needles.  I'm not advocating dug abuse -- absolutely not -- it ruins and destroys many lives, but it is a fact, a reality, and it can effect anyone.  Many, nice old ladies haver their addictions to, including a rather high rate of alcoholism in the clergy in different religion.  Here in Utah, I know many "good Mormons" who don't drink and use drugs, because it is against their religion, however, Utah has has a rather high rate of alcoholism and drug addiction when compared to some other States -- so, there is drinking and drug abuse here -- done on the sly, in a sneaky way.  

I'm starting to grow a spine now, and I won't allow any one to insult me because of HCV, and neither should you.  None of us should.  

Good luck to you, and your honesty and the issues you are facing, are real life issues that many people on this forum, and else where experience.  The bottom line, we are all human.

I'm glad you got rid of that toxic hubby -- wise move on your part.

Take care,
Debbie

[Deb9991]

If she continues to use your razors and toothbrush, lock them up. She needs to know that it is possible to contact hep this way, especially if your gums bleed when you brush.  Talk to her of the potential, though minimal risk she is in.  

I think you are very sensible and see that your girl could be in danger, and that says a lot about you as a cautious, sensible, and caring human being.  

Have you given any thoughts about treatment at this point?  Have you seen a specialist?  You seem like a man with no illusions, and you want to do the right thing.

Great to have you post,
Debbie

[carol411]

Blondie, you will always suspect it was your husbands negligence and you may be right.  Being beat up by a drunk also carries risk of exchanging blood.  But, unfortunately, you'll always suspect and never know.  If you have the same genotype that would add weight to your thoughts, but I doubt if he knows his genotype if he won't see a doctor to take care of the disease.  I've probably had this disease for 30 years.  It never showed up on blood tests until two years ago.  I suspect the 30 years because that is when I got away from the last violent drunk that made my life a constant drama.  He certainly had a lot more risky behaviors than I did, but I'm no angel and I did live in that violent world, something in me needed all that drama then, so I accept this as something that happened to me because of choices I made and I'm dealing with it.

I'm glad you are facing up to this and taking care of it.  When you get far enough along that you know your genotype and viral load you may want to have a biopsy before deciding whether to treat now or wait for the new drugs expected to be approved next year that increase the odds of beating this thing.  The reason I mention the biopsy is that it is the best way to determine how much damage you have in your liver.  And as hep c is usually a slow moving disease the damage can give you a vague idea how long you have had hep c.  We women who live with hard partying, sometimes violent, drinking men usually have a tendency to drink ourselves, so I think the biopsy will give you some hints.  If you're drinking now, please stop.  Your liver doesn't need the added stress.

As for that doctor.  What an SOB.  Can your primary refer you to another?  I also started out with a doctor that thought it was his duty to question my life so that he could categorize the disease as my fault.  I felt like a leper.  I switched doctors.  To me it's a business arrangement.  I'm sick, the doctor treats sick people in exchange for money and that's all I want from him.  He can keep his moral judgment to himself.  

Welcome to the forum.  Good luck with all this.  And keep your head up.  This is a disease, not a judgment, and no one has any reason to be judging you.  The only person I've ever heard about that was perfect helped lepers, he didn't judge them.

Carol

[pj1881]

My girl and I have lived together for four years.. I found out I have HepC just a couple months ago.. Little did I know, she had been using my razor, and at times used my toothbrush.... I brush my teeth like a maniac, blood is pretty normal at times... She was tested a couple weeks ago... NEG! But the risk is always there.. Shoot, I was using the bathroom the other night and caught her using my razor in the shower AGAIN! I am pretty selfish with my Geno1 HepC damn it! Get your own razor!!

Patrick

[Trinity4]

The clarification is there is a risk of contracting hepc by toothbrush and razor exchange, small but it's there.  Not sure of the exact percentage but it's quite low.
Glad you had the biopsy done and if the results indicate it's necessary to start treatment sooner than later I hope your new friend will lend support and understanding.

Trinity