HELP!!

[Jane845]

So I just had a regular check up at my gyno last week and I told him that I don't think I have ever been tested for all sorts of STDs and I just want to know if I am ok, not that I thought something was wrong.  This morning he called me and asked me if I was vacinated for hepatitis when I was younger.  I told him I wasn't sure he told me to find out because I tested positive for hepatitis C but it may be because I was vaccinated when I was younger, which is why he needs to know.  He said he didn't think it was something to worry about because something (I can't remember what he said) was negative.  So I managed to find out that I was vacinated when I was younger for hepatitis B but I don't really have any knowledge of being vaccinated for hepatitis C.  Is there a vaccination that kids get for hepatitis C or would the hep B vaccination be causing the positive result?  I am so scared and looking up information on the net has got me so worried and physically sick.  I called my doc back and left a message but my brain is going into overdrive and I am getting dizzy over this I need to know asap.  Anyone know?

[jankar]

Jane, nice that you worry about us, for me, I am happy, happy that you don't have the disease...

I am a teacher. With regards to doctors and getting information - it pays to write a list of questions and get back to the doctor with those questions and make him answer them one by one and write down the responses so in your agitated state you don't get it wrong.  If you find you forgot to ask something, ring again and again until you are happy with what they tell you and you understand.  You are paying a lot of money for their advice and expertise - they need to make sure you understand what they are saying about some very complicated material.  I guess sometimes they think we know more than we do, as the material is so familiar to them.  Not all doctors are good at getting their message across - not all people are great communicators, however good they are as doctors.

[portann]

Hi Jenny,

I'm curious about what you said about the antibody test. I somehow thought that you can get false positives from the Elisa but not false negatives. Do you think that a negative result could miss the virus? Perhaps in the early stage of infection? I don't know the answer but would like to have a clearer idea.

Unrelated to this, I would like to thank you for your post on ComeAgain's recent thread. It was really helpful to me. Thanks.

[JennyPenny]

Itn sounds as though your doctor isn't too well-informed about hepatitis C. At first glance I would guess that your doctor did an Eliza test for antibodies to hep C. When that came back positive he did a confirmatory test (RIBA) that came back negative. However, for peace of mind, you need to see a gastroenterologist or hepatologist and ask for a Hepatitis C RNA by PCR test. This test is better known as just a  viral load test. If it comes back undetected that means you do not have hepatitis C but may have the antibodies. This is nothing to worry about although you would still not be protected against hep C. There is no vaccine and therefore no immunity for this disease. Please get that PCR test and find out for sure. You cannot safely say you are virus free unless the virus cannot be found in the blood. Antibodies do not tell the complete story.

[Marcia2202]

I would ask for copies of the results for the tests, then you can see what is written and have it for yourself.

God bless, marcia

[morning_glory]

I just read all the posts...

I am happy to hear your good news! All of us who have Hep C are happy for you, as well. For your peace of mind, as several have mentioned, call your PCP office. You will knew for sure and not have the "little bit of doubt" floating through your brain.

Take Care & God Bless!

[nygirl7]

I would just follow up with him and ask him if he ever DID mention hepc or not.  If not (most likely) you can go on with life and not think about it.  But it's better to be safe than sorry and it is something you DO want to know.

HepC is often called the Silent Killer because most of us had no idea we had it until we were diagnosed - and many of us had arleady developed late stage liver damage by that time.

The luckiest day for me was when I found out I did in fact have it because then I was able to cure it.

Call him and make sure - if you aren't sure it's a smple blood test that can be repeated in your PCPs office.

[Trinity4]

Thanks for the kind words Jane.  Most of us are really Ok, regardless of our disease.  We've learned to live with the virus and take the necessary steps to try and eradicate it with treatment or live a healthy lifestyle until treatment is necessary.  This group is can be very powerful when it comes to supporting each other.  I am happy beyond words you are well.  Have a hapy life.
Trinity

[Bill1954]

If you’re still concerned, take up this issue with your primary care doctor. He/she should be better informed to interpret results, and you might have a better rapport with them anyway. These tests are difficult to interpret, and a GYN is probably not your best choice at this juncture.

From your description, it sounds as if you tested positive for HBV (hep B) antibodies; a previous HBV vaccine would result in this scenario. For peace of mind, follow up with your primary care doc, just to be sure.

Take good care—

Bill

[Jane845]

Thanks a lot for your responses.  I feel much better but hate that I am ok and everyone else here isn't.  I'm sorry to bother everyone with my petty problem.  Its cool to know that if someone does really have a problem you guys are all here for eachother.  Again, thank you so much and sorry.

[meakea]

Okay...our last posts crossed.

Glad you got a comforting call.  Yes, if you had a Hep B vaccination it would cause a positive Hep B test result.  YOU ARE FINE...congrats!

[meakea]

"If you have Hep C", Hep C is almost never gotten from sex so there is no reason for your fiance to think you cheated on him because of Hep C...if that's what you mean by cheated.

IF you have Hep C, yes it is very possible that you have had it for a long time.  An example:  I am 53 years old and I am about 50% sure that I got my Hep C from a transfusion I had when I was an infant...which means I've had it for 53 years.  I was not aware that I have Hep C until April of this year.  My other 50% possibility was from getting my wisdom teeth out (in 1974) in the office of  the doctor I worked for at Mayo Clinic.  It was not in the hospital...just in his office...and he nearly had to crawl in my mouth to get the darn things out.  It was the worst trauma I have ever had because I was fully awake and only had novacaine.  He, obviously, misjudged how impacted they were.  Dental instruments were not sterilized as thoroughly then as they are now.

Anyway...again, I understand your fear but you are really fearing the unknown right now.  Try to relax until you know what you are dealing with (which may be nothing).

[Jane845]

Well my doctor just called and I told him that I was vaccinated for hepatitis B and he said well that is it.  I asked him if this is 100% positive that I don't have anything to worry about and he said yes.  This doctor is kind of short and to the point and I didn't know what questions to ask him so he said I have nothing to worry about and that kind of put me at ease and we hung up.  When we first spoke he told me not to worry and that is exactly what I did.  Should I follow up with another doctor?  Has anyone ever heard of this?  Maybe this morning I heard positive for hep C instead of him saying hep B?  Ugh I feel better but now I am wondering if this guy knows what he is talking about.  I don't know if you can tell this yet but I tend to overreact when it comes to health.

[Bill1954]

Jane, contrary to popular belief, HCV is rarely contracted via sexual intercourse; especially in the absence of trauma. It is a blood to blood vectored disease, and while possible, is highly unlikely. I was married twenty years with an active sex life, and my ex continues to test negative for HCV.

Here is a link to the U.S. CDC regarding transmission:


http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/Populations/STDs.htm

Best,

Bill

[Bill1954]

Hi Jane,

Echoing meakea’s response, there is no vaccination available for hepatitis C to date. The typical diagnostic screening algorithm includes an initial ‘anti-HCV antibody’ test; if that shows reactive (positive), either a more specific antibody test is performed (RIBA), or a Nucleic Acid Test (PCR) is performed. The PCR test is highly conclusive for the presence of HCV RNA, the active hepatitis c virus itself.

The questions you might ask your doctor are:

Has an HCV antibody test been performed, and if so, what were the results. If reactive, ask if a HCV RNA test is indicated. Again, the HCV RNA is critical for the actual diagnosis of hepatitis C.

A percentage (approximately 15-40%) of patients that have been exposed to the virus will clear the disease with the help of their own immune system, leaving behind harmless antibodies.

Too early to get concerned yet; take the time to consult further with your doctor, and let us know how things go.

Best to you,

Bill  

[Jane845]

Thanks I am so scared right now.  Kinda wishing I could take back some of my past mistakes (tatoos and cheating boyfriend) right now.  I am really praying to God that this is just a false alarm.  I am not strong enough to go through the experiences that I am reading on this site.  I just couldn't do it.  Plus if I do have it my fiance will think that I got it by cheating on him which is not true.  This will just be a big mess.  

Is it possible, if I have it, I had it for a long time without knowing?  I am a little more calm now but still a bit freaked.

[Trinity4]

There is no vaccine for hepC.  Hepa & Hepb vaccination would not make you test positive for hepc.  You may have had a false positive reading for hepc antibodies or you may have had exposure to hepc at some time in your life and your immunue system fought off the disease.  If that is the case, you will always test positive for hepc antibodies but no active virus.  The only way to know if you have the active HepC virus is to have HCV RNA PCR test.  I question your doctors comments.   Are you sure he didn't say you tested positive for hepB antibodies?  Hepatitis B can be prevented by vaccination. The presence of antibodies to the hepatitis B virus may indicate that you have developed immunity to the infection after being vaccinated. The hepatitis B vaccination protects against hepatitis D infection also. You need some additional clarification from your doctor or a doctor that knows what he is talking about.  Good Luck
Trinity

[meakea]

I didn't mean to end my first post yet...I got interrupted and hit post instead of minimizing my screen...so I'm back...

I just wanted to also say that I understand your fear right now.  A call from a doc, such as the one you had, is never fun...especially when the doc is telling you things or asking you things you know nothing about and have no reason to know.  Please try to remain calm until you are able to sort through this with your doc.  

A Hep B vaccination would cause a positive Hep B result.  Since there is no Hep C vaccination, I don't know what he might be referring to especially since he told you something was negative.  Negative is a good thing when it comes to results for Hepatitis.

[meakea]

There is no such thing as a vaccination for Hepatitis C.  We all wish there was, but there isn't.  There are vaccinations for Hep A and Hep B but NOT for Hep C.

Right now it doesn't sound like you have enough information from your doc yet to really know what he's talking about.  You will feel better once you are able to talk to him to find out more about what he is talking about.  I wish you the best.