symptoms

[Bella62]

My husband has hepatitis c that is non active. He was diagnosed approx. 3 years ago. I recently have been having severe pains in my right side under my ribcage. It has been going on for around 3-4 months. Some days I can hardly stand it because it hurts so bad. I am also so tired most of the time I can hardly go. Are these symptoms of hep c?

[NYgirl]

If you are very worried the best thing to do is have a simple blood test done at the doctors - then you have no guessing involved.

Regardless of my ex-husband or not I had no idea that I had hepc...until my bloodwork came up odd at a physical so even regarding your partner it IS possible to have it yourself??

[Bella62]

Thanks for the reply. I am scared to death. I am waiting on xrays to return and if that shows nothing then I want a blood test done.

[cuteus]

AS NY girl stated, the only way to know if you have hep c is a blood test. They usually do an antibody assay to see if you were exposed and your body reacted to it, if it is positive, a PCR test follows to determine if your body got rid of it, or if it settled down in your blood and took up residence = chronic infection. if that is positive, that is when you can be a little concern, because in a large majority there is no liver damage for a long time.
When you say your husband does not have active hep c, what exactly is that? If he has a viral load, his hep c is active, there is a chronic infection. If he has no viral load, he does not have hep c. Having no symptoms of liver damage does not mean hep c is inactive. Stay on top of things with regular monitoring, if he is hep c infected.
hep c is transmitted by blood contact, not casually, don't worry too much about sexual contact. It is not a STD.

[stc1993]

Could be your gallbladder.  That's what my dr. told me.  I finished tx in August & still have the pain. my 3 month liver test came back okay, I don't get the PCR test until February.

Monte

[Bella62]

I dont have a gall bladder. Had that out about 7 years ago. My husband contracted Hep C from IVDU before I met him. I have never used drugs. I guess I am worried because I have had some contact with his blood when he had an accident. I was not using my head when I assisted him and did not wear gloves or take precautions. I am also worried that it could be liver cancer. Your all right. I just cant worry until I have the blood test done. Thanks so much for responding to me.

[NYgirl]

Have the test so you don't have to worry any longer.  Honestly in the 25 years since I've had this I have had two children that are NEGATIVE - I've had numerous serious accidents where people in my family bandaged me and things...I've shared razors and probably even my toothbrush with my kids over they years and they are just fine.

Sex is not easy to "catch" hepatitis C either.

Most likely you are having pains that have nothing to do with it.  Until you know for sure don't worry.

[friole]

Hi and welcome to the forum.  It sounds like you just need a little more information - both on yourself and your husband.

First, like Cuteus said, you need to know if a PCR test has been run on your husband and he has any viral load.  You should go back to the doctor that diagnosed the Hep C and get copies of all lab work done.

Next, since you are waiting for an xray, that means you have talked to a doctor.  Did you tell him your concerns of hepatitis C or liver cancer?  please ask him to run the Hepatitis C antibody test on you, and if it come out positive, ask them to run the PCR test.  You are going to need that regardless of how the xray turns out.

The mind plays funny tricks on us.  Seems to me I can think myself sick, and it sounds like you are worrying yourself to death.  TAke a deep breath and take it slow.

Please check out this websight - Janis 7.  THere is a wealth of valuable information on it about hepatitis C.

http://janis7hepc.com/

Best of luck and please tell us what you find out.
frijole