Someone Please Answer

[theman24]

All I want to know is how did most of yall find out you had HCV. Does a regular blood screening show that. Im wondering because I have had some of the symptoms of HCV but have been to a doctor and had blood work done but they told me that everything was fine. But im just wondering do i need a specific test for HCV to make sure I don't have it.

[pigeonca]

Hi Lauri,

I'm doing pretty well now.  Just got the 9 months post tx blood tests; I remain UND, so that confirms my SVR.  The hepatologist said I don't have to see her anymore, unless my family physician finds something untoward.  She was such a nice doctor that I'm actually going to miss her.  

It took me a good 6 months to return to feeling normal, thought maybe I never would, but very gradually my energy level returned.  Unfortunately the fourteen pounds that i'd lost also returned.  I think it's time to pull out those Weight Watcher's journals where you write down everything you eat.  That seems to work for me, except during Girl Scout cookie time, which is now.

How are you doing?  Hope all is well with you too.  You're a geno 2 like me, as I recall?  So hopefully your results will resemble mine.  

Be well,

pigeon

[alagirl]

the first actual physicial sign I had that something was wrong was a blemish/blister on my lower leg.  I reached down and a huge swath of skin came off in my fingers.  I still have a skin ulcer there that hasn't completely healed.  I do want to get it biopsied to see if its what you have, but I've had other issues that have kind of taken up my focus, so I haven't had a chance to do it.  It's been there over four months now though.

[alagirl]

I have screened four or five times a year for hepc for the past two years or so.  All negative.  I have anemia so I have weekly blood tests anyway, its easy to throw screens in there.  my last negative test was 6-21-07.  I got raped on 7-1-07 and got sick about four weeks later, and continued to be quite ill.  But really I screened for hepc again, and for HIV this time, just because of the rape.  I was just being careful, I never dreamed I'd be hepc positive despite being sick.  

I took that test at the end of august last year and I was hepc positive (and HIV negative thankfully).  I got my viral load and my genotype over the next month (1b and 188,000), and started treating on 10-5-07 as soon as my meds came on.  I was already pretty acutely ill.  My treatment's been difficult, but very successful, so I feel I've been very lucky to have had the option of treating so soon.

[oneeagle]

Mine was dx'd when I was hospitalised for pnuemonia - blood work showed high liver enzymes - later labs (PCR - polychromease reactive - I believe) was the HCV specific test.

[stacy290]

i started getting blisters on my arms and hands. found out i had Porphyria Cutanea Tarda and hepc. i am now on week 4 of tx.

[nygirl7]

I had no idea I had it but my liver enzymes were quite elevated and the test said yes.  A nice little letter came in the mail and told me I had it.  I did 72 weeks treatment and now I don't have it anymore.

Theman24 - the only persons I've met who have gotten it via sex were also raped - so it was much more than just a sexual encounter, it was brutal.  I don't know of anyone else who got it that way it's very uncommon because it's a blood to blood borne disease.

[orphanedhawk]

I didn't find out until my abdomen swelled up like a ripening melon in 2005. Turns out I had HCV and cirrhosis. The few symptoms I had are identical to sxs of menopause.

I'm not sure why but routine testing doesn't include HCV.

If you really need to know, get tested. OF course if you are positive, it may affect your insurance.

[Consult626]

In 1973 I was told by my doctor that I had hepatitis.  I told him there was some mistake as I felt great and had no symptoms.

I continued to test high Alt etc. levels and they called it non-specific Hepatitis.

In 1990's they identified me as Hep C.

Still felt great but tried interferon (about 1995).  Couldn't tolerate side effects and my Gastroenterologist was of no help, telling me to just suck it up and be a man.  My wife finally got him to stop treatment as she was afraid of what if was doing to me.

Still felt great in 2007 but liver biopsy showed progression.

Did 48 weeks treatment lasting until 3 weeks ago.  Still suffering side effects.  Hope they clear soon and I can go back to my old physical self.

[KDH59]

Test for ALL HEP not just C.... AND HIV    Just in case,,,, Bye

[theman24]

I have a better understanding about Hepatitis now. I will ask my doctor thats doing my blood work to check me HCV. But another question I want know has anyone contracted HCV through sexually encounter if their was no blood present during the that experience

[Harry Potter]

I had a run of 10 nights of night sweats.  I went to the dr., assuming I'd finally test positive for a test for rheumatoid arthritis, and was a bit surprised when he told me he'd test me for Heps A, B, C.  I said okay, figuring there's no way I could test positive for any; I'd been vaccinated against A & B & didn't have what I thought were the "risk factors" for C...but lo & behold, I was positive!  Good thing he tested me...as I'd started to feel better by that time & almost didn't go in for a checkup...my real reason for my dr's appt. was to get a couple free hours off of work!!

[indyjo]

I tried to get life insurance and blood work showed positive for HCV. I did not have a clue! Insurance Co said no insurance until SVR for 1 year.

[ksk3926]

I found out when I donated blood for a coworkers sick wife. Amazingly, I had many symptoms that are associated with hepc and I went to all kinds of doctors to find out what was wrong and most of them told me that I was under too much stress! I really found out by accident.

[Ironduke]

Like the others, I had routine blood work done and my ALT and AST were slightly elevated.  My PCP wasn't sure what was causing it but never made the connection to Hep C.  Later I was referred to a GI to have a routine colonoscopy.  He looked at my chart, noticed my elevated liver enzymes and the first thing he asked me was "have you been tested for Hep C ?".  The rest is history.  I probably contracted it from a blood transfusion during surgery 30 years ago.

I agree - get tested just to make sure.  

Ironduke

[Yellowfin]

I found out after donating blood at red cross blood drive.

[KDH59]

Hi,,. First thing is GET TESTED....

Well my cousin called me one day and told me he had HEP C. He is a tattoo artist and did two of my tattoo's in 1984. Back then nobody was to careful with the needles. I remember him testing the needle on his arm to see if it was dull. No big deal then. So i went and got tested, and was Positive 2005. Genotype 1a.... I went through 6 months of treatment in 2006 but i am a NON-Responder. So don't just think IV drug users get this.

Oh one more thing,, My cousin, whom gave it to me,,,,treated and is free of it... Go figure.....................Kirk

The last thing i want to say is....GET TESTED...........BYE

[Lady Lauri]

Here, here Pigeonca! Let alone when they don't even test WHEN your LFT's are high!!

Where ya been!? How ya' been?

LL

[pigeonca]

Like so many here, I learned about my hcv when the ALT and AST levels went slightly higher than normal.  What irritates me is that testing is not part of a normal checkup's blood work.  It should be.  I had none of the usual risk factors - I consider it malpractice to test only when risk factors are present, but I suspect it mainly has to do with medical economics - and there's not much we can do about that without changing our system - don't ask me how.

[ashley1978]

I dont have HCV but they do regular checks at my clinic, I go to a methadone clinic and they usually come once every couple of months to check the patients for free...well its not FREE but its included in the fee we pay for our methadone, which isnt cheap.

[zazza]

My boyfriend's liver enzymes (ALT and AST) were high during a routine check up, which led them to do a specific test for hepatitis C. It was positive. I was pregnant at the time and asked for a hep C test as well. My liver enzymes were within normal range. Unfortunately the maternal care unit ordered a herpes test by mistake instead of a hep C test. The herpes test came back negative. Noone noticed the mistake until my next pregnancy when a new hep C test was done just to be on the safe side.

Two things to be noted here:
I got hep C through IV drug use, not sex - different genotypes.
I had normal liver enzymes and still hep C.

So if you know you have been exposed to a risk factor - get a hep C test done. Don't think you are clear just because your liver enzymes are normal.

[wed1942]

Hi! I had no symptoms at all. I had a routine physical in '06 and my liver enzymes were slightly elevated. Had always been normal. And mid normal range so nowhere near high. Last year I had some drawn again and they had quadrupled. So from there I was sent to a GI doc. The bloodwork showed Hep C. I'm figuring it has been there almost 40 years resulting from blood transfusions I had as a teenager. Kinda scary that something like that can lay dormant for so long with no symptoms yet be doing all the damage it's doing. I'm going to see my hepatologist today to talk starting treatment. Think I've fnally had all the tests done that he wants me to do.

[jdwithhcv]

Hi.  Last spring I had a CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis, a routine follow-up after cancer treatment. My surgeon noticed liver damage and sent me to a GI, who tested me and diagnosed Hep C.  They estimate I've had it 25-30 years.  My only Hep C symotom was fatigue, I just thought I was still tired from the cancer tx.

Listen to Harry, get a test.

jd

[HARRYBEADS]

Yes you should get a specific test for HCV. the Doc will know what to do.

Harry

[Lady Lauri]

Hi, I carried this over 30 years, now looking at past bloodwork, with many high Alts, Slts and they never checked, missed it until I made them test last year.
If you have reasons to worry, you can get tested for free at any health dept. (in USA?)
and get rid of the worry.

Hoping you do not have it, but DO come back here if so. Much help, support here.

Good luck, God Bless, LL