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981492 tn?1248553393

What now???

I am a 35 yr. old full-time nursing student, and was diagnosed about 1 1/2 mo. ago with hep c.  I had my blood work done by my primary HCP, and am now scheduled for an ultrasound.  That's about all of the info. that I know.  It sounds terrible that I have chosen to ignore this until now.  School takes up all of my time and fortunately (or not!) I have been so preoccupied that the Hep C dx seems like a bad dream; not real!!. I know that after the ultrasound, I'll need to get some other tests done, as well as make an appt. with a specialist. A leave-of-absence from my studies is a possibility, so how important is it to get these initial tests done, or can they wait for another year until I graduate?  

Thanks, in advance, for all of your support.  I really need it right now.  I've never felt so alone.  Is this normal?  Am I overreacting?

LeighG
4 Responses
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Avatar universal
ive also been diagnosed about 2 months ago my ultrasound came bk neg but i dont have insurance and i need a biopsy of the liver and a genotype for the hep c im trying to find a free clinc in fl i need help cant find any. God bless
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
The advice the others have given is good. Since you are relatively young, there is a good chance that damage to your liver has not progressed too far. However, you should find out now. As FloridaMouse said, the tests are not that burdensome. It's more of a challenge just navigating the appointments and the specialists.

One thing I was going to mention is that the ultrasound may not provide much useful information. Short of some pretty severe issues, an ultrasound is not very helpful in grading the progress of hepatitis. That is done best with a biopsy. It's a routine procedure. You need to take a half day off, mainly because they have you lie still for a few hours after it is performed.

Good luck!
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751342 tn?1534360021
I'll back up Mouse. Get the tests. There is a real good chance that you will be able to postpone treatment until you are done your studies. It's generally a slow acting disease. I've had it since the 80s and have very little damage. Better drugs will be available in probably 2011. (They're available now, but you have to get on a clinical trial).
Helpful - 0
254544 tn?1310775732
If I was in your shoes, I'd get the initial tests done.  There are not that many (blood work, ultrasound and probably biopsy).  They do not take a lot of your time.   Getting the initial tests done will not only ease your anxiety but it will help you make and informed decision on how to proceed with respect to tx.

Mouse
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