trying to help hubby

[helphubby82]

My husband has just found out he has hep c he applied for life insurance and tested positve then went to his reg Doctor he ran test and he tested positive,His doctor sent him to a GI Specialist he has taken more blood we seem to think he has had the virus about 30 years never really sick has no pains I got tested the other day I was negative my husband doesnt seem to want to talk about this the Gi doesnt know if he needs a liver biopsy waititng for blood test results what are his chances of 30 years having this

[Boobert]

Personally I would insist on a Biopsy  after 30 years of infection I would want to know the extent of damage. If damage is minimal you have choices in treatment times and if advanced start treatment sooner, also if your husbands liver has advanced damage you definiteley need to think about everything he eats and other precautions.

[helphubby82]

I have a question Just called the GI About his results they say he doesnt need a biopsy thats all the assit would tell me is that a good thing or should all people who have had hep c for about 30 yrs have a biopsy should i get a second opinion?

[helphubby82]

Thanks so much for your post sorry to hear about you but thankfully you have someone who loves you and is supportive and congrats on starting treatment if you can Knock the drugs and beat those demons you can do this and fight this monster stay strong and most Important have faith and be positive you can do it!

[coo19]

Welcome! I was reading all the posts and couldn't help but understand what you are going through and probably more so what your husband is dealing with. Although I have only had Hep c for a little over a year I contracted it through drug use. When I found out I had already been clean a year, had been in a new relationship and had started my life over and here this monster I thought I was finished with came back to bite me in my butt again! I was angry, scared and felt like everything I had fought to save was falling apart again. The hardest part was telling my now fiance', in fact when I told him I also said "I don't blame you if you leave me" instead he called my family for me and held me while I cried my eyes out. It was because I had someone who loved me and stood by me and helped me that I changed my attitude and realized my past is my past I can't change that but I can change how this will affect my future. I didn't fight to overcome all that just to be knocked down again and decided I would tackle this. I started treatment August 5th (Ribo, Pegasys and Incivek) and will do my first followup Aug 19th. The side effects suck but are tolerable, fatigue is the worst. Your husband is probably avoiding this because of 2 main things one he is ashamed and 2 he is angry that after all this time and after getting his life together it has come back to haunt him. Stand by him let him know that in no way are you judging him and that he is not the only person who has been there. The more support you give him the more likely he will be willing to open up just don't push. Let him know you are here no matter what and keep doing research this way when he is ready you will be to. Make sure he knows it's not the end of the world people survive this every day and he survived drugs and partying and stayed clear of it all this time he can do the same thing with Hep c. If he ever does decide to get on here and look at these post (which I hope he will it's helpful) I want to make sure you both know I am here if you need to chat. After my battle with drugs and then finding out I had HCV I decided to go back to college and get my BA in psychology focusing on substance and alcohol abuse and I want to use my experience to help others so please feel free to write anytime I will do my best to help you both.

[dreamcat]

Welcome to the community!

I was diagnosed 11 years ago through some blood work -- needless to say, I was shocked.  The doctor said it's probable that I had been living with it symptom-free for about 30 years... and yes, my history was sex, drugs and rock n' roll, with some tattoos thrown in... three liver biopsies later, and with the new medication (specifically, Incivik), I am choosing treatment which should start in about 2 weeks.  

Good luck with your husband. There's so much information and support on this site.  Take advantage of it.  

[Mary4now]

Your hubby is lucky to have you, and if he accepts your help that will keep him alive and well.  I think I had hep c for 30 + yrs.  no symptoms that I could put my finger on.  geno 1, stage 1 grade 1 (lucky),
I just finished a study where I got the new drugs Protease Inhibitors, and polymerase inhibitors as well as the interferon and ribavarin.  I was undetectable at week 1 and throughout my treatment.  I just went for my 1 month post tx. blood tests and should know next week about the results.  So far I think the new drugs are working and working well.
keep on posting,
Mary

[coeric]

Did you have a follow up appointment with the GI?   The genotype
And viral loads can take a week or longer. You could try to call the doc. Personally I've never had much luck getting beyond the gate keepers.  You could also try and speak with the docs assistant who might be a nurse or medial assistant.  Your husband is fortunate
To have an advocate like you - other than this forum, im on my own.

[helphubby82]

Thanks so much guys its great to talk about this Im so glad I joined this as for the hubby he will do whats right we have 2 boys ages 9 and 13 He will think about them and be motivated you are totally right eureka254 Well I got him to quit drinking so if I can do that I can help him fight this monster! THANKS ALOT FOR SHARING YOUR STORIES

[coeric]

It is a shock to be told you have hepatitis c.  I remember feeling like the world was dropping out below my feet.  Even though it's been 12 years I remember it like it was yesterday.  I did the watchful waited thing and probably waited to long. I was waiting on the new drugs.  Make sure you get copies of all the labs and then bring them here with any questions you have.

[eureka254]

As the old saying goes, you can only lead a horse to water... but don't give up hope, just educate yourself and help support your husband with what you know.  Initially, my husband did not want to do treatment either but in the end he realized for him it was the best option.

Many people go through some difficult emotional and psychological twists and turns when diagnosed, and everyone handles it differently.  It's not unusual to go through shock and guilt feelings... hopefully in time he'll come around to talking freely with you about the situation.

The best you can do is let him know that you're there for him, without judgment or pressure, arm yourself with knowledge so you can advocate for him when he's ready to take the disease head-on, and encourage him to care about himself because you care about him.  

[helphubby82]

Your not freaking me out I appreciate the knowledge Even though I may not like what i hear but we all have to face reality thanks so much for sharing one more question how long did it take to get results from your gi He had the blood work For the genotype the viral levels on aug 8 had not heard anything should he call the DR

[coeric]

Not to freak you out but I do not have jaundice and my bilirubin levels are normal.  I have had a biopsy and also an endoscopy that confirmed cirrhosis.

[coeric]

I am in the study. Don't know when I will start though.
Eric

[helphubby82]

Thank you so much for your post its so uplifting everyday i read and study about this monster the hep Its pretty hard  I try to talk to him about it he just doent want to I tell him to do research with me hes not interested I think he is going through a shock stage and is a little depressed angry and guilty about his 20 something years ago behaviour in which caused this

[coeric]

I have experienced fatigue weight loss and nausea from the cirrhosis.
I am planning to treat in the near future. Eureka is right on concerning blood tests and biopsy.

[hrsepwrguy]

Did you get accepted to the study at UC, I have been accepted and start either the 16th or 23rd I should find out tommorow.

[eureka254]

above should read
"reality is many General Practitioners do not know much about hcv."

[helphubby82]

I mean is that good news if the Dr says his jaundice levels are good and his liver function test look good

[eureka254]

Long-term active hep c infection increases risk for liver damage, but every person is different; however, its important to know what guidelines are being used in diagnosis.  The unfortunate reality is not many General Practitioners do not know much about hcv.  Blood work alone cannot diagnosis cirrhosis; certain blood and physical markers can rule IN cirrhosis, but normal lab results do not rule OUT cirrhosis.  

Jaundice and certain symptoms of cirrhosis only show when damage is progressed beyond repair, but not having symptoms of cirrhosis does not mean cirrhosis is not present.  I do not want to be alarmist, but I know from my own experience with my husband that cirrhosis can be present without symptoms or signs.  

The only sure way to determine the degree of liver damage is via liver biopsy (which sounds a lot scarier than it is from what I understand).  However, it's important also to establish if indeed your husband has active infection (Viral Load test), what kind of infection (genotype), and clear other blood tests for bleeding before pursuing biopsy.  Hope that helps, welcome to the forum, and thumbs up on wanting to support your husband in this.  Him not wanting to talk about it will not help the situation, and it's good that he's got an advocate in you.  Best of luck moving forward. ~eureka

[helphubby82]

Have you had symptoms or been sick have you started treatments

[coeric]

There are several posters that are on the new drugs and there were others that posted here during the phase 1 and 2 clinical trial of the recently approved drugs.

[helphubby82]

He was a drinker but only beer not a heavy drinker but you know weekends he would tie on one now I HAVE MADE HIM Stop he also has type 2 Diabetes and is on med

[coeric]

Oops that should have read 20 to 40 years. A biopsy is often recommended to determine the extent of scarring and how soon someone needs to treat.

[helphubby82]

Has anyone taken the new drugs yet