diagnosed hep c

[Pipsqueak88]

Has anyone else ever been diagnosed with hepatitis c while pregnant? I was just diagnosed last Wednesday and I feel terrible. Barely even able to function right now. None of my doctors know which one should be treating me. I've been jaundice for a week now too. The way it seems is that I'm going to feel this way until my baby is born in July. I understand they can't treat the actual hepatitis virus due to me being pregnant but I'm having a hard time with the fact no doctor knows who should be treating me, and it seems like they won't even treat my symptoms. I still need to work to bring money in, and feeling like death isn't going to let me be able to work.

Has anyone else dealt with this? Is there a light at the end of the tunnel before my baby girl is here in July?

[Pipsqueak88]

I am young, just turned 27 last week. I am definitely jaundiced. That's what took me to the ER last Tuesday night and how the figured out my enzymes were so high. I was admitted to the hospital Tuesday night through Saturday so they could observe me and the baby. My enzymes are still extremely high but as of Tuesday (now Thursday) my bilirubin was starting to come down. I do have a GI/liver specialist now but they're afraid to treat much because of being pregnant. I went back to the ER the night I wrote this post because I was extremely fatigued and either nauseated if I wasn't eating, or throwing up when I did eat. That's the only symptom they've treated and that's by giving me reglan now to take on the days I'm feeling like that.

Its so scary for me right now since just being diagnosed and 23 weeks (now 24) pregnant. The GI doctor wants blood work done weekly to keep an eye on my enzyme levels and if anything spikes I will be put immediately back into the hospital. But now everything scares me. I've come down with a bad cold. And between not being able to take much bcz of pregnancy, or anything really because of my liver, I have a feeling it will turn into bronchitis and I'll end up in the hospital anyway. Been noticing my feet swollen a bit more than normal lately, today it looks like my left ankle turned into a cankle and im getting foot cramps in my left and calf cramps in my right leg. I'm super paranoid now because I'm not really being treated and have no idea what to do, or look for. The only thing I've been told is to watch my diet, which is hard because I'm broke and waiting another week for food stamps, and wic gives you a lot of fatty food.

I just wish I had someone around me who understood and could be there for me now when I'm feeling run down and paranoid.

[Livelife777]

hi and welcome.   So sorry that you find yourself in a worrisome situation.
Yes, I had Hep C and had 2 beautiful children both born without Hep C.  The chances of your child contracting Hep C from you is less then 5% so please don't worry about exposing your little girl.  Worst case scenario is that if positive she may need treatment down the road. The treatment we have now has minimal side effects and a short duration.  We now have an absolute CURE for Hep C.
What's troubling to me is the fact that you say you are jaundiced.  Are you sure?  Typically it takes decades for the virus to effect your liver.  You must be young as you are pregnant.  If in fact you are showing signs of liver disease you need to be under the care of a Hepatologist.  That goes without saying.  In order for your baby to be healthy, you must be also.  With a Hepatologist they can't treat your Hep C, but can manage your symptoms until your baby is born.  At that time you can go ahead and treat and cure your Hep C.
Is there a light at the end of the tunnel?  You bet!  You need to get to the right Dr. and get your disease stable until your daughters birth.
As I said, my children are amazing and beautiful even tho they were born to a mom with Hep C they never contracted the disease and are normal and healthy.  Your daughter will be as well.
Keep us posted.  I'm sure many more moms will drop in with similar story's.  We are all here for you.
Warm Wishes
......Kim

[blackbeauty1320]

There is always light at the end of the tunnel I believe you should do your own research and see what can you do. I will pray for you I don't understand what you going thru but I will pray.

[emi236]

I wish you the best of luck momma