help me understand and decide weather i am + or -

[baybeeqirrl]

okay, im sixteen years old. my father died last september from hepatitis c i dont know what genotype he was diagnosed with i do know that i watched him die and it had a severe effect on me my father was my bestfriend and so much more. anyways i began dating a new guy on the 25th and i been with him since during my depression i somehow got involved with heroin. and my boyfriend was shooting it so i then tried it (not knowing he was positive for hepatitis c) so after i realized my problem i told my mother about the drugs and went to rehab and got help. well while i was in there my doctor told me after she got my urinealisis back that its possible i could have hepititis c and that my liver levels were all screwed up. after 30 days i was out of rehab and i havent been tested but i am completely sober now. im just very scared that i have it, also my bestfriend has it, she cant be helped because the inerfurone will make her permanantly blind. the medicine for hep c also didn't work on my father i also have the same blood type as him. so im very scared they will not have medicine to cure me if i do have it. i've been threw so much the past two years ; i need to know if i have it becuz then maybe i can get cured since i'd be getting diagnosed sooner then later. im just very anxious about it. need someone to give me advice and see things threw my eyes. cuz my mother doesnt shes never been threw any of this and she never understood what my father was going threw. so if anyone out there understands me. and where im coming from please find it in your heart to give me some comfort so i can actually sleep at night. also i know i might be very young compared to alot of you but i've been to hell and back and im a person that will listen so if you need to talk im here. and im very understanding and mature. thanks to any replys. and i will write back.

[nygirl7]

I agree with newleaf.  In order for your doctor to find out that your liver levels are high he has to do a liver panel which is a blood test. I'm not sure if he was trying to scare you straight or what but something about it does not make sense.  

Please go and just get the blood test.  More than likely you are young and your body CAN fight it off on it' sown (20% beat it by themselves).  Your dad sure did not infect you - you are clear there for sure.

And remember many of us in here got this disease via drugs.  It took me a lot more years than 16 to stay sober and I wasted the best portion of my life. Whatever happens with the hep I hope that you realize staying sober is the most important job you have right now.  If you don't even if you don't have hep now chances are you could easily in the future.

Ask any of us - it's not worth it.

Good luck.

[newleaf09]

A urinalysis cannot detect viral hepatitis.  If the doctor sees that your liver cells are screwed up then ask her to do the rest of the bloodwork to determine if you have hepatitis C.  (She should screen for hep b and c and a few other liver diseases). You did not inherit this from your father, but may have been exposed through your own behaviour.  You are the same blood type as your father but that does not affect your response to the treatment drugs.   You also got genes from your mother which may help you respond to the treatment better than your dad did.  So sorry for your loss.  The doctor dance to get diagnosed is pretty anxiety provoking but hang in there.   You will get this figured out and hopefully your story will end better than others that you know.  Hang in there sweetheart.

[Jakied]

Try to relax.  From your original post,  were you ever tested for Hep c antibody or

the virus?   If not, that is your first step.  Ask for the hep c screening test.  Hope for a

good result.  It is good you are now not using alcohol.  If you have hep c, mixing alcohol

with hep c is like putting out a fire with gasoline.  As a general rule, females have an

easier time with Hep c than males.  estrogen is a natural defense.

So for now, stay off the alcohol, get the screening test for Hep c antibody and hope for

the best.

[jusjames]

" a nickel bag cost a nickel"   lol

linda chill out IF you have it you only just got it and your only a little niper so you have the best possible shot at getting rid..
good luck

[Bill1954]

Hi Linda; nice to meet you.

That was back when a nickel bag cost a nickel. A heads up in here; some folks are uncomfortable about discussing their past; they don’t see their old habits as critical to solving their current issues.

Most doctors won’t consider treating someone for Hep C that is using; in fact, they ask that patients demonstrate a period of sobriety for several months first. Something to remember if you ever think of using again.

Stick around and read and ask questions; you’re doing really good so far. there’s a lot to learn about this stuff; if you like you can read through Janis and Friends for more info too:

http://janis7hepc.com/have_you_been_just_diagnosed.htm

They have a lot of useful info. Congrats on cleaning up; and take care—

Bill

[baybeeqirrl]

hey billl. i used not to long ago when i made a mistake i'd say about 3 maybe four weeks ago i know i know thats horrible but i've gotten myself back together. also bill for further notice my names linda (: lol.

wow how much did heroin cost back then? lol. just curiouss?


thanks, for the advice and just talkingg (:

[Bill1954]

Hi Baybee!

I probably got it from heroin back in the early 70’s; that was a while ago :o). I didn’t use for over thirty years, but it waited for me. I have since treated for it, and am now HCV free.

People don’t typically get problems with ammonia levels until late in cirrhosis; this typically takes many years, although there are exceptions to this. The best thing you can do is to refrain from alcohol; we’re told this can accelerate damage.

You’re family doctor will be your gateway to management; share your concerns with him, and he/she will order the first set of tests called ‘antibody tests’. If these are positive, then they will probably refer you to a specialist, like a GI doc that will order further confirmatory tests.

I fully understand your concerns about this; especially considering your history. To tell you the truth, if you shared works with someone that’s infected for sure, there a very good chance you have it; not to scare you, but you should follow up. It’s not the end of the world if you do; things can be done to minimize damage.

When was the last time you used? It can take several months to develop antibodies…


Bill

[baybeeqirrl]

thanks for the support god knows i neeed it the thing is when i was using i used the needles more then once and he always went first we've had blood to blood contact plus with my father having the disease i know alot about it, just i noticed theres more on the site and people who are going threw this too.

i do have a family care doctor i didnt know if i should go to my primary or just to a lab. the last test that came back for my liver levels were normal but that was about two months ago and im having alot of pain in my back and side.

in what stage do people experience the amonia levels in their head being all wrong and get very confused like their mind is in a different year and stuff my father went threw that and im just curious as to what i should expect. im pretty sure im positive im just actually very afraid to be told i am.

if you dont mind me asking how did you contract hepititis c?

[Bill1954]

Yikes; yes, the folks in here will understand what you’re going through. Try not to worry to much at this point; take things one step at a time. The most important thing right now is to avoid alcohol until you get this straightened out; that is one thing that you can control at this point.

Unfortunately, it sounds like you’ll need to get some more lab work done to determine if you actually have Hep C (HCV). Can you contact the doctor at the rehab center or ask for your medical records from them? It would be helpful to see what the tests used were.

Do you have a family doctor?

A hearty congratulations on getting away from the drugs; many of us have been there; that’s how a lot of us got this disease too.

Welcome to the group, by the way; keep asking questions, and someone will try to help answer your questions—

Bill