my brother

my brother has hep.c what can i do to help him he dose not take very good care of him self he drinks beer alot and his liver already looks bad and he dosent have a dr. cause he dosent have a job so he uses that as an excuess he dosent think it is a big deal how can i make him see it is i have three kids should i be worried that one of us can cath it, and can you get from sharring a glass of pop?thank you

[revenire__]

You're in a tough spot aren't you? I am so sorry you have to go through this.

He needs to quit drinking right away, for everyone's sake, and if he has no insurance there are ways for him to get the medications he needs.

<a href="http://www.thewindsofchange.org/meds.html">Free Medications: How to Get Them</a>

Try the above link and maybe it can show you the way.

Both PEG-Intron and Pegasys have programs in place for aid in getting their medications if you need them. I don't have the numbers handy but I am sure someone will. 1-877-PEGASYS may be able to help you. There is also a pharmacy called Fischer's that sells ribavirin at a hefty discount.

I realize if he has a problem with alcohol all of this may be in vain but I am praying for you and your family.

Scott

[revenire__]

I forgot (brain fog - inside joke): Yeah, you could potentially catch it from drinking out of the same glass. Don't share anything like that or razors, toothbrushes, nail clippers or files, etc.

[revenire__]

Layla - You raised a very good point/question someplace below: All of us on extended treatment are on different doses, etc.

Why?

I'd like to know. I'd like all of our doctors to sit down in a room together and hash it out and I'd like all of us to be in that room and be able to ask them questions. I know of at least four, off hand, of us here that are on extended treatment and some are on ribavirin , some are not, some are doing 90 mcg and some are doing more.

Does anyone ever get the feeling that the doctors sometimes are just trying things out with the hope it works?

[mikesimon]

It's highly unlikely that one would get infected by drinking out of the same glass or bottle. It's not anything I would be concerned about. Mike

[cuteus]

as mike said, casual contact is not the method for transmission in a blood borne disease.  Avoid exposure to his blood if you have open wounds that could serve as point of entry.  Ingesting hcv is not a mode of infection either.  Some of us have gone thru pregnancies, breastfeedings, kid raising and they have not contacted the virus, relax on the drinking/eating from same vessels.
As for your brother, it does not sound like he is ready to take care of his health, and you can't do it for him.  present him with all the available information on the virus and treatment, let him know how much he means to you and then it is up to him.  Good luck to you

[scott___]

Not trying to cause a fire here but my gums occasionally bleed when I brush my teeth and couldn't that potentially be a risk for someone in my family with a cups, eating untensils? I know it is a long shot and probably not THAT risky but what risk are you willing to take? I hardly think you anyone could quantify that. I'd hate to see someone infected that way but I am not trying to yell fire in a theatre. My doctor told me NOT to share glasses etc. with people.

[layla]

I was quit surprised to see anything referring to contacting HCV through drinking glasses. This just is not a mode of transmission and saying this scares people. It is a blood to blood transmission. Most of us didn't know we have had this for 10 to 30 years and have not passed it to our families (with a few exceptions through blood). I don't know about anyone else but I share food, drinks and just becareful of anything that might come in contact wth my blood.  LL

[britgirl]

I agree with Layla. It is not possible to catch HCV from sharing a glass with someone. It must be blood to blood contact.

[scott___]

Yeah, I agree ... but I was thinking more on the bleeding gums, mouth sores, etc. line of thought. I don't agree the virus CAN'T be transmitted that way ... it is possible. How possible I don't know but if I am viremic and have mouth sores, gums bleeding, etc. how can anyone say that virus can't be spread if blood gets on something and someone else with mouth sores or bleeding gums contacts it. That is blood to blood to me. Don't a lot of us have mouth problems? Before and during treatment? I think we do.

"The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is readily transmitted by blood to blood contact. The virus has also been detected in semen, ascitic fluid (fluid accumulated in the spaces between tissues and organs in the abdomen), in the urine of those with chronic liver disease and in saliva which is thought to be from bleeding gums."

That is from haemophilia.org.uk.

Then, of course, the sexual stuff:

"There are no known cases of HCV being transmitted through oral sex on a man (fellatio) or a woman (cunnilingus). However, it is theoretically possible that the virus could be transmitted this way if a person has mouth sores, bleeding gums, or a throat infection.

"There are no known cases of HCV being spread through kissing, including deep, open-mouth, or

[mikesimon]

I guess anything is possible. I imagine you could get hep c from shaking hands if you both had open sores on your hands. But I still say that drinking out of the same glass is an extremely unlikely manner of transmission. Would it make sense not to engage in that? Yes, it probaly is a good idea. Would I worry if someone had drunk after an infected person? I wouldn't worry about it. Shumaker was worried she or her kids caught it. I didn't think that was likely, and so unlikely in fact, that I worry if this idea is given any validation that the general public will be alarmed that much more and that we will be increasingly ostracized.  Mike

[honey1616]

Yeah...true.   We really in all honesty don't have all the answers on how it is transmitted except what all the studies show as being the most likely ways.  My hubby most likely got it through blood transfusion and me...Not sure.  I have borrowed his razor many many times and also through years shared his glass and utensils so just don't know exact causes at all times.  I am just really cautious at this point around my family members....

[scott___]

How are you doing?

I agree with you and also believe the possibility is remote but I would also like science to find out too and let the world know.

Right now, at least 4 million Americans have HCV. How many even know they have it? We are not tested for it during a physical -- at least my doctor doesn't.

I am being serious and not just arguing this for the sake of arguing. I'd really like to know the risk and it isn't zero. Yeah, it makes people feel good to think the risk is small and maybe it is but it isn't some wild scenario either.

Give you an example: My mouth has been cracked on the sides of the lips for about a month, bleeding cracked ... now I am virus-free or better said undedectable on the test taken, since no test measures to zero. Is that a possible mode of transmission of my wife has sores in her mouth (if I was viremic)? If she bled while brushing? I would say yes -- no doubt about it. Is that alarming to the general public? I don't know. Maybe with 4 million Americans infected they ought to get alarmed about HCV and maybe we'd get that cure we all want.

Anyway, I've beat the horse dead pretty good so I will shut up.

[cuteus]

I was amazed the other day at the amount of blood my baby was exposed to at birth, with the umbilical cord still attached, and through out 14 yrs of mom's menses, and hcv is negative in her blood. others here had c-sections.
Possibility, yes,anything is possible. A valid worry, i don't think so, in the light of all other risks life throws our way that are more dangerous, like influenza.
We could worry ourselves sick with all the "possible" things that could happen to us, are they worth the worry? not in my opinion.  I also have the cracked corners, have bled from fingers every winter, etc. and for 14 yrs. child has been around, and still uninfected. I have other things to concern myself about at present.

[mikesimon]

I'm doing pretty well, thank you for asking. I'm on the final leg so the anxiety of possible relapse has creeped into my mind but otherwise I'm well. I'll be done on June 20th.
I agree that any time one has open sores or is bleeding there is an increased risk we should be overly cautious. From my personal experience I can say that I had this virus for at least 25 years before detection. During that time I lived with a woman for 11 years and one for 8 years as well as partners in between. We never knew I was sick so we were never the least bit cautious in ANY area. I have contacted 6 woman and none is positive for the virus. I just think it is highly unlikely to infect someone without pretty strong blood to blood. I guess it could happen but I would be curious to know if any member of this board believes they were infected or infected another person in this manner. I seriously doubt there are any. But, like you said, this horse is developing rigor mortis so I'll let it rest in peace.
By the way, how are you feeling and when do you finish?
Good luck. Mike

[honey1616]

Yeah...Me.  That is only way I could have been infected. I know that its like only a 2% or less way to be infected but the possibility is there.  I have had 3 kids through c-section and none of them are positive so I'm not going to worry day to day over this but yes...If now of course that we are aware we have hep c...I would definitely be cautious if I did indeed have an open sore or bleeding gums.

[mikesimon]

Are you saying you got it from drinking after an infected person? Mike

[scott___]

I am going 83 weeks so that will be in July sometime. I will feel anxious then too. This is my first shot at this damn disease. I want to kill it you know?

My wife have been together almost 20 years and we hang from trapezes and stuff and she doesn't have it. My kids were both C-Sections and I have genital herpes too (so does my wife -- sorry if that is more than everyone needed to know but we're family right? LOL I am the relative no one wants at parties!Cindy will probably remove this post later today anyway).

I wasn't trying to alarm anyone but really just wanted to hear what people thought and what data someone might have out there and use common sense to try to sort it out. I will admit it is hard on treatment to sort anything out.

Good luck on your treatment and SVR Mike. You've always been an inspiration to me and I do want to extend an apology if I offended you in the past by beating other horses to death.

[honey1616]

LOL  Drinking after infected person...I doubt it..More then likely through sharing of razor etc. Actually...I wish I knew as its a mystery.  And of course look at all the people on this board that have had it for years and their family is not infected.  Its not worth worrying about...You just have to live and go on.

[scott___]

I got it off a toilet seat.

[mikesimon]

I should probably remember but I don't: how did you arrive at the 83 week period? Did you clear after 12 weeks? I cleared at 12 (I think because I was at 12 IU/ML at 11 weeks but didn't test again until 17 weeks) and figured I'd do a year from the 17 weeks. But now I've decided to do 72 weeks and be done with it. I wish you the best because you're definitely committed. Had I not relapsed the last time I doubt I would have the resolve to go this long but once that happens it emboldens you a tad. Good luck Scott. Be well. Mike

[Southernboy]

"It jumped right up and grabbed my meat"

(From "Why does it hurt when I Pee" on the immortal Frank Zappa album Penis Dimensions).  LOL.

Steve

[BD146]

Hi Scott,
  For peace of mind, what I do is isolate my toothbrush from the other's , I also have my own drinking glass.  I just rather play it safe.  Sorry to hear about the bleeding gums.  I am hoping that someone could give you some advice.  I don't have that answer.  If it continues you may want to consult your dr.
  May comfort come your way as soon as possible... Edgar

[ral]

Mikesimon I ditto this from Scott"Good luck on your treatment and SVR Mike. You've always been an inspiration to me" Desperate or not you are one tough COOKIE....

Scott I am right ther with you I only want to fight this one time BIG GEORGE FOREMAN IS TO TOUGH FOR LITTLE ME two times. Once title bout is enough even if you have to the old 15 rounds instead of the new 12 rounds and I think that is where I am headed extended tx.


TrihepCguy thanks to your article and great research abilities I taked to my Doctor tonight and he said he liked the article and if I can muscle it out he is with me. I have 6 more wks after tonight so we will how my PCR looks then how my WBC'S, RBC'S and platletts are at the end of TX I will keep you all posted.

Hi Maj and the rest of you guys hope you are all doing well and fighting hard..


As always

GOD BLESS AND PEACE TO YOU

Bob L

[TnHepCGuy]

Keep fighting the good fight. Like 'willing' said - I think you are doing the right thing by extending. I'll be looking to hear good news from you as you continue forward.

May God's blessings and mercy be upon you.


TnHepCGuy

[raheem]

I want to thank all of you for giving me your support, advice, comments, information, remedies, stories and so forth over the last 48 weeks.  I could mention many, many names but I'm afraid I might omit somebody.  I've never been in a face to face support group or message board or anything quite like this. It is truly humbling to have "met" so many dedicated, informed and intelligent people that have been so unselfish with their time and thoughts.  This board has answered so many questions for me, raised many questions for me to ask my doctor and inspired me to keep on stumbling along with tx.  It has made me a better person.  Tomorrow night is #48 and I'm done with this phase. I'll be sniffing around the board, but I want to give other new folks a chance to ask questions and respond.  However, I really feel like I have an obligation and responsibility to still participate a little and show others the way.  Again, thank you all from the bottom of my heart.  raheem