new member

[Puffins]

Hello to all, I have been reading this forum and learning as much as I can over the past month.  I have been told in 1991 after donating blood that I have antibodies to HCV.  3 doctors that I seen at that time have told me not to worry, watch my liver functions and not drink(I never did so no big deal). I lived a normal life for the past 14 years, had kids etc.  Recently I saw a new doc because of upset stomach and mentioned the HCV to him. He ran tests and confirmed that I do have antibodies to Hep C.  I am scheduled to attend a class at Kaiser to learn more. I feel so stupid and ignorant that I believed those doctors 14 years ago and did not follow up more. My LFT's have always been normal. I am terrified of what I might have done to my kids and my husband not really knowing enough facts. I know they all have to be tested.
I am grateful that I have found this forum and all of you because now I don't feel so alone.

[cquest]

I am new as well and have just gone to the gastro who tells me he doesn't routinely do liver bx's. He believes that it might influence my decision to tx (as in good result why bother to tx and if bad, depressed and won't follow thru w/ tx). He has me scheduled for an upper GI this Thurs. due to pain and nausea w/'markedly enlarged' stomach, he thinks there could be a stricture...anyway I'm thinkin that I should call him and sugest he do a liver bx and the upper GI at the same time...kill two birds with one stone...I realize I would have to have it done at the hospital where they have a CT scan and they would have to wheel me from Endo to Rad... Or, should I just go along with the plan? He says they should know in 3 months whether or not I will be able to clear of this thing and if not, then do a bx? He has given me scripts for Peg and Copeg which I will probably get started on after the upper GI. What do you all think?
Cin

[token]

Hi everybody, I'm also new to this site, I actually discovered it two days ago and love it!!! It's great!Everybody is so suportive...
I'm from Croatia and tested HCV positive a year and a half ago. I was shocked, depressed at first and of course worried that maybe I passed it to other people around me... luckily I haven't (not even to my ex-boyfriend who sometimes used my razors),
I thought that I was dying while I was waiting for the results... A year and a half later I can say that I know a lot about this serious disease, and have actually found most of the information on the net. There are same really great sites out there and it is ''really important'' for you to know what things to avoid and how to improve the quality of your life...the sad fact is that doctors won't always have the time to explain all the details....
Anyhow, take care and good luck with your results and the biopsy!!!

[Leany]

Hi, I am also new to the site. I have had HCV now for 20 years with no liver damage or side effects of the virus. I have five children , non are positive .
I found out 13 years ago due to a blood exposure. Then it was called non A/B . Thru the course of the years I have come to realize that while much is known about Hepatitis there is an awful lot not known. We still are finding out more each day.
Find a good Doc, test, then make decisions based upon your results.

[susan400]

Hey there and welcome.  Welcome to Puffin, too!  Iceboy, what part of Iceland to you live in?  My great-grandmother was born in Rechylvic (not sure if that's spelled right!)  Anyhow, I've always wanted to visit Iceland some day.  

I've been on this forum for a long, long time.  I've been through many treatments.  Some people probably think I'm nuts.  That's alright.

Take care,

Susan

[Ladyfhattcatt]

HI,
  I TOO AM NEW TO THIS ITE. A WEEK MAYBE. LIKE YOU I TESTED POSITVE FOR THE HEP C ANTIBODI AND WAS TOLD IT WAS NOTHING AT ALL TO WORRY ABOUT. MAKES YOU WONDER ABOUT DOCTORS DOESN'T IT.
UPON FURTHER TESTING I FIND THAT I REALLY DO HAVE SOMETHING TO WORRY ABOUT I AM POSITIVE FOR THE HEP C VIRUS GENO TYPE 2. I HAVE AHUSBAND AND CHILDREN AND AM TERRIFIED I HAVE PASSED IT ON TO MY KIDS. MY HUSBAND HAS ALREADY BEEN TESTED AND IS NEGATIVE.
IT WAS ACTUALLY THE GI DOC OR HIS PA WHO SAID I DIDN'T NEED TO TEST MY CHILDREN BUT AFTER READING IN THIS FORUM I HAVE SEEN WHERE QUIT A FEW MOTHERS HAVE PASSED IT ON TO THEIR CHILDREN. I JUST DON'T KNOW ANYMORE. I ONLY HOPE I HAVEN'T RUINED THEIR LIVES. I COULD NEVER LIVE WITH MYSELF. SEE I DID THIS TO MYSELF IN MY YOUNGER DUMBER DAYS OF OUT OF CONTROL PARTYING. I COULD TRY TO BLAME IT ON THE TWO TATOOS I HAVE BUT I KNOW BETTER. I KNOW EXACTLY HOW I GOT IT AND APPROXIMATELY HOW LONG AGO (20 YEARS). JUST WANTED YOU TO KNOW THAT WE ARE IN THE SAME BOAT.

TAKE CARE,
JUDY

[Bill1954]

I'll find you in the canned sardine aisle, no doubt!

Strings of Hope
Hep C support group
2nd Friday of every month, 12:00 to 1:30 PM
670 Placerville Dr, Placerville
Partners in Care/Snowline Hospice Bldg, 2nd floor
(Just past the new Home Depot building)

The coordinator is Katie Oatis: call Marshalll hospital for her number ( I feel awkward posting it on the net- it's her home phone) Last week we had a guest speaker from Roche that was *extremely* well informed.

If you like, feel free to write me at:

w.***@****

Please include 'HCV' somewhere in the subject line, and I'll try to get right back to you. Until then, may your nest be filled with herring,

Bill