Aa
new to forum new to hep c.. or i think i am
Hello guys I am new here too i have been looking at the forum for a few weeks but i just now joined. I discovered i had Hep C a couple of weeks ago I went to a specialist for fibromyalgia and when testing he found the hep c. its been a mess though because technically this all started in october when i went to the doctor for side pain. in November they took out my gallbladder and a few weeks later i had pancreatitis and was back in the hospital. My primary care dr. apparently keept testing my liver because it was swollen but never tested for anything else. it wasnt till i was sent to the other specialist that the hep c was found. they say i not only have enlarged liver but also enlarged spleen. I am now waiting to get into the liver specialist its been a few weeks but thankfully i go on monday I cant wait so i can start figuring out what to do next. I dont know much about genotype or anything like that and I am not real sure where i got it. I just know i felt bad because of the gallstones and went downhill from there. I do know my viral load was only something like 58000 when they did the test in early march but the rheumatoid specialist said he coudlnt tell me anything else that was why he was sending me to a liver specialist. Im pretty freak out and i dont really have anyone i can talk to that i think understands because i dont want to tell to many people and also because no one i know has it to talk to me openly about it who has/is going through it. I do know i feel awful though!
Yes, in this forum, you can not only ask questions, you can style other members in a variety of different clothing, from anything as varied as animal skins to pink ninja outfits ;).
Btw, welcome to the discussion group. ~eureka
Btw, welcome to the discussion group. ~eureka
Hahaha, no doubt! That, and I should probably run to the store and garb me some new spellcheck software!
omg i dont know what anyone of these things mean! im computer short word illiterate
Hmm... as in the garb someone wears? Maybe it'd help if you gave us some background or context?
Unfortunately, it only takes one time sharing works to get infected; you don’t have to be a career junky. And yes, if you worked in health care, there you go; you can take your pick, probably.
Liver enzymes in the 300’s are high, but still consistent with chronic HCV. Mine hovered around 200-300 when I was infected as well.
Ask the doctor to explain the difference between acute and chronic infection; basically, we all initially develop chronic infection for the first six months, then if our immune response doesn’t clear the virus we then develop chronic infection. The reason I mention it is that you’re enzymes are on the high side; sometimes this is associated with acute infection.
Ask about liver biopsy
Ask about genotype
Ask about new drugs called ‘DAA’ drugs now pending FDA approval
Those are a few questions to start a list with; others will ad to it hopefully. Check back tomorrow and this weekend too; you’ll probably have more responses by then.
--Bill
Liver enzymes in the 300’s are high, but still consistent with chronic HCV. Mine hovered around 200-300 when I was infected as well.
Ask the doctor to explain the difference between acute and chronic infection; basically, we all initially develop chronic infection for the first six months, then if our immune response doesn’t clear the virus we then develop chronic infection. The reason I mention it is that you’re enzymes are on the high side; sometimes this is associated with acute infection.
Ask about liver biopsy
Ask about genotype
Ask about new drugs called ‘DAA’ drugs now pending FDA approval
Those are a few questions to start a list with; others will ad to it hopefully. Check back tomorrow and this weekend too; you’ll probably have more responses by then.
--Bill
Thank you all for the support and the input that acronym site is gonna be really helpful. I know or sure my liver enzymes are 300+ that was one of the reasons the rheumatoidoligist sent me for more blood work and the ultrasounds. Ok so i go to the liver specialist monday and i will fill you all in from there. As for where i got it it i did use drugs but i've also was a cna for 8 years hie or take and i was kinda wondering because it seemed like all the symptoms and problems hit all at once. I guess though were and when really isn't as important as understanding here and now and get rid of it. I am tired of feeling sick and tired!
I'm new to the forum too after reading it for a few weeks. I don't have much of a support system in real life so I thought that it would be good to have somewhere to go with questions and concerns. I was diagnosed four years ago this month. Although I have probably had HCV for 30 or so years, I took my time with deciding about treatment until I felt like I knew enough to make a decision. My labs and biopsy were really pretty good so I did not feel the need to rush- my stats are still not terribly bad but there has been some progression. I'm glad now that I waited. The clinical trial that I am in is more advanced than where treatment was four years ago and I am optimisitc even though I am GT 1a.
I made risky lifestyle choices so I can pretty much figure out about when I contracted HCV. If you do not have those things in your past, you may never know.
I learn more from reading things online than I ever have from a doctor. I always get a copy of my lab results to bring home and look up on my own.
Good luck with everything and keep us posted - I learn something everytime I log on here.
Debra
I made risky lifestyle choices so I can pretty much figure out about when I contracted HCV. If you do not have those things in your past, you may never know.
I learn more from reading things online than I ever have from a doctor. I always get a copy of my lab results to bring home and look up on my own.
Good luck with everything and keep us posted - I learn something everytime I log on here.
Debra
As Mary4now mentioned, there’s really no way to pinpoint timeframe of infection. The doctor will likely go over your history and look at the most likely point of contact based on lifestyle. Some of us (ahem :o)) got it from youthful indiscretion many years ago; IV drug use continues to be one of the most common ways of getting this. Some folks simply have no history of drug use or even likely medical exposure; those individuals will probably never really know how the contracted it.
Here’s a page with the acronyms often used in here; you might want to print this or save it to disk for reference; it’s also available in the lower right hand side of this webpage in a box titled ‘most viewed health pages’:
http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Hepatitis/Common-Hepatitis-C-Acronyms/show/3?cid=64
This should help a bit. You seem like a quick study; stick around, read and ask questions as they arise; the folks here will be happy to help as you go. We can help you work up a list of questions to ask the doctor it you like; garb one of us and ask.
Good luck; you’re probably going through some of the worst of it right now; as you become more familiar with everything the anxiety usually decreases.
Take care-
Bill
Here’s a page with the acronyms often used in here; you might want to print this or save it to disk for reference; it’s also available in the lower right hand side of this webpage in a box titled ‘most viewed health pages’:
http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Hepatitis/Common-Hepatitis-C-Acronyms/show/3?cid=64
This should help a bit. You seem like a quick study; stick around, read and ask questions as they arise; the folks here will be happy to help as you go. We can help you work up a list of questions to ask the doctor it you like; garb one of us and ask.
Good luck; you’re probably going through some of the worst of it right now; as you become more familiar with everything the anxiety usually decreases.
Take care-
Bill
Welcome to the Forum. Understanding the numbers will come around soon enough. In the mean time, if you don’t understand, feel free to ask. Sometimes we forget that when someone is new to all this, it can be like Greek to them. This link will help some http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Hepatitis/Common-Hepatitis-C-Acronyms/show/3?cid=64. You can find it at the bottom of the right side of this page under “Most Viewed Health Pages.”
For now, you need to stay away from alcohol period. Until you have a Biopsy, you have no idea the shape your liver is in (not trying to make you panic).
There is no way they can tell you how long you have had it. HCV is a slow progressing disease but some progress faster than others. In other words liver damage is not an indicator of how long you have had it.
You came to the right place to get educated. Remember, if you don’t understand, ask to have the information in laymen’s terms. R Glass
For now, you need to stay away from alcohol period. Until you have a Biopsy, you have no idea the shape your liver is in (not trying to make you panic).
There is no way they can tell you how long you have had it. HCV is a slow progressing disease but some progress faster than others. In other words liver damage is not an indicator of how long you have had it.
You came to the right place to get educated. Remember, if you don’t understand, ask to have the information in laymen’s terms. R Glass
Sorry about your diagnosis, you seem to have more than your share.
I dont think there is any way to find out when you contracted it, it is so illusive. I think I had it for 40 years, but just 6 years ago my ALT was 20, those are your liver enzymes and when they are high numbers it indicates something is amiss. 2 years later they were 45, some Alts are in the 300's this is just one indicator, the gold standard right now is a liver biopsy and full blood test to determine genotype, platelets, neutrophils. The biopsy is a pretty easy procedure, you will take the day off though.
This is usually a very slow growing disease and most times the host outlives the damage.
The treatment can take a long time and the meds are not fun, but there is a lot of research going on to shorten the treatment time and boost the cure outcome.
Dont worry, just take it step by step. get yourself a good liver doctor and make sure your questions are answered. You will learn more as time goes on.
I have no insurance and I make very little money, I did however get into a study that takes care of everything as well as support according to the study standards. There are some options so hang in.
:))
I dont think there is any way to find out when you contracted it, it is so illusive. I think I had it for 40 years, but just 6 years ago my ALT was 20, those are your liver enzymes and when they are high numbers it indicates something is amiss. 2 years later they were 45, some Alts are in the 300's this is just one indicator, the gold standard right now is a liver biopsy and full blood test to determine genotype, platelets, neutrophils. The biopsy is a pretty easy procedure, you will take the day off though.
This is usually a very slow growing disease and most times the host outlives the damage.
The treatment can take a long time and the meds are not fun, but there is a lot of research going on to shorten the treatment time and boost the cure outcome.
Dont worry, just take it step by step. get yourself a good liver doctor and make sure your questions are answered. You will learn more as time goes on.
I have no insurance and I make very little money, I did however get into a study that takes care of everything as well as support according to the study standards. There are some options so hang in.
:))
Thanks for the welcome. I have been reading as much as possible since i found out so i knew some of that but you made it a lot more understandable. I pretty much have to avoid alcohol I tested the theory right after i was diagnosed and found out that it is indeed a bad idea as soon as i drink i get so sick its unbelievableI have been really worrying about razor use and clippers seeing how i don't my husband infected. I went and bought all new clippers and nail stuff and told him not to use my razors.
Yes i do have insurance but i have a big deductible so i am worrying about that also.
Will the specialist be able to more pinpoint how long Ive had hep c?
-i would like to try to figure out how i got it and a timeline might help with that.
When reading these post and other info about hep c, i see a lot of numbers and things that are not about the genotype and I have no idea what they mean or what i need to be listening for when i go to the doctor.
Yes i do have insurance but i have a big deductible so i am worrying about that also.
Will the specialist be able to more pinpoint how long Ive had hep c?
-i would like to try to figure out how i got it and a timeline might help with that.
When reading these post and other info about hep c, i see a lot of numbers and things that are not about the genotype and I have no idea what they mean or what i need to be listening for when i go to the doctor.
Hi there,
Anytime you feel like it, you can start a new thread here. It helps to sort of stick with a thread until it’s ‘talked out’; that sort of keeps all our thoughts together in one place. Other than that, it’s a free for all :o)!
The liver specialist will go over all this with you when you see him/her; you can get some basics from us if you like.
You do in fact have active HCV if you have a measurable viral load; so yes, you’re infected.
The next step is generally to find the genotype, or strain of HCV you have. This is a blood test, similar to the viral load test. There are six genotypes; 1 through 6, with one, two and three endemic to North America. Genotype (GT) 1 is the most common, but also the least responsive to therapy. GT-2 and GT-3 are less frequent, but respond more readily to the current meds used for management.
Your viral load is considered low; anything less than 400,000 IU/mL is a low viral load. It’s important to point out that viral load doesn’t (necessarily) correspond to disease severity, however; this is different than say, HIV or Hep B, where viral load plays a big part of disease management.
Disease severity is best determined by liver biopsy; a needle removes a small segment of tissue, which pathology reviews for scarring, or fibrosis that might have developed over the course of your disease.
Do you have health insurance?
The best thing you can do immediately is to avoid alcohol. Also, give some thought to where your blood ends up; don’t share razors, clippers, personal care items as they can obviously spread infection; or have the potential to do so.
Welcome to the discussion group; ask questions and become familiar with the disease and its treatment—
Bill
Anytime you feel like it, you can start a new thread here. It helps to sort of stick with a thread until it’s ‘talked out’; that sort of keeps all our thoughts together in one place. Other than that, it’s a free for all :o)!
The liver specialist will go over all this with you when you see him/her; you can get some basics from us if you like.
You do in fact have active HCV if you have a measurable viral load; so yes, you’re infected.
The next step is generally to find the genotype, or strain of HCV you have. This is a blood test, similar to the viral load test. There are six genotypes; 1 through 6, with one, two and three endemic to North America. Genotype (GT) 1 is the most common, but also the least responsive to therapy. GT-2 and GT-3 are less frequent, but respond more readily to the current meds used for management.
Your viral load is considered low; anything less than 400,000 IU/mL is a low viral load. It’s important to point out that viral load doesn’t (necessarily) correspond to disease severity, however; this is different than say, HIV or Hep B, where viral load plays a big part of disease management.
Disease severity is best determined by liver biopsy; a needle removes a small segment of tissue, which pathology reviews for scarring, or fibrosis that might have developed over the course of your disease.
Do you have health insurance?
The best thing you can do immediately is to avoid alcohol. Also, give some thought to where your blood ends up; don’t share razors, clippers, personal care items as they can obviously spread infection; or have the potential to do so.
Welcome to the discussion group; ask questions and become familiar with the disease and its treatment—
Bill
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