Thank you for your kind post.
It is post night before the "big" doctor appointment and I must admit that I was much braver over the weekend than I am now. But hubby is coming to the appointment with me and, together, we will learn all the good, bad, and ugly.
I haven't really told anyone beside my best friend and hubby, and yes, I do feel it is a stigma at this point. But what the heck, talking is and always has been "therapy" for me, so I reserve the right to change my mind!
Thanks again for all the kind words.
Good luck revo - and welcome to the board.
Lots of great folks here.
You'll need to know your Geno type --- and your viral load --- plus you'll need a biopsy to see how much damage you may or may not have.
Don't panic --- and hang in there --- you'll get lots of info.
It doesn't matter where you got "it" --- and you'll need to decide whether it's a stigma for you or not...
It is not for me... I'm very open about it -- and talk to people about it constantly.
However - for some folks it's a "closet" thing.
Up to you completely.
Much luck to all!
Hugs --- sorry you're joining us - due to the circumstances - but welcome aboard!
Meki
I will and thanks for pitching in, lots of info on this forum..kinda took me to scared, freaked and now after searching a few other sites and reading in the archives here I feel better. Will be much better when I know just what I am facing.....................
Cool! I’m glad to hear you’re getting on top of it. Stay in touch, and let us know how you’re appointment turns out.
Bill
Thank you all for your knowledge and support. Today is a different day and I feel at least armed enough to speak to the GI I am seeing on Thursday. We live in a small area and one major problem I have is whether to continue with care here or travel to Raleigh and seek care there. Thursday will tell me more on who will treat me. This is not my first medical hurdle, I had breast cancer in 94 and was part of the decision making team, and I expect any doctor who treats me with this to embrace the fact that I need to be involved. I'm not sure if my insurance will pay for a specialist but am checking this week. Trip to GI will take place though.
My test results that I spoke of all say "will follow". I am assuming that because this result was in my primary doctors office 3 days after being taken, it really does not have any values so to speak of. I am familiar with "regular" lab results and these took me for a loop because there is no value nor anything besides "will follow" and a bunch of stuff about FDA.
Again thanks for the experience, no longer freaking (today) and head is up and getting armed with info.
Hi Rev, sorry to be so brief in my previous, was suppertime...Do check out the janis site, there is a ton of info their, as well as the search function at the top of this page...Others are more knowledgeable about results reported in log as opposed to iu/ml...I'm sure I'm misreading the table at the janis site, but log ten doesn't seem right to me... Hopefully others will chime in....It is well advised to request copies of all results from the tests they do on you, blood, viral counts,biopsy (if done) etc...As jim mentioned, your best bet is to see a hepatologist and go from there...Panicking is not an option that pays very good dividends, one step at a time ,,,good luck
Pro
If you have positive results from an HCV RNA test, then you do indeed have Hepatitis C (HCV).
The antibody test Jim referred to is generally a preliminary test that screens patients for antibodies; antibodies are manufactured by the body in response to an exposure/infection, but do not tell us if we have “active” HCV.
The HCV RNA is costlier, but tests directly for the virus. This is an extremely decisive test. You mentioned you have copies of the labs: “The one thing this does have is the UL/mL on it and something about a log 10.” The language on that sheet should be of help; it may be expressed in numerical or log value (representing viral load), or expressed as a pos/neg value (yes/no).
Please type out *exactly* what is written on this sheet; hopefully someone here will help you interpret the results. Also, if it mentions anything about test method i.e. ‘Bayer Versant v3.0’ or something similar, that might help as well.
(Big grin ;o)) The confused nurse you spoke with is case-in-point why you are being referred to a specialist. Most primary care providers just aren’t trained to interpret the data, much less advise or provide treatment for this disease.
This is all overwhelming at the start; as you learn more, you’ll develop a sense of empowerment; Take a look at the Janis and Friends site, (scroll down and click on an item of interest in the blue box), and stay in touch. This is a holiday weekend, so things are a little slow right now.
Take care,
Bill
Thank you, I did see the janis link earlier, I guess I had better visit.
Please forgive but I am treading in unknown waters. The test that they did on me is the HCV RNA, is that the viral load? When I received my cholesterol levels this week the rest of the tests were pending. The one thing this does have is the UL/mL on it and something about a log 10. The nurse is the one who sent me the few results I have and when I spoke to her she sounded confused, as if she has never seen this type of lab before.
Just about anything in traditional print will be outdated by the time it's published. Articles and studies on the internet more recent. One suggestion -- if insurance allows, ask your primary to see a liver specialist (hepatologist) as opposed to a GI. Many GI's have too little experience and are too far behind the treatment curve to give you the best treatment available. BTW being "hep c positive" has various meanings. For example you can be hep c *antibody* positive and not have hepatitis c. Did they do a viral load test? If not, you may not have Hep C.
-- Jim
http://janis7hepc.com/have_you_been_just_diagnosed.htm