HCV and fear

[DayLyn]

I'm just wondering how others feel when it comes to HCV and the fear of re-infecting.

I've found that since I tested UND that I am more fearful of being reinfected than of relapsing!  I don't know why this is, or if I'm the only one who's feeling this???

I'm AFRAID - it's always at the back of my mind.  

Ignorance is bliss.  Now that I've found out about HCV and done all of this research, maybe I know TOO much.  It's not severe, not a 24 hour a day fear,  but I find that I'm not wanting to go to a spa for manicure or pedicure, dentist, etc., because I'm afraid that all of this will be for not.

Silly stuff, but I just can't shake it.  I guess I'm really wondering how people move on from this after UND, or after tx ends and you have SVR - do you end up living your life in a constant state of fear that somehow, you may be exposed and re-infected?

Thanks guys!

Daylyn

[DayLyn]

Hey there!

Just wondering if you had gotten your 6 month post PCR back yet?

I've been thinking about you all week, and wondering how that went for you.

Daylyn

[DayLyn]

Goldyn - congatulations on your 3 month PCR!  I will be holding my breath waiting to hear your next UND results!

Kalio - I did enjoy the spa often getting manicures and pedicures, etc., but have not been back since my dx - paranoid  :)

[DayLyn]

Thanks for the words of wisdom!  You are absolutely right, of course.  I guess that's just what I needed, someone to talk some sense into me!

Bless your soul.

Daylyn

[GrandmaA]

I have no fear of reinfection. I have never had a manicure, pedicure or tatoo. I got my virus from a blood transfusion. I have never even thought of it until you mentioned it. It's not so easy to get. Blood on blood contact with an infected person. My dentists are very careful and wear gloves, mask. I warned them I have HVC.  We can have faith in the Lord or we can live in fear the choice is ours. I chose the former. Do the bests you can and leave the results to the Lord. Worry never changed anything, it just gives you an ulcer and spoils this moment that you can be grateful for. It's easier to get in an auto accident than to get this virus AGAIN.

[Kalio1]

Did you ever have manicures or pedicures? They can be a culprit too.

the stigma around this virus and lack of education contribute to the fear around this disease and prevents people from getting tested. I thinkone reason is  because they never used drugs so they don't believe they are at risk. They don't realize that there is a pretty sizable section of people with this that don't have the "typical" risk factors associated with drug use

[DayLyn]

Congratulations on making it through treatment!  What a feat this is - good for you!

Can I ask how your 6 mo post PCR went?

I think that I will probably always have that in the back of my head as well.  It would be nice to be oblivious once again - but being oblivious won't help forever.....

I envy my friends, who go for tattoos, and piercings, and dental visits, and to the spa, with not a worry in their heads!

However, if I'm understanding the stats, probably a few of them have HCV, and just don't know it.....

Which leads me back to my original fear of  re-infection.... (sigh)

I suppose this is just going to be my life..... and perhaps this is my lesson in life to learn.

Instead of germs or bacteria, its the HCV virus for me.

:)

[goldyn]

Yes daylyn im almost 7 months post and will not get my nails done, i am leary of getting my hair cut, and i do ask if everything is new and sterile at the dentist its a  hard treatment and you dont want to have to do it again......

anise- had to get a rootcanal done and a old filling had to be removed well after drilling into it i wasnt numd so he took a shot straight into that root that has been in the old filling and the first thing that popped in my mind was oh Lord i hope there wasnt a cootie in hiding in there......I hope in time that it will never pop up in my mind again , but right now everything is still too fresh...

[goldyn]

Ive always been late getting my pcrs my 31/2 month was clear, i just did my 7month post last week and havent recieved my results yet , sure do hope they are the same clear like before............

[DayLyn]

Anise;

Thanks so much for your post.  I feel better knowing that I'm not the only one with these feelings.  Makes me feel a little on the "saner" side.  

Maybe my fears are a little irrational.  However, when you do know the risks, and you've been exposed to this nasty little virus, you do want to protect yourself - right?

I'll probably spend my life avoiding dentists, spas, etc., and then die early from some weird form of bacteria! HA!

That would be the way, if there was one - just to prove me wrong.

:)

Thanks again!  You're a peach.

Daylyn

[DayLyn]

I am not engaging in high risk behaviours now, nor have I ever.  I believe that I was infected during a blood transfusion as a toddler.

I've never done drugs, IV or otherwise.  I don't have tatoos.  I was married to the same person for 15 years, always faithful (only sexual partner).  The only "high risk behaviour" that I have ever been involved in is getting my ears pierced at age 10, and going to the dentist & the spa.......

Thanks for the input.

Best of luck to you.

Daylyn

[Alady1620]

I, too, find myself stressing out when the hair stylist nips my toddler with the razor and things of that nature.  I avoid nail salons and I am very careful when walking barefoot in the park.  I think these things are normal.

I have to ask tho.  Are you still engaging in high risk behaviors?  If so, maybe you need to stop.

[anise]

I have to admit that I wonder about getting re-infected, in particular, from dental work.  I just had some implants installed and the thought crossed my mind more than once.  However, I rationalize that most professional folks, such as, dentists - are much more careful these days of blood borne viruses.  Also, my hubs has had implants and he is free of the virus (we have been married 20 years).  Could it happen, probably, especially at nail salons or tattoo places.  I do not frequent these places because of the possibility of re-infection.

So, you are not alone :)

[BonnieRobin]

Im so focused on getting rid of it I never thought of getting re-infected again.
The chances of getting it again are probably nil.

I hope you feel better about it soon and enjot your SVR!!!!
Best To You