waiting...

It's been 2 weeks since I got positive results on an antibody test.  I had a second antibody test done that same day and the results came back yesterday-inconclusive insufficent blood.  it was a test done through the health dept, so instead of drawing blood from a vein they just pricked my finger and filled a circle on an index card lookin thing-i would assume to save money...i am going to have blood actually drawn tomororrow for a third test which will hopefully show something...either way.  I am probably positivie and shouldn't really doubt the first test but I can't help but NOT believe it...I guess I don't really have a question...just a bit frustrated.  It's hard to talk about with my friends/family.  My friends just get worried for themselves and my family-well I don't want to burden them w/ this sh*t.  They've dealt with enough already.......well thanks for listening..

[Bill1954]

Hi there,

Yeah, if you’ve shared needles in the past, there’s a pretty good chance you’ll turn up actually positive for virus. I’ve seen studies showing IVDU tends to be nearly universally positive after 1 year of use.

Do you have any other recent test results that might collaborate this test, such as liver enzyme tests?

If you’re still using, think about it; it’s going to be difficult to find a doctor willing to offer treatment; they typically require six months sobriety prior to Tx. Be sure to stop drinking if you are… this stuff and alcohol don’t mix well.

Best of luck to you; and let us know how this plays out—

Bill

[dj2584]

Thanks for responding.  Yes, I have shared...unfortunately.  It started just with my ex-boyfriend.....which was extremely stupid of me.  I figured if we were sleeping together..no harm done...but since it's not really transmissible by sex..I was wrong-harm very well could've been done.  Obviously as my addiction continued, I continued to share(unaware-til the day of the pos. result-that there was a needle xchange in my small town.)

I started seeing a suboxone(a med that get you off heroin/opiates) doctor and he did a general blood test(including the antibody test)and said my liver "levels"-whatever that means-looked "fine".  He was really vague about everything though(as I mentioned on a previous post on the hep c forum)  He did mention not starting treatment til I had six months clean...which is going to be challenge.  I moved back home about three months ago, was living several states away.  I recently made the decision to go back there and will be leaving next week.  I decided this, in part, because there is virtually no heroin there so I will have a much better chance of truly getting clean again.  It feels basically impossible here.  Heroin is all I know.. =/

I don't drink anymore, thank god.  Probably the worst thing I could do w/ hep c...Anyway, once I get the results of this next test tomorrow I will have a PCR(right?) to find out more.  I already have another suboxone doctor lined where I'm going-and a referral to a gastroenterologist should I need one...

Thanks again for responding, I've read many of your posts-very helpful.  =)