Hep C supressed immune system

Douglas Dieterich, MD
Can you please help me with this question
Lab results: neg hep panal at 6 months yet (protien level in urine) 8.3 protien in blood (neuropathy) both hands have neuropathy equal pain) abdominal pain hands feet slight yellow pigmatation. Had unprotected sex on Jan 11th 2008 tested for liver enzyme and hep panal on July 2nd: neg
Was given steriod injections on March 1 and June 12 into neck for slipped discs,
Neurologist from Cleveland Clinic  said symtons could possible be Hep C

Q) can steriods prolong the bodies antibodies? meaning that I should test further than 6 months maybe another 3-6 months before neg test is conclusive?

[Douglas Dieterich, MD]

There are probably not enough steroids in the disc injections to make any difference. HCV is not a heterosexually transmitted disease anyway if that is the kind of sex that you had. If all antibodies are negative 6 months after, you are fine. Stay safe! DTD

[palmbeachinfo]

Thank you very much for your valuable time in answering my question it means alot to me.  Yes I did have sex with a 25 year old female Eygptian women who was born in the USA. we had regular intercourse then anal intercourse and we both have never had anal intercourse before, I made a mistake and didnt use a condom or lubrication however because she was very tight is it possible that I may have made her bleed minimal? Which may have caused a blood to enter my system.

If the notion was that there was enough steriods in the disc, and the fact I was also on Predistone package after that may have put the steriods into my blood stream. My question to you is if the steriods played a role would it extend the (window period) I heard there is a big debate on the Hepatitis C window period because the virus moves very slowly that it might be possible that the body might make anti-bodies later than the 6 month window period reguarly. Is this notion wrong
Why I am concerned symptons...... Dark urine (golden-brass) looks like a light tea) not taking any medicines that would cause this and not dehydrated.
Major pain in both hands like neuropathy, it feels like my hands are in a vice grip and they feel really tight horrible pain. Pain in joints, I feel confused My appetite is strange I am trying to loose weight yet when I wake up at 8 am I will not eat until 3-4 P.M. yet then I am hungy later at night.  I dont understand I am confused and I dont know what to do. I have asked the girl I had sex with to get tested and she refused. here is the email i sent her.
***@**** its Adam Wel_________



Listen I have many symptons of  hepatitis C i hope and prey its not, I need to know if you have clay colored stools and dark tea like urine and if you have ever had yellow skin. I swear if I have hepatitis C I am going to kill myself.



I dont want to live with this disease I know you dont care about me but I have spent over 3 thousand dollars in medical bills. I have the worst aches and pains in my hands and feet. My life is in ruins. Why couldnt you test for this? Why? Why do you hate me so much>? I dont want to live anymore if I have this disease. The pains in my hands are so painful Hepatitis C has a 10 month window period not 6 months. I hope my life is ruined I havent had sex with my girlfriend since we have been together because I dont want to give her anything. Anna hepatitis C is number 1 in the world in Egypt I know your born here in the U.S. from San Francisco but please Help me!

I am not mad at you I dont hate you I hate myself for not using a condom that would of prevented all of this. I am jewish but I prayed to Jesus Christ for foregiveness and prey that I am not infected. Please help me

Adam Wel_________

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A related discussion, is it imperative that i get a biopsy never had one was started.