The waiting game

[sisterann]

Hi all,

In April this year I was booked into hospital to have my gall bladder removed, but was refused as I had a low platelet count of 47.

In May this year I was diagnosed as having Acute Hep B. I was referred to a specailist who told me I had Hep B which has caused my low platelet count.

My serology test report:

Hep B surface antigen  - DETECTED
Hep B e Antigen  - Not dectected
Hep B e Antibody  - DETECTED
Hep B core IgM  - DETECTED
Hep B core total  - DETECTED

I was told I had quite recently been infected and that my body should sort this out all on its own. He then referred me to a gastrologist who I saw in July. She said "See you in November when you've had another serologly test". Handed me the form to have the test done. I told her my greatest symptom is joint pains in my elbows and shoulders. She said "Pain is good, it means your immune system is working hard at clearing the virus" ....... Have a nice day.

So I am hobbling around the house aching and unable to do much in the way of daily chores. I was told not to take any prescription drugs for the painful joints as these put too much strain on my liver.

Now finally to get to my reason for posting...... I have had these symptoms for about the past 6 months, and I keep thinking I am getting worse and may not manage to clear this virus myself.

Can someone be acute for much longer than 6 months and not become chronic?
In November when I present serology tests is it likely that I will be told I am chronic?

Thank you for taking time to read my chapter.

Ann

[cajim]

Thank you very much, Jac567, for sharing.

[Ann8]

You have hep B over 45 years, you should be e antigen negative by now? Are you still e antigen positive? What drove you to go with Peg? Thanks for sharing......

[Jac567]

Hi sisterann

I am not a doctor just someone else with Hepatitis B

I don't think you will be acute if you have been poorly for more than six months. May I suggest before your next appointment, you write down what you want to ask your hepatologist and when you meet him this might help. I did this with mine and it worked a treat. I think the doctors see so many people that we are just the next person in or the second in a queue of 30 and limited time. I said to my hepatologist, I need to ask you a few (what may seem like senseless questions) but I waited six months to get to see you. Fortunately he was most helpful and spoke in lay mans terms to explain what was happening and what the long term prognosis would be. I was born with Hepatitis B over 45 years ago and I am one of 7 members of my family to be infected. I have lost three members of my family to Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC, also called hepatoma)

HBV infected persons should be evaluated by their doctor for liver disease. There are now sucessful treatments on the market such as:-

Adefovir dipivoxil, interferon alfa-2b, pegylated interferon alfa-2a, lamivudine, and entecavir are the drugs used for the treatment of persons with chronic hepatitis B.

Clearance of Hepatitis depends on you type and your level of infectivity. I am currently taking pegylated interferon and I am very optimistic this will help to clear the virus or at least loose the e antigen aspect of it.

Hepatitis B is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). It ranges in severity from a mild illness, lasting a few weeks (acute), to a serious long-term (chronic) illness that can lead to liver disease or liver cancer.

To investigate chronic viral hepatitis, laboratory tests for the following
markers may be considered:
• HBsAg (hepatitis B surface antigen)
• Anti-HBc-Total (total antibody to hepatitis B core antigen)
• Anti-HBs (antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen)
• Anti-HCV (antibody to hepatitis C virus antigens)
• ALT (alanine aminotransferase), the prime marker of hepatic
inflammation in viral hepatitis

To investigate acute viral hepatitis, laboratory tests for the following markers
may be considered:
• Anti-HAV-IgM (IgM class antibody to the hepatitis A virus)
• HBsAg (hepatitis B surface antigen)
• Anti-HBs (total antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen)
• Anti-HCV (antibody to hepatitis C virus antigens)
• ALT (alanine aminotransferase), the prime marker of hepatic inflammation
in viral hepatitis
• INR (International Normalized Ratio; prothrombin time) for patients
clinically jaundiced


SIGNS & SYMPTOMS About 30% of persons have no signs or symptoms.

jaundice
fatigue
abdominal pain
loss of appetite
nausea, vomiting  
joint pain  

Good Luck and hope you feel better soon.

[cajim]

Chronic Hep B is defined by two test results of HBsAg positive.  You have a 90-95% chance of clearing HBV by yourself because you are adult.

Best.