Aa
22 Years Old (just got diagnosed with hep c)
Hello,
I am a 22 year old male (with two children) and have just gotten diagnosed with hepatitis C. I just have some questions about hepatitis and getting through life with it.
Here's my current situation:
I have two beautiful little girls - I just got out of a 5 year relationship with their mother (in September). We're just finalizing our custody battle with the kids (I get them 3 days per week) - I own an pretty successful Internet marketing business and have pretty much been stressed out since September (since the whole breakup).
I just starting seeing this other woman (8 years older than me - started seeing her in early November)... things were going along perfectly until I just found this information out from my doctor. When I told her she completely got disgusted and she's afraid she has it too. But the worst thing about it is that I think she is scared to even touch me. I laid down with her last night and she was completely on the other side of the bed and wouldn't even really go near me.
Obviously, this may not work out because of the whole hepatitis C situation but I am afraid that this is going to happen with every woman I meet in the future and in the end - I'm just going to be a lonely bachelor the rest of my life. I mean how do you even meet people when you have this disease? I'm a shy guy in general and am a pretty heavy drinker - now that alcohol is out of the equation, it's 1.) going to be hard to even talk to women. 2.) If I do meet another woman, how do you tell them this? I would think 19/20 of them would immediately get freaked out and run... far away. I know I should be more worried about my health but this is one of my main worries.
I just found out two days ago so I haven't talked to too many doctors about this. I just have a few questions.
1. I'm only 22 - I just had an ultrasound of my liver and it came back 100% perfect. What are the chances that they are going to put me on meds?
2. Since I contracted this early - do you think my liver is going to be blown out by the time I'm 50?
3. If they put me on medication and future tests show that the virus has been taken care of (for the time being) am I allowed to drink alcohol (maybe 1 time a week - 6 beers)?
4. How do I go through life like this with such little support? My mom died when I was 16 and I have little contact with my dad. The only people I really have to talk to are my two sisters (which I don't speak with very often).
5. I have really bad anxiety so I take 25mg Xanax twice a day. How am I supposed to cope with anxiety if I can have no Xanax or alcohol to settle me down? Can you still take anti anxiety meds?
6. If/When the doctors put me on meds will this make me loose weight? I am a freak about my weight and would hate to loose a lot of weight (would shatter my self esteem even more).
7. Is my doctor going to put me on a strict diet (e.g. no salt, caffeine)?
I have no idea how I contracted this. I have never used needle drugs but I did get one tattoo but I got it when I was 16 and I seen the professional place pull the needle fresh out of the box. The only more realistic thing I can think of is all of the IV's that have been stuck in my arm and the few surgeries I've had (never needed to receive any blood).
I have no idea what type of Hep C I have or how much of it's even in my system. My doctor is still doing tests on it to check the load/etc.
Thanks for all of your answers and support. I just feel really down right now - the only thing that is keeping me sane are my two daughters (both younger than 4).
I am a 22 year old male (with two children) and have just gotten diagnosed with hepatitis C. I just have some questions about hepatitis and getting through life with it.
Here's my current situation:
I have two beautiful little girls - I just got out of a 5 year relationship with their mother (in September). We're just finalizing our custody battle with the kids (I get them 3 days per week) - I own an pretty successful Internet marketing business and have pretty much been stressed out since September (since the whole breakup).
I just starting seeing this other woman (8 years older than me - started seeing her in early November)... things were going along perfectly until I just found this information out from my doctor. When I told her she completely got disgusted and she's afraid she has it too. But the worst thing about it is that I think she is scared to even touch me. I laid down with her last night and she was completely on the other side of the bed and wouldn't even really go near me.
Obviously, this may not work out because of the whole hepatitis C situation but I am afraid that this is going to happen with every woman I meet in the future and in the end - I'm just going to be a lonely bachelor the rest of my life. I mean how do you even meet people when you have this disease? I'm a shy guy in general and am a pretty heavy drinker - now that alcohol is out of the equation, it's 1.) going to be hard to even talk to women. 2.) If I do meet another woman, how do you tell them this? I would think 19/20 of them would immediately get freaked out and run... far away. I know I should be more worried about my health but this is one of my main worries.
I just found out two days ago so I haven't talked to too many doctors about this. I just have a few questions.
1. I'm only 22 - I just had an ultrasound of my liver and it came back 100% perfect. What are the chances that they are going to put me on meds?
2. Since I contracted this early - do you think my liver is going to be blown out by the time I'm 50?
3. If they put me on medication and future tests show that the virus has been taken care of (for the time being) am I allowed to drink alcohol (maybe 1 time a week - 6 beers)?
4. How do I go through life like this with such little support? My mom died when I was 16 and I have little contact with my dad. The only people I really have to talk to are my two sisters (which I don't speak with very often).
5. I have really bad anxiety so I take 25mg Xanax twice a day. How am I supposed to cope with anxiety if I can have no Xanax or alcohol to settle me down? Can you still take anti anxiety meds?
6. If/When the doctors put me on meds will this make me loose weight? I am a freak about my weight and would hate to loose a lot of weight (would shatter my self esteem even more).
7. Is my doctor going to put me on a strict diet (e.g. no salt, caffeine)?
I have no idea how I contracted this. I have never used needle drugs but I did get one tattoo but I got it when I was 16 and I seen the professional place pull the needle fresh out of the box. The only more realistic thing I can think of is all of the IV's that have been stuck in my arm and the few surgeries I've had (never needed to receive any blood).
I have no idea what type of Hep C I have or how much of it's even in my system. My doctor is still doing tests on it to check the load/etc.
Thanks for all of your answers and support. I just feel really down right now - the only thing that is keeping me sane are my two daughters (both younger than 4).
Deb makes a very good point about youth being on your side and this can work for you whatever you eventually decide to do next.
If you do decide to treat soon, being young means you probably will have a better chance of handling side effects. If you don't decide to treat, being young means you have plenty of time to see what the new batch (and future batches) of Hep C treatments brings -- assuming your biopsy result gives you time to wait.
People react in all different ways after the shock stage. The two extremes I would imagine are to ignore it completely and go on with life as if the diagnosis didn't exist -- and the other extreme is to treat immediately because you can't see yourself living with the virus one day longer.
Most of us fall somewhere in between, and ideally you will take the time to educate yourself more before making decisions moving forward. You also still need some important parts of the puzzle like your genotype and perhaps a biopsy and perhaps a new doctor to also help guide you.
-- Jim
If you do decide to treat soon, being young means you probably will have a better chance of handling side effects. If you don't decide to treat, being young means you have plenty of time to see what the new batch (and future batches) of Hep C treatments brings -- assuming your biopsy result gives you time to wait.
People react in all different ways after the shock stage. The two extremes I would imagine are to ignore it completely and go on with life as if the diagnosis didn't exist -- and the other extreme is to treat immediately because you can't see yourself living with the virus one day longer.
Most of us fall somewhere in between, and ideally you will take the time to educate yourself more before making decisions moving forward. You also still need some important parts of the puzzle like your genotype and perhaps a biopsy and perhaps a new doctor to also help guide you.
-- Jim
Agrees with Jm here. The shock is of it is terrible. I can remember thinking I would drop dead any minute.
Well I haven't, you got some things going for you, your young, younger people respond normally better to treatment and UND. (that does NOT mean older folks can't too)
But you do have that going for you.
You still haven't gotten your geno type or viral load back, Try and relax and take it easy.
Life style changes are hard,but possible, and soon you do not miss even the occasional glass of wine or beer.
Jm I think is also right and infact I have had several Docs tell me it could be worse, could be cancer, aids, so many things.
Education is crucial, both for you and family, girl friends, ect, I am married and that was my first question, OMG what about my kids and husband. Relax about that also.
You have youth on your side, and there is and will be a lot coming into play, new drugs.
.
Have courage, you will be ok! A long tough road, but have courage!
Deb
Well I haven't, you got some things going for you, your young, younger people respond normally better to treatment and UND. (that does NOT mean older folks can't too)
But you do have that going for you.
You still haven't gotten your geno type or viral load back, Try and relax and take it easy.
Life style changes are hard,but possible, and soon you do not miss even the occasional glass of wine or beer.
Jm I think is also right and infact I have had several Docs tell me it could be worse, could be cancer, aids, so many things.
Education is crucial, both for you and family, girl friends, ect, I am married and that was my first question, OMG what about my kids and husband. Relax about that also.
You have youth on your side, and there is and will be a lot coming into play, new drugs.
.
Have courage, you will be ok! A long tough road, but have courage!
Deb
Sorry about that. Probably now is the time to start collecting records (blood, ultrasound, etc.)and finding a hepatoloigst in your area. If you don't mind telling us what part of the country you're in, maybe someone here can recommend one.
FWIW just about everyone goes into shock when they get the news, but it soon passes as you get to learn more about both Hep C and your options. Not to belittle it, but there are many worse things you could have.
-- Jim
FWIW just about everyone goes into shock when they get the news, but it soon passes as you get to learn more about both Hep C and your options. Not to belittle it, but there are many worse things you could have.
-- Jim
Well I do have it. :-(
My VL is currently at 371,000
My doctor said the genotype will come back within 5-7 more days. I'm in shock.
-Drew
My VL is currently at 371,000
My doctor said the genotype will come back within 5-7 more days. I'm in shock.
-Drew
Drew: I visited my GI today and asked him if i'm HCV positive should I "also" contact a hepatologist and he told me no and that he handles hcv himself. I'm not sure if he is just saying that for the extra money or not but either way I'm going to see a hepatologist.
------------------
Good call. And make sure to get your own copies of all blood tests -- past and present -- as well as copies of all procedure reports like ultrasounds, etc.
Good luck, Drew. From the purposefull, intelligent and sensitive attitude you demonstrate -- I having a feeling things are going to work out a lot better for you than you now think -- whatever the outcome of these tests.
All the best,
-- Jim
------------------
Good call. And make sure to get your own copies of all blood tests -- past and present -- as well as copies of all procedure reports like ultrasounds, etc.
Good luck, Drew. From the purposefull, intelligent and sensitive attitude you demonstrate -- I having a feeling things are going to work out a lot better for you than you now think -- whatever the outcome of these tests.
All the best,
-- Jim
I guess the results didn't come in today. I visited my GI today and asked him if i'm HCV positive should I "also" contact a hepatologist and he told me no and that he handles hcv himself. I'm not sure if he is just saying that for the extra money or not but either way I'm going to see a hepatologist.
Hopefully my tests will be in tomorrow - the GI ordered another rna-pcr, genotype, enzyme levels, and a set of other blood tests (I swear they filled like 10 vials). He wants to see me in 3-4 weeks.
I'll update you when I get my tests back (hopefully tomorrow).
I wish all of you the best,
Drew
Hopefully my tests will be in tomorrow - the GI ordered another rna-pcr, genotype, enzyme levels, and a set of other blood tests (I swear they filled like 10 vials). He wants to see me in 3-4 weeks.
I'll update you when I get my tests back (hopefully tomorrow).
I wish all of you the best,
Drew
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