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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).
I just wanted to say that I am a 29 year old female and I did not reject my fiance (at the time) when I found out about it so I don't think all women would. (We got married after we found out actually.) I think it depends on the woman. If she really cares about you then she would be supportive and stick around. I think your girlfriend is just uneducated about it and if she knew more about it she would feel better. My advice would be to tell the a girl early on in the relationship about it. I mean I wouldn't make that the pick-up line, but you need to let the person know so it doesn't come as a complete shock after 6 months of dating, etc. You will be a pro if you keep reading about the disease and learn as much as you can. Then you can educate the girls you date. It's basically the same thing Trish said. I think she's totally right. I am just saying from a woman's prospective who is married to a man who has it.
You are lucky you found out about this now. Most people don't know they have it until 20 years go by. In the meantime they don't watch their health to protect their liver. You know you have to now, and you will be all right. You're plenty young enough.
You are lucky you found out about this now. Most people don't know they have it until 20 years go by. In the meantime they don't watch their health to protect their liver. You know you have to now, and you will be all right. You're plenty young enough.
Just so you're clear .... her biting your skin isn't a risk persay...unless she has some kind of open sore for your blood to go in. Just had to say that. She should get tested anyway just so that YOU know she's clear and there are no question marks. I did decide early on that I would never hold it against anyone who decided that being with me was just too much risk for them...everybody gets to decide what they risk and what they don't and even if it's out of ignorance...it's still their life and no loss to you. Like you said.. no support happenin' there. I have, however, remained friends with some of the guys I was dating that made that decision. Good friends. We got along well, it just wasn't something they could handle. Saved me from having to tell the one guy that there were some things about HIM I wasn't up for...sometimes it works out. :)
Trish, did it occur to you that it isn't the Hep C that is scaring the men away, but your explanation. LOL. Once women start talking "drinking my blood", I generally make excuses and head for the door :) Angela Jolie, perhaps would be the exception :)
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Jim, Jim, Jim....my picture is posted right on my profile...I'm the spitting image of Angelina Jolie!! Come to think of it...so are a number of other women here. ;->
Actually though Jim...since I came up with that, I've told two men. Seems I pick ones that like a challenge as both have stuck around. In fact...the one told me that it was nice to know that he could bite me without problems and proceeded to tell me that for MY safety I should know that he has been vaccinated for rabies and he's good for 10 years...delightful response!! Sometimes it works out, Jim. ;-> As it is....I'm off the market by choice til done tx so it's not currently an issue...and hopefully that will become a permanent thing.
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Jim, Jim, Jim....my picture is posted right on my profile...I'm the spitting image of Angelina Jolie!! Come to think of it...so are a number of other women here. ;->
Actually though Jim...since I came up with that, I've told two men. Seems I pick ones that like a challenge as both have stuck around. In fact...the one told me that it was nice to know that he could bite me without problems and proceeded to tell me that for MY safety I should know that he has been vaccinated for rabies and he's good for 10 years...delightful response!! Sometimes it works out, Jim. ;-> As it is....I'm off the market by choice til done tx so it's not currently an issue...and hopefully that will become a permanent thing.
Yea, we'll that's another reason why that woman needs to get tested asap as well. Before I knew I was potentially infected she had bitten my skin (not sure if she ever broke the skin) but yea.. I think she was a vampire. It was whenever she drank she would get "bite crazy" ... I must have been bitten at least 60 times.
And no, this was NOT during sex either... lol
And no, this was NOT during sex either... lol
I'm not sure why they didn't either. What's even more messed up is that my blood tests came back in early January that showed positive hepatitis C. The doctor never even called me and told me this! In fact, I actually went into the doctor to get a refill on my anxiety meds when the doctor came in the room and said... "hey, by the way - we were just checking out your charts and you tested positive for hep C about a month ago"... They couldn't explain to my why they didn't call me immediately - but what if I never went to get a refill on my meds? What if I would have went back next year? That's just ridiculous IMO.
This medical center is supposed to be known for their "good reputation" too. It's just messed...
This medical center is supposed to be known for their "good reputation" too. It's just messed...
Drew,
Actually wondering why they didn't test you earlier for Hepatitis and Viral Load when your enzymes were high. Personally, given the scenario you describe -- and regardless if your viral load test is UND (undetecible) or not -- the prudent thing might be to gather up all your test reports -- blood, ultrasounds, etc -- and make an appointment with a liver specialist (hepatoloigst). Even if UND the possiblity exists that you are still in the acute stage and a liver specialist would be the one to both assist you there, or if not, explore more why your enzymes were elevated.
Trish said: "I've taken to explaining it like this...I tell them... "if you were a vampire and bit my neck and drank my blood, with the exception of open sores in your mouth, you would not be at risk. However, if you wanted to be blood brothers and you pricked your finger and I mine and we put the wounds together such that my blood entered into your bloodstream, that WOULD be a risk."
Trish, did it occur to you that it isn't the Hep C that is scaring the men away, but your explanation. LOL. Once women start talking "drinking my blood", I generally make excuses and head for the door :) Angela Jolie, perhaps would be the exception :)
-- Jim
Actually wondering why they didn't test you earlier for Hepatitis and Viral Load when your enzymes were high. Personally, given the scenario you describe -- and regardless if your viral load test is UND (undetecible) or not -- the prudent thing might be to gather up all your test reports -- blood, ultrasounds, etc -- and make an appointment with a liver specialist (hepatoloigst). Even if UND the possiblity exists that you are still in the acute stage and a liver specialist would be the one to both assist you there, or if not, explore more why your enzymes were elevated.
Trish said: "I've taken to explaining it like this...I tell them... "if you were a vampire and bit my neck and drank my blood, with the exception of open sores in your mouth, you would not be at risk. However, if you wanted to be blood brothers and you pricked your finger and I mine and we put the wounds together such that my blood entered into your bloodstream, that WOULD be a risk."
Trish, did it occur to you that it isn't the Hep C that is scaring the men away, but your explanation. LOL. Once women start talking "drinking my blood", I generally make excuses and head for the door :) Angela Jolie, perhaps would be the exception :)
-- Jim
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