22 Years Old (just got diagnosed with hep c)

[drew1985]

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).

[anwaar]

You're welcome, and see? Like I mentioned, this is place is great source of information.  You mentioned you would be receiving further results tomorrow.  Please share them and continue to ask questions and read.  

[jmjm530]

Drew: 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.
-----------------
Are you sure you aren't married then :) But seriously, hopefully you will be able to educate her that Hep C is only transmitted blood-to-blood. The CDC doesn't even recommend condoms to monagamous couples although that's a personal decison and reasonable option. Besides encouraging her to learn more, she should probably get tested for peace of mind. Also, don't share toothbrushes, razors or other similar personal items.


Drew: 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?

That's a decision that is as much up to you as the doctors. Next step should probably be a biopsy, esp if you're genotype 1. BTW did they tell you your genotype (strain of Hep C virus)

Since I contracted this early - do you think my liver is going to be blown out by the time I'm 50?
--------------------
Ironically, getting Hep C (HCV) earlier in life suggests a slower rate of fibrosis (liver damage) progression. Things start to even out around age 64 when many potentially enter stage 4 (cirrhosis) regardless of when they became infected.

Drew: 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)?
----------------------
A lot of people ask this and there's a thread currently running on this controversial subject here: http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/413782  Enter the thread at your own risk :)

Drew:  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).

A lot of people don't step up to the plate when you mention you have Hep C or need support while treating. In fact, some of us hardly mention it to anyone. That's where a support group like this can be helpful but hopefully you will find someone in your real life that you can trust and who can help.

Drew:  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?

There's no reason you can't take anti-depressants or anti-anxiety meds if you have HCV.

Drew:  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).

I'd say most will lose weight on treatment. Some will lose a lot of weight. A few gain weight. Bottom line is if you need to treat, you mayl have to check part of your ego -- and self esteem -- at the door for awhile. I found it the most humbling experience of my life but I was a lot older than you are, so hopefully you will handle the side effects better if you decide to treat.

Drew: Is my doctor going to put me on a strict diet (e.g. no salt, caffeine)?

Not necessarily unless you have high blood pressure re the salt. Coffee (caffeine) has actually been shown to be good for the liver. Basically you want to eat "healthy" -- without too many saturated fats, etc.

Drew: 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).

A lot of us have no idea how we got HCV and in the end it really doesn't matter.

Drew: 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.

Yes, you will want to know the type of HCV you have (genotype) and your viral load. In fact, if you haven't had a viral load test yet, you may find out you're one of the lucky ones that have the antibodies, but not HCV. If that's the case you don't have Hepatitis C and don't ever need to treat.

Drew: Also, would you recommend seeing a GI (already have an appointment with one) or a hepatologist?

If you have a choice, see a hepatologist. Hep C is a fast moving field and they have the knowledge and experience.

Drew: I general - how much of a viral load do you have to have for them to put you on Medication (what's a high and low viral load)?
---------------------
Viral load has nothing to do with it. And again it's YOUR decision as much as your doctors. But in general, what they tend to look at hard is how much liver damage you have. In order to find this out you will need a liver biopsy. If the biopsy shows significant liver damge, then you will probably want to treat soon. If it shows little or no liver damage, then you have a choice -- to treat or to wait. But at this point -- no genotype, no viral load test, no biopsy - we're getting a little ahead of ourselves.

All the best,

-- Jim

[jmjm530]

Drew: 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.
-----------------
Are you sure you aren't married then :) But seriously, hopefully you will be able to educate her that Hep C is only transmitted blood-to-blood. The CDC doesn't even recommend condoms to monagamous couples although that's a personal decison and reasonable option. Besides encouraging her to learn more, she should probably get tested for peace of mind. Also, don't share toothbrushes, razors or other similar personal items.


Drew: 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?

That's a decision that is as much up to you as the doctors. Next step should probably be a biopsy, esp if you're genotype 1. BTW did they tell you your genotype (strain of Hep C virus)

Since I contracted this early - do you think my liver is going to be blown out by the time I'm 50?
--------------------
Ironically, getting Hep C (HCV) earlier in life suggests a slower rate of fibrosis (liver damage) progression. Things start to even out around age 64 when many potentially enter stage 4 (cirrhosis) regardless of when they became infected.

Drew: 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)?
----------------------
A lot of people ask this and there's a thread currently running on this controversial subject here: http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/413782  Enter the thread at your own risk :)

Drew:  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).

A lot of people don't step up to the plate when you mention you have Hep C or need support while treating. In fact, some of us hardly mention it to anyone. That's where a support group like this can be helpful but hopefully you will find someone in your real life that you can trust and who can help.

Drew:  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?

There's no reason you can't take anti-depressants or anti-anxiety meds if you have HCV.

Drew:  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).

I'd say most will lose weight on treatment. Some will lose a lot of weight. A few gain weight. Bottom line is if you need to treat, you mayl have to check part of your ego -- and self esteem -- at the door for awhile. I found it the most humbling experience of my life but I was a lot older than you are, so hopefully you will handle the side effects better if you decide to treat.

Drew: Is my doctor going to put me on a strict diet (e.g. no salt, caffeine)?

Not necessarily unless you have high blood pressure re the salt. Coffee (caffeine) has actually been shown to be good for the liver. Basically you want to eat "healthy" -- without too many saturated fats, etc.

Drew: 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).

A lot of us have no idea how we got HCV and in the end it really doesn't matter.

Drew: 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.

Yes, you will want to know the type of HCV you have (genotype) and your viral load. In fact, if you haven't had a viral load test yet, you may find out you're one of the lucky ones that have the antibodies, but not HCV. If that's the case you don't have Hepatitis C and don't ever need to treat.

Drew: Also, would you recommend seeing a GI (already have an appointment with one) or a hepatologist?

If you have a choice, see a hepatologist. Hep C is a fast moving field and they have the knowledge and experience.

Drew: I general - how much of a viral load do you have to have for them to put you on Medication (what's a high and low viral load)?
---------------------
Viral load has nothing to do with it. And again it's YOUR decision as much as your doctors. But in general, what they tend to look at hard is how much liver damage you have. In order to find this out you will need a liver biopsy. If the biopsy shows significant liver damge, then you will probably want to treat soon. If it shows little or no liver damage, then you have a choice -- to treat or to wait. But at this point -- no genotype, no viral load test, no biopsy - we're getting a little ahead of ourselves.

All the best,

-- Jim

[moahunter]

I think anyone who is healthy enough (most people), can treat Drew, regardless of the viral load. It is a personal decision whether to do so or not. My own view is it is better to have a crack and get it over with, rather than have this bugging you for the rest of your life. Others would rather wait for better  treatment options, or feel the side effects of treatment outweigh the disease itself.

As to a GI or Heptologist, there is research that one is better than another, but I think at the end of the day, it is a bit dangerous to generalize. I suspect the institution your doctor is associated, and the experience they have with Hep C patients, with may be more important than the doctors specialty.

[drew1985]

Thanks,

This is a wonderful forum!

I'm unsure of what's ahead of me. What are the chances of having to get a biopsy done?

Also, would you recommend seeing a GI (already have an appointment with one) or a hepatologist?

In general - how much of a viral load do you have to have for them to put you on Medication (what's a high and low viral load)?

Thanks a lot & ill update you guys Monday when I get my viral load results/etc.

[mar148]

I was diagnosed a year ago with hep c.  I have been married 27 years with 2 grown children, none of which contracted this.  I don't know how long I have had it but have only mild liver disease.  You should become familiar with how easy/hard it is to give it to someone.  Statistics are low in monogomous relationships, but if you are not mono. being safety conscious is a good idea.  I am clear hugging and kissing does not result in any issues, it is blood to blood transmission.  Maybe you could look up some reports on the matter and show your girlfriend to ease her fears and yours.  You have a very treatable type for 24 weeks.  I am on week 18 and it has been manageable and not as frightening as I feared.  Familiarize yourself with this disease and it will ease much of your anxiety.