Out of denial stage..now what?

[reallyscared101]

I was tested 2 yrs ago when I thought my boyfriend was involved w/ someone else. I was tested by gynocologist for everything and blood draw. Unfortunately , the test came back positive for herpes and hep c. Well I was certainly upset when I heard this crap! It's been 2 years since I was tested. I've never once had a herpes outbreak so I figured there must be a mistake. Now i'm on pain mngmt. taking ms contin 15mg. 3 x daily and am concerned about if there was a mistake with the Hep diagnosis. Am afraid of the truth , doc says my liver enzymes are fine ( this doc not knowing of the diagnosis) I was told by gynecologist medical assitant over the phone of my diagnosis. If I asked her what stage I am in, if true, would they know what stage of type it is. Can someone please help me. I feel my primary care Doc will be pissed that I wasn't straight with him but I'm just now ready to talk...to someone else first..I need encouragement. I live my life in pain,that doc doesn't know either because I still feel maybe it's a false positive? Can that be? H E L P !?

[ceanothus]

That was good advice. I just wanted to add that no, your doctor would not be able to tell you a stage based on the blood test. Staging is generally done by liver biopsy, but at this point we don't even know for sure if you have the virus. Your next test should be an HCV PCR test, which counts actual bits of viral RNA in your bloodstream. It's more expensive but its a definitive test. If you have the antibody test all you will learn is whether you really were ever exposed to it. It gives the same results if you have an active infection or if your body successfully fought it off, so if you were once given a positive result for that test it doesn't make sense to repeat it. Even if you decide to ask a different doctor and not mention your previous test, you still can ask for the HCV PCR test.

This is a good time to be looking at dealing with treatment, as new and improved treatments are coming in at a pretty good rate these days. In 2011 it became far easier to cure, and now there are more new treatments almost ready for approval that will not only be even more effective but will be easier to tolerate too. HCV still has to be taken very seriously but it no longer needs to be as feared as it was just a few years ago. LOTS of us have been cured in the last couple of years! Best wishes to you.

[his3707]

ha, gyno (gynocologist) geno  for genotype.   Also you can have a positive antibody test for the hcv if you have been exposed and not actually have the virus.  1 in 5 people's immune system can fight it off but they will always have the antibody.  Best wishes to you.  

[his3707]

  see if you Can call your gyno and get a copy of your lab results? Maybe they just did the antibody test.  However, when you get a positive on the antibody they should also then automatically do a VL and genotype.  The gyno may not have known to order both tests.    Or  just call your doc and tell him you think you might have been exposed and have him test you.  You dont have to go into detail about your past knowledge of anything.  If you are positive for hcv you should be monitored by a hepatologist that is very up to date  on hcv management and treatments. The other docs probably dont know much. You can have normal liver enzymes and still have hep c.  You can have herpes virus and not have a breakout for a long time.  There are such things as false positive tests and false negative tests.  There is nothing to be afraid of except not knowing what your status is.  That can lead to trouble.  HCV is curable  HSV is treatable but not curable. Your doctors have heard it all.  They are regular people just like you and me.  Dont worry about what they think.  Why are you in pain? are you thinking there is a connection between your pain and the HCV and HSV.  If money is an issue you can go to the county and get tested for almost free or free for the HCV.  Not sure on the HSV.  I think you could go to planned parent hood or a clinic for free or almost free for that.