I need advice

[Angela83]

My ex-husband's father found out he had Hepatitis C about 10 years ago (it is suspected that he had it for atleast 20 years before being diagnosed). Prior to his diagnosis he and my ex had shared razors, nail clippers, etc. like most family members. After they found out, the family was tested and the results were negative, but no one shared this information with me.  

During college my ex and I lived with his famiy for over a year and during that time, I often shaved my legs with my husband's razor when I couldn't find my own or was in a hurry.

I found out about all of this recently and I have been pretty concerned. My mind immediately went back to the times when I used nail clippers, razors, etc. with my ex-husband that his dad might have used to without us knowing. I know for a fact that I shared a razor with my ex, a couple of years before anyone knew his dad had it and I might have nicked myself (I get razor burn all the time and sometimes cut myself.) Also, now that I look back, I can remember times that his dad still might have borrowed his razor even after he knew he had it because he was not as careful as he should have been.

Anyway, I know this is long, but I wanted to explain why I am worried. The biggest problem is that I do not have health insurance right now. I am 26 years old and in grad school. I can get tested for very cheap at my school, but I am afraid if I do have it I will never be able to get any insurance because of it being a pre-existing condition.

I am so afraid I might have given it to my younger sisters (we have sometimes shared everything lke razors and toothbrushes-not a good idea, as I now know). And I have been in a relationship for a while and we also share a lot of stuff, not to mention he has once bandaged a cut of mine and there have been times where we have had sex and I started my period. I do not think I could stand it if I had given in to the people I care about.

Should I get tested now or wait? I need some peace of mind, but I don't want to hurt my future insurance.

I have been doing so much research and I just can not concentrate on anything else. I am afraid that if I get diagnosed, my entire life is going to change and I already have a lot of stress with family, money, and school.

[IAmTheWalrus]

I think the chance of you being infected is EXTREMELY unlikely. I had hep c for over 35 years and did not know it. Meanwhile I married and and raised 4 daughters and a son. My daughters were always using my razor. I constantly objected, only because it dulled the razor and I tore up my face a little. None has been infected.

This is anecdotal, so go ahead and get tested to set your midn at rest. I would love to hear the results, so do come back and let us know.

[tashka]

As long as it is anonymous, it is OK.
Angela, please, don't be scared. Fear is not a good thing. I am sure the result will be negative-and it will take a huge load off your shoulders. You know that it has to be done. Just do it! And then come back and tell us the result.
I also think that you have to address your anxiety issues. I kind of feel anxiety in your posts. When you will be done with this test, which probably will show no hepatitis, you will start obsessing and worrying about other diseases-there are so many of them.
Good luck, and keep us posted.

[Angela83]

Can someone tell me what you think of this company?

It seems completely anonymous and one of the labs is only an hour away from me. I could go tomorrow and know by Wednesday.

http://www.privatemdlabs.com/

I was going to do it last week and I chickened out. I am so scared. I had a major back operation when I was 12 years old and I was nowhere this afraid. But I know I have to do it.

[Trish77]

Funny - I saw my Hep doctor in July - my Stage 1 liver damage went to Stage 0 after successful treatment that left me SVR.  His parting comment to me was "Now get out of my office and don't come back!!"  Among the loveliest words I've ever heard.

[marsfreek]

aint that something!? this is the only place you tell people to leave and don't come back and they like it.

[Trish77]

double negative.. "no need for you to come back here"  !!!

[Trish77]

I think there is far more extreme chance that you are not infected than the tiny minute chance that you are.  For that reason, I would suck it up and decide you will face the minute chance that you might have this and get tested.  I think there is an overwhelming chance that you are negative and you will then be able to proceed with your wonderful life without this hanging over your head.  Until you get tested, it will continue to agonize you and gnaw at you and will impact everything you do and the current relationship you have.  Partly because you have a conscience - you are concerned about your impact on other people and I applaud you for that, it's nice to see.

As for your relationship - ask yourself which would be harder - to let it go now or later when you are even more connected to this person?  I don't think you'll have to let this go at all but still - best to deal with it before it gets any further.  On top of that, IF you had Hep C, your responsibility would be to inform your sexual partner and let them decide the risks they're willing to take.  If your current partner finds out that you new you'd been exposed to Hep C and said nothing, he might not take that too kindly.

As tough as it is, I would suggest you get tested asap.  I do happen to think you'll come back with a diagnosis of negative, you'll be able to leave all this behind you and move forward.  

I hope you come back and let us know how it turns out - if that doesn't work out for you - I wish you the very best either way.  I'd be quite happy if there was no need for you not to come back here. :)

Trish

[Willy50]

Lets look at 2 scenarios
First the (far, far) most likely;

You get the test and find out you are not infected.  That means that you will be able to sleep at night.  You won't have the virus, you couldn't transmit and everything is "back to normal" and you can forget about it.  Good for you; you didn't put it off.

Option 2, that you somehow got infected.  Frankly, that could be from the route you described....... or from a sports injury with another..... or some other unknown method;
transfusion, inocculation, tattoo, etc.

If it were option 2 it turns out that it is also a good thing since you can now take actions that protect yourself or others.  You see, I don't know if you'll be under any less stress if you turn out to be DX'ed.  
Even if DX'ed positive you would likely find out that no one else was infected and so your worries would be halved.  Good for you.


When you DO get tested in all likelihood all you'll find out is that you are negative for the disease.  It's great to worry if it causes you to take action.  If you only worry and take no action worry is merely destructive.  It will taint all that is good in your life right now.

IF HCV were easy to spread almost everybody would have it.  For the most part you really have to work at transmitting.  I'm sure you'll be fine.

Good luck and yes...... the home test will likely be the cheapest and will leave no trail in your medical records.  You might even be able to pay by money order.

best,
Willy

[Angela83]

Thanks so much for the advice. I think I will try to find a home kit. I am nervous about ordering it online with my credit card number though.

I know I need to do it, but I am so afraid to get the results. I have no idea what I will do in the chance it is positive. I know there are worse things out there, and it's not even the idea of being sick that worries me. It's more of the idea that I could spread it on to others. I am one of those people who dwells on everything-it's not a good way to live, and I am trying to work on it. So, I am afraid of losing this relationship. It is relatively new and we are just feeling things out, so I don't want to rock the boat. I also have roommates, so it's not like I can really keep it secret.

I just don't want to deal with it, but I don't think I can stand this stress of worrying about it like this much longer. Although there is no way I can afford treatment if I do have it. I have not even been to a doctor in 2 years.

[tulsatime]

Here in tulsa we have place that test with out names. One is called the Hope clinic they test for HCV and HIV and no names are given. It is real cheap too 15 dollars. I bet there are alot of places that do that. I called 211. Its a help line and ask them to let you know of places to test around your town. Call the places and make sure they are annomous. But the home test kit is a good idea too... Debi

[JennyPenny]

You are probably right. I'm sure Angela is not infected from what she describes. It relly is more of a problem for people who are likely infected and want to donate blood to make sure. The best idea though is to be tested through an at home kit if you don't want it known by insurance and if there is even the slightest possiblility that you are infected. There is a small window period where the blood can slip through.

[Willy50]

Thanks Jenny, I sometimes have wondered about making that recommendation.

JennyPenny made a great suggestion.  I did a quick check of the current transmission rates by blood and couldn't find a solid percentage.  It was widely acknowledged to be about 1 out of every 100,000 in the mid 90's.  I believe the rate could be 1 in every 1-2 million last I heard but may be fluff; I'm not seeing hard occurrence rates listed this evening.

You can do the Home access kit as suggested.

I will mention that as long as you long as you meet the screening requirements of the blood banking source you are entitled to donate.  I personally don't think this is irresponsible.  As long as you are truthful I don't see it as a problem.

Here is one quideline;
http://www.redcross.org/en/eligibility

and another;
http://www.bloodbook.com/donr-requir.html

Thanks JennyPenny for an excellent alternate source of testing.

best,
Willy

[JennyPenny]

Donasting blood is  NOT a good thing to do. Even with the very sensitive tests they do upon occasion miss a hep C positive and that is why the blood supply is not 100%. A better way would be to get one of the Home Access kits. They run about $50-60 and you are identified by a number, not your name. You do it at home and mail it away and call for your results 10 days later. Your pharmacy can get it for you or you can order it from Home Access right on line.

[tashka]

Willy made a great suggestion about donating blood. I didn't think about this. But try to find out before you do if insurance company will be able to find out the results.
I think that knowing that your ex's father developed cirrhosis and died affects you and that is the cause of all worries and terrors. Please, try to relax. Most people get infected trough deep cuts/blood transfusions/tatoos, sometimes medical procedures. You are terrified and worried about hepatitis C, but there are so many other diseases that each one of us can get any day.  I agree that your chances of getting hepatitis C are very remote, and chances of you infecting your siblings are even more miniscule. Contrary to common beliefs, this disease is not that easy to get, and it doesn't spread like fire.
Another thought: maybe you can go and get a regular blood work that includes liver enzymes (AST/ALT). In most people, who are infected, these enzymes are elevated. It is not a perfect solution, but it could give you peace of mind.

[Willy50]

I understand your concern; I felt it myself when I was first diagnosed.  In a way it is a similar situation as yours; innocent unknowing people who are co-habitating with another person who is infected.

I want you to NOT be overly concerned.  The odds that you are infected are remote.  It may be greater than getting hit by lightning but almost certainly it would be an unlikely event.

For you to turn around and then infect another would be twin unlikely events.

Many or most of us lived in marriages and relationships without knowing that we had HCV.  As it stands very, very few were able to transmit to their loved ones.

Sharing razors?  When I shave I always rinse the blade. I suppose that some people might leave foam and whiskers in their razor, but generally even if there were blood it would simply be washed off.  Even it it had blood in it, usually it would be rinsed several times as shaving took place with the next person.  The circumstance for blood to blood transmission generally doesn't occur that often.  It still remains a possible vector but many or most of us have shared with their loved ones (pre-dx of course).

Getting tested?  You could donate blood; that is one way.

You could also go in for a multitude of tests; HIV, Hep A, B, and C or some other panel that one might well get from time to time.  I don't think it would be a huge flag for insurance companies.  This would be an antibody test.  IF one were to get a positive (or reactive) result a further test would occur that would prove more definitively the presence of infection.

One sad thing about HCV is that only about 1/3 of us who have the virus are diagnosed.  How tragic for so many that they are not aware that they could get treated, take precautions against transmitting or precautions such as not drinking alcohol or other actions which could potentially save their lives.

I hope that you take some action yourself and get some testing.  

I think you'll find that you are not infected and therefore were also incapable of transmitting to others.

best wishes,
Willy

[GreatBird]

It has to be blood to blood. In other words, a toothbrush or razor or nail clippers that contain HCV contaminated blood, has to come in contact with someone's blood and enter their body to create the exposure.

It doesn't happen that easily.

However, one should never share these items, even if there is no HCV in the household. It's just not a good idea.

[Angela83]

I guess my dilemma is that I am terrified I have given it to my sisters or boyfriend although I know the chances seem low.

And what concerns me is that even though he tested negative, maybe he just didn't happen to cut himself but I did with a razor that his dad had used. I did not even know that he had it but now I remember times that his dad was really irresponsible and one time he even used my ex's razor after he had known that he had it. It was after my ex had tested negative, although he did notice it an threw it away. There is no way to predict how many times he might have done that without us knowing.

I feel like maybe I am being irresponsible to other people which I guess is why I am freaking out so much. I am hoping I can find a full time job soon which might offer benefits while I am still in school, but for now my part time job offers nothing.

I think I am afraid that if it is positive my whole life will be out of control. For the first time in my life everything finally seems settled down and I am happy.

Oh, and his dad developed cirrhosis and passed away 3 years ago. He went most of his adult life not knowing he had it and he found out the same way-when he applied for insurance. He also struggled with alcoholism, so it got pretty bad for him.

Also, for this type of transmission, would a cut have to be very deep, or can it be spread by a tiny nick?

[tashka]

Angela, you, probably, have nothing to worry about. You mention that your ex was tested before, and the results were negative. So you couldn't get hepatitis C from him. It is not that easy to get it from nail clippers, razors and toothbrushes. My husband has this disease for a very long time and was diagnosed just recently. I used his razor numerous times and a few times used his tooth brush-and I am negative for the disease.
I think you should not test now-for insurance purposes. Wait until you are out of school and have a job with insurance, then test to give yourself peace of mind. This disease is very slow in progression and a few years will not make much difference. But if you will have a record of having pre-existing condition, you will be srewed. My hubby was diagnosed when his blood was tested for life insurance, and all life insurance policies are off limits for him now.
Again, it is very unlikely that you have this disease. That is a part of the reason why I advise you to wait with testing.

[Angela83]

No, I already called and asked several times. It will definitely be recorded and any insurance company will check my records.

[newleaf09]

Get tested so you can stop obsessing on something that probably does not even exist.  If you do it at the school there should be no record of it to pop up for your insurance later.