Just got the news today

[dooklebug]

I was just told by my doctor that I tested positive for the Hep C antibodies.  Considering that I lived a not-so-healthy lifestyle decades ago - and I mean decades - how likely is it that I have HCV.  I was hospitalized on Friday for lower abdominal pain and blood tests showed elevated liver enzymes, which prompted him to order a hep screen.  I've been a wreck all day because I've been tested many times before for that and HIV and the tests have always been negative.  I am married to the most wonderful man on the planet and the thought that I might have exposed him to this devastates me.  I deserve it.  He doesn't.

[dooklebug]

Thanks for the quick response. :)

[hrsepwrguy]

"What do they stand for?  Is there a list somewhere?"

http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Hepatitis/Hepatitis-C-Acronyms-Abbreviations/show/3?cid=64

[dooklebug]

Thanks, Pooh.  I've been perusing the site for the past couple hours, as I am hoping to hear something tomorrow.  Soooo much information.  My main questions right now are in regard to all the abbreviations.  What do they stand for?  Is there a list somewhere?

[pooh55811]

Welcome to the forum.

I agree with the others. See what the result is and then forge ahead.

I think all of us were stunned when we were diagnosed. I know I was. You could have knocked me over with a feather. That was in July 2011. So I was diagnosed July 6, 2011. Had my liver biopsy Sept. 2, 2011. Started treatment Sept. 26th, 2011. Ended treatment Aug. 25, 2012. I won't lie. It was no picnic. But I would do it again in a second just to get rid of this virus and the health problems it was causing.

With any luck, this will be a false positive or a situation in which you cleared the virus on your own. Some people do.

I am wishing you the best of luck. Let us know the results and ask any and all questions you may have. This is a great site for support and information.

[dooklebug]

Thank you so much, Idyllic and ceanothus.  I'm sorry for the delayed response to your posts, but I just had to take a break from this for a few days.  Your words are very encouraging.  I am doing the "hope for the best, prepare for the worst" thing and each day it gets easier.  I am already making changes in lifestyle just in case.  I had been drinking a bit too much - not because I needed to, but mostly out of boredom.  I am now down to one glass of wine a night.  Should the news be the worst, of course, I will stop completely.

I had blood work done on Monday and the tech said the results take "a couple days".  I didn't hear anything on Wednesday or Friday, so I'm hoping to get some information tomorrow.

Thank you again for the encouragement.  You have no idea how much it helps.  All the best to you and everyone on this site.

[ceanothus]

I second all that you've been told above. It takes some time to get all the facts (tests take time and so does the interpretation of what the results mean in your particular case), and you really don't need to be hitting yourself with all the stress of contemplating possibilities when many of them are not going to apply to you. Now is a good time to learn about the generalities of Hepatitis C, because it is now so prevalent that everyone should know a little about it, but leave the scary stuff alone for a while, or at least limit it to tiny bits of reading at a time, until you know what your own situation really is. If you are concerned that you may have infected your husband, read my reply to KATJMK1984 (post titled HELP!!) in this forum. Best wishes!

[Idyllic]

I can imagine how freaked you must be. Still, so many people come on here who test positive for the antibody turn out to be negative on the PCR. If this is the case It means you were exposed to the virus but somehow cleared it on your own.

It's good that you are mentally preparing yourself for the prospect you might have the virus but the bottom line is you don't have enough information yet. You are understandably overwhelmed so maybe it is a good idea if you keep us in mind along what has been said and see how you do on your tests next week.

I know it might not seem this way but it is not the end of the world.
Hang in there!
Keep us informed ♫

[dooklebug]

Okay, I need to stop reading now.  I'm freaking out a little.  The treatments sound horrible.  I'm currently helping take care of my three-year-old grandson with leukemia and just can't deal with this right now.  I have more tests this week so I'll come back when I have a diagnosis.  Best wishes to everyone dealing with this horrible disease and I'll be back soon.  I still have so many questions.

[dooklebug]

Thanks, copyman.  It's been a rough few days and I guess I'm having a little pity party.  I've been reading up and feel a little better.  My husband is being very supportive.  Thank god I was honest with him when we met and told him everything about my past.  The guilt is the hardest thing, but he's convinced me to stop worrying until there's something to worry about.  (Yeah, right.  He knows me better than that.)  

I'm so relieved to have found this group.  I think it is going to make whatever lies ahead much easier to handle.  Thank you again.

[copyman]

First off no one deserves it. Don't be so hard on yourself. Many from that era regret things we did.

It is possible that it was a false positive but only a 5% chance. Ask for a PCR test to confirm if you have a viral load.

Yes it is possible you could have carried it all these years. Most live with it for decades before finding out. HCV has a way of living dormant for years then awaken and rear its ugly head.

Best of luck