Aa
Newby just diagnosed with Hep C
I am a 19 year old female who has recently learned she is positive for Hepatitis C. I am being sent to a gastroenterologist on Tuesday and I do not know what to expect. Can anyone give me any insight? Thank you!!!
Hi portann,
From Dr. Mcgovern, the body.com:
http://www.thebody.com/Forums/AIDS/Hepatitis/Current/Q195021.html
“Acute HCV most often occurs without symptoms. Those with symptoms might develop nausea, vomiting, right upper quadrant pain, jaundice (yellow skin) and icterus (yellow eyes).
It is helpful to make the diagnosis of acute HCV because it the patient does not clear virus on their own, then treatment is indicated. Cure rates are much higher in acute HCV than in chronic HCV.”
You bet; most of us don’t get the opportunity to address and manage our disease while it’s acute; we’ve had a few members in here that have caught it early… I believe A LAgirl was diagnosed after a brutal rape incident; the treatment duration and success of
Tx can be substantially higher if caught during the acute phase.
Of course, Care_free’s situation might involve something entirely separate from acute HCV, but it seems to me it’s to her advantage to investigate this.
Take care—
Bill
From Dr. Mcgovern, the body.com:
http://www.thebody.com/Forums/AIDS/Hepatitis/Current/Q195021.html
“Acute HCV most often occurs without symptoms. Those with symptoms might develop nausea, vomiting, right upper quadrant pain, jaundice (yellow skin) and icterus (yellow eyes).
It is helpful to make the diagnosis of acute HCV because it the patient does not clear virus on their own, then treatment is indicated. Cure rates are much higher in acute HCV than in chronic HCV.”
You bet; most of us don’t get the opportunity to address and manage our disease while it’s acute; we’ve had a few members in here that have caught it early… I believe A LAgirl was diagnosed after a brutal rape incident; the treatment duration and success of
Tx can be substantially higher if caught during the acute phase.
Of course, Care_free’s situation might involve something entirely separate from acute HCV, but it seems to me it’s to her advantage to investigate this.
Take care—
Bill
Thanks very much, Bill, for that perspective. When I first read about Carefree's serious symptoms, I thought they were more likely related to something other than HCV. After reading your post, a light bulb went on, making me wonder if she has acute Hepatitis C, which may be easier to treat than chronic. That would be lucky for her to get such an early diagnosis, wouldn't it? Can acute present that way?
Carefree, aside from confirming HCV as soon as possible with proper testing, continual bleeding post-delivery needs just as much attention, if not more.
Carefree, aside from confirming HCV as soon as possible with proper testing, continual bleeding post-delivery needs just as much attention, if not more.
Jeez, I’m sorry to hear your having a tough time right now. Based on the description of your blood tests, it’s very likely that you have already been tested for HCV RNA. This is usually performed *after* a positive antibody result. The GI doc will help confirm this.
Fatigue is one of the biggest single complaints of chronic HCV infection; some of the other issues, especially diarrhea, vomiting, etc sound more likely to be attributed to acute infection. This is only conjecture, of course; your GI doc will have to provide the answers. Acute infection can last for 6 months; after that, if it still persists, it becomes known as chronic HCV.
This distinction is important; an acute infection can often be managed differently than a chronic one, with a higher rate of response. Be sure to discuss any recent risk factors with your doctor; IV drug use, any contact with blood that might have exposed you to this. Not all people that are diagnosed have known risk factors; but if you think this might be the case, be sure to talk about them wit the doc.
Again, this is all premature; you need to ask the doc if you are ‘HCV RNA positive; if so, ask for the ‘genotype’ or strain of HCV. There are several strains of this disease, and each of them has a different response profile to medication. The genotype also helps determine the duration of treatment, should it eventually become necessary to treat.
This is generally a slow-moving disease in terms of progression; therefore, the doctors don’t often rush the diagnosis. It does take time to figure things out; it took me six months from diagnosis until I was able to begin treatment, and that was with me pressing the issue. Take that time to educate yourself—read and ask questions in here as well as elsewhere. Some people enter into treatment unnecessarily; make sure you understand why you need to undergo treatment if your doctor recommends it.
It helps to ask your doctor for copies of all labs and procedures so you can discuss them here, as well as with your other health care providers.
I wish you well; stick around and let us know how things proceed—
Bill
Fatigue is one of the biggest single complaints of chronic HCV infection; some of the other issues, especially diarrhea, vomiting, etc sound more likely to be attributed to acute infection. This is only conjecture, of course; your GI doc will have to provide the answers. Acute infection can last for 6 months; after that, if it still persists, it becomes known as chronic HCV.
This distinction is important; an acute infection can often be managed differently than a chronic one, with a higher rate of response. Be sure to discuss any recent risk factors with your doctor; IV drug use, any contact with blood that might have exposed you to this. Not all people that are diagnosed have known risk factors; but if you think this might be the case, be sure to talk about them wit the doc.
Again, this is all premature; you need to ask the doc if you are ‘HCV RNA positive; if so, ask for the ‘genotype’ or strain of HCV. There are several strains of this disease, and each of them has a different response profile to medication. The genotype also helps determine the duration of treatment, should it eventually become necessary to treat.
This is generally a slow-moving disease in terms of progression; therefore, the doctors don’t often rush the diagnosis. It does take time to figure things out; it took me six months from diagnosis until I was able to begin treatment, and that was with me pressing the issue. Take that time to educate yourself—read and ask questions in here as well as elsewhere. Some people enter into treatment unnecessarily; make sure you understand why you need to undergo treatment if your doctor recommends it.
It helps to ask your doctor for copies of all labs and procedures so you can discuss them here, as well as with your other health care providers.
I wish you well; stick around and let us know how things proceed—
Bill
First welcome to the forum.
As stated, first it's important to find out if you really have hepatitis C, or you just carry the antibodies. Because if it's just the antibodies, then you don't have the virus. To make sure your diagnosis is correct, you need what is called a viral load test.
Many here start by going to a family doctor or gastroenterologist, but the doctors that really know the most about hepatitis C are called hepatologists. Hepatologists can usually be found at your larger, teaching hospitals.
If you have any doubts about your diagnosis, and certainly if they recommend treatment, it would be a smart idea to arrange for a second consultation with a hepatologist before making any final decisions.'
I say this because not everyone has to treat right away -- a lot has to do with how much liver damage you have, your genotype, and other factors.
You should also know that newer drugs, better drugs, are now on trial and should be ready in a couple of years. Hopefully, your doctor will explain this all to you so that you will be able to make a more informed choice if it turns out you actually have hepatitis C.
You can also post any test results here to get the opinion of members, but remember not of us are doctors.
All the best,
Jim
As stated, first it's important to find out if you really have hepatitis C, or you just carry the antibodies. Because if it's just the antibodies, then you don't have the virus. To make sure your diagnosis is correct, you need what is called a viral load test.
Many here start by going to a family doctor or gastroenterologist, but the doctors that really know the most about hepatitis C are called hepatologists. Hepatologists can usually be found at your larger, teaching hospitals.
If you have any doubts about your diagnosis, and certainly if they recommend treatment, it would be a smart idea to arrange for a second consultation with a hepatologist before making any final decisions.'
I say this because not everyone has to treat right away -- a lot has to do with how much liver damage you have, your genotype, and other factors.
You should also know that newer drugs, better drugs, are now on trial and should be ready in a couple of years. Hopefully, your doctor will explain this all to you so that you will be able to make a more informed choice if it turns out you actually have hepatitis C.
You can also post any test results here to get the opinion of members, but remember not of us are doctors.
All the best,
Jim
This is something I posted back in September on another forum describing my symptoms before Hep C ever crossed my mind:
I have been sick lately--diarrhea, hives, night sweats, general achyness, swollen lymph nodes in my neck. I went to the doctor and they ran some blood tests and said my wbc count was low-3.5 Any idea what could be going on? They have me going back for more bloodwork in a few weeks.
I have been sick lately--diarrhea, hives, night sweats, general achyness, swollen lymph nodes in my neck. I went to the doctor and they ran some blood tests and said my wbc count was low-3.5 Any idea what could be going on? They have me going back for more bloodwork in a few weeks.
I have undergone so much bloodwork lately I really am not sure if I am testing positive for the antibodies or the virus. They specifically tested me for Hep C and I was sent for additional bloodwork when the results came back. After I had my baby 6 months ago, I just couldn't stop bleeding so I have been going to the doctor for that and trying to get that figured out. Then my wbc count was low so they've been monitoring that as well. The fatigue I am experiencing could be contributed to a variety of things. Also I was over a trash can or toilet for 3 weeks straight after ever meal that I forced down. I feel like **** most of the time and find it increasingly difficult to take care of my daughter. I just wish something would give and I could get some answers.
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