Questions about Canadian compensation and treatment

[Shan8623]

I tried looking into this and never really found anything out, so was hoping someone here knew anything relevant. I got hep c from a blood transfusion when I was born and from what I understood there was going to be some kind of compensation. Then I never heard anything more... I think it was dependant on how serious your hep c was, and might've depended on your province.

I live in BC and I found out about my diagnosis about 15 years ago; back then I was only 10 and don't really remember the details, but none of the doctors seemed that concerned that I had it and since then I've never gone to see anyone about it, I may have spoken to my doctor once about it later on and she mentioned that I probably wouldn't need to treat it... which lead me to think that there's reasons not to treat it, yet I can't find any real serious drawbacks. The only time I've heard someone mention it to me without me bring it up was when I was 17 and needed blood taken after having complications from an operation, the nurse came back in and said "you know you have hep c right?" ... which seemed weird to randomly say to someone, but I guess she saw it in my blood (is that possible?) becase if she'd read it in a file hopefully I'd already know about it.

Whenever I've asked family about having it and compensation and treatments they all brush it off which is pretty irritating since I know ignoring it doesn't make it go away, even if I seem healthy. What steps can I take from here, considering my family doctor didn't really care that I have it? Can I see a specialist without going through her first?

[Dee1956]

Thank you so much for the link, it is a horrific story.
Dee

[jai56]

If you received a blood transfusion when you were born 1986 (I am assuming from your post) You should be looking at this website http://www.hepc8690.ca. In Canada there were  2 separate HepC Compensation schemes. The link mentioned in the post above mine is for people infected through the blood supply prior to 1986 and after 1990.
For personal support with your HepC take a look at the website HepC BC lots of good information and support.

[suezeeque]

Here is an article about the Canadian tainted blood compensation:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health/tainted-blood-compensation-incomplete-as-deadline-nears/article1623665/

[printze]

Hi there, I live in Canada also , Montreal. There are not many Canadians on this forum . I would suggest to try to see a liver specialist - hepatologist and get the proper testing and see from there what options you have . I am not sure if the window for compensation is still open, however an experienced hepatologist who treats hep c and liver diseases will be able to help you. You are very young it seems so you probably could wait for the new oral meds coming out in approx 3-5 yrs. Make the appointment first and take it from there. Get in touch with a hospital near you that has a liver transplant hepatology clinic . I am sure you will be fine . Good luck.