Pernicious anemia

[louisep]

I found out in Feb 2003, that I have Hep C geno type 3a, and am awaiting my first biopsy Oct14.  On my last visit to my GP, I was told I was border line pernicious anemia, but not to worry?
Is pernicious anemia caused by Hep C?  And what exactly is it?

My specialist nurse also told me that one drop of blood infected with hep c lives for 3 months, and therefore, can remain in ink pots at tatoo parlours, therefore spreading the disease to the unsuspecting public?  My question is... Why hasn't there been a government ruling about disposing of ink after each tatoo?  And why has Hep c not had much media coverage? I don't know if this applies to the US but it certainly does in the Uk!  Information on Hep C is hugely lacking!  Everything I have learned about this condition has come from this site,  and a very special lady I e mail, also from this site.

Also, is it true that some people manage to clear the virus without medication?

Many thanks,

Louise

[MajNeni]

Hello, Louise,
I sadly agree with you.  There is very little media coverage of HCV.  As an example, I did a search on Public Broadcasting Service/PBS (similar to BBC) in the US, and I found one or two REFERENCES per year, going back about 5 years, including TV and radio services; the last one this year in February.  At least one story mentioned it only as a coinfection with HIV, the main subject of that report.  Considering that the disease is still spreading, the lack of attention and public education is very upsetting.  
Perhaps we can do something where we live to increase public awareness?  It's tough, without exposing who we are and dealing with the stigma.

Tattoo parlors are definitely a source of infection.  I often tell people who seem to be actively working on tattoes about the ink used; and they say yea, yea, their parlors are very careful, and open a fresh, full bottle of ink for each person.  But just last week I learned that often that little bottle is filled up in the back room from a big bottle... and the leftover is poured back in...

As far as clearing the virus without medication, that happens in abut 15% of cases, soon after the initial infection and "acute" hepatitis phase.  Acute hepatitis may be undiagnosed in many people; it may present much like a flu.  If you are still showing HCV positive six months later, the infection is chronic.  
At this time, treatment with Interferon is the only medically proven way to eradicate chronic HCV infection.  Combination treatments with pegylated interferon - PegIntron or Pegasys - and ribavirin have been the most effective to date, giving Genotype 1's ~ 50/50 chance at Sustained Viral Response (SVR), genotype 2's and 3's around 75-80% chance.  Type 1's treat treat for 48 weeks typically, type 2's and 3's for 24 weeks.  This is why finding out the genotype is essential before starting treatment.

Good luck in your journey with us.
Maj Neni


  

[new-sojourn]

Hep C is a 'junkie disease' and ranks up there w/AIDS as socially unacceptable.  Very few people list hep c as cause of death, b/a careful reading of obits make it obvious it kills.  How many here would put down, 'death due to complications of hep c'?

Now,I'm a rock and roller and not only w/the band b/in the band b/ got my hep c from childbirth transfusions.  B/even the doc's initially assumed it was dirty needles.

I get very insulted when people think hep c is god's punishment for drugs, sex and rock and roll.  Well, I'm here to say, Rock don't cause and wishin' won't send it away.

Unlike some, I tell everyone what I had, how I got it and how I cured it.  I explain how it affected me in the past, how I did everything I was told to do and gave it up to God.  I'm not ashamed I had it and I'm proud I cleared it and never whined, bitched or moaned while on tx.  Any sides are better than death.

[oldhippiechick67]

Hey thanks for bringing up pernicious anemia, I found a site that describes it  and WOW  the symptoms are all the same we can experience with hep C.  But NO it isnt caused by hepC.  I dont know if your doc has given you B12 to inject but that is the "cure" for that disease/disorder (pernicious anemia).
here is the link

http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Acropolis/6338/pernicious.html

And Maj Neni.....I cannot picture you going into a tattoo parlor!  But that is true, they probably are not as careful as they should be. The ink is expensive and there are some folks who put $$$ savings over the rules.  I think the dental offices are a source of the Hep C too, think of the old days when they didnt use gloves between patients.  When washing your hands between each patient was a real pain, so they just wet um down and grabbed a towel...or like my old dentist, he washed his latex gloves in between patients (to save $) OMG!  And the light, they did touch it to adjust the light, but they didnt use to worry about washing that off between patients. Now they have little plastic wraps that are s'pose to be changed in between patients, but are they?  It's just frightening how easily we could become infected. Especially in the old days, like 15 -20 yrs ago.  The nail manicure salons too, gads, I recently went there and the lil gals are all foreign, barely speak English, but somehow passed their boards, they never change dremil bits or files between clients, and one gal made my daughters cuticle bleed. Needless to say we dont get our nails done any longer!
AND I AM ANGRY about the media not giving Hep C any attention!  What is up with that??  Are they afraid of hysteria?  they should be!  **** sakes.  Well thats my soapbox speech for today!
OHC

[louisep]

I'm really, really sorry that you feel insulted by my questions,  it was never my intention to insult anyone.  This site has really helped me as I'm very confused (like I said, "lack of information") and I'm also very, very scared.
I wish I was as strong as you, but I'm not and probably never will be, and I'm not ashamed to admit that, but I'm trying to deal with this the best way I can, and thats by asking questions.

[Jim55]

In the good ol USA there is supposed to be regulations that require all tatoo stuff to be replaced after each use including disposable ink wells. If it is done or not is another thing. The unsuspecting client is the fall guy. Believe me I know.

Get Well

[MajNeni]

I don't have tattoos!  I was talking to students w/tattoos at my college who got theirs locally.  My son-out-law has several modest tattoos, all covered by a T-shirt; and my nephew is working on something big and complicated around a shoulder, but can't afford to go fast.  I've been talking to them bigtime about my concerns.  Got the s-o-l to stop smoking already.  
Maj Neni