Worried I contracted Hepatitis C through snorting

[beantown33]

Hi, I'm 20 years old and I snorted cocaine one night in mid-december with a bunch of guys.  I knew most of the ppl in the group except for one or two. I do not know if any of these people have hepatitis c.  However, I've read a bunch of things online and have become extremely concerned.  In the days following my snorting experience (we only snorted) I had very bad headaches.  These headaches have been off and on since then.  In addition, I've had some rashes in my genital area, have experienced bad hangovers (worse then i used to get), have had burning urination, and have had tingling off and on in my extremities.  I'm really worried that I may have contracted HCV. I didn't notice any blood on the dollar bill we used but it is possible there could have been some.  Do you think I should be worried? I'm really worried/scared and have been experiencing a lot of anxiety over this.  Please help me! Thanks!

[GoofyDad]

See here now, young lady.

Laugh all you want, but I'll tell you something. All your talk about your deflating b**bies.... well add a few riba induced hair spouts on there, and guess what you got? That's right. A giant nut sack riding around on your chest!

hahahahah hahahahahahha ahahahahahahahahaha, yo'self!

Hey - I wonder if you can buy jocks in bra cup sizes? I'll take a 34 double loose please!

[azgrl]

I hear ya.  Sometimes I just look at my husband and laugh because you'd think it would tickle or something flapping around down there....what do runners do....hahahahahahahahaha...oh the mental image in my mind is very scary.

deb in az

[NYgirl]

man oh man that just seems like too much work to deal with such funny looking things doesn'T it?  and men think we are ENVIOUS hahahahah hahahahahahha ahahahahahahahahaha

Delerious! They are simply crazy!

Excuse me as I fix my nuts here hahahahaha oh boy no thanks!

I for one  glad to be a GIRL! :)

[azgrl]

Oh you're just jealous because we don't have nuts....we don't have to adjust, we don't have to pick them off the right or left leg because it's so hot they sweat stick to them....we never have to worry about smashing them simply by sitting wrong...you get my drift...

deb in az

[GoofyDad]

And of course you know why it is when girls wake up, the first thing they do is rub the sleep from their eyes?

Right. They gots no nuts to scratch.....

[azgrl]

I always enjoy reading your posts.  They are inspiring...I have an aunt who is an addict...she no longer uses but still semi denies how bad she was....she in a way still punishes herself by not doing anything about her hep c.  despite my talking with her about it.  

goof -  as for the itchy nuts my hubby has a ritualistic itching every morning and has a very specific "washing" every morning for the itchy nuts....it's very interesting to..who needs the discovery channel....they don't need to go into the forests to film the gorillas....they can just come to my shower and watch my husband.  

Also for anyone else with the itchies...always check the fromunda for the taintcheese!!!

Deb in az

[JazzCat]

I'm humbled by your candor and honesty. Your testimony should be required reading for every 20-year-old who doesn't understand the concept of consequences.

[strator]

beantown -
Like others have said it

[Bill1954]

Glad to see you're still aound to chew fleas, lol! I can't remember--did they start you back on treatment yet or are you just sitting around eating the weeds out back?

Keep on barking,

Bill

[Dale_Ray]

Dear Valorie:

I reference to your recent inquiry about the recently patented "Nose Blow Hose" I am very pleased to inform you that yes we have several still in stock. The high pressure with lip clamps and ear plugs and the Standard model with smaller diameter hose. Thousand have been sold and are currently in use throughout Costa Rico and Honduras as a safe alternative to the use of powdery substances. There is no health risk if you are aquatic by nature and eye balls are firmly planted in your skull. Today and today only I am willing to ship to you Valorie our Premium brand that will adapt to either your outside water hydrant or your bathroom sink. Just think whirling your brain at your own leisure with 30 to 50 pounds of clear water pressure. It heals whatever cures you and to show you how much we believe in this product I will personally refund your $.29 if this product fails to perform and send you to a place you've never been. Rub (Dale) Goldberg

I've been playful about this but it is always troublesome to me when someone like Beantown is at risk. I'm glad he is smart and started asking questions. That alone tells me he will probably be okay. It's the quiet one you have to worry about. Are you **** okay today? Dale

[MrsOckert]

ROFL - You have the best sense of humor!!  That was a great response.

Young people think they are invincible.  I know I sure did.  I do hope this scare has been enough to get him off the party circuit.

Right now I'm doing well.  I've been feeling really lucky cause I haven't had the severity of sides others have had.  My thyroid quit working almost as soon as I started TX but sheesh I can handle $16.89 a month for pills.  I really don't know how people that need procrit and/or neupogen can afford it.

I have the rash and bumps, NYG calling it chicken pox was a good description, but I don't have the horrible itching.

Last Thurs I did get my first taste of the joint pains.  Shoulder/back/ribs/hips OMYG - it was the worse thing I've ever experienced and I suffered through it without taking any pain pills.  I was worried doing more damage to my liver with motrins/advils/tylenols, but the dr said it's okay as long as I don't abuse them.  I don't know why I didn't think about weighing the advantages of pain vs pain relief.  LOL

I'm taking lorazepam for the anxiety attacks.  The dr suggested paxil.  I told him I was really hoping for something to take just when it happened rather than something everyday.  I was really pleased when he agreed and said I could try these.  If it doesn't work or I start getting too many I agreed to go on paxil.

Are you doing any better?  I thought I read a few days ago that you were having some problems?  I hope you don't mind the book.  Once I get started I just can't seem to stop.  :)

[Dale_Ray]

Valorie not at all I love a good book. The joint pain thing has been the biggest lingering side affect I am dealing with now. I've tried the hot baths, Tylenol, heating pads and to be honest the oriental massages is the only thing that gets my mind off of the ache. (kidding) I was at my doctors office this morning for blood work and they said it is a common side affect of TX. I'm fortunate compared to so many on treatment. I've got my Ambien and Lexapro at night so I do sleep well and don't have the insomnia any longer.

You are so right about the cost of medicines. I have pretty good insurance but i still have to micro manage them a bit so they do the right thing ha! I forget what the cost of the Nupogen I take is but eveytime I see the cost breakdown I wonder how those with no insurance do it.

Sorry about the thyroid I think NYgirl is having this same thing and is really worried about it. She got a clear on her blood work and now this.

I have red bumps like a fresh plucked chicken in places I didn't know you could have bumps. They look like little bright red berries. If my toes fell off I would probably just think that is normal for treatment and just limp around.

I'm glad you are tolerant of my craziness but believe me it helps give me some relief from high anxiety at times. I hope you have the perfect evening. Dale

[genedog]

your ok get some bagbaum and put on your bling bling

[MrsOckert]

Good morning!  I was curious about your water house and how I get it up my nose?

Is this a sideline of yours and how much do they cost?  Will the rush be full powered and I take it from your post that there are no after effects?

If they are at all reasonably priced you may put me down for one water house.  How much is shipping?

Thanks, Valorie

[NYgirl]

THAT was an EXCELLENT point in your post one I never thought of - what about the diseases still not NAMED that might be out there?

I had not thought of that and you are right...there was a time when they had no idea of HepC or HIV either. WOW you just blew my mind. What a complicated thought that is.

I'm so glad I am off the drugs now - boy oh BOY it's not worth it. In reality we have a sucky disease but I'd take it over HIV any time at all.

You - still making me see the silver lining you are amazing.

[Bill1954]

I'm not sure I understand, Gene--are you geting the meds from Commitment For Care, or your private insurance company?

I'm doing OK, finishing up 56 weeks Tx this week. Took my last Peg shot on Friday. Hoping for the best here.

Good luck with the next round, and stay in touch---Go Bucks!!

Bill

[confusedkid]

I have heard from the UK hepatitis site that this is only in theory, and the risk has never actually been proven. It seems like a very poor way to get the virus, as it should not live outside the body for that long. If it lived outside the body for that long a time, you would see many more people getting it.

The study saying it did live for like 4 days outside the body was done with a strange experiment injecting monkeys with blood that was frozen (?) or something like that.

The best way to study this is to look at population studies and to see how people are getting hepatitis C. We have seen a drastic decrease in the number of people getting the virus, despite at least 15% of the population trying cocaine at least once. It only seems to appear in those that are injecting drugs, or have had some sort of needle encounter. The studies done connecting hepatitis C rates and cocaine use have always had a hard time ruling out other risk factors like injecting drugs.

Im not a doctor, but this is just my 2 cents on it. Look at the CDC's recommendations for testing, and you will see that snorting is not a reason to test.

- Chet

[GoofyDad]

Snorting blow is not a good idea, and I don't advocate it. True for chugging beers, sleeping around, smoking cigs, and a host of other activities. Do as I say, not as I did, LOL. OK - the coke is worse, but you haven't exactly committed a crime against humanity here.  

I've got to agree with Chet. I think your chances of contracting HCV by the events you describe are extremely low. Probably higher from risk factors that haven't yet been identified - oh wait, I'm trying to put you at ease here - no more talk of unknown risk factors.

Anyway, my advice would be to mention it to your doc at some point (hey doc, I get really bad hangovers when I drink too much....)!

BTW, if itchy nutz were going to kill you, most of us guys would have expired in our 20's!

Layoff the drugs and you'll sleep better. Good luck my friend.

[genedog]

going back on tx soon i hope felt great after tx for about 1 week, ins wont pay pegasys say i make to much $ for free meds. how are you?

[amommy]

Beantown, Good for you for educating yourself and being proactive enough to care about your well being.  Hope you have made an appt. with your doc. to have some basic tests done that will put your mind at ease.

Kalio, I was trying to reply to you yesterday, but things were all full up :)  I am so sorry to hear that your pcr came back detectable.  You are such a strong person and are so kind and helpful to all of us here.  Stick with it and you will win!  You and strator both have amazing fighting spirit.  It will serve you well!

I am currently debating short course of tx as a geno 2, and all of the news this week has got me second guessing....I guess only time will tell.

[NYgirl]

Best of luck.  I'm sure you are fine and it's something as simple as an allergy to the soap you are using...but it's better to know for peace of mind.

Be careful with the drugs these days - it's not like when I was a kid and they were REAL now they are synthetic and just straight up poison (not that coke isn't in its real sense but you know what I mean).  Most people just don't know and do it anyways when they are drunk.

I can relate on that front!

Best of luck~

[beantown33]

Thank you all for your responses.  I have done coke/aderol (or whatever it is ;/) a few times in my life...mostly when i've been really drunk and too stupid to realize how dumb it is.  I havent and wont do it again but i appreciate all of your concern.  I've been checked for some STDs because that was my first reaction to the symptoms as well...my doctors think its in my head and due to anxiety that I am getting these symptoms.  I think I will go and get the test for hepatitis. Once again thank you and I will keep you posted.

Best,

beantown

[Dale_Ray]

Stop it! Don't do that to yourself. You have value don't waste it. If you want a rush put a water house up your nose and turn it on full blast. Same affect just not the same after affect. Keep yourself away from those circumstances. You do need to see your doctor about the symtoms and I understand what it is like to be afraid and I'm pulling for you and hoping there is nothing to this. Keep us posted on your visit to doctor and take care of your body it has to carry you a lifetime. Dale

[cuteus]

your symptoms do not sound like hep c. Most of the time hep c does not show any symptoms in its initial stages. Since you seem to engage in some risky behaviors at this point, the possibility exists that it extends into the sexual activities and consequently, as stated, Sexually transmitted  illnesses. Have a consult with your primary. In addition, hep b is more contagious than hep c in its acute stage. So you might want to have a liver profile done.