Hep c since birth

[Momof286]

I am a 27 year old female mother of 2 girls one 4 and the other 4 months. This past year has been trying to say the least. I found out through a letter from blood services to be tested for hep c from a blood transfusion I received when I was 5 days old. So I did and it came back positive. I was born 3 months premature and had a bad series of events and spent the first 9 months of my life in the hospital but I fought and made it through. So in finding this out was a shock and now have to fight again I guess. Then I had my second daughter and found out she has a heart defect. Then I have the guilt of omg I drank in my teens to now not as much these past years since having kids but deffinetly before .... I'm wondering about all these new drugs on the rise I am hoping to clear this and also hoping I have somehow lucked out on liver damage. Will I be able to tolerate this with two young children? Life is very unfair at times and my whole life has flipped around again... Any advice or comments on what my next step should be would be greatly appreciated :) sorry for the life story

[Nohep]

Hi I'm on the same situation as you cab you please tell me how it went what happen I'm so afraid bright now

[Momof286]

I have been browsing this sight and all the individual stories and truths on here are both encouraging and frightening. I truly wish the best for everyone and congratulate everyone on their SVR... I hope I will be one of those one day and not let this nasty disease get the best of me! To be honest I am deathly afraid at times and get a bit down... but the amazing stories on here and the amiles on my childrens face give me comfort, strength and hope in knowing I CAN do this!

[Advocate1955]

I agree with everything can-do says.  In addition, you should make sure that you're vaccinated against Hep A and Hep B, so that you don't encounter another virus that can hurt your liver (or place additional burden on your liver).  You should also be tested for HIV just to be sure that you don't have a co-infection, which would also place an additional burden on your liver.  I think it's great that you're already looking into finding a hepatology clinic, with hepatologists.  You're right, having had Hep C for 27 years may increase the possibility of more damage to your liver, so you should try to get in to see a hepatologist as soon as you can, sometime in the next few months is fine.  The hepatologist will take care of any additional testing and the vaccinations for you.  He/she may also do imaging of your abdomen (ultrasound, CT scan) to check on the overall health of your liver and other organs.  He/she will probably also recommend a liver biopsy, which is really not a huge deal.  It is a procedure that is done under a light sedation.  It only takes about 20 minutes and is usually done as an ultrasound guided procedure.  There is an hour or so prep ahead of time because of the sedation, and there is a waiting period of a couple of hours after the procedure to make sure you are fine to go home.  The liver biopsy is the very best way for the hepatologist to know exactly what state your liver is in and how much liver damage you may or may not have.  It is relatively painless and fairly low risk, but provides the information that your hepatologist and you will need in order to decide how best to proceed with treating your Hep C.  Knowing the stage of your liver damage, if you have any, will help to determine which treatment (current or new ones coming out) and for how long.  Right now, with 24-48 weeks of triple therapy, your odds are higher than they have ever been for treating g 1a.  In a few months (probably by December), there will be a new treatment, also probably requiring three medications but only for 12 weeks, likely to be approved and available that will increase your chances of success even more.  So, don't despair.  You're a fighter, and you can get through this as well.
Advocate1955

[can-do-man]

" With the new Meds coming have you heard if clearence rates are improving? "

Yes very much so, and treatment is shorter with less side effects. Sounds like your doing all the right things... Even though you have had it all your life the odds are still very much on your side that the damage is minimal.

Remember age is on your side, hang in there and let us know if you have any questions and what you find out... We've all been there.

[Momof286]

Thanks for your reply I know things aren't always as bad as they seem right now to me they hopefully will get better. As to your comment I did have 2 tests first being the antibodies and then another to confirm I have geno type 1 a which I have looked into which again another kick in butt. I just worry that because i have this for my wntire life thts a long time to have this 27 years :( I am looking into a center that is specializing in liver diseases and running hep c clinical trials. Hoping for minimal damage and hoping for a upside of all of this soon :) trying to stay positive for my beautiful children so I can be here for them :) thank you for your kind comment and looking into taking appropriate steps to get healthy and yes deffinately not drinking. With the new Meds coming have you heard if clearence rates are improving?

[can-do-man]

First let me welcome you to the forum. Sorry about what all you have dealt with. As for having any guilt, don't. Everyone one of us have done things in our life we now regret. That's all part of growing up as we live and learn. Now that you know you have Hep C drinking is something you need to stop altogether as it really speeds of the damage.

What you need to do now is get into a Doctor that knows how to treat the virus, a G I doctor that has a background in Hep C or a Hepatologist, first have a PCR done to make sure you really have the active virus and not just the antibodies as a certain % of people clear it on their own. If you do then you need to find out what genotype you are and check into having a biopsy. Being your still young you might not have much damage and would be able to wait for newer treatments. Having children your age unless you had plenty of help could be a problem with current treatments.

First thing is find out. Maybe you just have the antibodies and then you don't have any worries........ Wishing the best for you and your little girl, things are not as bad as they seem...........