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Avatar universal

really worried what is the risk?

so my boyfriend has been having many text book hepatitis symptoms (pain in the upper right abdomen, dark urine, joint pain, itching, faitigue, distended stomach, flu like symptoms). No weight loss, changes in appetite, jaundice. The symptoms get worse and better and worse and better and worse for like a year and finally he went to a doctor and now we are just waiting for results which is driving me insane.

obviously i am most concerned about hepatitis c and i am just wondering what the chances are that i could have it and that i could have passed it onto him. i know it's rare in heterosexual couples but we've had anal sex and we also have sex on my period.

i have no symptoms at all which i hear is common but i have gone out with two guys in the past about seven years ago who were snorting cocaine and one of them was also smoking crack. the other one was in jail for dealing cocaine before i met him. i wasn't with either of them for very long and i don't know if i can trust that they were not doing any IV drugs, they might have been. the one who was doing cocaine and crack was sick a lot like he was always having a strep throat or a flu or something. anyway i used a condom with them most of the time but there was some unprotected genital to genital contact as well (like a few times we started to have sex w/out a condom and then put on on later). No anal sex with either of them and i dont think there was any sex on my period either. I also snorted cocaine with them about three times and we shared the dollar bills to snort it with which is what worries me as it seems to be one of the risk factors for hep c.

I never did cocaine any other time in my life except for those few times and i never did any IV drugs. I don't have any tattoos. I did get my belly button pierced but the place is reputable.

other than that i don't think i've had any risk factors. what do you think that the chances are that i have hep c in case that those two guys actually had it? what are the chances that i now transmitted it to my boyfriend considering we've had some anal sex and a lot of sex on my period?
18 Responses
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577132 tn?1314266526
Yes, I really think you both should.

I had normal liver functions for the first 13 years of infection.  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I was pretty confident that neither of us had the hep since his liver function tests were normal. I mean I did read online that there is a possibility that you can have a normal liver test even when you do have hep c but that most of the time it will be at least slightly elevated.

Do you guys really feel that he should get a hep C antibody test anyway?
Helpful - 0
577132 tn?1314266526
Your boyfriend, and you, if you are as worried as you sound, just need to get tested for the Hep C Antibodies.  If they show up as positive then you need to have a Viral Load test to see if your virus is replicating or whether you have kicked it by yourself.

It is the ONLY way to put your minds at rest.  You don't need to get a biopsy at this stage.

If your Doctor won't order it, get another Doctor, or do as copyman suggested.

Chances you don't have it but it sounds like you need the peace of mind...
Helpful - 0
710144 tn?1232989892
Rayan'smom17,is right! Get the biopsy done. If he is healthy enough, do it, My husband was unable to get a biopsy, plattletts too low. Dr. said they could tell by all his blood work. But, always felt we missed out on a very important part. 10 years latr, still no biopsy, and will never have. Know what i mean? DO IT. Linda633
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Avatar universal
so my boyfriend's results are back and everything is normal. I am very relieved. Doctor suggests that his symptoms might be due to anxiety and thinks that the boyfriend should take antidepressant.

One question I have, he did have liver tests done and they were normal but I am not sure if he had hepatitis tests done. Since you can have hepatitis C w/out any liver issues for a long time is it possible that he still has hepatitis C that's causing these symptoms but his liver is still ok and so liver tests are still normal? Or if you are showing symptoms would it show up on the liver test?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you for your concern.

Surprisingly the test results are not back yet, i have no clue why it's taking this long. My boyfriend had a really bad stomach pain last Friday so he went back to the doctor who prescribed him antibiotics saying that it might be a bladder/kidney infection. I am hoping that's all it is and the rest of his tests will be normal.

Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I was wondering if you got any results? I see that you added a post saying he was being tested for a bunch of different things. I hope maybe you are getting some answers by now. I just wanted to tell you that I have serious night sweats and I itch a lot too. And also like greatbird, I had normal liver enzymes for about 18 years. They just started to get high enough to worry! They always were slightly elevated, but nothing too major The past 2 years they have gotten higher and higher. Plus I went into a hepatic coma. I don't even drink a single beer anymore. I stopped using drugs a long time back, I LOVED MY BEER!! Im not a big drinker, so I maybe had 2-4 beers a week. Until the Dr said that is like adding gasoline to a fire. It was when I had the liver biopsy that I got the bad news. All of these years I had Dr's that weren't concerned about testing me either. I mean we knew I had Hep C, but He would just do liver enzymes and function tests, and would tell me they are slightly elevated. He would say that was normal for having HCV, When I got out of the hepatic coma, my LFTs were crazy high and I was on a transplant list, but I had a little miracle, God wanted my alive. That whole year later every month my LFTs got better and better. But I finally argued to get a biopsy done because of the pain I have under my rib, and thru to my back, it even goes up to my shoulder sometimes. I do also have a little ascites too. I have chronic pancreatitus now too because my liver is not doing it's job 100%, so my pancreas has to work extra hard. So, since he is running a lot of tests, u should ask about doing a liver biopsy. These Drs were actually telling me I was ok, just to not drink and watch what I eat and ther are a lot of meds I can't take. I have other illnesses, so I am on a lot of meds. as I ask my Dr "Are these liver friendly meds?" So, please see if you can get him a biopsy. I was smacked in the back of the head with a brick, I was in shock and denial!!! I listened to these Drs for the last 10 yrs, and when I finally demanded a biopsy. I am in bad shape. I am in the last stage, 4 that is and I am cirrhotic. The chance of tx helping me is slim, and my next step is to get on a liver transplant list, but I have to try the tx first. I think catching it earlier give you a way better chance of having a healthy liver and living longer.......I wish I would have known of been more educated!! This was all Greek to me before I got on this site. there is a lot of good info on here, and some of the people really go out of their way to help you out too Please let me know what you find out........
God Bless and Much Peace to you Both!!!
Jenn
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
You have a very low risk for either having it or giving it! Why not just order a test kit on the internet? some are even FREE! good luck
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
thank you so much great bird. yeah the ascites along with the stomach pain is actually what finally caused him to go to a doctor. i believe he's only had that for the last month or two. all the other symptoms such as the fatigue, the flu like symptoms, itching, night sweats, he's had those for the last few years on and off.

if he has hep c then it's progressing more rapidly than normal or maybe this is caused by something other than hep c?

he also eats a lot of shellfish and raw fish, a lot of sushi and oysters so it's been suggested that this might be hep A.

i don't know, his doctor didn't seem too concerned, said that it's probably IBS from stress and anxiety (which he has a lot of in his job). He is running a bunch of different tests however.
Helpful - 0
9648 tn?1290091207
There are some people who don't know how they got it. They didn't have the risk factors--IV drug use, blood transfusion, etc.

Hep C is blood to blood and *can* be transmitted by unsterilized dental equipment, at  nail salons, or just by accident between friends sharing razors, toothbrushes or whatever.

One day I was pilling our cat and he scratched me (I have HCV) and then scratched my husband (who doesn't) and you have to believe that I almost had apoplexy. (My DH is a much calmer person and is not worried.)

Many of the people who have hepatitis feel that it should be run as a standard test on everyone. I certainly do. I was looking at some tests a doctor ran several years ago and he tested me for STDs--without asking or suggesting. That was silly because I'd been in a monogamous marriage for a quarter of a century. So, if they feel they should do that standardly why not also test for Hep A, B, and C?

I had normal liver enzymes for thirty years before they started to creep up which is when they suggested testing for hepatitis C. But I had it all that time. And I had no symptoms. Nada.

There are so many reasons to test, and very few not to--especially since you are so worried.

P.S. The distended stomach--or ascites--you say your boyfriend has is a symptom of very advanced liver disease. It doesn't go with a recent hepatitis infection.
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Avatar universal
yes i know thank you and that is the best course of action of course. i just wanted to see whether you felt like my history was pretty risky as far as hepatitis C goes. for example, some people tell me that the whole coke snorting is a theoretical risk but that they haven't seen an acutal person with hep C who has done that.

have you seen people on here who have hep C and don't have one of the higher risk factors like i do?

i just don't think that i could deal with giving this to him i guess. and i am now pretty mad at my doctor.
Helpful - 0
9648 tn?1290091207
I think we're all saying that if you're worried you should get tested. There's no way the doctor can tell you whether you have it or not without testing you. You seem very worried about it and I'm thinking you'll feel a whole lot better once you've had the test.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
why would my doctor not order these tests? he told me there was no danger that i had it and he also told me that i would have symptoms. this was three and a half years ago. what if my boyfriend got it from me since then?

i really wanted to know what my risks were, you are saying that the risk is small but still there?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
"LMAO I can't believe I just said that lol Hey my Pain Dr just upped my morphine, there that is my excuse lmao"

Fairly obvious from your post.

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Avatar universal
WOW!! I know I am a VERY OPEN tell it like it is kind of person. I like the fact that you just came on here and told it like it is!! lol I been trying to get the point across in a not so detailed fashion, which is not how I speak, but I try to consider there are many different ppl on here, and many different morals/beliefs! Oh I am NOT reprimanding you at all. I was just shocked that you were so open and blunt. I feel more comfortable being open and blunt too myself. If ya wanna know something and a correct answer, the best way to get it is to be totally honest. That way everything is out there on the table, and there will not be any questions as too example for you ..... May or May NOT have contracted HCV.
If you did not share a needle I would not panic as much. The sexual risks are like 1%
As for the straw, I know I had a BF who wouldn't use mine (when I was using drugs ). He knew I had HCV. I have always been open and honest in relationships. I have been in 3 serious ones since I contracted it. The man I got it from I was having sex with for 3 years, and dod not catch it from him sexually. He did not know h e had it either. He never found out until 10 years after I told him he gave it to me. He was much older then me, and was a heroin addict for liek 20 years already by time I was with him. Well, I thought he was so cool and HOT and just the most exciting awesome guy!! ( fit my rebel lifestyle perfect at 18 )So, he was shooting up one night, and I was very depressed, even a bit suicidal. I said I want to try it. He was so high, I was hoping he would give me too much by accident. Well, anyway I dunno why I am typing all this. The bottom line is after 3 years of sex, 1 time shooting up. I got it!!! He took the syringe out of his arm. Pushed some water thru it, and filed it up, and shot me up! ONE TIME!! That is all it took. It was about 6 weeks later I was in Louisiana for Mardi Gras. Well drinking a lot of alcohol 24/7 for 3 days. When I got home I was as yellow as a canary!!! Dr said it takes about 6-8 weeks to show physical symptoms. I may have never showed symptoms as bad as I did if I hadn't gone drowning myself in beer for 72 hrs straight no sleep at all. That is why it was so easy to diagnose me. I was so yellow, itchy, vomiting, syrup like urine and so on. Now my ex, he never got sick. Well not enough to notice until his drug use started to catch up with him. Because sometimes it is just flu like symptoms. And when you are dope sick and your body needs dope, ya get flu like symptoms!! So for years he swore he never gave it too me. and then I also wanted to add, like you I had a very open and active sex life. Same things mentioned as you, well not all but anyhow........I have NEVER given anyone Hep C. Even in a 6 yr long relationship where I started using drugs for a while IV. He wanted to try it because he was smoking crack. Well I accidentally shot him up with my needle. The virus doesn't live once the air hits it for too long. I don't know the amount of time, but he got lucky. I was high, and wasn't paying attention. He got tested 2 times in 6 mos, then again a couple yrs later when he had a real bad bike wreck. Luckily He did not get it from me. That is the most common way that HCV can be contracted, thru IV drug use. All of the other ways you mentioned are still risks, and I think being cautious is important. I do believe that it is less contagious for a woman to give it to a man just like HIV for the obvious reason. They wash off, they don't get ya know filled up for a few days. LMAO I can't believe I just said that lol Hey my Pain Dr just upped my morphine, there that is my excuse lmao
Hope that helped you sum, and let us know what your tests showed........
Take Care
Peace
Helpful - 0
476246 tn?1418870914
Welcome to the forum!

If your doctor does not want to refer you to a lab for the tests, all you need to do is go to another doctor and tell him that you would like to have a hepatitis panel done. You don't need to explain too much, but just say that you might have a risk factor and thus would like to be checked. After you have the results, make sure to get A and B vaccines, if you don't already have.

Meanwhile don't panic... a few weeks are not going to make a difference.

Good luck, Marcia
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9648 tn?1290091207
Get a new doctor and get tested. That's the only way you'll know.
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Avatar universal
he and i have been together for four years. if he got it from me right away would it still be too early to be showing symptoms?
when i got tested for STDs I asked my doctor if hepatitis was included and he said that it isn't b/c i would know if i had it, which i know is not true at least as far as hep C goes. i brought it up again with him considering my past and b/c my boyfriend was feeling sort of unwell for a while now and my doctor just said that there is no way i have it unless i used IV drugs or got a blood transfusion or was pricked by a needle that had hep C on it, which i know is also not true.  

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