Hep B help

[floyd_29]

I saw 2 doctors in one week and they both tested me for Hep B

the results
1) neg antibody neg antigen

2nd test Pos antibody neg antigen

However the 2nd test the Dr. said the results took an excessevily long time for the results to come back in
while the first test I got the results within 3 days.
My question is both of these tests cant be accurate I had an unprotected sexual exposure in March of 08
and was tested also 3 and 6 months after the exposure and it was neg antibody and negative antigen.
So my question is what could have possible happened?
I showed the 2nd dr my other results showing neg for antibody and for antigen so he is re-testing me for it.
However after my sexual exposure I also was administrated multiple shots of cortisone in my back, neck, and
hands. Is it possible that cortisone injections supresses the immune system that much that can cause your body not to be able to fight hep b causing you not to make an antibody or delayed time to show a positive antigen?
I havent had a cortisone shot since Oct 30th 2008.
I am a newby here any info you can give me I would greatly appreciate.

[alone and scared]

Floyd,  I am in the same boat.  I had a similar experience in Feb 2007 with a woman in the Dominican Republic.  I have change health plans in search of answers.  I have had all kinds of test.  I have some type of pain daily. I don't even want to begin talking about the changes in my bowel  movement.  I really need to talk with you some more.  It's like you said. Doctors have been trained to go by test results which evidently has not keep up with the symptoms of the time.  I am sad you are you are experiencing the same thing I am. However, I think it is important we keep one another informed of doc visits.  I felt like I was the only one in the world with crazy symptoms, however, test showed other wise.

[transuster]

Hi, floyd_29:

I am sorry to learn of your present discomfort and significant symptoms, some of which suggest coinfection from other strains of hepatitis, i.e, A, C,D. etc. Since you have cleared Hep B, have you been tested for any of these others?  And if not, why not?  Talk to your specialist as soon as possible.  

God Bless and Good luck.

[cajim]

Your symptoms suggest you may have some acute Hepatitis but your Hep B test results suggest you have cleared/gotten rid of the virus.  Let's see what your next results say.

[floyd_29]

Thank you for your respons; however if I cleared the virus doesnt it mean I had to have the hep b? What I dont understand is that I have tested for hep b multiple times from feb-dec and it has been negative but then all of a sudden its postive for the antibody> that technically means I had to have the virus for 2 days then cleared it?

1) It is appearant that doctors sometimes dont have all the answers Transuster.
I am not looking for something that isnt there however I know my body and I know
that I am sick. The problem is that doctors today are like robots and strictly rely 100% on lab results and window periods that is in accordination with the CDC.
2) My gastro doctor Dr. Marisa Kesselman, who I like tested for me twice 6 months and 9 months after an unprotected exposure and said (your results are conclusive you dont have hepatitis B go and get a vaccine)
3) Dr. Kesselman suggested to see a Rheumotologist who tested me and said all your results for auto-immune diseases are negative.

3) However I was still experiening from severe liver region pain and I was  hospitalized for for what the doctors thought was a Pancreatic illness because the lab showed an Lipase enzyme was elevated at 500.
4) The doctor at St. Marys hospital referred me to a Hepotologist at the University of Miami
I went to see the Hepotologist who said "Im glad you tested negative for Hep B" however
we are a University and it is our protocol to re-test you for everything. So I said okay that sounds good.
Tested me for hep A (came back as Treactive)
Tested me for hep B (came back as antigen - antibody +
Tested me for hep C (came back negative and the RNA DNA also came back negative.
So the nurse called me and said that there may have been an error with your hepatitis B test. So they had me come back into the University of Miami to re-test and I will get the results on (mon-tues)
However my symptons currently are
1) Burning pain in liver region
2) severe aches and pains through out body
3) If I want to eat I want to throw it back up
4) Liquid stools (light brown/yellow color)

[transuster]

Happy New Year, floyd_29:

You have cleared the HepB virus and are unlikely to be infectious. The window period is explained extensively at CDC.gov.   Why don't you trust the many doctors you report having seen who have first-hand knowledge of your test results?

[floyd_29]

Thanks again for your response, however my question is arent the windows periods pretty much conclusive? Meaning if you had an exposure in mid feb and tested 6-9 months after and both tests are negative doesnt this mean that you should be negative or are the windows periods are just an educated guess?

[cajim]

Your description matched that of an adult exposed to HBV, cleared it, and developed antibodies against the virus.

[floyd_29]

Thank you very much for your support  

however I did re-test this morning Jan 1 09 at the University of Miami-Miller cancer center in Miami, Florida. My question to you is I had an unprotected sex with a female who ethncity is Eygptian born in the US 26 yrs of age.  This was on Feb 14th 2008. Now I was tested on Oct 29 08 which was negative then again on Dec 11th negative however I was also getting cortisone shots, several between 2/08 10/08 about 8 shots total
so I dont know if that has any bearing on suppresssing the immune system that would cause a hepatitis test not to come back accurately.
Then re-tested last on Dec 15th postive for the antibody, negative for the antigen; again I wasnt exactly sure which antibody hep b test the hepotology center used to test me,
I believe it was a typical hepatitis panel. Anyways my problem is I started having aches and pains through out my body in July and then September I started to get abdominal pain the pain has got alot worse in December. I went to a local  gastro doctor at first in July who tested me for hepatitis panel twice and said that it was negative. However because I was experiencing severe pain in my abdominal area upper right quadrant area with elevated Lipase enzye of 500 ALT 85 AST 35 she said it appeared to be a mild case of Pancreatitis however at this time the Lipase Enzyme and Amylase enzyme returned to normal and my ALT & AST are both 25. However I still have the aches and pains through out my body, and If i was infected from this women who I had a sexual exposure with that means she had to be a chronic carrier most likely from birth. My understanding of hep b is that if it comes from a sexual exposure you would most likely test accurate after 6 months which should be conclusive. Then 85 percent of adullts would be able to clear it within 4 weeks to 6 months. If they dont clear it then they become chronic,

[cajim]

I agree with zellyf: a retest will calm your worry and clear your doubts.

[zellyf]

To me, the important factor is that you are negative for the antigen both times.  That's good.

A re-test is a good idea but in the meantime, try not to worry.  Odds are heavily in your favor.