Just found out.

[Kujerry]

I am new here and new to hep b.  

I just found out that I have Heb B and I don't know how I got it.  Really I can't believe it.  i am glad I found this board because I am needing someone to talk to.  The post will probably a little long.  I guess i am confused as to how I got it or maybe i have always had it.  

i am 33 years old and have taken many physicals.  i joined the Army in 1995 where I had to take a physical and give blood to join, the y never indicated that I had hep B.  I then got vaccinated,for hep B, A plus yellow fever jab A & B etc.  Then i took a complete physical in 96 to go to airborne school no mention of hep B.  Then I took a complete physical when I got out of the military in 99 no mention of hep B.  Next physical was for an insurance policy with purdentl in 2000, no mention of hep B.  also in 2000 I applied for a security job with took another physical, they even went over my entire physical results again not mention.  Then another physical for the police department in 2001 again no mention of hep b plus i was vaccinated again during the police acadmey.  I transfered to the fire department in 2006 guess what took another physical, still no mention of hep b.  So Jan of 2007 I decide to get another life insurance police with the came company purdental and guess what, this time I tested positive for  surface antigens, i was declined.  So i go to my Dr. he said it might be a false positive so he tests me and yep, positive for surface antigens, but he said negative for the e-antigens and said that my liver function was normal, but he referred me to a specialist.  I am really feeling down and out.

how could i have got this, I was vaccinated twice i guess i must of had it from when I was little.  I don't drink, i don't smoke.  I lift weights and work out cardio 5 to 6 times a week, never had any symptons I am in the best shape of my life.  I keep thinking that if I have had this from when i was little my liver is probably gone by now.  

Any way i went to the specialist and he said from what he sees from the test that my Dr. did he said that i will probably just be a carrier.  i am scheduled for a liver biopsy June 1st and he took more blood.  I am going to continue to work out and do what i love to do that is spend time in the gym.  I have been reading a lot of posts on the internet and here at this message board.  i am also wondering if I can beat this, will i ever get rid of the virus.  The dr. said that I might not need any medications since the virus is on active.  I use to take a lot of supplements such as creatine and protine, i also took milk thrisel once, and I heard its good for the liver, should i start taking it again.  

Well i am sorry this post is so long, but I just have so many questions.  how close are they to a cure, is it even close.  what are the odds of them finding one.  I will bet this.  By  the way will my specialist dr. be able to tell me how long I might of had heb b.

Well I will end this for now.

Thanks for all who help and reply

[stevenNYer]

I been reading this forum and have to say the HepC folks have a great network of support.  I hope HepB folks could also find great support here as well.  Although I comb for HepB threads on this forum, I have limited time for online activities.  But if any of you or other HepB folks want to shoot the e-mail breeze, my e-mail is ***@****  

Take good care all.
-Steven

[Kujerry]

Hey man lets keep in touch.  since you are in about he same situation as I am.  

[stevenNYer]

Sorry to hear your HepB status.  I know the feeling, I was like you a year ago.  Found out HepB by a routine blood test.  They many test in the past always missed it.  Look at it this way, it's better to know.  Only then can you be proactive in taking care of your liver and not simply leave things up to chance.  If you are symptoms free, you don't have to lost your life in worrying about HepB.  If you find a someone, educate that person.  Don't have sexual activity until the person is vaccinated aginst HepB.  Once that person is immune you have little to worry about.  I also recommend buying the book The First Year---Hepatitis B: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed by William Finley Green.  Although some of the info is outdated already, I find it very helpful.  Hopefully you don't have to take meds but the meds treatment is not that bad.  Most have no side-effects.  I've been on them over a year and haven' t miss one day of work because of it :)  Take care and good luck.

[Kujerry]

Thanks guys, I hope you are right.  I don't know I guess maybe i have and it before the shots, but wouldn't someone from all my other physicals have told me something.  I know and from what I can remember from looking at one of my last physicals was my AST/ALT i believe thats what you call them were like around 50 to 60, I can't remember, My specialist said that It looked slightly elevated.  He took blood and wanted to do a liver byopsy (SP) just to see what is going on.  

Again guys thanks for taking the time to read my situation.  i have my liver byopsy this Friday then in two weeks I have another appointment and he will go over my blood work and liver test.  

So is being an in-active carrier bad?  Now the dr. said if i am an inactive carrier and depending on my liver tests I might not need any medications.  Now is it possible with good health and proper nutrition and any luck that my body might be able to fight off the virus or take some medication that will help my body fight it off.

I am just really depressed just some of the time when i start thinking how my life has changed.  i am single and I don't want to be alone for ever, how am I going to meet a girl now, I can't lie to her because I am not like that, but what girl would want a guy with hep b.

Well I look forward in talking to you guys and making new friend so we all can join to gether to beat this.

KU

[jboyhk]

One other thing is that a liver biopsy might be going overboard in your situation. If you are an inactive carrier with normal liver function tests, your liver should have minimal liver damage. What you should look out for is reactivation of the hepatitis which happens in 20-30% of inactive carriers.

[ladybug52]

Welcome to the hep forum. You have to scan a lot of posts to find those related to hep c, but once you get familar with the names, it'll be easier. There are a lot of people here with hep  c, but we have a lot in common-hepatitis and worry!
Good luck

[jboyhk]

It is entirely possible you had HepB before you were vacinnated therefore making the shots useless.

The good news is that you are whats called an 'inactive carrier' which is usually E antigen negative and implies a low viral replication.

However you should get a DNA viral load test since there is something called a Pre-Core mutation, which means are E antigen negative but the virus is replicating alot.

I would guess that you don't have it since your liver function tests are normal but still get the test.

[Barbtj]

I too am new to this forum. First post last week and got some great responses. I was diagnosed in Feb 2007 after emergency gall bladder surgery that I have "drug" induced Hep C. Took Vytorin and Lodine [have auto immune disease amongst other problems}. I had many liver enzymes test due to the meds and none every showed any problems. I too was in total shock and still am.
I took another blood test today to get a baseline for startting treatment next week. I have read everything and anything on Hep C I have been able to find. I have gained so much knowledge from this board and it has really eased my mind.
I was going to postpone treatment butt my lung specialist convinced me to start the treatment. I really trust him. His wife is an ER nurse and contracted Hep C- he said the treatment was rough on her but she has no signs 2 yrs after of Hep C. I also trust my internist/gastro Doc who will be treating me.

Hang in there and read everything you can.

[EspritLibre1]

New here too.  Just discovered this place a couple days ago.  Been reading all afternoon.  There are mainly people here that have Hepatitis C, but also those with Hepatitis B and liver disease. You are in the right place for support.
Hep B is NOT a death sentence. Not possible to answer your question, on how you got it.  From searching the old posts that seems to ring through with many with Hep B and C. My Significant Other's friend has had chronic persistent Hep B for years. (We just found this out when I disclosed my Hep C!)
Manage your virus head on cause your more likely to die of something else.  This friend has had the disease since her mid twenties... so over 15 yrs! She doesn't even look sick.  Make sure you got a good Heptologist. And educate yourself! Read as much as you can on the net about Hep B, (that empowers you more than anything!) If you haven't already, stop alcohol use, or at the least minimize it. Good luck!!