my doc says I'm a HepB carrier, what's next?

[jason_RN]

In 2007, as routine medical examination for my collegiate Nursing degree in the Philippines, the school in which I graduated from asked for some blood tests. In a week or so, tests came back. The college Physician says he needs to re-test my HBsAg and HBsAb for something my be wrong about it. I willingly obliged. A weeks later again, doc says i have Hepatitis B and under such circumstance i need to talk with the need if i will be allowed to enter the Nursing program . Before that, i was perfectly healthy, never had jaundice or any signs for my me or my family to suspect that I have HepB.. The Doc then wrote a referral notice to our family physician regarding my condition.

So my case was transferred to the care of my Doctor, but he  only referred to an Infectious Disease Specialist who is also a Diplomate in Pediatrics.. Then this new Doctor ordered tests including Biliary Tree ultrasound, Liver Profile and Hepatitis Panel. Ultrasound and Liver Profile came back clear, my AST, LDH, ALT are all normal, HBsAg is reactive .. I wasn't able to note the other results for, by that time, I thought i could just ask for an antibiotic and be done with it . The next words of my Doc slapped me hard, "There won't be no cure for it. You'll live with it for the rest of your life".. She just wrote a prescription for a Sillymarin plus B-complex. and that's it. all I need to do was to go back to her every 6 months to check my liver.. The last time i went to her was Summer of 2009, and my liver enzymes are still normal. She said, i shouldn't be worrying.

In my third year as Nursing student, I began to doubt my Doctor, I lost confidence in her, and I swore never to consult a Physician again. for all three of theme .

But present circumstances have left me scared. My dad developed liver cirrhosis and has to be hospitalized for a life-threatening esophageal varix rupture. I will have the same fate. BUT I MUST NOT.. Reading your stories here had ignited some hope in  me that somehow I should resume or more appropriately, start a new treatment regimen.. So where do I start? What's next? i am currently living in Japan and wish i could start proper treatment very soon.. I'm really scared. Thanks!

[stef2011]

also be aware that the most important monitoring is by fibroscan, there is not other way to see liver damage, after that monitor hbvdna

eradication is possible according to your hbv infection phase and hbsag quantity by:
interferon+etv or tnf+ntz (interferon 2years minimum)

if hbvdna low or und
interferon+ntz (interferon 2years minimum)

[stef2011]

I thought i could just ask for an antibiotic

in the meantime be very careful about drugs or herbs you take because they both kill more people than any other drug, people without hbv, because of the liver damage they make.also change for a healthy lifestyle, no meat, no fats, all fresh food or at least fozen

[jason_RN]

the general book of ignorance is of great help. Hope i could find a liver specialist in japan soon.Thanks a lot.

[jason_RN]

thanks a lot.. !

[stef2011]

start getting informed about hbv here:
http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Hepatitis/HepB-Introduction--Welcome-Page/show/34?cid=153

this was made for ignorant doctors, if you think your doctor might need it you can give it to him.this is helpful for patients too if you can understand it
http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Hepatitis/the-general-book-of-ignorance-about-hepatitis-B/show/1152?cid=153

after you know all tests needed post them so we will able to help you especially to find a real good liver specialist, which is a quite rare type of doctor