Horrible Day in My Life

[1randy2]

I recently went to a plasma donation bank to donate plasma, and I was quite sure I did not have anything because I'm usually really safe about sexual contact and I keep my partners to a limited amount.  A few days later after donating for the first time, I received a letter in the mail that I need to come back in to the donation center because I had a reactive result for one of their clinical testings.  Once there, the nurse informed me that my test for HCV came back reactive, but she said its not a conclusive testing and that I should go follow-up with my doctor.  She said there is always the possibility for a false-positive, but I should go get laboratory testing done just to confirm.  I AM SO SCARED, AND I DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO! I'm only 19, so I don't want to go to my primary care physician because then ill have to go through insurance, which I'm insured under my mom, so she'll find out about my diagnosis.  This whole situation took place about an hour ago, so since then I've must been looking up statistics, treatment options, pricing of medication. I'm really wondering is it worth it or should I just not say anything and whatever happens, happens.  They say between 15-20% of individuals who become diagnosed with HCV are self-cured without treatment, but I highly doubt this is me.  Since I left the donation center, I've almost thrown up about 5 times because of this tragic news I've been given.  Should I go get a confirmatory test? What are the odds that the test was a false-positive? Are the medications expensive? (I haven't been able to find medication prices on any HCV antiviral medications.)   I feel like this is a death sentence.  Does this mean I'm going to develop cirrhosis and liver cancer? Im so scared! Please help!

[Dee1956]

1randy2, please don't feel this is a death sentence.  I felt the same way when I was diagnosed.  I could not catch my breath. I felt sick to my stomach.  It takes time to determine if you actually have it or have just been exposed and your body was able to fight it off.  Get the next test to determine if you have a viral load and geno type.  I know people who were able to fight it off themselves without ever knowing they had it.  Hang in there!

Sandi is right, your healthcare is confidential.

[1randy2]

I know my healthcare is confidential, however, since I'm insured under my mother, won't hey disclose information about my health with her for payment purposes?

[hepc4Sandi]

I think if you are over 18 your healthcare is confidential, and your mom doesn't have to know. Take a deep breath, this is not a death sentence by no means what so ever!!!!! There is a chance you may have thrown it off by yourself, but if you did, you would show up as having been exposed to it, just like chicken pox. You should follow up with your primary caregiver, and they should order the test that measures viral level. The treatments are getting better and better all the time. You are so young, you should be alright. It is a very slow developing disease, and it takes years and years for damage to be done to your liver and body. Right now the medications are expensive but most insurance covers it. So  before you panic anymore, call you doctor, get in and get the test to confirm it, ok? We will be here to support you. Good luck!

[1randy2]

Thanks so much! :)