A river in Egypt

[meNtoby]

Looking for anyone who knows if maybe I'm not still HCV based on good enzymes
for last 5 years since cholesterol checking. May have pancreas cancer but i'll
throw that off as well....looong weekend waiting for sonogram. Someone could answer
my question either here or my first post.  Or has everyone forgotten their first phone
call...please help.

[merryBe]

well, if the pain is in the midback that can be the gallbladder, as it goes quite deep...
sometimes people think it is there kidneys even..but the contractions that occur to expell bile get very strong when they are not doing the job...mine was working at 10% so it was squezzing many times harder to get bile out...this caused adhesions and pain..and PAIN...the surgeoun said...it was shaped like a corkscrew from twisting so hard for so long..

even if you are underweight...people that go on diets a loot ut their GB at risk...also everyone metabolizes cholesterol differently...the reasons for plauquea and/or stone formation are still unknown...partly diet, partly genetic no doubt.

ley me know when they figure it out

[meNtoby]

Omg, you are SO right I never thought about what getting treated could do to
a compromised pancreas.  Surprisingly, with my history of all things female being
diseased, and much ab pain (way in past) I've always attributed most of my
pain as adhesions.  Now most is in my back, but that's what hurt my mom
never her upper ab.  I told nurse when they took more blood for PCR that my
right quadrant was the only part of me that never hurts. ha  

I will definitely keep doctor on notice for pancreas, but more worried at this moment
about cost of meds anyway, if it should come to that.  One thing at a time, but
dang if I don't learn more things to keep on top of.  My notes are growing, growing.
I'm 50's, showin' some bellly now, but about 10 pounds under the weight limit for
height, so guess I'm not risky yet for gall bladder although they DID also ultra sound it.
That's as far as i've gotten for now.  

Que sera sera....in my best Doris Day voice...

Thanks mary!

[merryBe]

sorry for your concerns....you might want to keep in mind that HCV takes many years to cause symptoms...when I was diagnoses I also had a gall bladder on the fritz   simulatenously...and was worried a stone might be blocking my common bile duct, which can cause panceititis...and depending on the blood work they can tell just so much, even ultra sound will not show everything...or in some cases, shows nothing..
the definite test for gall bladder malfunction is a Hidascan...
and for pancreatic cancer CT/MRi...or something newer by now..
take it one step at a time.....it can become quickly overwhelming if you don't.

However, IF that particular cancer runs in the family then you need to shout that fact from the rooftops...as it's the only way insurance will approve extra tests is if the doctor say "history in family of"......but, just so you'll know if you have the 3 F's (female,fat, and forty) then you have a good chance of having a sluggish or stone filled gall bladder.
which isn't good, but it's a lot better than pancreatic problems...so, wait till monday, and then, NO matter which way the HCV test comes back, you need to insist on further tests before starting treatment.

I tried, and they gave me a CT scan because I had had cancer before..so we ruled that out...but they wouldn't give me a Hida scan because the ultrasound showed nothing.....4 months into treatment that pain became so severe they allowed the test...and I had to have surgery post haste..organ seriously damaged..."the worst my surgeon had seen"
so a word to the wise...
remember, doctors are already in denial...especially with women, they marginalize our pain, so the last thing you need is to get into more of it on your own.
Be proactive about your health, or rest assured no one else will be.
best hopes for you.
maryB

[meNtoby]

Pancreas runs in family, and they find it eventually with the same elevated
enzymes that can indicate the HCV, which I tested pos for recently. Put up
a new post about shot I got in 1975 or 1976 to keep me from getting
hepatitis when my room-mate got it.  I just read that it is made from human
blood plasma.

[copyman]

get the PCR test done to see if you have a viral load. if you do i would see a heaptologist (liver specialist) for further evaluation. What makes you think you have pancreatic cancer? best of luck

[meNtoby]

Yeah, I am the river I believe....and I'm not good at message boards, my apologies.
Was freaked out, but my first post was Spontaneous Recovery Maaybe, and it did a little better at describing my denial!  Got some information that will def help me be better prepared for PCR or PRC I forget now which all of the sudden, it was.

Thanks so much all, for your posts.  

I have a feeling I'll be calling on ya again quite a bit.  God Bless

[Magnum]

You should find some comfort in your doctor's advice. And remember, denail is not just a river in Egypt.

Magnum

[nygirl7]

IF you had it 15/20/25 years ago chances are you still have it today - it doesn't go away on it's own UNLESS you are one of the people who are able to clear it spontaneously when you are still just first infected.  Once you are chronic your just chronic.

Enzyme levels go up and down and up and down....but unfortunately hepC doesn't come and go.  Sorry.

[Texas714]

I'm sorry but I'm not sure what you are asking...
Do you have HCV? Did you have it 25 years ago?
I'm sorry that you have to wait the long weekend for your results.  I'm sorry I don't understand what you are asking.  I'm sure someone will soon.