"Newbie" looking for help

[Mpathia]

I don't know this site very well, at all... I was told by a very kind person on the "Social Hepatitis Forum" that I should ask questions on this form.  So....I was told after a month of hospitalization that I tested positive for Hepatitis C.  I have the worst PCP... I have a resident psychiatrist who helps me w/ meds for depression.  I've had severe "Fibromyalgia” for 25 yrs.  I have a very strong suspicion that I contacted it while in the hospital.  It took 5 yrs for them to find out that I have “sludge” forming into my gall bladder… Anyway, I’ve been in & out of the hospital so many times.  The last time I almost died from pancreatitis…  I’m scared to death right now… I go online and it appears much of hepatitis C is caused from blood to blood contact.  Yet, it still remains to be seen as a STD…  I never did any illicit drugs in my entire life.  I’m so afraid right now.  I’m in constant pain from the Fibromyalgia. So severe that I am usually bedridden… What happens from here?  All I know is that my GI called me to tell me I tested positive for Hepatitis C.  I can’t handle all this.. I’m so afraid… My PCP doesn’t help me at all.  He’s only there once a week.  I’ve tried calling and calling other doctors; no one will treat me for “Fibromyalgia”, never mind the Hepatitis C.  Does anyone know what happens next?  I don’t know the exact blood tests that were done.  I usually try to keep “tabs” on things, but I am so very weak and in so much pain now, that I don’t know what’s going on.  I kinda know a little…  I guess I need to know about the “viral load” thing…  I don’t know the exact blood tests that were done.  I usually try to keep “tabs” on things, but I am so very weak and in so much pain now, that I don’t know what’s going on.  I kinda know a little…  I guess I need to know about the “viral load” thing… I can’t take going in & out of the hospital, anymore.. I'm getting weaker & weaker every day.  Please tell me what comes next, because I am so very, very afraid…  Thank you…

[nygirl7]

Bill has been SVR for many years now - the new person is Mpathia but there are so many threads started it's gotten confusing.  Just so you know bill is one of the most knowledgable members here and Mpathia is the one asking questions.

[wendeeb]

Hi there Bill,

I had that as well, please don't worry...alot of times they don't do anything right now but monitor your blood. They watch to see if your viral load stays the same for a year or so....to see if this is just normal for you...or if it goes up more..Just stay in the moment with this one and take care of you...when I was told that information I was freaked out myself. I have been cured from Hep C for many years now. Since 1997. There are alot better options than when it happened to me. Your PCP doesn't know much so that's why you really don't want to talk with him/her anyway! haha...Worrying will not make this better, what will is: getting plenty of rest and eating lots of protein. After my treatment the interferon I didn't realize how fatigued I was until after I was finished with the medicine. Then I had so much energy! Take care of yourself and I hope I helped you.

[Bill1954]

While it’s possible to contract HCV from sexual situations it’s generally in the context of rape/rough sex; blood really has to be present for the virus to transmit efficiently. Eventually you’ll probably conclude it’s more efficient to fight the virus than worrying about how you contracted it.

Your doctor will guide you through this process. First, it’s very important to make sure you actually have the active virus as opposed to only testing positive for presence of HCV antibodies.

Start here; request copies of relevant lab results and ask your primary care doctor how he/she concluded you have the virus. You’ll be looking for test results that include the language “HCV RNA by PCR” or some combination of those terms.

Sorry to hear you have other health issues; it can be a bit overwhelming at times. Let the forum know when you figure out what tests were used, get a hard copy of results and I’m sure others will chime in from there.

Best of luck-

--Bill