I know how you feel I had 5 visits canceled trying to get this prove 3 trial started.
genotypes are more or less local or continent bound. Not completely of course, due to so much travel, but for instance Japan is predominately one genotype, the mideast another, an so on. Your genotype is common in Ireland.
You contract whatever genotype you were exposed to. So whether by transfusion, addiction, tatoo or whatever exposure, you will pick up what was in the blood of the infected person. Pam is right, there's no "addiction genotype", that's bunk. The predominant ignorance is also that anyone with HCV got it from injecting, but this also patently false.
Unfortunately your doctors ignorance is very common, many doctors only test people for HCV who "fit the profile". Leaving many who present with all symptoms untested and untreated for years. In any case, find a good hepatologist, do not really on a GP for your information on this disease.
mb
I know I got it from sharing needles, probably in the 70's. I've been off dope now for 6 years. I've had this for a long time and still no liver damage but the doc says allthough my body is doing a great job of fighting it off, It is wiping me out and draing my energy.
I am a grateful recovering addict with geno 1, I am sure I got the bug during iv drug use in Germany 1973-1975, I have heard that you can get it sharing a dollar bill up the nose among other ways.
I would like to be able to say I got it by transfusion or other means, but it doesn't matter now, I got it and am gonna try with the grace of God and friends like you to rid myself of it.
I asked a friend that is UND after going through a very rough tx what geno she was. She didn't even know.
an addict can have any type geno in the world
and predominantely here in the US that would be geno 1.
First I would say what your were told about the genotypes is a crock of you know what. I am (was) a 2 and the drug thing was not the cause. That type of statement from a doctor would make me hesitant about other things that came out of that persons pie hole!
If you must stick with that doc then learn everything you can and get copies of all blood tests so you know what they are ordering and of course what the results are (if this is posible where you live). Be your own advocate.
If you can't find answers to questions, ask here....this is the place to be. I have a great doc and I still learn all kinds of things here and there is a great deal of support you will not find anywhere else.
Take care,
Pam
I'm with Trish on this one I haven't heard that about geno type's being associated with addicts. What is her source? Jan
Welcome to "hurry up and wait" not that you haven't been already! Good to know your drugs are paid for .. hang in there.
Never heard that addicts get geno 2 or 3, bet there's a bunch of geno 2 and 3's that would have something to say about that and a bunch of Geno 1's going "uh yeah...right". :)
Take care.
Trish
I'm sorry they keep pushing you back and forth. I know how it is with the waiting. I had my hepatologist appointment on June 13 and thought I would be discussing tx besides taking all kind of tests, but it was the preliminary appointment. I will only be seeing the viral hepatologist on August 5. You see, that's just how it is. They are taking extremely good care of me, so I do not mind waiting. As we are living in countries with a free health care system, it also takes it's time. I'm just gonna enjoy the summer and sit in the sun and get a good tan. Wouldn't be able to do that on tx.
So let's enjoy the summer as much as we can.
Sending you positive thoughts,
Marcia