Newbie Here and full of different emotions.

[debbiemac40]

Hi I am new and have a few questions hopefully someone can help me with. Back in 09 my AST was 35 and my ALT was 48.  Nothing was ever said or retesting done.  3 months ago I donated blood to the red cross and recevied letter I tested postive for Hep C. Since then I have been to my doc and had blood work done again with pos Hep C.  My AST is now at 36 with my ALT at 66 also Hep C Virus Ab  >11.0..   does this mean I will have to start medication?  Doc is setting up an appointment with the Liver Disease Clinic some time soon.  All help will be appreciated..

[crossroadsec]

28 weeks! Past the 1/2 way mark! Hondapatches I didn't remember that u were 3/4. You're chugging right along too.
Welcome newbie! Keep us posted on ur progress. You'll find all the support n info you need here! Karen :) (g4/s4 week 16... And chugging right along undetected!

[Anne1717]

AND - look at previous posts.  I can hardly be blamed for the hijack.  Once it was opened to ants it was fair game

[Anne1717]

Oh, for some reason I thought you were 24 weeks.  Quel dommage,  but you are past the half way mark!!  Well, I am watching Aztecs cutting Spaniards open live and sacrificing their beating hearts and entrails to the gods, and their heads hung as trophies.  So I guess we are making progress?????

[flcyclist]

wk 28 of 48 and chugging along. :)  

[Anne1717]

that last post was to you

[Anne1717]

Yeah. well there has to be a trouble maker amongst us.  I am well and how about you???   Are you done now or close to it????

[flcyclist]

Yes, your reputation proceeds you. lol.  Good to see you haven't reformed yet.  Hope your recovering well.  :)

[Anne1717]

two by two and well!!  How are you? What would this site be without a serial hijacker?  Damn B's

[sunshine415]

hi, that was a bit of a chuckle that went on about your T instead of a Y.. funny,,,, but,, seeing that your so kind hearted and rather a load of knowledge ( no glasses on right now) oh boy...of hep c that you lend to all of us .. would like to thank YOU so much for all the advice you give all and that little y and t  error , well. they are right next to each other on the keyboard and you must of been a step ahead of yourself.. but thanks for a lil' chuckle...... deborah

[willbb]

ohoh..serial HJ in the midst.....how are ya!

[Anne1717]

My ants and uncles marched right down into the groundto get out of the rain,  boomp boomp boomp - old song???

[willbb]

I always find it difficult keeping track of my ANTS & uncles . he he

[flcyclist]

"Don"t think many of us  know much about ants"
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You can't assume anything here. :)  But I know my uncles a lil better.  

[willbb]

sorry meant  "any question" not " ant" questions....Don"t think many of us  know much about ants  :)
Will

[willbb]

Debbie..It is a little confusing  when first diagnosed,however you are taking the right steps,they are doing the appropriate tests and  you are going to a liver clinic,were they will have lots of experience with HCV.

For the most part HCV takes many years and most often decades to do any significant damage to the liver..so there is nothing to panic about.
Ant questions you may have there are a lot of helpful people here.
In the meantime there are many site for the newly diagnosed ,,of which I put one below..
Best ..
Will


http://www.hcvadvocate.org/hepatitis/factsheets_pdf/Newly%20Diagnosed.pdf

[debbiemac40]

Have had more blood work done for geno testing. Not sure when I will get the results back, they were just done monday. I am supposed to be getting an appointment set up with liver disease clinic.  Hearing alot of bad stories about the meds.  Everything is pretty confusing to me right now, but trying to keep a positive attitude.

[willbb]

As hrsepwrguy states. you now need to do follow up blood work to ascertain whether or not you have active HCV.
If the test is positive they will do a geno type  and then discus possibly having a liver biopsy  to be able to have the proper info on  amount of liver damage and different treatment options.
Good luck and welcome to the group....
Will

[hondapatches]

My doctor says that people are getting biopsys in order to tell how much damage has been done to your liver. All my bloodwork was great but my biopsy came back stage 3-4 my doctor couldn't believe it. He started me right away on the triple treatment. God Bless

[Anne1717]

Hi Debbie,
Sorry to hear you have HCV.  I learned in the same way as you and was devastated.  One year later, I have treated and am presumably cured.  There is a beginning, a middle, and yes, an end.  I wouldn't worry so much about the numbers at this point.   The main thing is to get further tests, maybe a biopsy if your doc thinks you have been positive for a long time, and please, PLEASE, do your homework.  There is great information out there - and rotten info as well.  But basically,   sites like the CDC, Mayo clinic will give you the basics.

This site couldn't be better and I am so lucky to have found it.

As you get more numbers, please post them and we will give you feedback.

Best of luck, it is not a death sentence and there will be an end to it.

Anne

[hrsepwrguy]

This means that you have tested positive for HCV antibodies only, 20% of people who come into contact with HCV clear the virus on there own but will always test positive for antibodies. You need to have follow up blood work done. A HCV PCR test is needed to confirm an active HCV infection. I see they are already setting you app to get the proper test needed.