Employment & hcv

[Mary4now]

Even though I'm happy I found this site, I'm not too happy about what brought me here. I pretty much feel like a leper since seeing the results of my anti body test.  ( I have an appt. w/ the GI in 2 wks.) I'm not to crazy about the medical scene, since I believe people should receive whatever medical care they need and not have to "worry" about ins. covering tx's., and I've yet to see how my adventure goes.  I did have Breast Cancer 10 years ago and I was so happy to be off the medical treadmill for awhile.  Anywhoo, my question is concerning my mode of employment.  I am a bodyworker, I love doing it, I've been doing it for 19 years, and how is this dx going to affect my ability or should I say safety of my clients?
I have been a risk taker in the past, but I definately  see how important precautions are, and have been following that (mostly) over the past 20 years.  Is there any insight into limitations of occupations w/ this virus.  Dang...

[Mary4now]

I wish I could give you all a massage.  I was thinking about how much that could help especially with a therapist who really cares.  M

[wyntre9]

The advice i got is that since I'm UND (undetectable) since week 16 (now on week 55) that I need only inform medical personnel like dentists, etc., who could conceivably come in contact with blood products.

I loved the idea of massage but I'm in a new location, now, and the more I thought about it the more complicated it seemed so I've decided to wait until I'm finished with TX, in another 4 months.

wyn

[Mary4now]

See maybe there is a niche for me, and I could charge a sliding scale fee.  When I used to massage I charged $40.00, now you cant get one for less than 60 or 65, and in the high end places, they charge 100 and up.  World gone mad....  .  
Yes I think I'm pretty healthy (ha), but I have laxed off quite a bit with the exercise, But that is going to change.  good thing I have a dog to walk...
To be honest with you as a massage therapist, if someone told me they had hcv I would try to educate myself and learn the proper parameters and provide the service and go the extra mile because you know your client is stressed and suffering.  M

[wyntre9]

We all understand how scary this is.  You're NOT alone!  You will be ok.  

If you are a massage therapist, i would imagine that the general state of your health, other than the recent DX, is probably quite good.

Ironically, i was going to treat myself to therapeutic massage during the holidays as I've been on treatment for 55 weeks and I'm burned out, but I became concerned about whether or not it was possible for ME to transmit the virus to the masseuse!  
( this is in spite of the fact that I'm currently UND)!

While the feedback i got was similar to what I told you I ended up NOT booking the appointment more because one of the SX of TX is rash and while mine is almost gone, I'm still a bit self-conscious about it and don't feel like explaining it to anyone.

wyn

[Mary4now]

Thanks, good information, and I will be very diligent, we use finger cots if we have any cuts.  I'd say in my 18 years of massage work, I've had 3 or 4 cuts, and you have to cover them, bandage & finger cot.
I am trying to take it easy, I just got myself off coffee, to reduce the buzz, am drinking 1 cup of green/mint tea instead and water.  But, I am scared... thx. M

[wyntre9]

Your results may not call for treatment yet, especially if your Stage and Grade of liver damage are low.

In the event your Dr. recommends treating, I know from many other posters I've read over the past year that there are several programs available to help uninsured people get the meds they need..

One is Pegassist;  1-800-387-1258.

The other is Commitment to Care:  1-800-521-7157.

Try to take it easy and take one step at a time;  First the gastro appointment, then further tests; eg. biopsy, more bloodwork.

I agree that you do not need to tell your clients as blood to blood transmission is not normal in your line of work.  On the other hand, if you Do ever notice cuts or scrapes, you should be sure to clean them and cover them with bandaids.

Good luck,

wyntre

[Mary4now]

Thank you for your response, I thought the same,  I'm sure I've been massaging with it for quite a while now.  Reading the posts here is really uplifting me and freaking me out.  I have no idea what is in store for me, as I'm sure no one really does, but..... you all have gone through so much.  I dont even know if I'll have the insurance to do that.  I havent been in this area for very long, and I was hoping to move to another area that has a slower pace.  I feel like I need to slow down and there is no way I could afford the cost of living here and slow down.  So the place I'm looking at moving to doesn't seem to have much for medical care although I've not thoroughly checked it out.  Small town, and cheap to live in.  
Since I got the positive anti body test, I've been noticing every little possible symptom that didn't occur to me before.  Part of it is FEAR and that just sends waves of intensity through my body.  How do you all deal with it, afford the tx's, just live day to day?    From the looks of it, we are all hoping for that 2009 tx. and sooner would be better.  Boy, I always knew life could change on a dime, but dang.....  Thx again,  you are a great group

[GrandmaA]

It is not necessary to tell your you have this disease. They will drop you in a minute. Your blood has to touch their blood. It is a blood borne illness.  

[GrandmaA]

You cannot give hepatitis C to your clients. But you might get too tired or not have enough energy to work on them. The nurse told me a desk job is best for treatment and not a physical one. It depends on how much energy you need to do your job. Some days you will just feel like staying in bed.