Aa
I need a lil help here
I just got diagnost with hep c im 20 y/o male and idk what to do or how to come about it..
I am just wondering I tested negative jan 2012 and positive this month. And had a blood transfusion right after my test. I Knew something wss wrkng because I was tired and started getting nauseas in Sept. They think it was the bloid transfusion but I am wondering with me being 29 and just contracting it from jan 2012 ot after is my age going to be a problem with treatment?
Can't say I agree that smoking will kill you faster than hep C
. In fact I think it's a stupid remark to come out of a doctor.
If for some reason you were one of the few who got hep C from an infected mother via verticle transmission, while still in the womb, than being 20 years old would mean you've had it for 20years.
Knowing when you were infected would make a difference in guessing the possible extent of liver damage you may have. Still it would be nothing more than a guess.
. In fact I think it's a stupid remark to come out of a doctor.
If for some reason you were one of the few who got hep C from an infected mother via verticle transmission, while still in the womb, than being 20 years old would mean you've had it for 20years.
Knowing when you were infected would make a difference in guessing the possible extent of liver damage you may have. Still it would be nothing more than a guess.
I am 23 and just seen hepatologist for first time and he told me with my age there is a 90% chance that i will be cured with new treatments so its not the end of the world and you will be fine...He also said not sayin pertains to you that smoking will kill you faster then hep c
"I have it they just did some more blood work to see what stage I am."
As others have noted above, blood work won't tell you at what stage you are. Blood work can be perfectly normal until you are well into stage 4 (cirrhosis). A liver biopsy is the gold standard to determine liver disease.
"What should I not do beside drinking?"
It is recommended to avoid all alcohol, all recreational drugs (if you use them, and I am not implying that you do), and large doses of Tylenol or Tylenol containing products (small doses are usually fine). (Tylenol/Acetaminophen is in many over the counter medications so it is important to check the ingredients before taking them.) Another thing to avoid is raw shellfish because it can sometimes carry Hepatitis A and you do not want to contract Hep A if you have Hep C. Another thing to avoid is exposure to toxic chemicals.
"Can I work out still?"
Yes, definitely. Exercise is very good for the body and, unless you have some other reason to avoid working out, it should be fine and should be beneficial.
"am I soposed to eat a certain way?"
Everything I have read concerning Hep C and diet recommends eating a healthy diet of fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meat, fish, whole grains, dairy products. Avoiding trans fats, very fatty foods, fasts foods, and junk foods is probably a good idea. If you are overweight it is a good idea to lose weight. Being overweight can increase your chances of fatty liver, diabetes, and insulin resistance. And being overweight may affect the success of Hep C treatment.
"I didnt get much info just a peace of paper and thats really all he said and I have an appt in 2 weeks should it be sooner?"
An appointment in two weeks is fine. Hepatitis is usually slow moving in terms of progression. 2 weeks is very good. Many of us have had to wait 4, 6, 8, or even 12 weeks to get in to see a specialist.
Here is a link to an articles which explain more about Hep C:
http://www.cpmc.org/advanced/liver/patients/topics/HepatitisC-profile.html
Here is a link to a video talking about Hep C:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYMTmCoGtoo
This forum is very helpful and informative. As you go forward, if you have questions and concerns about Hep C, please post. People will respond.
Best of luck to you.
As others have noted above, blood work won't tell you at what stage you are. Blood work can be perfectly normal until you are well into stage 4 (cirrhosis). A liver biopsy is the gold standard to determine liver disease.
"What should I not do beside drinking?"
It is recommended to avoid all alcohol, all recreational drugs (if you use them, and I am not implying that you do), and large doses of Tylenol or Tylenol containing products (small doses are usually fine). (Tylenol/Acetaminophen is in many over the counter medications so it is important to check the ingredients before taking them.) Another thing to avoid is raw shellfish because it can sometimes carry Hepatitis A and you do not want to contract Hep A if you have Hep C. Another thing to avoid is exposure to toxic chemicals.
"Can I work out still?"
Yes, definitely. Exercise is very good for the body and, unless you have some other reason to avoid working out, it should be fine and should be beneficial.
"am I soposed to eat a certain way?"
Everything I have read concerning Hep C and diet recommends eating a healthy diet of fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meat, fish, whole grains, dairy products. Avoiding trans fats, very fatty foods, fasts foods, and junk foods is probably a good idea. If you are overweight it is a good idea to lose weight. Being overweight can increase your chances of fatty liver, diabetes, and insulin resistance. And being overweight may affect the success of Hep C treatment.
"I didnt get much info just a peace of paper and thats really all he said and I have an appt in 2 weeks should it be sooner?"
An appointment in two weeks is fine. Hepatitis is usually slow moving in terms of progression. 2 weeks is very good. Many of us have had to wait 4, 6, 8, or even 12 weeks to get in to see a specialist.
Here is a link to an articles which explain more about Hep C:
http://www.cpmc.org/advanced/liver/patients/topics/HepatitisC-profile.html
Here is a link to a video talking about Hep C:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYMTmCoGtoo
This forum is very helpful and informative. As you go forward, if you have questions and concerns about Hep C, please post. People will respond.
Best of luck to you.
Hi Tyler
Wecome to a wonderfull source of information, You have been given good information above,
What I would add is if in fact you are found to have active Hep C, Due to your age liver damage should be minimal and the new all oral treatment should be out in a few years, Or you could due the current treatment, while not pleasant, it is very effective for most people.
The wonderfull thing is you are 20 yrs old. There was not even a test for Hep C until 1989 , It showed up as Non-A Non B,
Most of us have carried this virus for over 30 years until it was diagnosed so you are way ahead of the game.
Until you find out what your situation is no drinking, no street drugs.
After I was diagnosed I went on a liver friendly diet, soft protein, whole grains ect. Everything we eat, is processed thru the liver so red meat ect makes you liver work harder,
As long as you dont have Hep C symptoms, the most common is fatigue, then work, you might even be able to work during treatment as many people here do.
Dont worry either way
You will have this behind you in no time.
Wecome to a wonderfull source of information, You have been given good information above,
What I would add is if in fact you are found to have active Hep C, Due to your age liver damage should be minimal and the new all oral treatment should be out in a few years, Or you could due the current treatment, while not pleasant, it is very effective for most people.
The wonderfull thing is you are 20 yrs old. There was not even a test for Hep C until 1989 , It showed up as Non-A Non B,
Most of us have carried this virus for over 30 years until it was diagnosed so you are way ahead of the game.
Until you find out what your situation is no drinking, no street drugs.
After I was diagnosed I went on a liver friendly diet, soft protein, whole grains ect. Everything we eat, is processed thru the liver so red meat ect makes you liver work harder,
As long as you dont have Hep C symptoms, the most common is fatigue, then work, you might even be able to work during treatment as many people here do.
Dont worry either way
You will have this behind you in no time.
Hi Tyler,
Sorry to hear about your diagnosis and welcome to the forum. There are many knowledgeable people hear that can help you with questions as you manage and eventually cure this disease. Your post was a little confusing. It's hard to catch everything the doctor says when you first get your diagnosis. It's such a shock. Here are the steps most people go through when they test positive for hep c. I am not an expert but in case this helps...
The first test typically done detects antibodies in your system. If you test positive, you definitely had hep c and likely still do. There is however a percentage of folks (15-20%) that clear the virus naturally in the first 6 months after exposure Their own ammune system is able to fight the virus off. You will however always have the antibodies after exposure.
Once you have tested positive for the hep c antibodies, the next step is to take more blood to determine your viral load and genotype. If the viral load is undetected, you cleared the virus naturally. Other than that, the viral load is mostly used to help monitor how well the meds are working during treatment. The genotype helps determine what type of treatment would be needed. Both the viral load and genotype can have some bearing on your success. There is also an IL28B test that may also help predict success at certain points during treatment.
Hep c damages the liver. The blood work will not tell you how much damage you have. You need a liver biopsy for this. The biopsy results will rank your liver damage in stages, 0 - 4. Stage 4 being the most severe. I likely had hep c for 30 years befor being diagnosed. I was only stage 1. Some people progress at a faster rate but hep c is typically a slow and silent disease until you get closer to a more advanced stage. Clean living is important to help your liver minimize damage over time.
There is a good chance your liver damage is low since you are young. If you know when your were exposed the doctor may even wish to wait on a biopsy for now. The current medicines are pretty harsh but also pretty effective. There are ther meds coming in the next few years that will be less harsh and shorter duration. Depending on your particular health, genotype etc., the doc may suggest waiting before you treat. On the other hand, treatment is expensive and can really impact your ability to work. If you have health insurance and don't have a mortgage etc to pay, it may be the best time. You will likely need more info from the doc to make an informed decision.
You should definitely see a hepatologist before treating.
Please let us know what your doctor says about your bloodwork and next steps. Best wishes.
Sorry to hear about your diagnosis and welcome to the forum. There are many knowledgeable people hear that can help you with questions as you manage and eventually cure this disease. Your post was a little confusing. It's hard to catch everything the doctor says when you first get your diagnosis. It's such a shock. Here are the steps most people go through when they test positive for hep c. I am not an expert but in case this helps...
The first test typically done detects antibodies in your system. If you test positive, you definitely had hep c and likely still do. There is however a percentage of folks (15-20%) that clear the virus naturally in the first 6 months after exposure Their own ammune system is able to fight the virus off. You will however always have the antibodies after exposure.
Once you have tested positive for the hep c antibodies, the next step is to take more blood to determine your viral load and genotype. If the viral load is undetected, you cleared the virus naturally. Other than that, the viral load is mostly used to help monitor how well the meds are working during treatment. The genotype helps determine what type of treatment would be needed. Both the viral load and genotype can have some bearing on your success. There is also an IL28B test that may also help predict success at certain points during treatment.
Hep c damages the liver. The blood work will not tell you how much damage you have. You need a liver biopsy for this. The biopsy results will rank your liver damage in stages, 0 - 4. Stage 4 being the most severe. I likely had hep c for 30 years befor being diagnosed. I was only stage 1. Some people progress at a faster rate but hep c is typically a slow and silent disease until you get closer to a more advanced stage. Clean living is important to help your liver minimize damage over time.
There is a good chance your liver damage is low since you are young. If you know when your were exposed the doctor may even wish to wait on a biopsy for now. The current medicines are pretty harsh but also pretty effective. There are ther meds coming in the next few years that will be less harsh and shorter duration. Depending on your particular health, genotype etc., the doc may suggest waiting before you treat. On the other hand, treatment is expensive and can really impact your ability to work. If you have health insurance and don't have a mortgage etc to pay, it may be the best time. You will likely need more info from the doc to make an informed decision.
You should definitely see a hepatologist before treating.
Please let us know what your doctor says about your bloodwork and next steps. Best wishes.
Welcome to the forum! Yes, you can continue any exercising, and it is encouraged too. The rules to follow are different depending on how much damage the virus has already done to your liver. This is determined by a liver biopsy, which isn't as bad as it sounds. Once you have a biopsy the doctor will be able to determine your best options for treatment. In the meantime just avoid any alcohol and follow the usual good-health rules of eating a balanced diet, keeping your sodium intake down and drinking lots of water. You should be sure to take a complete list of any medicines or dietary supplements you use with you to your hepatology appointment. NSAIDS are usually worrisome for HCV patients, as are some kinds of supplements.
You are very young for an HCV patient and since the disease usually progresses very slowly, your biopsy results are more likely to be good, but it is an unpredictable disease so we all have to do the biopsy to be sure of anything. This forum is an excellent place to learn about HCV, to get help interpreting things and to find support. There are a number of places with good general info here too. You might want to start with http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Hepatitis/A-Guide-to-Understanding-Hepatitis-C-2006-/show/180?cid=64. Best wishes!
You are very young for an HCV patient and since the disease usually progresses very slowly, your biopsy results are more likely to be good, but it is an unpredictable disease so we all have to do the biopsy to be sure of anything. This forum is an excellent place to learn about HCV, to get help interpreting things and to find support. There are a number of places with good general info here too. You might want to start with http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Hepatitis/A-Guide-to-Understanding-Hepatitis-C-2006-/show/180?cid=64. Best wishes!
I have it they just did some more blood work to see what stage I am. What should I not do beside drinking? Can I work out still? am I soposed to eat a certan way? I didnt get much info just a peace of paper and thats really all he said and I have an appt in 2 weeks should it be sooner?
Welcome to the forum.
First, did you receive an actual diagnosis of active chronic Hepatitis C?
Or, did you have an antibody test that came back positive?
If you had a positive antibody test, then you need further testing to see if you actually have Hep C or if you were just exposed and fought it off by yourself. That further testing would be the HCV RNA.
Here is a link that explains all of the tests:
http://labtestsonline.org/understanding/conditions/hep/start/3
If you have active chronic Hep C you will need a test to determine which Hepatitis C Genotype you have. The treatments are different depending on the Genotype.
You need to find a hepatalogist (liver specialist) or a gastrointestinal doctor who has experience in treating Hep C. If you don't know how to find one, ask your primary care physician to refer you to a hepatalogist or a gastrointestinal doc who is knowledgeable in treating Hepatitis.
This doctor can then do any further needed testing, possibly including a liver biopsy, and discuss treatment options with you.
If you can give us a little more specific information concerning your tests, then we can respond better.
First, did you receive an actual diagnosis of active chronic Hepatitis C?
Or, did you have an antibody test that came back positive?
If you had a positive antibody test, then you need further testing to see if you actually have Hep C or if you were just exposed and fought it off by yourself. That further testing would be the HCV RNA.
Here is a link that explains all of the tests:
http://labtestsonline.org/understanding/conditions/hep/start/3
If you have active chronic Hep C you will need a test to determine which Hepatitis C Genotype you have. The treatments are different depending on the Genotype.
You need to find a hepatalogist (liver specialist) or a gastrointestinal doctor who has experience in treating Hep C. If you don't know how to find one, ask your primary care physician to refer you to a hepatalogist or a gastrointestinal doc who is knowledgeable in treating Hepatitis.
This doctor can then do any further needed testing, possibly including a liver biopsy, and discuss treatment options with you.
If you can give us a little more specific information concerning your tests, then we can respond better.
there are a lot of people on this message board that will be able to give you great advice, so i will let them chime in.
sometimes it takes a half day or longer to get a response depending on the time of day that you post your message.
peace
sometimes it takes a half day or longer to get a response depending on the time of day that you post your message.
peace
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