Guest guest Posted February 2, 2009 Report Share Posted February 2, 2009 Welcome Angel , your not alone here . There are a few of us past medical workers ( nurses, paramedic's etc ) who became infected . And yeah it only takes one cell to infect. Anyway welcome to the group , I would add more right now but I'm a tired puppy and headed to bed . hello I just joined the group, need support from people going through thesame thing. I don't know how I contracted my Hep C, I know in 1985 I was negativedue to pre-hire bloodwork in a hospital. I am a phlebotomist and I ampretty strict on myself on always wearing gloves when handlingsamples. My Hep C was detected when I had a dirty needle stick. Thepost stick bloodwork found the Hep C. My only encounter, besides in ahospital, was a man I lived with told me he was cured of Hep C. Atthe time there was no treatment for it. He got into a fight at a barand I cleaned him up, all it take is one cell...right? Anyway, mynumbers are still low, below 80000. Treatment scares the heck out ofme, and I am a single parent, I can't be out of work, especially now.Since my job involves taking blood from patients under treatment, Iask a lot of questions. It's about 50/50 on getting sick and beingout of work for any length of time. Before being detected, my liverfunction tests were elevated for years, but my primary never followedup. Treated me like I was a worry wart. Now I wish I had been moreaggressive. I didn't have any reason to though at the time. So now Itotally avoid alcohol and any medications that are metabolized in theliver. I baby my liver, trying to keep it as healthy as possible foras long as possible. There is hope with the new medications fortreatment, I know that, but I always remember a woman in the ICU withend stage Hep C. It was not pretty, and I don't want to be like that.I'm sorry this is so long, but that is what this is for, help andsupport. Is there any way to prepare for treatment? I need to start,just scared. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 4, 2009 Report Share Posted February 4, 2009 Thank you Janet and Jax, it's nice to know there is a supportive group, so many people freak out when I tell them, I guess ignorance is bliss. I'm waiting for my insurance cards, and I will be making an appointment for a referral to a specialist. I thought I knew alot about this, but I'm realizing I only know enough to get me into trouble...haha. I don't know my genotype, I only know my numbers, no one has had me get a genotype done, another point I didn't know. I knew certain strains were harder to treat, but no one suggested finding out which one I have. I guess because my numbers were low they weren't concerned, and trusting they knew what they were doing, I wasn't concerned. I'm definitely going to be more proactive about this. So, besides a genotyping and biopsy, what else do I need? This is going to be a shock to the pathologists I work with, they don't know, and they will be assisting with the biopsy. I am currently working in Cytology so my supervisor will be there too. Guess I should give them a heads up so they don't get a shock, huh? Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated with open arms. Thank you all again for the welcome. Angel > > > > Subject: hello > To: Hepatitis_C_Central > Date: Tuesday, February 3, 2009, 9:29 PM > > > > > > > I just joined the group, need support from people going through the > same thing. > > I don't know how I contracted my Hep C, I know in 1985 I was negative > due to pre-hire bloodwork in a hospital. I am a phlebotomist and I am > pretty strict on myself on always wearing gloves when handling > samples. My Hep C was detected when I had a dirty needle stick. The > post stick bloodwork found the Hep C. My only encounter, besides in a > hospital, was a man I lived with told me he was cured of Hep C. At > the time there was no treatment for it. He got into a fight at a bar > and I cleaned him up, all it take is one cell...right? Anyway, my > numbers are still low, below 80000. Treatment scares the heck out of > me, and I am a single parent, I can't be out of work, especially now. > Since my job involves taking blood from patients under treatment, I > ask a lot of questions. It's about 50/50 on getting sick and being > out of work for any length of time. Before being detected, my liver > function tests were elevated for years, but my primary never followed > up. Treated me like I was a worry wart. Now I wish I had been more > aggressive. I didn't have any reason to though at the time. So now I > totally avoid alcohol and any medications that are metabolized in the > liver. I baby my liver, trying to keep it as healthy as possible for > as long as possible. There is hope with the new medications for > treatment, I know that, but I always remember a woman in the ICU with > end stage Hep C. It was not pretty, and I don't want to be like that. > I'm sorry this is so long, but that is what this is for, help and > support. Is there any way to prepare for treatment? I need to start, > just scared. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 4, 2009 Report Share Posted February 4, 2009 hi Angel, well you need to get a good blood panel, with all the liver function tests, alt/ast, bili, alk phosphatase, protime , albumen etc,, your doc will know to do a liver panel and probably a cholesterol profile. You will need to know your genotype, your viral load, a biopsy will show your stage of damage and grade of inflammation. Once you gather this info, then you can decide about treatment now or later if ever.. if you have a very low grade of inflammation which means its moving very slowly, and if you have little or no damage, say stage 0-1, then you have no rush to treat.. Some will say the earlier you treat, the better, some insurance wont approve treatment unless you have a lot of damage so its really hard to know who will approve what.. so first off, simply gather all the pertinent info... and then you can decide what is your next step.. and while you are doing that, educate yourself on this virus as much as you can.. read everything you can about it.. and ask questions,, if we dont know the answer, we know where to find the answer.. and will surely try our best to get it for you! IM glad you feel welcome here,, you are and you will find many supporters! hugs, jax Subject: Re: helloTo: Hepatitis_C_Central Date: Wednesday, February 4, 2009, 6:55 PM Thank you Janet and Jax, it's nice to know there is a supportivegroup, so many people freak out when I tell them, I guess ignorance isbliss. I'm waiting for my insurance cards, and I will be making anappointment for a referral to a specialist. I thought I knew alotabout this, but I'm realizing I only know enough to get me intotrouble...haha. I don't know my genotype, I only know my numbers, noone has had me get a genotype done, another point I didn't know. Iknew certain strains were harder to treat, but no one suggestedfinding out which one I have. I guess because my numbers were lowthey weren't concerned, and trusting they knew what they were doing, Iwasn't concerned. I'm definitely going to be more proactive aboutthis. So, besides a genotyping and biopsy, what else do I need? Thisis going to be a shock to the pathologists I work with, they don'tknow, and they will be assisting with the biopsy. I am currentlyworking in Cytology so my supervisor will be there too. Guess Ishould give them a heads up so they don't get a shock, huh? Anysuggestions will be greatly appreciated with open arms. Thank you allagain for the welcome.Angel> > > From: angel <guns1angel@ ...>> Subject: [Hepatitis_C_ Central] hello> To: Hepatitis_C_ Central@yahoogro ups.com> Date: Tuesday, February 3, 2009, 9:29 PM> > > > > > > I just joined the group, need support from people going through the> same thing. > > I don't know how I contracted my Hep C, I know in 1985 I was negative> due to pre-hire bloodwork in a hospital. I am a phlebotomist and I am> pretty strict on myself on always wearing gloves when handling> samples. My Hep C was detected when I had a dirty needle stick. The> post stick bloodwork found the Hep C. My only encounter, besides in a> hospital, was a man I lived with told me he was cured of Hep C. At> the time there was no treatment for it. He got into a fight at a bar> and I cleaned him up, all it take is one cell...right? Anyway, my> numbers are still low, below 80000. Treatment scares the heck out of> me, and I am a single parent, I can't be out of work, especially now.> Since my job involves taking blood from patients under treatment, I> ask a lot of questions. It's about 50/50 on getting sick and being> out of work for any length of time. Before being detected, my liver> function tests were elevated for years, but my primary never followed> up. Treated me like I was a worry wart. Now I wish I had been more> aggressive. I didn't have any reason to though at the time. So now I> totally avoid alcohol and any medications that are metabolized in the> liver. I baby my liver, trying to keep it as healthy as possible for> as long as possible. There is hope with the new medications for> treatment, I know that, but I always remember a woman in the ICU with> end stage Hep C. It was not pretty, and I don't want to be like that.> I'm sorry this is so long, but that is what this is for, help and> support. Is there any way to prepare for treatment? I need to start,> just scared.> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 5, 2009 Report Share Posted February 5, 2009 Hi Angel, Welcome. I've had Hep C 43+ years. Sort of like you, my enzymes were elevated since 1966 and diagnosed in 1999. My progression has been very slow---I am lucky---. You should go to hepcchallenges.org and read the free online book Choices. You don't have to join that group to read it. It is available in the reading room there. It has lots of info written in a very clear simple form and is listed by chapter. It is an excellent source of information. Unlike Jax and Janet, I have not done conventional treatment--but that decision was made AFTER I had all my tests and biopsy and knew exactly how advanced my disease was. I stopped drinking and every drug that might damage my liver in 1966 when I was told I had " something " wrong with my liver. Many MD's feel I am being uncooperative or questioning their ability when I routinely ask " What will that do to my liver? " I have chosen to go with DR Burt Berkson's treatment for liver disease--because I am now 74 and because my disease is slow moving. You can look him up on the internet or email me and I will send info on him. I do keep an eye on my Hep C and maybe, if a doctor will agree, have another biopsy for my 75th birthday, just to be sure my liver is still ok. There are many new treatments with less side effects in the works and that is very encouraging. I find this group very helpful and very warm and caring, so although I may sort of browse other groups, this is MY group. As Jax has said-- do NOT rush to treatment. Learn ALL that you can. It is YOUR decision and should be made only after you are knowledgeable about your options. Be sure they medicate you for your biopsy--it is not a lot of fun without being medicated. Best wishes, SuziQ > > Thank you Janet and Jax, it's nice to know there is a supportive > group, so many people freak out when I tell them, I guess ignorance is > bliss. I'm waiting for my insurance cards, and I will be making an > appointment for a referral to a specialist. I thought I knew alot > about this, but I'm realizing I only know enough to get me into > trouble...haha. I don't know my genotype, I only know my numbers, no > one has had me get a genotype done, another point I didn't know. I > knew certain strains were harder to treat, but no one suggested > finding out which one I have. I guess because my numbers were low > they weren't concerned, and trusting they knew what they were doing, I > wasn't concerned. I'm definitely going to be more proactive about > this. So, besides a genotyping and biopsy, what else do I need? This > is going to be a shock to the pathologists I work with, they don't > know, and they will be assisting with the biopsy. I am currently > working in Cytology so my supervisor will be there too. Guess I > should give them a heads up so they don't get a shock, huh? Any > suggestions will be greatly appreciated with open arms. Thank you all > again for the welcome. > > Have you > heard of Dr. Berkson? He is in New Mexico and he treats ppl who > either cannot tx , wont treat or have failed tx with alternative > healthcare and while it wont erradicate the virus, it can help your > liver to maintain itself longer so that you have time to wait for > better, easier and more effective treatment,, if you have little > damage > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 5, 2009 Report Share Posted February 5, 2009 Thank you for such a great vote of confidence Suzi Q,, we consider you one of us too! and I agree,, I DO NOT believe that treatment with standard drugs IS for everyone... unfortunately I wasnt given a choice because I had wayyy too much damage to do nothing... and at the time, I was in my 40's ,, and had wayyyyyy tooo many years left that I wanted to live.. hugs and once again, thanks hon! jax Subject: Re: helloTo: Hepatitis_C_Central Date: Thursday, February 5, 2009, 7:27 AM Hi Angel, Welcome. I've had Hep C 43+ years. Sort of like you, my enzymes were elevated since 1966 and diagnosed in 1999. My progression has been very slow---I am lucky---. You should go to hepcchallenges. org and read the free online book Choices. You don't have to join that group to read it. It is available in the reading room there. It has lots of info written in a very clear simple form and is listed by chapter. It is an excellent source of information.Unlike Jax and Janet, I have not done conventional treatment--but that decision was made AFTER I had all my tests and biopsy and knew exactly how advanced my disease was. I stopped drinking and every drug that might damage my liver in 1966 when I was told I had "something" wrong with my liver. Many MD's feel I am being uncooperative or questioning their ability when I routinely ask "What will that do to my liver?" I have chosen to go with DR Burt Berkson's treatment for liver disease--because I am now 74 and because my disease is slow moving. You can look him up on the internet or email me and I will send info on him. I do keep an eye on my Hep C and maybe, if a doctor will agree, have another biopsy for my 75th birthday, just to be sure my liver is still ok. There are many new treatments with less side effects in the works and that is very encouraging. I find this group very helpful and very warm and caring, so although I may sort of browse other groups, this is MY group. As Jax has said--do NOT rush to treatment. Learn ALL that you can. It is YOUR decision and should be made only after you are knowledgeable about your options. Be sure they medicate you for your biopsy--it is not a lot of fun without being medicated. Best wishes, SuziQ>> Thank you Janet and Jax, it's nice to know there is a supportive> group, so many people freak out when I tell them, I guess ignorance is> bliss. I'm waiting for my insurance cards, and I will be making an> appointment for a referral to a specialist. I thought I knew alot> about this, but I'm realizing I only know enough to get me into> trouble...haha. I don't know my genotype, I only know my numbers, no> one has had me get a genotype done, another point I didn't know. I> knew certain strains were harder to treat, but no one suggested> finding out which one I have. I guess because my numbers were low> they weren't concerned, and trusting they knew what they were doing, I> wasn't concerned. I'm definitely going to be more proactive about> this. So, besides a genotyping and biopsy, what else do I need? This> is going to be a shock to the pathologists I work with, they don't> know, and they will be assisting with the biopsy. I am currently> working in Cytology so my supervisor will be there too. Guess I> should give them a heads up so they don't get a shock, huh? Any> suggestions will be greatly appreciated with open arms. Thank you all> again for the welcome.> > Have you> heard of Dr. Berkson? He is in New Mexico and he treats ppl who> either cannot tx , wont treat or have failed tx with alternative> healthcare and while it wont erradicate the virus, it can help your> liver to maintain itself longer so that you have time to wait for> better, easier and more effective treatment,, if you have little> damage> >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 11, 2009 Report Share Posted February 11, 2009 well today i get my treatment, and go to the doctors office.then i startsarah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 11, 2009 Report Share Posted February 11, 2009 Best to you, ! Glad you have your sister there to support you, that's so cool.. Sheena well today i get my treatment, and go to the doctors office. then i start sarah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 11, 2009 Report Share Posted February 11, 2009 WAY TO GO SARAH!!!! now can you see why we said that the 'anticipation' is much worse that the actual doing of the shot? now you can see that it will be just not such a big deal, the shot giving that is.. now dont forget to drink your water and take your tylenol ,,, and dont forget to keep us updated how you are doing!!!! You're OFFICIALLY a dragon warrior now!! whoo hoooooo ! hugs hon, jax Subject: Re: helloTo: Hepatitis_C_Central Date: Wednesday, February 11, 2009, 8:23 AM hello, well i did my shot at the doctors office. it was a piece of cake. thank you sarah From: "amberkesterson@ rocketmail. com" <amberkesterson@ rocketmail. com>To: Hepatitis _C_Central <Hepatitis_C_ Central@yahoogro ups.com>Sent: Wednesday, February 11, 2009 9:34:34 AMSubject: Re: [Hepatitis_C_ Central] hello ,You will do fine. I remember how scared and excited to start. I wanted to get it over with.I hope you and your sister are having a great time together.Amber Sent via BlackBerry by AT & T From: Neal Date: Wed, 11 Feb 2009 04:46:10 -0800 (PST)To: <Hepatitis_C_ Central@yahoogro ups.com>Subject: [Hepatitis_C_ Central] hello well today i get my treatment, and go to the doctors office. then i start sarah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 11, 2009 Report Share Posted February 11, 2009 Good luck hon. Love Janet "There are souls in this world that have the gift of finding joy everywhere and of leaving it behind them when they go" Frederick Faber Subject: helloTo: Hepatitis_C_Central Date: Wednesday, February 11, 2009, 6:46 AM well today i get my treatment, and go to the doctors office. then i start sarah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 11, 2009 Report Share Posted February 11, 2009 Remember to take some tylenol and drink plenty of water. Get your keister in bed dear one. And try to sleep through the side effects of the shot. Love Janet "There are souls in this world that have the gift of finding joy everywhere and of leaving it behind them when they go" Frederick Faber Subject: Re: helloTo: Hepatitis_C_Central Date: Wednesday, February 11, 2009, 10:23 AM hello, well i did my shot at the doctors office. it was a piece of cake. thank you sarah From: "amberkesterson@ rocketmail. com" <amberkesterson@ rocketmail. com>To: Hepatitis _C_Central <Hepatitis_C_ Central@yahoogro ups.com>Sent: Wednesday, February 11, 2009 9:34:34 AMSubject: Re: [Hepatitis_C_ Central] hello ,You will do fine. I remember how scared and excited to start. I wanted to get it over with.I hope you and your sister are having a great time together.Amber Sent via BlackBerry by AT & T From: Neal Date: Wed, 11 Feb 2009 04:46:10 -0800 (PST)To: <Hepatitis_C_ Central@yahoogro ups.com>Subject: [Hepatitis_C_ Central] hello well today i get my treatment, and go to the doctors office. then i start sarah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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