Guest guest Posted October 9, 2003 Report Share Posted October 9, 2003 Dear Ann, I knew I had seen a post a few weeks ago about Hep C and couldn't remember who posted it. My husband has Hep C. He was diagnosed in 1994 (a year after we got married) when he tried to donate blood for his aunt who was having surgery and his blood was checked. He has been on several courses of treatment (mostly interferon) and, at this point, it is dormant. We figure that he got it when he was three (he's 47 now) when he had a car accident and had to have blood transfusions, or he got it from a needlestick when he was working as an aide in the E.R. of our local hospital. In either case, he's got it. From what I've read, it can lay dormant where you won't notice anything wrong at all for forty years... Other than a few minor modifications, he has not had to change his lifestyle at all. Feel free to write me any time. I wish you the best of luck. live each day like it's your last... love like you've never been hurt... Deb in Hazlet, NJ " Debbie Dancer " distal rny September 3, 2002 386/221/165 BMI 60/32.6/24 -165 -92.5 " Angel to Bill, Debbie (10/13/03) Ilene, Roy, and Ro Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 9, 2003 Report Share Posted October 9, 2003 Can I asked how you were diagnosed? I only ask because about 6 months ago my husband and I went to a blood drive and donated blood. I got a letter from the American Red Cross a few weeks later which I assumed was my Blood Donor Card. Opened it up and it turned out to be a letter from them stating that they tested my blood and I was positive for hepatitis C and that I needed to be seen by my doc immediately. I was freaked but when I went to the doctor he had me re-screened and the test was negative. Then just to make sure I had him test me a third time. It was negative again. Good Luck to you. Candi 09/08/03 LAP RNY 263/221/125?? Southern Illinois Re: Re: Bad News for Me Hi guys I got some bad news today and I need your support. I had been diagnosed with Hepatitis C . Does anyone else on the group have it??? I realize it isnt a death sentence but I am still scared s''htless. Ann Elliot RNY with choly July 18 2003 291/241////hoping for 150 I will not give up the fight!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 10, 2003 Report Share Posted October 10, 2003 Candi Yes there are many falsoe positives for hep C. I wasnt lucky as that. I have the antibody to hep C and that means I have it. The question is how bad and for how long.........I cannot tell you how scared I am. Ann Elliot RNY with choly July 18 2003 291/241////hoping for 150 I will not give up the fight!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 10, 2003 Report Share Posted October 10, 2003 Deb D Thank you for writing. I am a nurse and thats probably where I got it. The thing, of course, is HOW LONG I've had it. My doctor is kinda being a jerk and just trying to be fatherly and say " it'll be fine " but I know different. If I got it 15 years ago, it might not be so fine! I cant even get him to answer if we've ever DONE another Hep C on me. I know we have done liver functions several times and there was nothing to freak about. God, I am scared. As you know liver disease is basically a nutritional disease and you know I just had the RNY......malabsorptive......I know I should probably just try to relax until the other tests come in but .....it is for sure I have been exposed to it and the blood levels (ALT and ALP) are elevated. Ann Elliot RNY with choly July 18 2003 291/241////hoping for 150 I will not give up the fight!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 10, 2003 Report Share Posted October 10, 2003 Deb Thank you for replying. Ive over co0me so many things in my life, and I know we usually arent given more than we can handle but man oh man, what a shock. Thank you for caring. Ann Elliot RNY with choly July 18 2003 291/241////hoping for 150 I will not give up the fight!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 10, 2003 Report Share Posted October 10, 2003 Thanks Robin! Ann Elliot RNY with choly July 18 2003 291/241////hoping for 150 I will not give up the fight!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 10, 2003 Report Share Posted October 10, 2003 Hi - Im an RN too! But woefully ignorant on the details of Hep C. I am sure I got it at work - probably doing an emergency blood sugar or something....and probably at my most recent job (psych nurse) cuz we were always having various emergencies both medical and mental. However, any infor you might come across would be truly welcomed.... Ann Elliot RNY with choly July 18 2003 291/241////hoping for 150 I will not give up the fight!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 10, 2003 Report Share Posted October 10, 2003 I can only imagine. Have you seen your doc yet? I really believe knowledge is power!!! I know there are alot of new treatments for it so I hope you find something that will work well for you. Candi RE: Re: Bad News for Me Candi Yes there are many falsoe positives for hep C. I wasnt lucky as that. I have the antibody to hep C and that means I have it. The question is how bad and for how long.........I cannot tell you how scared I am. Ann Elliot RNY with choly July 18 2003 291/241////hoping for 150 I will not give up the fight!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 11, 2003 Report Share Posted October 11, 2003 Candi Thanks again for your concern. I saw my doctor after the first liver tests were in and because two labs were elevated he was already SURE I had Hep C. He advised me that it takes a long time to be fatal and thats true, but my questions is how long have I had it?????? I go back to see him in two weeks. I will have a list of questions about a mile long. I was getting so thrilled about the weight loss and now I am just sad over my poor liver. I guess it will help the liver to lose weight, tho, but if I have long standing Hep C, then the surgery isnt such a good thing. A body lift is cosmetic (reconstructive) surgery called a panniculectomy or something. Basically they pull up all the loose skin from the waist down to get rid of aggy thigs, tummy......sounds dreadful but I would do it if I can. Ann Ann Elliot RNY with gall bladder removed July 18 2003 291/238////hoping for 150 I will not give up the fight!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 12, 2003 Report Share Posted October 12, 2003 Dear Ann, There are many, many courses of treatment now. I'm sure they know what they are doing, and as long as your liver function is good, I think you're still okay. There's a new drug out (I forget the name, but it starts with a P). They don't want to give it to my husband because his liver function is reasonably good and they don't give it to you if you don't have scirosis (SP?) of the liver. He did the full course of interferon and, for now, they're leaving him alone. I hope, for your sake, that you have an easy time of this and that you stay stable so that your lifestyle is not varied much, if at all. Stay in touch. live each day like it's your last... love like you've never been hurt... Deb in Hazlet, NJ " Debbie Dancer " distal rny September 3, 2002 386/221/165 BMI 60/32.6/24 -165 -92.5 " Angel to Bill, Debbie (10/13/03) Ilene, Roy, and Ro Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.