Hepatitis C Support Group
Hepatitis C is a blood-borne viral disease which can cause liver inflammation, fibrosis, cirrhosis and liver cancer. The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is spread by blood-to-blood contact with an infected person's blood. Many people with HCV infection have no symptoms and are unaware of the need to seek treatment. Hepatitis C infects an estimated 150-200 million people worldwide.
Hey: I have been on here off & on over the past 4 years. My husband was diagnosed with Hep C about 6 years ago. He underwent TX then, failed 2 complete the TX, due 2 lack of support & drinking,then tried again after we were married (5 years ago). Finished treatment but drank all the way thru. He was under 4 only a few months but then it came back. 3rd TX have seemed 2 have seen the light or finally heard when the dr. told him 2 decide if he wanted 2 live & stop drinking or die drinking. He did 60 weeks & now after the 6 month post TX check up he is considered 'cured'. My question is...if detection can only be made above 15, how does one know that his level isn't just under that or completely gone?? Asked the dr. about drinking & she said it would not affect the Hep but would affect his liver in general. She said having a few @ celebrations was ok., This confuses me as I thought alcohol was the culprit 4 spurring Hep C on. Any one else in this situation or any thoughts???
***He has already told them that he is an alcoholic....why would anyone tell him that a few drinks was ok???
***He has already told them that he is an alcoholic....why would anyone tell him that a few drinks was ok???
From what I have been researching the HCV is a STEALTH virus meaning it is in the spinal, lymphatic fluid ALSO which is not detected with blood tests. I don't think "doctors" know much about HCV nor do they care much because it seems to me that they think everyone who has it was a drug shooting junkie. Maybe if one of their loved ones gets it from , let's say, a blood transfusion, maybe then they will educate themselves more about HCV.. Many people have it and don't know HOW they got it. PLUS so what if I was a drug shooting junkie? Am I not still HUMAN?
I wonder if some, not all, but some of these physicians also want to believe that there is a cure for this virus. It seems that many, if not most, do but some in any scientific community are always split. For the ones that believe that 6-month/SVR is a cure, they want to hold onto that. Maybe it is..maybe it is for many but not all. Certainly, some people continue some behaviors that can get them reinfected. Who knows...who's to say? What matters is better tolerated, shorter and easier txs to keep coming until most are virus free and transmission rates go down...all the while focusing on txs for non-responders and then on issues unique to cirrhotic pts. Steps in the right direction...many seemed to have been cured.
And I never felt my doctors thought "everyone who has it was a drug shooting junkie" even though I told them I got it from sharing needles. I would change doctors if I felt that way. I fired my first doctor, a gastroenterologist, because he didn't know the connection between vitamin D and SVR. But I live in NYC where there are many doctors to choose from.
Wishing you all the best...
They aren't Gods even though some of them think they are. I have spent hrs doing research and I think most drs aren't really up to the latest info on hep c.
Can't wait to find out though!
My doc has been less than kind to me and if it were not for trials, I would hit the ground running!
Renee, when you're SVR you can tell him what an ass he's been or just throw a pie in his face. He'll figure it out.