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.
You know what I've been thinking lately, seeing so many getting to the end stage, or advance stage without even knowing they have the virus, that is absolutely not ok.
There should be a law into out there, that a person should get checked every 2 years,for this virus.
The government can put a law on having to do a clean air check up on our cars every 2 years, now why can't there be a must test every 2 years on patients of all the Doctors in the world.
There would be a lot less people being told that they have the virus of hepatitis c, and they are too late for treatment.
Hepatitis c, is a Silent Killer, which is why it should be mandate for a patient to be tested every 2 years, for life.
It's a simple blood test, in order to know if a patient as anti bodies of the virus, then action can be taken straight away if this patient is positive.
Look at my husband and I, Richard felt tired all the time, went to the doctor, only to be told he was positive for hep c.
Which didn't surprise me, well it did in a way for a short while, but he had used IV drugs once on a July day in 1987.
So, our Doctor wanted to get both our daughter and I to get checked.
I had no symptoms at all, none, and guess what? I was also positive, but unlike Richard who had no damage at all, grade 0 Stage 0, I had damage, in fact fibrosis scarring, grade and stage 2.
Imagine that!
The only difference I came to conclude was, that I was a drinker (alcohol) and he didn't drink.
So can you imagine my liver today, if we were not told we had hep c in the year 2000.
Nine years later, my liver would probably be in a very serious condition.
All because my hubby was always tired, and he got diagnosed, I was saved from an early death.
Funny how life works out.
So I must emphasize on how important to get some kind of law to pass so that each and everyone on this planet earth, to get tested every 2 years, once at birth, then pass the age of 14 now since our teens are so hooked up on Tattoos, and piercings, so yes 14 would be a good age to start getting tested.
Whats you opinion on that!
There should be a law into out there, that a person should get checked every 2 years,for this virus.
The government can put a law on having to do a clean air check up on our cars every 2 years, now why can't there be a must test every 2 years on patients of all the Doctors in the world.
There would be a lot less people being told that they have the virus of hepatitis c, and they are too late for treatment.
Hepatitis c, is a Silent Killer, which is why it should be mandate for a patient to be tested every 2 years, for life.
It's a simple blood test, in order to know if a patient as anti bodies of the virus, then action can be taken straight away if this patient is positive.
Look at my husband and I, Richard felt tired all the time, went to the doctor, only to be told he was positive for hep c.
Which didn't surprise me, well it did in a way for a short while, but he had used IV drugs once on a July day in 1987.
So, our Doctor wanted to get both our daughter and I to get checked.
I had no symptoms at all, none, and guess what? I was also positive, but unlike Richard who had no damage at all, grade 0 Stage 0, I had damage, in fact fibrosis scarring, grade and stage 2.
Imagine that!
The only difference I came to conclude was, that I was a drinker (alcohol) and he didn't drink.
So can you imagine my liver today, if we were not told we had hep c in the year 2000.
Nine years later, my liver would probably be in a very serious condition.
All because my hubby was always tired, and he got diagnosed, I was saved from an early death.
Funny how life works out.
So I must emphasize on how important to get some kind of law to pass so that each and everyone on this planet earth, to get tested every 2 years, once at birth, then pass the age of 14 now since our teens are so hooked up on Tattoos, and piercings, so yes 14 would be a good age to start getting tested.
Whats you opinion on that!
I am new to this forum. And as you can probably sense I am frustrated.
Can any one tell me if they ever experience a pain under the right rib cage like a hot football was shoved up there?
Something has to change!
A health prof my whole life in a high risk area, & by the time I find out hcv, stage3? Thats unacceptable! I was shocked.
It starts at primary care level. they are dismissing slight elev in enzymes instead of further investigation. University hospitals are more likely to screen employees than community hospitals, it has to do both with money/funding and thinking.
Education & public awareness are the first steps to change.
the virus.
At that time I was told that I was one of the lucky 10% that
cleared them self. I was not told to be retested at a later
date to make sure.
So I went on with life thinking all was well but I felt more and
more tired as time went on. I thought I was just getting old.
Then at a health fair for the insurance Co. at work. My liver
enzyme GGT was 6 time normal. I went to a clinic to have it
check out. I was told I had all the systems of a blockage of
the bile duct. After a month of testing they found out I did not
have blockage and they would like to test for Hep C.
I told them yes I had the antibody and no I don't have the virus
They did a virus load test I was at 2.5 mil. All they could say
was a mistake was made in 1999.
Why don't Insurance Co. do a hep C test at their health fairs
is it they don't want to know
Same for cancers. problem is the money.
But it is a great idea.
I have told many people about HCV and they subsequently decided to go get tested. Sadly, a couple had the disease. Now, I am not saying this to toot my own horn or anything like that, just that one person can make a difference.
You just have to find a platform or the right time/angle. Everybody probably knows at least one person that is st risk for HCV that they feel comfortable talking to about it.
You don't have to be pushy or anything like that, just help people see the relevance of getting tested.
I speak about HCv at NA frequently and I am surprised about how many that want to know more about it.
But your plan is awesome Mckenzie for those that think this couldn't happen to them, or just want to say in denial. unfortunately I also know people that have this disease and just think cause they have no sides they are healing up. It is sad!
Even pointing them to this site would be great because of the wonderful information and caring people.
You know, out of all the people I have talked to with HCV that are not doing anything about it ( probably over 10).......not one can tell me their Geno, Viral load, or Liver score........the first things I ask.
good post-
Paindora
They cost about $200 here in Utah. And they can be ordered through doctors and most chiropractics. My chiropractor recommended the test and then did nothing to encourage me to get more tests when my ALT and AST were 198 and 170, so it would be prudent to take health matters into your own hands.
I think doctors and health care professionals should be required to take a Hep C awareness and education class in order to renew their licenses with their state. As a massage therapist there is a requirement to take 12 hours of continuing education to renew. They have core classes which are mandatory. I believe a Hep C awareness class should be mandatory for continuing education.
Thoughts that come to my mind are from past experiences with my parents when they formed an alliance here in town because of my brother who is mentally ill with schzophrenia. This state had very little to offer at the time other than private or state institutions.
My dad was the founder and president of the support group FSAMI and had a home built for clients with this disability and did it by advocating and fund raising every possible resource he could find. The home was actually an old church that was donated and they had volunteers come in and remodel it into private rooms/kitchen/common area and later became staffed with mental care providers.
Then families started forming and it is called FSAMI after NAMI. When it was all said and done, he managed to get grants and funding where it became a non profit organization like United Way and he was recognized and honored by the state legislator's for his efforts.
With this example in mind, I have to wonder if people with HepC looked into the foundations already established like Naomi Judds for instance and started a support group that was connected to the larger one. Like how my dads was a branch of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill.
They actually went to Washington D.C. and got to present there cause for the mentally ill. And, it made a difference.
Sometimes, waiting for things to change is frustrating but becoming active in making the change gives one more personal empowerment and you know what they say "strength in numbers". And, "It only takes a Village".
By forming groups that connect to a larger foundation you can promote public awareness in your locality and hospitals are usually compliant in offering screenings.
BW
Peace Shannon