Hi again everyone,
I just heard that I am positive for Hepatitis C (basic test). I tested positive one year ago and was told that it was from Lupus. I was to retest again about now to make sure that it is negative. Surprisingly, it came back + again. My rheumy is unsure if Lupus can cause a false positive for this long. I just got back from having a more indepth test drawn. A HCV RNA PCR qualitative. Hopefully I will get good news.
Has anyone ever heard of this?
Leslie :dizzy:

Just to let you guys know...
I tested positive for Hepatitis C but it is a false positive from Lupus. My more in depth testing was negative. I have been to two specialists who tell me the same. Thank goodness. Just FYI if something ever comes up!
Leslie

Take heart even if you are positive for Hep C it is not the Dx that it used to be.

I live in Ottawa, Canada and I was Dx'ed with Hep C 2 years ago. Because I was Dx'ed with Hep C I couldn't have Lupus the rheumy told me so, you only get one disease at a time you know. IDIOTS!!!

Anyways, I began the treatment for Hep C in December of 2004. It is a 48 week course of weekly injections of Interferon Alfa A2 with a daily dose of ribaviron twice daily by mouth. My blood counts went off the charts so they also included a weekly injection of epotition to combat this.

I recently went for my 6 month post treatment bloodwork-ups and my Hep C RNA tests all came back negative. My Dr. told me that every pt. she has had on this specific treatment has been "cured". Of course they can not use that word because this is a new way of combating Hep C.

Make no mistake this is very expensive. Around the $40,000 mark Canadian but the drug company that makes Interferon will help cover the costs of the medication. At least they do in Ontario, Canada.

If in fact you are postive it might be an idea that you can discuss with your Dr. Good Luck.