please talk to me - Liver & Pancreas Disorders Message Board

lost_angel · 10-22-2004, 09:25 PM

im scared i have hepc
they say you canlive a normal life with this illness...is this true
my liver function testsare normal...so what does that mean
do you get aching stiff muscles with this illness...the scans said myliver was okay so does that mean there is no damage,,,im too scared to go have tests as i suffer from panic and im scared this will put me over the top/....i have two risk factors one being i slept with a man 12 years ago who has hepc and another that i had a blood transfusion in 1985 ,,,i have been dry heaving and sore under bottom rib now ive convinced myself i have it...im phobic of meds so could not take treatment so i feel i have been given a loaded bullet..i can remember being sick about 6 months after sleeping with this man but i dont know if that could have been the reason
ive had lots of liver function tests over the time but they were always normal..except my protien was upby 1%..and myurea was just low..by a smidgen..can someone please talk to me as im making myself sick here im 50 and i feel too old to fight this
kitten

treewater · 10-23-2004, 07:57 PM

What liver function tests did you have? The doctors can tell you if you have hep A,B, C,etc. I had a blood test done. You mentioned something about being to scared to have test done but apparently you took a scan at one point and your liver function test was normal. I'll be glad to talk to you but please tell me exactly what test you took and how long ago etc. I can tell you that Hep C is much worse than A or B and if you have it I'm sure you'll be taking some strong meds. I have a friend who's husband has Hep C and took treatment for it and currently he is in remission but they will have to check him every 6 mornths or so.

Sounds like your scared to death! But you really should see a doctor if your this worried. You can take a friend or relative with you. Please talk to someone about your fear of meds. Trust me meds can be a live saver. I also have asthma and those meds have saved my live on more than one occasion. Let me know if I'm not understanding you.

MDJ50 · 10-31-2004, 01:59 AM

Hi Lost Angel, Hep-C is transmitted blood to blood contact only. I got the "gift of life" blood transfusion after surgery in 1991. I also suffer from panic / anxiety disorder. You need the help of a relative or close friend who can assist you in the follow up of this condition. You need a good Gastro, one you can feel comfortable with. Tell them first
thing about your mental disabilities and your extreme fear of the unknown. You more than likely are along way from worring about any treatment , but to know for sure you have to have certain tests done. All of which is blood tests. If they come back as a concern you will need a liver biopsy . You can ask to be sedated for this but they can't put you to sleep. They will do a RNA blood test to check for your viral load and they will also do a blood test to get your genotype . This tells them to what extent you may need treatment and for how long. The goal during treatment is for you to be a SVR ( sustained viral responser) At any rate , without treatment you will need to see the Gastro every 6 months to monitor you blood . Nothing they do to you is bad and they can give you the support you need . You will have a nurse you can contact to ask questions and talk to you about your personal fears. I hope this helps and please contact me if you need my support to get you going in the right direction .
God Bless,
MDJ