Hep C

[Bottomhole]

Hey guys,

 

So, I was at the clinic the other day for a routine check up and meds re-supply when the doctor revealed that I had Hep C in around Feb-March(I'm guessing March) and it wasn't revealed to me by mistake. This was real news to me and caused concern. What he then told me was that my body had cleared it without treatment, and subsequent tests came back neg for Hep C. 

 

Should I be worried? I posted before about abnormalities in my liver results which I initially expected to be linked to my treatment, but it turns out this was not the case. I read that 75%-85% of people with Hep C develop chronic Hep C, it this a possibility for me now that it's cleared? I know these are questions that I should've asked my doc and I will when I speak to him next week(he ordered a thorough virus test) but I was caught off-guard with this as I've been monogamous since late March.

 

These issues make me sad, to think back to a time in the not too distant past where I really didnt think much of myself, and disregarded my own body. Glad I've come through it, but unfortunate to see so many lost souls on here still. I wouldn't want to mess up my neighbours thrill, but if one person could learn from my mistakes without making them themselves, it'd make me very happy.

[Fistulike666]

Hep C is a whole lot different to HIV. The treatment for Hep C, although now a bit better, is still tricky and sometimes unpleasant. Also the virus is much easier to catch, it lasts longer on surfaces etc. so it is a more infectious little microbe.  My advice? Make some changes to lifestyle without getting too paranoid, don't share needles, toys, poppers bottles and so on when playing unless you really know who you're with xxx

[Bottomhole]

Hep C is a whole lot different to HIV. The treatment for Hep C, although now a bit better, is still tricky and sometimes unpleasant. Also the virus is much easier to catch, it lasts longer on surfaces etc. so it is a more infectious little microbe.  My advice? Make some changes to lifestyle without getting too paranoid, don't share needles, toys, poppers bottles and so on when playing unless you really know who you're with xxx

The lifestyle changes have been made months ago, with no plan of going back. My question was in regards to clearing the virus, which my body did on it's own. Is there a chance of it returning? 

[FillMyArse]

Around 20% of people will clear HepC by their own immune system within 6 months. What I'd suggest given your post is get another screen in 12 weeks. For those of us with chronic HepC once treatment has completed, you need a 12 week "undetectable" period (aka SVR12 - sustained viral response) to be considered cured, so you could say your last neg result was your SVR1 so to speak. The "cured" SVR used to be SVR24 (24 weeks post treatment with an undetectable viral load) but recent studies have suggested SVR12 is equally reliable, but you could get a further test in 24 weeks too to be sure. Although possible for it to come back, it's a less than 1% chance unless you've been reinfected by another partner which is a different kettle of fish anyway.

If you have indeed cleared it, then no, you will not be considered to have chronic HepC unless you get a reinfection that your body doesn't clear on it's own. And congrats on clearing it yourself!!

 

Just remember even if it's cured once, you can still get it again like pretty much any other STD out there.

And just for clarification the SVR12/24 terms are typically used for post treatment patients rather than self-cured patients AFAIK, but just using that the terms for the sake of comparison.

Source for SVR12 vs SVR24: http://blogs.hepmag.com/lucindakporter/2015/02/hepatitis_c_treatment_svr.html 

[HoleSucka]

Hey guys,

 

So, I was at the clinic the other day for a routine check up and meds re-supply when the doctor revealed that I had Hep C in around Feb-March(I'm guessing March) and it wasn't revealed to me by mistake. This was real news to me and caused concern. What he then told me was that my body had cleared it without treatment, and subsequent tests came back neg for Hep C. 

 

Should I be worried? I posted before about abnormalities in my liver results which I initially expected to be linked to my treatment, but it turns out this was not the case. I read that 75%-85% of people with Hep C develop chronic Hep C, it this a possibility for me now that it's cleared? I know these are questions that I should've asked my doc and I will when I speak to him next week(he ordered a thorough virus test) but I was caught off-guard with this as I've been monogamous since late March.

 

These issues make me sad, to think back to a time in the not too distant past where I really didnt think much of myself, and disregarded my own body. Glad I've come through it, but unfortunate to see so many lost souls on here still. I wouldn't want to mess up my neighbours thrill, but if one person could learn from my mistakes without making them themselves, it'd make me very happy.

 

This post brought tears to my eyes. I hope that you're going to be okay. Stay strong! I will keep you in my thoughts! ☺

Edited December 3, 2015 by HoleSucka

[hungry_hole]

These issues make me sad, to think back to a time in the not too distant past where I really didnt think much of myself, and disregarded my own body. Glad I've come through it, but unfortunate to see so many lost souls on here still. I wouldn't want to mess up my neighbours thrill, but if one person could learn from my mistakes without making them themselves, it'd make me very happy.

It's a very nice message and it makes you so beautiful in the inside. I already knew you were hot!

[fuckrogerbb]

I was told I had Hep C 20 years ago. I went to a specialist who gave me a gloom and doom future. Nothing ever happened after that and some years later I had another test and was free of the disease. I believe I had another test since then also negative. I hope that makes you feel better. I do fear Hep C more than HIV.

[BttmReady]

The latest treatment I've seen involves just pills.  No shots.  Side effects can be minimal, too.  

[PhoenixGeoff]

Once it's cleared, it's cleared.  Count yourself very lucky.

 

You can contract it again, so if you need some extra incentive to never go back to those habits that landed you with it, there it is.

[Fistulike666]

The lifestyle changes have been made months ago, with no plan of going back. My question was in regards to clearing the virus, which my body did on it's own. Is there a chance of it returning? 

Assuming the test result was accurate then it won't return from that exposure but Hep C is not like Hep A or B where you acquire immunity. With Hep C you can become re-infected after further exposure, also maybe with a different genotype. So, Hep C is pretty bad news all round.

[Leather69]

I too picked up a dose of hep C during a recent European trip - geno type 1(a).. Was going ok until my kidneys started playing up (but that's another story). The post by fill my arse sums up the situation very well. My specialist advised on Thursday that the levels were going down and there is a good chance that I will be in the lucky 20% who clear it naturally. Otherwise they are planning on medications in a few months after the kidney problems are solved.  

[houbtmbtch]

Took the 'cure' 10 years ago. Lost a year of my life and dropped about 20% of my body mass. No fun. The treatments are much better now. My husband was treated last spring and was undetectable in 30 days. Had to finish the treatment, of course, but is officially cleared of the virus. Best of luck to all who seek treatment from now on.

[Bottomhole]

Once it's cleared, it's cleared.  Count yourself very lucky.

 

You can contract it again, so if you need some extra incentive to never go back to those habits that landed you with it, there it is.

I think my main incentive to not go back is having better self esteem, being partnered and witnessing how much better my life has been since then. How much more I've accomplished when I don't spend my time looking for sex like an addict, having no regard for my health or who gets to touch or use me. But I can also add your point to the building list of reasons not to fuck around with my health. Thank you.

 

And thanks to everyone who took the time to reply.

 

HoleSucka and hungry_hole such lovely things to say. Many thanks.  

[Bottomhole]

Oh gosh when the more accurate test came back positive for Hep C. They said the levels were very low and that it might be clearing. Which has made me worry, I'm having another test in Jan to find out what's going on. I really hope I'm in the lucky 1/3 I just wish this would end. 

 

The call today confused me, as I was sure he said I had cleared it. 

[Leather69]

Looks like you are clearing it naturally.. but my understanding is that it only takes a few months, not the 9 to 10 that you have gone through.

My levels are going down too (infection oct in Europe), but have to get the kidneys sorted before the liver specialists have their time with me.

I would call back and get some clarification.