A post was merged into an existing topic: Deciding when to start treatment
Hello!
Sounds good you on the right track! keep it that way!
May I ask how you got a GF/Wife when you have Hep B, as is to be real, not for every one… did you date before saying you had it ect ect? or just said it before even dating.
Hello @ThomasTu @PuallyHBV and everyone! It has been a couple years since I last posted. I apologize for “leaving” the community so abruptly. Nothing was wrong, thankfully. Just navigating life changes, getting beyond COVID, and switching jobs in different states. My health has been relatively fine, thankfully. Ultrasounds have been done every six months since diagnosis in 2021 with no issues. I have an elastography scheduled for this September 2026 which will determine if I need to repeat ultrasounds every six months again or shift to annually. In my last medical appointment this past March, my newest doctor (I live near a major research I university, thankfully), an expert in infections, said: “Your labs show that the hepatitis is under excellent control. Counts are suppressed which is excellent.” My blood pressure is also under control. Cholesterol is a challenge but managed. Potassium is also a challenge but managed.
On the “down side,” my recent medical visit revealed that I have too much protein in urine (I figured those bubbles would be a problem 
), so we are watching that closely. I plan to reduce even more carbs and increase even more good fats, fish, fruits, and vegetables. I also do intermittent fasting still and am regaining control of the weight I lost just before COVID hit. Ironically, I’ve been worrying so much about the liver,but it’s my kidneys that are blindsiding me. Because of history of diabetes in the family, I need to pay extra attention to my wellness.
But I am still grateful for my health even with the challenges because I know the situation could be much worse.
How are others doing out there?
Stay positive. Stay safe.
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Great to hear from you and glad everything is going OK, @hopefulone! No need to apologise, the community is here whenever you need it!
TT
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Hello everyone, hope you’re all doing well.
First, I want to thank @hopefulone for starting this topic, and everyone here who takes the time to support others with their experiences and advice.
I’m 23 now. I found out I had chronic HepB during my first year of college, mid 2024, after a routine checkup required for lab access. At the time, I was already going through a difficult period. I had moved to Italy for family reasons and was trying to adapt to a new country, a new language, and a degree taught entirely in that language. Despite the challenges, I was making good progress and doing well academically.
Then, at the end of that first year, I got the diagnosis.I had already scheduled my HepB vaccination, which left me feeling angry and frustrated when I learned it was too late. I will never forget that day. The shock, fear, confusion, and endless questions were overwhelming. The first six months were by far the hardest, but the anxiety never really went away.
Since then, I’ve felt like I’m living two lives: the one everyone sees—a young, healthy, fit student—and the one that quietly struggles with this diagnosis every day. I’ve become isolated, haven’t told anyone except my therapist, fell behind in my studies, lost motivation, and stopped exercising because I often feel physically weak and give up. Mentally, it’s been extremely difficult. I honestly can’t remember the last time I felt truly happy.
I don’t drink, I try to eat healthy, and I’m attending therapy, but I’m still dealing with significant depression. Recently, I’ve been considering opening up to my parents, something I’ve discussed in another topic here, some of you have already helped a lot on that, i’m almost ready to disclose. If you are interested: Living with hepB in silence — Afraid to tell my parents . I hope doing this might bring some peace to my heart.
Finding this community has made me feel less alone, and for that I’m incredibly grateful. Thank you all
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Thank you @Joedoe for your update.
I’m truly sorry you are going through this.
I was impressed with your determination and success with your degree. How hard that must be, in another language!
Well done.
I’m glad you are seeing a therapist. I hope it helps.
Everything you are doing is good. Keep going and dont give up.
HepB is not the end of the world. Most people in this life are dealing with something. They just don’t show it. Well, some do and some don’t.
Take one day at a time, live in the moment. Look at the birds, the sky, the trees, the ocean, flowers. Seek beauty. Be thankful, I know it’s not easy. I have depression so I understand.
Not sure I told you but I’m turning 66 years old in a few months! I didn’t think I would live this long with HepB.
All my results are good. I was diagnosed in 1980.
We are here for you. Keep in touch.
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Hello Joedoe
I understand the news came as a complete shock particularly at your stage of life. You are in a new country with so much potential in front. You start mapping out how your life will play out. Qualification you gain, who you meet and fall in love with, what career you have and where it will take you. Than boom, the news you least expected and didn’t want to hear.
You can still achieve all of this. Theres nothing to stop you from getting it. You may have a few detours, may end up where you least expected. you will have many low points and question everything. I’m not going to sugar coat it, I can guarantee this. But I guarantee as well, those will times will pass, but the experience will mold you as a human being. Cheesy as it may sound you will learn more about yourself.
I got the news I was a hep b carrier about a couple years before your current age. Abit about me. I was born in Vietnam, moved to NZ at an early age as a refugee. My mother didn’t have the illness, so I don’t think it was mother to child transmission. What I have been told is, is that I was very sick as a child and I was lucky to survive. I actually have scars to the underside of my knuckles which suggest I had an unknown procedure at the time. There is a possibility that the scapel like instrument was never sterilised properly. I never pressed for answers, I understood it was a traumatic time and conditions would have been challenging. It is what it is.
I agree with Caraline, you are doing very well with your studies. I know it’s hard to concentrate when you are feeling depressed. Like I said above you can still achieve it all. Also what you envisage at your age quite possibly be different to what you envisage when you are older. Gaining experience and knowledge along the way will most likely alter your perception. Also agree try to enjoy the simple things in life. I enjoy a good Neapolitan style pizza. You are in the country that is the birthplace of pizza. I’m kind of envious in a good way 
I do encourage you to stick with the training. Adrenaline is a very powerful thing and it can help push you through sessions. The illness shouldn’t prevent you from pushing your limits. But I do think what you have to be mindful is getting the right amount of rest/recovery. Good things happen during the rest period, as well getting good nutrition. I don’t know if you will have the fully rested feeling, but if you don’t chances are you learn to tolerate it.
Please stay connected. Keep us updated how you are going!
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Thank you @Joedoe for sharing your story and for all others for your consistent support of everyone who comes through these doors.
Just an aside that when you disclose, people can also be in shock and react based on their limited understanding of the condition. It can take a while for people to find out more information about it, which is another reason why we have set up this community - to provide that accessible information to people who need it (not just the person diagnosed with hepatitis B).
If it helps, please refer them to this forum - we have helped answer the questions of partners and loved ones of people living with hepatitis B.
Thomas
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