Hello @nick0912
Why do you think you have hepatitis Bvirus? Is your sexual encounter with the girl the only reason you think you have HBV?
Because if that’s the only reason, your chances of contracting, HBV are quite low, unless you had violent sex. I have read your previous post, and the only reason I can see that you ccould have contracted. HBV is from the sexual encounter that you had. I’ve had HBV for 40 years. I had a husband who wasn’t vaccinated against HBV. We had unprotected sex on numerous times before he was vaccinated against HBV.
I’m sorry for all the pain and frustration you are going through. Pain is so debilitating and sucks the life out of you.
I hope you have a diagnosis of your illness and are treated quickly.
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Hello Caraline.
Thanks for the reply. Yes that is the only reason i could see i got it… oral sex without condom, and sex with condom…
I dont know what it else should be, with alle the symptoms so far. Only time Can tell…
I got a time tomrrow with the doctor.
I just dont understand…
But some part of the day i feel “fine” with minimal pain, and then a other day or part of the day the pain and sickniss is just a other world. Looks like alot of flares is happening atm.
@nick0912
I hope you have success with the doctor.
It could be your digestive system that’s causing this on and off pain.
From your one encounter of sex, it’s unlikely to be HBV, maybe that’s why Doctor hasn’t tested you. He should though just to put your mind at rest.
Are you feeling guilty from your sexual encounter? I Could be wrong and probably am, but I get the impression that you might be Forgive me if I’m wrong or out of place.
Let us know what the doctor says .
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Hello again.
Thanks for your reply, no is not that, but thanks for asking!
But i went to the doctor today, and he Said 100% We should do some test, and one 1 hour later, i did.
They testet for this:
So just waiting for result now.
Dear @nick0912,
Sorry to hear about your experiences and hope you recover soon. Regarding your questions:
The definition of acute is resolution of the infection within 6 months. That said, there is a low chance that chronic infections are resolved.
Antiviral treatment can prevent ongoing liver damage. If this is the cause of your symptoms then they should go away with successful antiviral treatment. There may be other causes of abdominal pain though, as seen in this thread: Upper right quadrant pain.
Hepatitis B can be asymptomatic for decades and only cause symptoms later in life. The majority of people with chronic hep B got it during birth or during childhood, so this is a possibility. Again, the only way to be sure is to get a hep B panel blood test, which you have just gotten. Look forward to hearing back from you soon. Keep us updated!
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Thanks for your respons as always Thomas!
The result are already back, and this is it…
Hepatitis C virus-Ab [HCV-Ab]; P
NEGATIV
Hepatitis B virus c-IgM [HBc-IgM]; P
NEGATIV
HEPATITIS B VIRUS C-AB;P
NEGATIV
Hepatitis B virus e-Ab [Anti-HBe] ; P
NEGATIV
Hepatitis B virus e (AG) [HBeAg] ; P
NEGATIV
Hepatitis B virus s (Ag) [HBsAg]; P
NEGATIV
Hepatitis B virus s-Ab;P (I think that is Anti-HBs ) ?
Came back with 0.54 IU/L
What does all this mean? That I have been expoused to Hepatitis B, and mabye cleared it? or never got it? I dont understand the last one as I never have got the vaccine for HBV with the rest is negativ.
Im still wating for my doctor to call me today…
EDIT: The Doctor called me back, and said I should not be worry at all… he did not said anything else…
On some danish guidelines about S-AB I found this:
Reference interval
Negative: < 1.0 IU/L
Values > 1.0 IU/L and < 10 IU/L are not considered protective.
Values >= 10 IU/L are considered protective.
Hi @nick0912,
Great news that you are negative for Hep B and Hep C. Given your anti-HBs levels are negative, it is worth considering getting a Hep B vaccine course to make sure you are protected and you can rest easy if you have another potential exposure event.
Thomas
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Hi I wanted to introduce myself to the Hep B Community.
I’m Greg I’m a 57 Italian male I live between Italy and USA .
I have been reading HepBcommunity posts for the past few months and just found the courage and strength to post.
on June 29 2023 I was diagnosed with Acute Hepatits B shocked and devastated about the news. I developed anxiety and depression through the rolocaster of waiting
we are now in October 5 months have gone by and although still high my ASL (from 600 to 160) and and AST (from 400 to 70) are slowly going down
, my Viral loads is 170.000.000.
Although I have 1 more month to go to complete the six months ( acute ) given the high numbers and not response with antibodies my doctor wants me to start antivirals (TDF)
I’m upset and depressed I thought I was going to clear the virus but I haven’t. Instead I have this prospect of dark future with medicines, doctors , hospitals, cancer etc. I can’t get out of this by myself and I have started Psychotherapy for support. I feel alone, scared and very insecure about the future. Are you familiar with those feelings and how do you deal? any suggestion?
Thanks you
Greg
Dear @Gregory,
Welcome to the forum and thank you for sharing your story with us. So sorry to hear about the stressful events in your life, but please rest assured that it gets better over time. We have some threads where people have shared their strategies for coping with these issues:
- I fill depressed. With the high viral loads and starting treatment, what should I expect.?
- Depression and hep b
- How are you doing?: What it means to live with HBV
- Thinking of death lately. I’m just not okay
- New in this travel and very scared
- Hepatitis make my life hell
- How to move forward
Please know that you are not alone and there are many people who understand what you’re going through and how difficult it is.
Many of us here have chronic Hepatitis B (myself included) and we can live close to normal lives.
Hope this helps,
Thomas
Thanks you @ThomasTu for your kind words. It’s very hard to accept harsh realities! I hope with therapy I’ll manage somehow.
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Welcome @Gregory
Sorry you are going through this stressful time of uncertainty. Please try not to project the worst, hepatitis B can be managed well, not leading to cancer, it’s the mind that can be a battlefield.
Try and stay in the moment. Count the blessings in your life. Look at a beautiful sunset or scenery which you would have lots of in Italy. My grandparents were born in Milan, but I’ve never been to Italy.
Breath, deep breathing seems to help me .
Get on with your life. Do the things you have always dreamed of.
My diagnosis was a wake up call. I now enjoy my life and try to not dwell on worst case scenario.
Read all the posts. You are definitely not alone. Your feelings are valid also, but try not to let them run away.
Any questions or anything if you want to vent we are here for you
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Thanks you @Caraline I take all the encouragement at moment . Little by little I’ll get out of this depression. It never happened before in my life to feel so insicure and lonely. Nothing exites me, feeling like I’m on an island by myself. I can’t take this situation out of my head even though I try…… just started the therapy I’m on the second day of TDF. Thanks you again for taking the time to reach out to me.
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Hi Everyone. My name is Elizabeth and I am 28yo and have had HBV since birth. I was born in and currently reside in the USA. My mom contracted it in the Philippines when she was an infant and passed it on to me. I watched my mom battle this disease all my life. She was treated in 2004 with interferon and lamivudine and is now testing negative for HBV infection! At the time of her treatment she found comfort in these forums and recommended I join the online community.
As for me, after 10 years of close monitoring through labs, ultrasounds, and fibroscans, my doctor and I have decided it’s time to start implementing treatment. I will be starting Peg-interferon and tenofovir next week for 24 weeks. Unfortunately, I have genotype C and my doctor said there’s a chance the treatment doesn’t work because of how aggressive my virus is, but we’re hoping for the best. Because I have seen my mom go through this process, I am well prepared for what’s coming, however, my husband has never had anyone in his life with this level of illness, or this severe of medication. Any advice on how to prepare him mentally for what’s coming or how to best support me through this process?
Thanks in advance!
Welcome @Elizabeth95
I’ve been on Entercavir for about 5 years. With no side effects. It has lowered my liver results so no damage is done.
Is it necessary for you to have Interferon ?
From my understanding it is quite severe.
I have lived experience of chronic HBV, 40 years, but not an expert.
Some one will help you further, soon.
I’m sorry you are going through this but well done for being proactive and contacting us.
We are here for you.
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Hi @Elizabeth95 ,
Welcome to the platform. As Caraline mentioned, I have not been on interferon but those who have do not have nice things to say about it. It is good that you were with your mom when she had her treatment so at least you know something to prepare you for this journey. For your husband, I will say talk to him. Share with him what you observed your mom go through. You might not have the same experience but it will be great to let him know so he will be able to find ways to support you. His support will be helpful. Wishing you the best and keep us posted. Bansah1.
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Hi @Elizabeth95,
Welcome to the forum and hope you find the support you need here.
To answer your question, many people have different experiences with interferon. Please see these threads: Peg interferon treatment and Experiences and queries about interferon therapy and feel free to ask any follow up questions there.
Cheers,
Thomas
Hi @Caraline and @Bansah1 . Thank you guys for the warm welcome.
My MD has opted to start me on the interferon therapy due to how quickly my labs have taken a turn for the worst. Funny enough, my moms progression was on the exact same timeline with things getting significantly worse very quickly once she turned 29 years old. She ended up having cirrhosis and was extremely close to needing a transplant, but fortunately had a good response to her medications. At the time, she was part of the interferon clinical trials and was only able to complete 4 months before having to stop because the side effects were so bad. Fortunately, that amount of time actually worked and she’s now HepB negative on lab tests. The idea is that hopefully I’ll have the same positive response and we’ll be able to reach a functional cure early before I start having children. I’m young and otherwise in perfect health, so I’ve got that working for me. I think my MD chose the interferon too because I’m genotype C which has shown to be resistant to some treatments.
As for my husband, I’ve filled him in on all the details of my family’s past experiences with interferon therapy. Hoping things go smoothly next week!
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That is great. I am E genotype and have no idea how that will respond. We will all be cheering you on and hope that it goes well; and you can clear it in a shorter time than your mom. Keep us posted on how it goes when you get a chance. Best, Bansah1.
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