Hepatitis C questions....?

Question

My sister was in jail for 5 years she got out in April she just recently was admitted to the hospital and diagnosed with Hepatitis C, she says she got it from jail, but we have found out she is back on drugs, also the hospital discharged her without any medication does this make any sense??? I live out of state so I have not seen her, any comments or advice. Thank you

Answer 1

HepC transmitted mostly by IV drug use however can be transmitted in other ways as well. It is transmitted by blood transfer only... Interferon combined with Rebetrol (Peg-Intron and Rebetrol combination therapy is best if you can get it) is currently the treatment for HepC however there are new drugs on the horizon,,, Therapy is very expensive ($500/injection 2 years ago) at about 3x per week for a year... It makes you feel like you just got the flu after every injection (you give yourself). If married, then I hope it is a good relationship to weather the crazy mood swings that accompany the treatment. There are also many other side effects. Doctors will keep a close eye out for depression as one of the side effects (big surprise). It's not fun and the drug is also in such high demand that there is a waiting list... At risk people; people with drug habits or severe liver damage are not likely candidates for the therapy.

Answer 2

Hepatitis C can be transmitted through extremely minute blood particles. Typically, Hep C is transmitted through IV drug use and can be transmitted through unprotected sex, but could also be caught in a number of more "innocent" ways. The hospital discharged her without med's because there aren't many effective ones. At some stage in the illness, the doc may try a drug called interferon, but it is really expensive, and oftentimes is not covered by insurance.

As her sister, I would ask that you be more concerned with the fact that she has a (usually) fatal disease, and try to stop worrying about how she got it.

My wife had Hep C for about 15 years. Eventually, she had two different liver transplants before she died.

I wish your family the best.

Answer 3

There are no drugs that will wipe out Hep C like you would take antibiotics to get rid of an infection. The reason they didn't give her any is because the few drugs that are out there that have any chance of working require months of being on them with pretty serious side effects and are also very expensive. This is something either her or you needs to investigate further. One of the older Hep C drugs that I know of was called Interferon, the results were not all that promising with this one but I have recently heard of some brand new drugs on the market and in clinical trials. The newer ones on the market from what I've heard have a possibility of working but also the possibility of some very bad side effects. All I can suggest is research, research, research and seek out any Hep C support groups for up to date information. Good Luck!

Answer 4

If she is back on drugs, no one will treat her anyway, because it will defeat the purpose of the drugs. Doctors insist a patient has to be clean a good 6 months or more before even thinking about treatment. Some of those in recovery refuse the meds for hcv because they are afraid self injection of antiviral meds will cause them to relapse.

Yes, your sister could of gotten HCV in jail, along with other diseases as it is not the cleanest place to be.

I have found through my research that those who think they got HCV sharing drugs probably had HCV prior to that since the usual first symptom of a viral infection such as HCV is derpession and depression can cause a person to self medicate-especially if a doctor is quick to push someone out the exam room!

If she does not stop her drug use, along with that are more bad behaviours, she could not only end up back in jail, but more sick with something else!

If you talk to her, PLEASE tell her you understand and that you want to help. Tell her it is the HCV causing her need for more drugs. Tell her she will die a lot sooner if she doesn't try to become drug free. HCV plays heavily on those that further weaken their bodies by drugs.

Try calling Schering Plough's
http://www.beincharge.com/bic/application
If your sister can stay clean, she could qualify for free meds!!
Other pharmie's might be able to help if she doesn't qualify.

Last but not least, your sister will need some support....not just over the phone. I'm talking somewhere to stay where she needs to rest. Chemo-if she can get on it, is a biatch....the more rest, the better.

I wish you both good luck, extra prayers your way.

stephanie

Answer 5

Hepatitis C can be caught from a variety of ways. Drug use can lead to infection, so can unprotected intercourse.

To get medication, to help with some of the symptoms, then she has to go to her normal doctor. But please note, if the HC has taken too far a hold of her body there is nothing they can do about it.

The website that helped me most was this: http://www.emedicinehealth.com/hepatitis_c/article_em.htm
My mom passed away from it and by the time she found out she had it, the tumor on the liver was covering about 1/2 of it. She was too far advanced to do chemo or a transplant...

she has to be very careful!

Answer 6

40% of folk with continual, energetic hep c have liver enzymes interior the traditional variety, that's why an excellent sort of folk do no longer discover out they are HCV advantageous. additionally, white blood cellular counts are no longer affected. So those are unreliable indicators of no remember if or no longer somebody could be contaminated. i might retest, then if the retest comes returned reactive or advantageous, i might then advise a HCV PCR RNA (viral load try). If that comes returned showing any sort of viral debris (shown in IU's ), then meaning you have hep c. if it is the case, then you definitely will must be vaccinated to furnish your self with protection against Hep A or B (provided which you do not have already got the antibodies). you do no longer choose a double attack on your liver. there is antiviral therapy that has a 50-80% threat of clearing the virus, looking on your genotype (yet another sort of blood try), yet we are getting earlier than ourselves right here. One final factor, collectively as the scientific community is purely purely commencing as much as apply the "scientific care" word, there are various people who've cleared this ailment in the time of the interferon therapy. If somebody has maintained an undetectable viral load for greater effective than three hundred and sixty 5 days submit therapy, the probabilities of the virus returning are under 2% except they are re-uncovered to danger factors. ultimate desires to you.

Answer 7

Hep C will kill you even if you're willing to fight it. If all you're willing to do is go back on drugs and God knows what else, then the hospital shouldn't bother giving her meds.

Killed a friend of mine, and he worked HARD taking care of himself.

Answer 8

Not unusual, if she has no ins. they probably don't do a lot. there isn't a lot they can do I don't think besides treat the symptoms. She can go to the health Dept. and see if they charge by income if she needs treatment. Good luck. Not a lot you can do so far away and with her doing what she is doing. It is sad. I will pray for her and you.

Answer 9

Maybe this can help
http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/hepc_ez/