Another Health Report...Just Found Out I Have Hepatitis

[BigBollocks]

Just got the results of some bloodwork back, and was informed I have hepatitis. A cursory glance at WebMD says it can be anything from a little bit bad to constant pain to life threatening and requiring a liver transplant. Anyone familiar with this disease that can share a little more about what this entails? If there are any posters looking to take a potshot, I kindly ask that you do it in another thread (it's sad to even have to say that). Horrible news to say the least...

A sincere thank you for any/all information that is shared, as all of our health is always what is most important...

[jjgold]

Which one??

A B or C

[SBR Lou]

I'm not too familiar with this BB, but I'd just like to lend my support if you ever are feeling down, with how advanced medicine and health care is these days, there are plenty worse boats to be in. You are one of my favorite posters sir.

[jjgold]

Hepatitis is most commonly caused by one of three viruses:

* the hepatitis A virus
* the hepatitis B virus
* the hepatitis C virus

In some rare cases, the Epstein Barr Virus (which causes mononucleosis) can also result in hepatitis because it can cause inflammation of the liver. Other viruses and bacteria that also can cause hepatitis include hepatitis D and E, varicella (chickenpox), and cytomegalovirus (CMV).

Hepatitis A
In children, the most common form of hepatitis is hepatitis A (also called infectious hepatitis). This form is caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV), which lives in the stools (feces or poop) of infected individuals. Infected stool can be present in small amounts in food and on objects (from doorknobs to diapers).

The hepatitis A virus is spread:

* when someone ingests anything that's contaminated with HAV-infected stool (this makes it easy for the virus to spread in overcrowded, unsanitary living conditions)
* in water, milk, and foods, especially in shellfish

Because hepatitis A can be a mild infection, particularly in children, it's possible for some people to be unaware that they have had the illness. In fact, although medical tests show that about 40% of urban Americans have had hepatitis A, only about 5% recall being sick. Although the hepatitis A virus can cause prolonged illness up to 6 months, it typically only causes short-lived illnesses and it does not cause chronic liver disease.

Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B (also called serum hepatitis) is caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). HBV can cause a wide spectrum of symptoms ranging from general malaise to chronic liver disease that can lead to liver cancer.

The hepatitis B virus spreads through:

* infected body fluids, such as blood, saliva, semen, vaginal fluids, tears, and urine
* a contaminated blood transfusion (uncommon in the United States)
* shared contaminated needles or syringes for injecting drugs
* sexual activity with an HBV-infected person
* transmission from HBV-infected mothers to their newborn babies

Hepatitis C
The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is spread by direct contact with an infected person's blood. The symptoms of the hepatitis C virus can be very similar to those of the hepatitis A and B viruses. However, infection with the hepatitis C virus can lead to chronic liver disease and is the leading reason for liver transplant in the United States.

The hepatitis C virus can be spread by:

* sharing drug needles
* getting a tattoo or body piercing with unsterilized tools
* blood transfusions (especially ones that occurred before 1992; since then the U.S. blood supply has been routinely screened for the disease)
* transmission from mother to newborn
* sexual contact (although this is less common)

Hepatitis C is also a common threat in kidney dialysis centers. Rarely, people living with an infected person can contract the disease by sharing items that might contain that person's blood, such as razors or toothbrushes.

[BigBollocks]

I'm not too familiar with this BB, but I'd just like to lend my support if you ever are feeling down, with how advanced medicine and health care is these days, there are plenty worse boats to be in. You are one of my favorite posters sir.

Likewise crazyl, I love your wit sir. Ain't no liver going to keep me from mucking around on here

[Shark79]

Hey BB,

Sorry to hear that.

You might find this Wiki Info useful:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hepatitis

Good Luck!

[BigBollocks]

Thanks JJ, great information sir. B---Caused by vaginal fluids, eh? I don't do drugs and haven't given birth.

Unreal. Taken down by vaginal fluids. What a way to go, eh?

[BigBollocks]

Hey BB,

Sorry to hear that.

You might find this Wiki Info useful:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hepatitis

Good Luck!

Thanks Shark. Damn brother, just reading that scared the living daylights out of me. It's like hepatitis getting a free roll on you in sportsbook terms. It's either going to be a little bad, pretty bad, or all the way bad.

JJ I should add that I've had my bloodwork tested twice, and both times have come up for acute hepatitis. The doctor today told me she believed it was "B," but I'm set to go back for more tests shortly.

What percentage of Americans have had it I wonder...

[matskralc]

Thanks JJ, great information sir. B---Caused by vaginal fluids, eh? I don't do drugs and haven't given birth.

Do you drink? Alcohol can cause it, too.

At any rate, best of luck to you.

[minet123]

If its Hep C don't believe the BS about the Liver Biopsy feeling like a bee sting
OMG THAT FREAKIN HURT FOR 2 WEEKS
I chose not to go the interferon route and have had no problems for the past 7 years
However I change my "partying" lifestyle and have tried to eat healthier

[BigBollocks]

Do you drink? Alcohol can cause it, too.

At any rate, best of luck to you.

Very rarely. I'll knock back some whiskey and coke or gin a few times a month. Thanks mats...

[capitalist pig]

BB, what did your DR say? IMO, this isnt something you read about on the web, you need to seek medical care. Whatever lab did the blood work would have notified your DR, and they should have been in contact with you.

Dont put this off, seek medical advice, best of luck to you my friend.

later

[Shark79]

Thanks Shark. Damn brother, just reading that scared the living daylights out of me. It's like hepatitis getting a free roll on you in sportsbook terms. It's either going to be a little bad, pretty bad, or all the way bad.

Your danm right!

I also started to read it ... and it wasnt any good read IMO.

Just by looking at the multiple options (which are not very comforting) you can see how and why this can get to you. Pretty danm scary!

Best of lucks to you bro!

[swede96]

I think they covered all the info, I just wanted to say sorry dude.

[BigBollocks]

Thanks CP. I actually spoke with my doctor just down the road from you in Tallahassee about this. I started noticing things when I was getting naucious during my routine workouts a couple of months back, followed by routine headaches and such. Then the urine thing no matter how much water I drink....

Cheers Shark and Swede (the two S's). Serious diseases are never fun

[BadNina]

On the bright side, Mama Judd (Ashley's mom) has hepatitis and seems to be doing pretty well. I hope the same for you BB!

[diogee]

I wish only the best for you BB...you are a grade A poster for sure

[Deuce]

You are in my thoughts and prayers sir.

[Poker_Beast]

Good luck buddy, sure everything will be alright!

[imgv94]

God Bless you sir..

[MadCapper]

Speedy recovery sir.

You are one of the good guys.

[chandler1981]

BB, I am sorry to hear this news, although technology and medicine are so advanced that I think at your age you will be able to control this virus.

When I first arrived at SBR, you were one that helped me tremendously and offered much needed advice.

I appreciate you as a poster and a truely classy guy.

You are being prayed for my friend! Godspeed recovery!

Sincerely,

Chandler

[chandler1981]

Oh yea, thanks for the Kansas play tonight! (I think) lol

[wtt0315]

Check the resturants you have eat in. This is a cause of the hep virus. When i was in the border patrol we were told 2 % of the illegals coming in had either hep or tubercolois. A lot of our agents caught one or the other. I have had the vaccines and if they caught yours early enough the vaccines still can help, but you should try if your doctor says its ok. I pray for you and your family and pray its not hep C. Hep C is the most dangerous of the 3. The other two are a hassle but you can live with them with no problems. C on the other hand can be dealt with but brother you are in for a long hard road. I have seen friends with all 3. A lot people have this and believe it or not a lot of people live with the viruses without even knowing it. Stay away from alcohol. Alcohol cannot cause the virus but it does weaken your liver and will make you sick. Also watch your diet and stay away from fatty acid foods that is hard for your liver to digest. I am not a expert on this but have know a good 10-12 people with these viruses. Stay strong bro and stay postive.

[BigBollocks]

Chandler, WTT, **, IMGV, Deuce, Diogee, and Nina....thank you all for the knowledge and well wishes. Best community on the net---bar none!

We'll just have to raise the bar on funny stories, as I'd rather go out from a busted gut than a bad liver...

Anymore stories from JJ telling us that he can give every guy here an erection mind send me the other way, however

[mr. leisure]

Good luck ,i`ll say a prayer for you.I hope its not hep C thats the bad one

[5 star bomb]

BB I will pray for you tonight. Stay strong buddy you will be fine

[treece]

Big Bollocks may be dead. he hasn't posted in 3 weeks.

[SBR_John]

BB ain't no quitter. It have to be a real bad beat to take him down. He'll be back.

[SBR Lou]

Miss you, BB. Get back soon..

[Al Masters]

Hey BB,Crazy just informed me of this thread, It' with great
sadness that i read this thread, as i was wondering about you in another thread
when Crazy led me to this thread.

I wish you nothing but the best in your battle with this problem you have.

I ALWAYS HAD RESPECT FOR YOUR POSTING ABILITIES AND YOUR PERSONA.

GET WE'LL SOON OLD SBR BUDDY!!!!


..............................AL

[Al Masters]

Big Bollocks may be dead. he hasn't posted in 3 weeks.

douchbag comment

[pavyracer]

This is PU.

BigBollocks is being treated in the same facility that curious is recouperating from his war injuries and near terminal disease. They are both non-quitters and they will survive. It's sad to hear that good posters are stricken with disease within weeks of each other.

I will lit a candle for them at church tomorrow and ask Father George to pray for them.