Pam's
Story
(by Pam )
I
was diagnosed with Hep C five years ago. My primary care doctor
didn't think it was of much concern. At that time I was having a lot
of health problems. My primary care doc thought I might have lupus,
and ran test for that. My Sed rate was elevated, and my liver
function test were not normal. He send me to a gastro doctor, who
said I had ulcers and a rheumatologist who said I had fibromyalgia.
My family doctor told me that I might want to have a liver biopsy done in
five years though. He prescribed ulcer meds and pain pills.
During
those five years there have been many days I felt like I was 90 years old.
Eight months ago, I told my new primary care doctor I was diagnosed
with Hep C five years ago. I was having severe pains in my bones and
joints, sharp pains in my side, fatigue. He thought it was just fibromyalgia causing all the problems and sent me to a
rheumatologist. The rheumatologist turned out to be the same one I
saw five years ago. The rheumatologist said my primary doctor was
looking at the fibromyalgia as causing other health problems when he
didn't think that was the case. He still had my records from five
years before and noted the Hep C had showed up on blood work then.
He sent my primary care doctor a report stating he needed to check my
liver function, and to do other lab work related to the Hep C. I had
more blood work done, and then went to see a liver specialist.
My
primary care doctor took almost a year to follow up on the tests needed,
because he was so sure it was only fibromyalgia causing a lot of my
problems. My liver specialist said my viral load is high and told me
my genotype was 1a. He wants to do a liver biopsy and start
treatment. I just saw the liver specialist two months ago. If
I would have been sent to him eight months ago, I wouldn't have a
problem with insurance. I was working, and had an income, my husband
was on medical leave from his work, and had an income. My problem is
I only get $200 a month now and the insurance from my husbands work has a
$250 deductible. My husband has COPD and his insurance for us will
run out in Jan. I went to the Welfare Office for my area and was
told I did not meet the requirements for Medi-Cal, because I didn't have
any children under 18 years, and I wasn't permanently disabled nor was I a
refugee. My husband is waiting for SSI to kick in, which could be
months for him. He told me I should apply for SSI also, yet from
what I gather on the Web, it is very hard to get SSI when you have Hep C.
I have heard you almost have to be on your death bed. I need to have
the biopsy and start treatment, yet I have no money. I told my liver
doctor that it feels like my body is attacking itself.
Two
weeks ago, I found out I am now a diabetic. My liver specialist said
the Hep C could be causing my blood sugar problems and other problems.
I don't know what to do, or where I can go for health care. I was
told the county clinic is another place I won't meet the requirements,
because I have health insurance, even if I can't afford the deductible
they told me, "Come back when you have no insurance!" I am so
thankful for all the web sites I have found relating to Hep C. It
has helped me understand, and I don't feel alone. There are millions
out there just like me. I live with pain every day, and anymore I
seem to get tired a lot. I end up having to take naps a lot.
The opinions expressed on
this page are solely those of the author and none of the information included is to be
misconstrued as medical advise.
Any
issues concerning this website should be addressed to:
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include the words "HEP C" in the subject line of your
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Copyright
© 1997-2012 National Hepatitis C Coalition, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
Last Updated
March 20, 2012
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