Hello Ellen, I just wanted to add a comment to the response Thomas gave you, regarding switching from Tenofovir to Entecavir. There is one possible reason that this would make sense to me and that is if you are on TDF rather than TAF, there is a risk of bone loss over time with TDF which is not an issue with Entecavir (or with TAF). After 10 years of being on TDF I was diagnosed with osteoporosis, which now that I’m approaching age 70 is becoming more of an issue. In retrospect I think for me Entecavir might have been a better choice for this reason.
I would also add that it may ease your anxiety a bit to know that many people (including 3 of my family) have lived fulfilling lives with very little impact from our HBV for many decades now. My mother, who was infected with chronic HBV as a teenager is now 97 years old and still doing just fine!
Warmly, Karin
Waaaaaw this gives me much much smiles and hopes.
Sorry to ask. How has she been able to reach this far given all the threats I hear about this virus???
Has she been on medication and if yes, for how long has she taken the medication???
THANKS DEAR AND MAY GOD CONTINUE PROTECTING AND PROVIDING FOR YOUR MUM
I think my mother’s story is not only inspiring but also a reminder of how much progress has been made in understanding and treating HBV over the decades. My mom got an acute case of HBV in 1944 in Eastern Europe during WWII. Because conditions there were so difficult, (not enough food, having to flee a hospital before getting well, etc.) her HBV became chronic and within a few years, she was given a prognosis of having only a few years left to live, because the doctor felt hard spots in her liver and concluded that her cirrhosis was fairly advanced. There were no test and nobody did biopsies back then. My mom sought out a naturopathic doctor who advised her to eat a low fat diet with a lot of fruits and vegetables, which back then was not usually recommended to people with the digestive issues she had, but of course now we know that this was good advice. She credits this with helping her recover. She went on to have 3 daughters, the two older of us were infected, but my younger sister was not. We think it’s likely that my mother seroconverted to e antigen negative before my younger sister was born which probably spared her from becoming infected.
My mother was never on medication because, for many years there was none available and then, after about 50 years of chronic infection, at age 75 she spontaneously converted the HBV surface antigen and developed surface antibodies, which I think is what is now called a “functional cure”. At age 97 now, she attributes this to always having kept a positive attitude about her health and not worrying too much about having HBV. She said that after surviving the harrowing experiences in WWII she wasn’t too worried about a little virus. I think it’s important to remember that, while of course now that we know more and have more options, we would be wise to monitor and treat as needed, HBV is a disease that many people have lived with quite well for a long time, and I hope that this can help ease some of the anxiety that most of us experience when we are first diagnosed.
Good morning to everyone in the community
I was diagnosed with chronic hepatitis last year
This year I took another test
HBSG dropped from 5000 to 1200 and my viral load dropped from 400 to 340
Positive for Hbe antibodies
Anti Hbe positive
I have never taken any medication
Could it be eliminating the virus?
Dear @Manuela,
Thanks for sharing your experience, and it is a good sign that your body’s immune system is fighting the infection. It is common for these levels to go up and down though, so you need to monitor the levels over time to see if they consistently go down. It is also helpful to get liver function tests to see how your liver health is going.
Thomas
Hello everyone! I’m new to the group. I found out that I’m chronic HBV while I was pregnant with my first child at age 23. It was a very surprise to me, but I might had to get it when I was an infant having a surgery. I’m 33 years now, never been on the treatment, I had 3 kids all got all the protection vaccines during the birth and tested them when they were 1 to see if the didn’t get the virus.
I haven’t been on the treatment yet. I wanted to post my labs and results to see your feedback if I should seek a treatment yet or not.
Hello, I’m new here and am trying to figure out how the threads work. I am a chronic carrier from birth and am 29 now. I joined the community because recently my blood tests have shown increased viral load and elevated ALT/AST so my doctor recommended I may have to start treatment soon and I am very concerned. As someone who already has general anxiety and health anxiety, this is pretty much wrecking my mental health and enjoyment of life (despite no physical things affecting me yet).
3 posts were merged into an existing topic: Vemlidy (Tenofovir Alafenamide) in the UK
Hi @kostas,
Welcome to the community and thanks for sharing your experience. I understand and empathize with you hearing that you need to start treatment. While it sounds tough, think of it as a way of saving your liver. Your initial reactions are normal and expected, we all have been through it. Please try not to overwhelm yourself too much about this. Taking these pills is a live saver and they become an easy part of our routine. It is hard initially, but you will get there. Best, Bansah1
Welcome @Angie
So glad your children have been vaccinated. And you even checked. Well done and nice to have you here.
Your doctor or healthcare provider will let you know when or if you need treatment.
Are you having blood tests and ultrasound every six months?
Blessings
Welcome @kostas
Thank you for being so honest. Most of us here suffer anxiety and depression from having this disease and then having to take medication for the rest of our life.
But it is actually a blessing to be able to have this medication. There is not many side-effects none that affects my life in the beginning. I felt a bit nausea. That soon went away. If we don’t take this medication, our liver starts to deteriorate, so it is a good thing, and I am grateful for the medication.
I find keeping busy and helping others takes my mind off myself and my anxiety.
I hope that you will come to terms with this, and keep posting your thoughts, because that is helpful also.
Great to hear from you @Angie. Thank you for sharing your experiences and welcome to the forum. It’s great that you were able to prevent any onward infection!
Thomas
Hi @Caraline, thanks for the reply. You’re right we are fortunate we have the medicine to treat us and that we have access to it, a lot of people in the world don’t. I’m trying to focus on things I’m grateful for instead of worrying - like that I have health insurance to help w the cost of it, a hepatologist I like and trust, access to resources and meds…. a support system…. I think this is the only way to change my mindset and get some peace 
Fantastic attitude, @Kostas! Thank you for sharing and hope it inspires hope in others!
New here ,recently diagnosed with hepatitis, I believe I’m still on acute stage , recently I did dna viral loads test , it shows 2300ml on week 13, what are my chances to clearly before week 20 ? Also I would to hear from people who had acute hepatitis, their dna viral loads around week 10-14 .
Hi, I’m new here. I married an Australian and in the process of applying for a partner visa. When I did a health assessment, the doctor just told me that I have hepatitis B and would need to do more blood test next week. Now other than worrying about my visa applications, I have to worry about hepB too. I’ve talked to my husband about it and he’s very supportive. I haven’t tell our family members yet. I don’t know how did I get hepB or how long I’ve been infected because both my husband and I don’t do random sex, we don’t do drugs or share needles, and I don’t think my late mom has hepB too. When I told my husband about it, he made me cry when he said it’s ok, he doesn’t mind getting infected by me. But I don’t want him to get infected, if both of us are unwell and we need to have regular check-ups and all that, it will cost more. I’m currently unemployed and I’m not sure if I’ll get discriminated if people knows that I have hepB. I’ve been reading a lot about hepB and how it affects our life. I tried to stay positive but I just can’t help it. I know it’s not the end of world but I don’t know and just not sure how to deal with it.
Hi @Imanis, sorry to hear about your experiences. I’m not sure there are good tools or studies about HBV DNA load and likelihood of clearance post exposure.
Sorry to hear about that @Mezzo. Indeed, many people here have successfully migrated and got visas for Australia even though they are HBV-positive (Hepatitis B and Immigration/visa issues and Australian Visa and Hep B Guide)
Regarding when you were infected, the majority of people with a chronic infection were exposed when they were newborns (e.g., mother to child) or early on as children (e.g., cuts during playing) and are asymptomatic throughout the first half of their lives. It could have been any time that you could have been exposed.
There are many people (including myself) who have HBV-negative partners. Protection is easy and effective, just a vaccine course.
I haven’t experienced any discrimination in Australia regarding employment, but I am a researcher in the field, so I guess I’m in the best case scenario.
Please do keep us up to date with how you are going.
Thomas
A post was merged into an existing topic: Please help understanding my lab results
Thank you Dr. I’m still trying to get a grasp of everything. Apart from my husband, now my mil and sil already aware of my condition too. I’m just thankful that they’re very supportive and understanding.
I’ve done Hep C and LFT test today. I really hope it’s not too bad. The doctor hasn’t say anything yet except for I need more test. Since my diagnosis, I’ve been reading a lot about hepatitis. Even though it’s not a death sentence, I’m still scared, angry and upset. It’s gonna take a while to accept this but hopefully, I’ll be able to. I’m worried and stressed, I tend to think too much.
I’m obese and I’m trying to change our meal plan now. I’ve been reading and taking notes of what foods are best for people with Hep B and for healthier liver. I’ve asked my husband to do blood test too but he hasn’t book any appointment yet. My instinct said he probably already have it too because we’ve been married for almost 2 years now but I really hope that he’s free from Hep B.
Is there any chance that my blood test might be inaccurate? Does stress and obesity caused inaccuracies for Hep B test? Thank you Dr.
Welcome @Mezzo
I’m sorry you are in this situation.
The positive of my diagnosis is it changed my eating habits and attitude towards life.
I’m now quite healthy, full of energy and enjoying my life. Time is special.
I’ve had HBV over 40 years without complications. So you can live a long life.
It’s very important for your husband to get vaccinated. I’m worried he doesn’t seem to see the urgency of getting get and vaccinated. Practice safe sex until he is vaccinated.
Stress will harm your liver over long periods but my opinion is it wouldn’t cause inaccuracies.
Stigma is still an issue. Only my family know I have it. Telling people raises too may questions I can’t answer. I don’t like discussing it unless it’s in a medical context like this community.
Fantastic you are changing your diet. You will feel so much better. Obesity leads to so many diseases that are more likely to cause cancer and death. Exercise is important too. Start small steps, walking is great.
Keep us informed we are here to help.