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Angela Wright said:What exactly are you afraid of?😕 That a test might actually come back positive? Look, if you have it, you have it whether you test for it or not, and by putting this off, you're just stealing precious treatment time from yourself (assuming it's something that needs treating).😳 Come on, you're an adult. You're a grown woman who can handle real life, and you know deep down that ignoring a problem doesn't make it disappear. Think about it: if this were someone close to you going through exactly what you're going through, what would you tell them to do? What steps would you take for them?
Believe me, speaking from experience, start doing actual research and you'll feel much better because you'll finally be taking action toward a solution. Don't look for answers here; you won't find them. This forum is just a rabbit hole where you can wander aimlessly, which will only drive you deeper into anxiety and lead you down the wrong path. Just get your act together, see your doctor, and get a referral for blood work. If it's hepatitis, your liver enzymes will likely flag it. If those numbers are off, they'll give you a referral for specific hepatitis markers. You'll head over to the local Mayo Clinic facility, they'll draw your blood, and you'll finally have a real answer. If that's not it, you keep digging until you find the root cause of why you're feeling this way. Everything will be sorted out; you just have to start the process. And hey, bring a close friend along for support—someone to comfort you if you get overwhelmed and maybe take you out for ice cream afterward.👍
I know, I know, I totally get it. It's just that I still need to find the motivation to actually get out there and do it. Is it even possible to get testing done for free and anonymously in a city like Chicago?
Since you're talking about your own personal experience; if you don't mind, maybe you could shoot me a private message and tell me your story (hopefully a positive one!!!)—just to give me a little bit of comfort and maybe some actual solid advice..
thanks so much.
Hey everyone, thanks so much for all the replies.
The truth is, I’ve started spiraling a little bit and honestly, I'm starting to freak out. About a year and a half ago, I had one—literally just one—risky encounter with someone I knew somewhat vaguely. One of the potential symptoms of hepatitis (if they even show up at all) can be muscle and joint aches. Of course, there are plenty of other symptoms that I’m definitely not feeling, like nausea, digestive issues, stomach pain, or extreme fatigue... but I feel totally wrecked by this right now. Yeah, that's where I'm at. Since that encounter, I haven't been with anyone else, and I've gone to my gynecologist a few times where everything came back perfectly fine (just some minor, standard inflammation here and there).
I know, I know, I really should just go get tested. I get that completely, but I am seriously terrified!
I tried to revive that old thread about hepatitis, but it seems like nobody is biting.
In the meantime, I’ve been obsessively scouring the internet, just trying to find some way to quiet these fears, even if it's just for a moment.
Maybe I should just start a brand new thread about hepatitis?
Over the last few days, I’ve been dealing with some really strange symptoms. I’m feeling this persistent muscle pain in my left leg, though sometimes it hits the right one too. It isn't exactly sharp pain; it feels more like an intense tension or heaviness, especially concentrated in my hip, knee, and thigh muscles. On top of that, my lower back is aching quite a bit, and the pain seems to radiate downward. Interestingly, I can walk normally, and the symptoms actually seem to subside whenever I'm moving around. However, over the past two or three months, there have been a couple of times where my legs just went numb out of nowhere. I also feel this tightness in my pelvis, almost like I’m constantly wound up or under pressure. Plus, I’ve noticed I’m needing to use the restroom much more frequently. I’ve already ruled out a bladder infection since there's no stinging or discomfort when I go.
I honestly have no idea what to make of all this or which specialist I should even bother seeing. I can't get in to see my regular primary care physician at the moment because I'm away from home.
Has anyone else ever dealt with anything similar, or does this sound familiar to anyone?