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Welcome to the Hep Forums, a round-the-clock discussion area for people who have Hepatitis B, C or a co-infection, their friends and family and others with questions about hepatitis and liver health. Check in frequently to read what others have to say, post your comments, and hopefully learn more about how you can reach your own health goals.

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Recent Posts

Pages: [1] 2 3 ... 10
1
Am I Infected? / SHOULD I BE WORRIED?
« Last post by ConcernedColin on Today at 01:04:36 AM »
Had unprotected vaginal sex about eight weeks ago. Got tested for HIV and hepatitis 18 days post exposure because I was experiencing muscle aches and lower back pain.

Also had a month long bout of explosive diarrhea which stopped after I took a one week course of antidiarrheal medication. I still have weakness in my arms and severe muscle aches in my thighs. Back pain comes and goes.
I experience occasional fatigue as well.
Could these be symptoms of hepatitis?
When should I get tested for a conclusive result? Been testing every two weeks for HIV, and I honestly don't have the money to have a hepatitis test every fortnight.
Thank you.
2
On Hepatitis C Treatment / Pain
« Last post by whyme on Yesterday at 11:53:26 PM »
I noticed some people with high ALT/AST numbers and detectable VL.  I was told I have antibodies to HEP C in 2004 but I have never had a detectable VL.  I have pain on right side of my abdomen.  I get terrible upset stomach and waste is diarrhea or odd shaped.  I recently had my liver biopsy doctor was convinced I had NASH and I told them it wasn't NASH over and over that it was Hep C. issues even with my und VL but the Dr. said I actually have a healthy liver with a little fat after biopsy, but the pain and distended abdomen.  I cant work due to fatigue, I get tired easily, I can do anything that requires any kind of stamina running sex working out. etc....Can anyone describe what the result of symptoms or how body reacts after treatment other that the und. VL.  I am convinced not only does treatment make VL und. in blood but it also has an effect on the liver where the virus lives and attacks.
3
On Hepatitis C Treatment / Re: Itchy Ears.
« Last post by CureSeeker on Yesterday at 08:54:21 PM »
Nope, sadly, that was one side effect I missed out on, lol.

I can offer you a simple remedy to try however.  Dip a cotton swab into some clear sesame oil or coconut oil and move it around inside your ears. 

You can even slightly warm about 8 drops of sesame oil and let it stay inside your ear for a minute, then tilt your head to drain it out, and use the swab to clean up any mess left in your ear.  This is part of an Ayurveda morning ritual for starting your day - and not some stupidity I am just putting out there, simply because of some sick mischievous nature. :P

Either way, the oil should provide some relief; or, you will end up with very clean ears at the very least.

An otologist once recommended mineral oil with the swab to a relative of mine to help relieve a persistent wax build up problem.  So, if you don't have any sesame or coconut oil lying around the house, that is a medical specialists suggestion for oil.

I'm not sure why Ayurveda recommends sesame oil (not the dark brown from roasted seeds, but the light cold-pressed variety instead).  Coconut oil has an added benefit of being naturally antifungal and antimicrobial, and very nourishing.

Best wishes to you.  Something like that would be making me nuts! 
4
Advanced Liver Disease / Re: Doctor tells me I will likely not have liver improvement post cure.
« Last post by lporterrn on Yesterday at 02:08:26 PM »
I am a huge believer in the power of positive thinking. However, doctors and NPs are trained to tell the truth, and I think there is great power in being positive in the face of reality. As for Lynn and others, some people have progressed to the point that the liver doesn't regenerate. To me it is a miracle that people like Lynn remain positive in the face of a poor prognosis. I don't see Lynn as giving up hope; I see her facing her diagnosis and planning her life according. She certainly isn't feeling sorry for herself as she goes about her life giving generously to others. She is a warrior because she faces adversity and doesn't pretend it isn't there. 
5
Advanced Liver Disease / High Risk of Complications Post–Hep C Cure for Those With Advanced Liver Damage
« Last post by Hep Editors on Yesterday at 10:34:56 AM »
Individuals who are treated for hepatitis C virus (HCV) when they have advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis remain at high risk of liver disease progression even after being cured of the virus. Consequently, researchers recommend routine monitoring for this group.

Publishing their findings in the Journal of Hepatology, researchers conducted a pooled analysis of data on 1,000 people who participated in Canadian or European cohort studies and who had advanced fibrosis or fibrosis when they were cured of hep C with interferon-based treatment. Individuals were excluded from the analysis if they were coinfected with HIV or hepatitis B virus (HBV).

Read more...
https://www.hepmag.com/article/high-risk-complications-posthep-c-cure-advanced-liver-damage
6
On Hepatitis C Treatment / Re: Very anxious
« Last post by Jorah on Yesterday at 10:26:31 AM »
No, they were either on Epclusa or Harvoni alone...Yeah who knows?
7
On Hepatitis C Treatment / Re: Very anxious
« Last post by gnatcatcher on Yesterday at 09:49:58 AM »
Jorah, how many of those who became more irritable and emotional the last weeks of tx were taking ribavirin, which includes anxiety and rage among its side effects? If someone taking the non-ribavirin meds becomes more emotional, it could be due to anxiety about whether they'll be cured or will end up among the unlucky few. For some people, the closer they come to a highly desired goal, the greater the anxiety that they may fail to reach it.

Just my two cents.

Gnatty
8
On Hepatitis C Treatment / Re: Very anxious
« Last post by Jorah on Yesterday at 09:26:01 AM »
Quote from: gnatcatcher on Yesterday at 05:28:51 AM
One week down, only seven to go. So many of us had already reached UNDETECTABLE when we were tested after four weeks* that the biggest part of the battle between Harvoni and the bad guys likely occurs very early in treatment, which can explain the fatigue. We've also conjectured that the immune system gets baffled by the arrival of this new, powerful ally. Every day was different for me, too.

Hi Gnatty, my TX nurse also said the biggest battle happens in the first month, how do we explain that many become more irritable and emotional the last weeks of TX? (or that is what I'm reading) Thanx
9
On Hepatitis C Treatment / Itchy Ears.
« Last post by sandrooney on Yesterday at 07:40:00 AM »
Anybody experience the inside their ears itching during treatment.
Viekira XR w/Ribavirin.
Thanks,
SR
10
Post Hepatitis C Treatment / Re: Can Harvoni treatment cause RA?
« Last post by CureSeeker on Yesterday at 06:04:44 AM »
I didn't take Harvoni, but I did take Ribavirin, and went into treatment knowing that Ribavirin is a nasty drug with many potential side effects.  It can cause anemia in some patients.  Anemia produces oxygen-depleted blood.  Anemia also reduces the amount of red blood cells in bone marrow.  Oxygen-depletion and a lack of red blood cells naturally has a negative effect on bones.

Osteoarthritis is a normal part of the aging process for anyone age 45+.  Earlier in age at any healed fracture points.

High RA/RH factor is linked to RA (genetic pre-disposition).  Anemia is linked to RA.  Ribavirin is linked to RA.  HCV itself is linked to RA.  I'm not sure how many other things are linked to RA, lol.  For that matter, how many things is RA linked to?  My cousin worries about its connection to Lupus in her future.

Rheumatoid Arthritis exists in my family at least back to a great-grandparent, and probably much further than that - its just that no one is still around that might remember.  I was tested prior to treatment, and know I have a high RH factor.  I have an estranged cousin who was diagnosed with RA as a child.  Upon learning this, I asked my doctor to test me (at age 50), as I have experienced pain in my neck and shoulders since I was about 3 years old, but never anything severe enough to go on a medical crusade to find a cause for it.  It's just something that flares up every now and then, and I grew to live with.

Our bodies are adjusting to the effects of losing a virus many of us have carried around for decades.

It can take 2 or more years to rid any negative effects of Ribavirin from our systems.

I have gone through a cornucopia of adjustments for the last year and a half, but all and all feel much better and think much clearer than I did before treatment. 

I still suffer from bouts of fatigue, and that causes me some brain fog from time to time.  It is logical to assume that if my body is tired, then my brain is tired too.

Hindsight being 20/20, if I had it to do over again, would I elect to continue to go without treatment?

NO!  I would not.  I have seen first hand what not getting treated in time can do.  I can live with these symptoms, but I cannot live without proper liver function, which effects every part of our body since our ability to eliminate toxins from our body is compromised.

It took decades for our bodies to adjust to being infected, and could very well take decades for our bodies to adjust to no longer being infected.

All this focus on finding an issue with Harvoni seems odd to me.  Then again, perhaps its a 'side effect' of more use of the drug.  Just like we report and dissect every symptom and change we experience post treatment, perhaps some of us that went into treatment without making ourselves totally aware of what we were getting into also want to question the drug.  That's normal - human nature.  Questioning is how we learn.

As for law suits - given the connections and variables already presented, I don't see how anyone could win one.  As for me, I am just grateful to know I will live longer and not be able to unknowingly infect others.

I would add that there is an old saying, "If you look for a problem, you will find it, because even if its not really there, you will create it."

Relax and heal.  Just my 2 cents.  :)
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