Worrying signs

[untreated]

Hi all.

I finish 12 weeks of generic harvoni in January. Being terrified of results I waited 16 weeks before my follow up test. Which was clear. I therefore, stupidly thought hat I was clear.
I then had a few drinks since then. I had Benn alcohol free for 16months before that. I also took some magnesium to help me sleep ( not knowing that magnesium is detrimental to ones recovery) I have to admit that I did cocaine one night too. I know, I know. I haven't done it in over ten years, but thought. Well I'm cured so what's one night.
However after such clean living I think this has put huge strain on my liver mad I am pretty sure I have relapsed.
I go for a viral load test tomorrow. But the signs aren't good. A cut on my arm took to long to heal, something I had noticed before the meds, blue veins appeared around my nose, something that had disappeared after I cleared after meds. My stomach is upset and I am tired all the time and today my stool was pale and thin. I'm in shock and so annoyed with myself. People may say, you don't know until you're tested. But I just know.
Not sure what I want with this message. Just needed to vent. How difficult is it to clear it a second time?
Any help would be good.

Thanks
D

[dragonslayer]

You know that the odds favoring relapse after having achieved SVR are exceedingly small, right?    A few drinks, or a snort of coke, while not the most liver friendly of behaviors will likely not have put you into relapse.. Relax and get tested if youre so concerned; odds are in your favor!

[untreated]

Thank you.

You see I have had another attack of vertigo lately. Which is also a reminder of illness. I'm sure it is mainly in the mind. Was simply having a little freak out and had no one to share it with. Thanks again. And I hope everyone else is doing well.

[KimInTheForest]

I agree with dragonslayer - very unlikely that you have relapsed.

How is magnesium detrimental to recovery? I read nothing but good things about magnesium, plus fact that most of us are magnesium-deficient due to modern/western diet. In fact, you've reminded me to go take my magnesium for the day.

kim

[untreated]

Thanks guys. Just several signs appeared. Slow healing wounds etc. Basically, I read that if you take magnesium it chemically reacts to the virus and encourages reproduction. It was a reputable site too. But can't find it now, I've been on a lot of sites lately. Earlier I reread it however, and it Saud that it is during treatment that it works in this way. I misinterpreted it, probably just my anxiety seeing what it wanted to see.
I am very tired though lately. As if fatigued and got a massive bout of vertigo. Must be knock on effects from the drugs. And whenever I feel under the weather lately I panick. So again thanks for the support. Keep on fighting the fight...

[KimInTheForest]

Good luck D! Maybe time to see your GP for a general check-up, or at least a blood test. Perhaps you are anemic for some reason. Blood test (complete blood count) would show if that's the case.

kim

[Lynn K]

You might have been reading about magnesium based antacids having an effect in Harvoni. Antacids make the stomach less acidic one of the drugs in the Harvoni pill called ledipasvir needs an acidic environment to be fully absorbed. So by taking antacids it reduced the amount of ledipasvir being absorbed into the body and reduces the effectiveness of Harvoni treatment.

[Lynn K]

I did find this:

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-017-18076-5

“Our findings suggest higher intakes of magnesium may be associated with a reduced risk of mortality due to liver disease particularly among alcohol drinkers and those with hepatic steatosis. Further studies are warranted to confirm the findings.”

[untreated]

Hi Lynn.

These are the exact articles I was reading. But as I said I completely mis-read them. I was in the middle of a vertigo attack and panicking. It's a very unnerving feeling that I don't wish upon anyone.

Part of the reason I was so worried is because my initial bout of vertigo is what lead me to the tests that helped mendiscover my hep c. The intimate nightmare deja vu.

Thankfully I have recovered. And thanks to all of you for the replies. It's comforting to know that this site is here. It has helped me immeasurably.

[Lynn K]

So anyway it appears magnesium may be beneficial for hep c or liver disease and does not increase replication of the virus

[KimInTheForest]

So anyway it appears magnesium may be beneficial for hep c or liver disease and does not increase replication of the virus

Happy to hear that! I take 200 mg of Magnesium daily as part of my bone-building regimen (but also for general health). Would take more but more gives me diarrhea.

kim

[Salal]

Happy to hear that! I take 200 mg of Magnesium daily as part of my bone-building regimen (but also for general health). Would take more but more gives me diarrhea.

kim

I take high doses of calcium and elemental iron every day for medical reasons, and they cause constipation, so I take 50 mg of magnesium every 3 days, to make the stools softer.  Everyone involved with my Hep C treatment (Zepatier, in my case) was aware of all the prescription and non-prescription medicines I take, including vitamins, minerals and supplements and none told me to change any of this.  The only thing I had to stop for the duration of the treatment was Atorvastatin. (I don't have high cholesterol but I do have hardening of the arteries, and Atorvastatin is good for that.)