Newly diagnosed

[Paralell10]

Hello all I recently found out I had Hep c through an online test where I sent my results via post and got my results online. I have arranged for appointment next week but I’m really worried about my outcome. I believe I contacted hep c around 5 years as of March. I never had any symptoms for the first few months but occasionally got a bloated stomach and lots of indigestion. As the years past I occasionally got pains in my liver and spleen but thought nothing of it. As of the last 6 months my symptoms have really been showing. I have been going full days with pain in my spleen and sharp pains in my liver. I tried to take milk thistle but it only made my symptoms worse. I am quite concerned if I may already have cirrhosis as my symptoms seem to have pretty intense in the last few months of me finding out what’s been wrong with me this whole time. Should I be seriously worried ? I presumed cirrhosis wouldn’t have developed this fast as I have read only 5% develop it in 20 years time and as for my lifestyle I wouldn’t say by any means it’s been chaotic. I occasionally drink but also tend to go months and months without it , though I do take propranolol regularly for anxiety issues so I’m not sure if that’s been doing a lot of bad to my body. I know my best answers will come from the doctor but I thought I would look for some answers anyway.

[Lynn K]

 If you have only had the hepatitis C anti-body test it is entirely possible you do not have hepatitis C. About 25% of people who become infected with hepatitis C are able to beat it on their own without treatment.  The majority of people without the tightest C do not have symptoms so hard to say what your symptoms could be.

 In order to determine if you are currently infected with hepatitis C virus you will need to test called the HCV RNA by PCR which is a test for the virus itself.  If that test is negative you do not have hepatitis C.

Best of luck, hopefully you will have your answers soon, let us know what you find out.

[Paralell10]

Okay thanks for your response but I am pretty sure I am not in the 25% range due to my on going current symptoms though I have not come across many people talking about on going spleen problems etc which makes me very worried but thanks all the same.

[Lynn K]

I had hep c for 37 years. I knew I was infected when I donated blood otherwise I would have no idea. By that time I had probably been infected for 11 years. I was tracked closely by my doctor having liver biopsies every 5 years. I was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis after being infected for 30 years by that point.

I never really had any symptoms I could feel maybe just a little tired that’s about it.

I do have a slightly enlarged spleen due to portal hypertension. This is also evidenced by my low platelet count. Having portal hypertension can cause the spleen to enlarge and in turn causes the spleen to sequester platelets. I also was found to have esophageal varicies that were enlarged to the point I needed them to be banded to prevent a dangerous bleed.

But none of these symptoms were something I am aware of without tessting. The only symptom I have ever noticed was I have some lower leg swelling called pitting edema. That is a common first symptom of cirrhosis.

But other than that I don’t really have any symptoms which is common for those with cirrhosis.

People with cirrhosis may have few or no symptoms and signs of liver disease. Some of the symptoms may be nonspecific and don't suggest the liver is their cause. Common symptoms and signs of cirrhosis include:

Yellowing of the skin (jaundice) due to the accumulation of bilirubin in the blood
Fatigue
Weakness
Loss of appetite
Itching
Easy bruising from decreased production of blood clotting factors by the diseased liver.

Bloated stomach and indigestion are not symptoms of cirrhosis. Sounds more like gastrointestinal distress.

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/163484.php

Since you only suspect you have been infected for 5 years it is highly doubtful you have any liver damage assuming you do have hep c.

Best of luck

[Paralell10]

Dear lynn,

Thank you so much for your detailed reply as it gives me some peace of mind. I will be sure to have a talk with my doctor and have everything evaluated from their. Thanks again much appreciated!