DESPERATELY N Need of info re;Signs,Symptoms and Stages[later]of Hepatitus(hepatitis) C.

I am desperate for info regarding Hepatitus (hepatitis) C & the signs & symptoms as liver damage progresses.My husband has Hep c as well as a moderate daily intake of alcohol.Other health issues include a past heart attack[approx.12years ago] & more recently[currently & within 1year]stroke-like symptoms including;
temperary droopyness of left side of face&slurring of words. As of present these two symptoms usually disappear within several hours.Some chestpain has also been noted @ times as I have witness him jump out of bed due to sudden onset of pain whether in his chest or more likely from ongoing pain in his left lower side around the area of his kidneys. Iv'e noticed the pain is continual in the least but is becoming increasingly more unbearable over the last 6 months.He is usually able to lay on right side to sleep & then is restless while trying to get comfortable that he eventually gives up and gets up for remainder or night anywhere between 2 - 5 a.m.every morning.He usually is in bed by 9-11 p.m. each night.Also diarrhea is noted.Bloating of the abdomen as well as stomach pain, gas and grayish color of stoolsare current problems as well. He has told me that he has a constant low grade headache that he has "learned to live with". Other days his headaches are so extreme that he retreats to quiet area such as bed or his favorite, the hot tub. He refuses to take any ibruprofen or other meds as he  fears for his liver and at times is so misserable with pain and @ times a low grade fever that I have watched over him in fear that he may not survive the day or night.February 2006 he turned 52 years old & I find that an awful young age to worry so much about your own mortality as I have seen him do.We work together running a high stress behavioral program for D.D.individuals.As management/company owners we are part of a team overseeing staff&clients needs & wishes.I have convinced my husband to slow down and soon maybe even retire as a lifestyle of constant pagers & cellphones are alot for anyone.We dont have any medical coverage for ourselves and it is impossible to convince my husband to see a doctor regularly or at all. He fears to find out for  how to help himself of understand what his body is going through so it is up to me,his newly married wife to gather and hopefully find info that may alleviate some of his suffering through education, diet or any other advise from others who are going through the same things with hepatitus (hepatitis) c .I myself have questions about the possibility of myself getting hep c also. He states that I wont as his former wife or kids never did. Somehow I dont feel any better with those words & I am so very worried about this stubborn man I married's future as well as my own.I truly would appreciate any answers, information or experiences from those who also share the same problems hep c & alcohol combinations bring us whether it is us or our family member that suffers we all suffer & worry with them.I am very appreciative,   jazmen

[Kevin Pho, MD]

I would certainly suggesting having your husband see a GI physician or hepatologist.  

Also, there is a hepatitis support forum at MedHelp that can offer some guidance as well:
http://www.medhelp.org/forums/hepatitis/wwwboard.html

For the upper GI symptoms such as pain or bloating, you can consider an upper GI series or upper endoscopy for an initial evaluation.  Blood tests to evaluate liver function, as well as an ultrasound would be helpful.  Problems with the stool should be evaluated with a colonoscopy.

As for transmission - it is passed via the blood, normally through needles or (rarely) blood transfusions.  

These concerns should be discussed with your husband's personal physician.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
kevinmd_b

[who_is_this]

Post this on the Hepatitis forum, it's a great resource and people will undoubtably give you some directions in which way to go for more info, and advice.  Beware though, they are honest and direct.

They will point out one thing, as will I.  If your husband is so concerned about his liver that he won't even take ibuprofen, why is he still drinking at all?  Alcohol intake is like pouring gasoline on the fire of hepC.  It accelerates the development of cirrhosis in hep C affected individuals.  

I wish you the best of luck.  Post over on the hep forum and see what they say over there.  He does need to see a doctor.

[Kalio1]

I too think you should post on the hepatitis forum for support and info.
You are newly married and deserve your mate to care about his health for himself but also for you.
He needs to see a gastroentrologist or better yet a heptologist so you can devise a plan and deal with his disease. If you are actively coping with it, it will feel better than just letting it progress.
As to you contracting it, the chances are remote but they do exist. Don't share razors or toothbrushes or engage in any activity that involves sharing blood. Hep C is a blood borne illess and blood must be exchanged in order to contract the virus. Good luck to you.