Lisver disorders and sedatives

  Dear Doctor:
  My husband was very recently told he has hepatitis c antibodies.  This has been deeply disturbing to us.  It is so worriisome that it is extremely hard to sleep.  I fall asleep for a few hours and wake up with my heart pounding from the anxiety.  My question is: is there any safe ( for the liver) sedative which might be taken? I have been reading a bit on herbal relaxants such as the herb valerian. Might this or any other safe herb or mediacation be taken? We are under extreme stress and anxiety from this.  Thank you very much in advance for your reply.
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Dear LR,
I understand your concerns regarding the diagnosis of hepatitis C.  The best way to reduce your stress is to learn the extent of the liver disease (by a liver biopsy) and the therapeutic options.  Detailed conversations with your physician should do much to relieve your anxiety.  Herbal relaxants are, in general, safe.  One must always be concerned regarding the purity of the preparation (trhere have been reports of hepatitis transmissiom by some natural remedies).  In your discussions with your physician you should ask about the temporary use of an anxiolytic e.g. Ativan that will reduce your stress.
Best of luck.
This information is presented for educational purposes only.  Always ask specific medical questions to your personal physician.
HFHSM.D.-rf
*keywords: hepatitis
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