Aa
Confused
A month ago I started having low grade fever in the evenings and mornings, to which fatigue was added further. The doctors have done loads of blood tests and found CMV, EBV and Hep C in my blood. Hep C was confirmed with viral load test showing around 1 million units.
We have just had a new baby with my wife and I am confused how and when I could get this disease. The only suspicion I have is having my wisdom tooth extracted in Dec 2012... These days I feel just awful, very tired, sleepy all the time, no appetite. My doctor is also checking for Hep B and D now and is saying will start treatment after 1 month.
I am very frustrated with the way I am feeling right now - tired, depressed...
Why would these symptoms come up just now from nowhere?
I am a general manager and have too much responsibility at work, and my condition is really not helping me right now.
We have just had a new baby with my wife and I am confused how and when I could get this disease. The only suspicion I have is having my wisdom tooth extracted in Dec 2012... These days I feel just awful, very tired, sleepy all the time, no appetite. My doctor is also checking for Hep B and D now and is saying will start treatment after 1 month.
I am very frustrated with the way I am feeling right now - tired, depressed...
Why would these symptoms come up just now from nowhere?
I am a general manager and have too much responsibility at work, and my condition is really not helping me right now.
Hi
Sorry to hear of your troubles. You have made a comment on an old thread in the hepatitis c community. I have a link to the skin cancer community. You could try your question there.
http://www.medhelp.org/forums/Skin-Cancer/show/290
Go to the top right of the page and select he green post a question link hopefully they can help you
Good luck
Lynn
Sorry to hear of your troubles. You have made a comment on an old thread in the hepatitis c community. I have a link to the skin cancer community. You could try your question there.
http://www.medhelp.org/forums/Skin-Cancer/show/290
Go to the top right of the page and select he green post a question link hopefully they can help you
Good luck
Lynn
Hello, I was diagnosed with Stage 3 Melanoma in April 2014. I started interferon infusion for 4 wks in August, then followed with shots on Mon, Wed and Fri for only 4 wks. Oncologist took me off meds due to eye problems which consisted of forming cotton wool spots and blurred vision. My hair never thinned until I had been off meds for at least 4 wks. I only have about 20% of my hair left. I just wonder when will it stop falling out?? When it's all gone?? Dr told me it might thin but that would be it. I have appt at Emory with him Monday. Can't wait to hear what he says. My dermatologist told me she would have told me not to do interferon had she known. I hit the lottery with the side effects - had everyone of them +!!! There is a. New FDA approved drug on the market now. It's Keytruda. Does anyone know anything about it?? Would love feedback. Thanks for your support!! JenniLyn
I am totally confused now. I did PCR RNA to re-confirm UND and this time it is detected. Quantity 555230. ALT 245 and AST 177. I was so happy during last 6 months that I was HCV free, I lost weight, felt better, started going to gym and started plans to pursue my MBA. Now it's all back. I will have biopsy done soon to decide on treatment.
Thanks a lot! I will do repeated testing to confirm. I hope I am one of those lucky ones.
Congratulations on being UND! As for the ALT levels, HCV is not the only cause of elevated ALT levels. I think a good hepatologist should be consulted to track down the cause. Also, while it sounds like you've been one of the lucky ones who can fight off the HCV, if it were me I would ask for a retest just to be certain. Lab mistakes can and do happen occasionally, and it can go either way - false positive or false negative. It's not super common for the labs to err though, and some people might think a retest is overkill. It's just what I would choose if it were me. Good luck on getting the rest of the issues resolved.
looks like you body fought off the virus. you do not have active virus in your body.
This is good news. It happens in about one fifth of the population infected with the virus.
This is good news. It happens in about one fifth of the population infected with the virus.
Hello dear friends!
I am more confused now since I don't know what is wrong with my HCV diagnosis.
Last year my alt was 177, ast 55, HCV PCR 1million.
Today I got my recent test results to start treatment but this time alt 100, ast 36, HCV PCR NOT DETECTED.
I didn't see the doctor yet, but I am very confused now - do I have HCV or no. I still didn't lose weight and I still have fatigue.
I am more confused now since I don't know what is wrong with my HCV diagnosis.
Last year my alt was 177, ast 55, HCV PCR 1million.
Today I got my recent test results to start treatment but this time alt 100, ast 36, HCV PCR NOT DETECTED.
I didn't see the doctor yet, but I am very confused now - do I have HCV or no. I still didn't lose weight and I still have fatigue.
Your doc says you are going to treat in a month and you have yet to learn what stage of fibrosis you are?
I am fraid that the ultrasound will not give a full picture of what is going on with your liver. The ultrasound will only show fatty liver, nodules, enlargement of the portal vein, etc which are manifestation of the cirrhosis but it will not indicate if your liver has any fibrosis yet and how severe.
My liver looked great on CT scans and on the ultrasounds yet othere tests indicated that I had severe fibrosis. That in itself can be a reson for tiredness
Also you have mentioned EBV and CMV. I am sure that around 90% of the population are testing positive for that as well. Reson for tiredness due to those viruses will be perhaps if they are active right now which your tests will indicate.
Milk thistle will help with tiredness symptoms but please be aware that it will not heal anything. It will only make you feel better , unfortunatelly the disease will keep progressing.
It is good that your doctor is a gastro although many of them are not really familiar with hep c treatment protocols so I would ask the questions on how much he dealt with cases like your in the past. No disrespect to him/her but it is quite a specialized area and I came across cases in which gastro specialists failed to apply tx in the right way.
Let us know what the next step is
My liver looked great on CT scans and on the ultrasounds yet othere tests indicated that I had severe fibrosis. That in itself can be a reson for tiredness
Also you have mentioned EBV and CMV. I am sure that around 90% of the population are testing positive for that as well. Reson for tiredness due to those viruses will be perhaps if they are active right now which your tests will indicate.
Milk thistle will help with tiredness symptoms but please be aware that it will not heal anything. It will only make you feel better , unfortunatelly the disease will keep progressing.
It is good that your doctor is a gastro although many of them are not really familiar with hep c treatment protocols so I would ask the questions on how much he dealt with cases like your in the past. No disrespect to him/her but it is quite a specialized area and I came across cases in which gastro specialists failed to apply tx in the right way.
Let us know what the next step is
I had similar symptoms and I was unsure if it was Hep C or something else? menopause, etc... I lead a fairly exhausting lifestyle without the stress of a management job... My naturopath said it is easy to think this and that is because of Hep C but having lived with a heroin habit for five or six years, it was likely there were other compounding factors.... From my recent experience, I feel much better since taking St Mary's thistle, Hebs of Gold brand has the active ingredient Silymarin which must be present to have any benefit, for Hep C sufferers.. fatigue much less, fever and brain fog much much better since taking the thistle...
have you had a liver biopsy yet?this is considered the 'gold'standard to see where your liver is.
sounds like you have alot more going on,my mom has EBV and she has basically slept her life away blaming this on the EBV i blame it on the loads of meds she is on(several types that says will make anyone sleepy)she takes a morning nap and afternoon nap.she has seizures and has tried to do w/o meds but she cannot.
as far as the fatigue for me it comes and goes but i think everybody is different and the HCV AFFECTS everybody differently.my legs and ankle joints swell everyday i take lasix 40 mg every other day.but its my severe anxiety that really gets me.my doc says she thinks this is caused by the HCV.BUT JUST REMEmBER EVERYBODY IS DIFFERENT and consult w/ yr doc about the fatigue.i am doin the watch n wait approach for now.but if you havent did liver biopsy you need to if possible.
sounds like you have alot more going on,my mom has EBV and she has basically slept her life away blaming this on the EBV i blame it on the loads of meds she is on(several types that says will make anyone sleepy)she takes a morning nap and afternoon nap.she has seizures and has tried to do w/o meds but she cannot.
as far as the fatigue for me it comes and goes but i think everybody is different and the HCV AFFECTS everybody differently.my legs and ankle joints swell everyday i take lasix 40 mg every other day.but its my severe anxiety that really gets me.my doc says she thinks this is caused by the HCV.BUT JUST REMEmBER EVERYBODY IS DIFFERENT and consult w/ yr doc about the fatigue.i am doin the watch n wait approach for now.but if you havent did liver biopsy you need to if possible.
Thanks all for your feedback and sharing information.
Diana, actually the guy I am seeing is a gastro... Well I will see his next step, whether he will do further tests or just start treatment. because my ultrasound showed that my liver is OK.
I am wondering how long this tiredness will last, does it come and go, or will I be experiencing this every day now?
Diana, actually the guy I am seeing is a gastro... Well I will see his next step, whether he will do further tests or just start treatment. because my ultrasound showed that my liver is OK.
I am wondering how long this tiredness will last, does it come and go, or will I be experiencing this every day now?
Test ID: SCMV
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Antibodies, IgG and IgM, Serum
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality, especially in organ transplant recipients and individuals with AIDS. (1,2) CMV is also responsible for congenital disease of the newborn. The most common infections with CMV in immunocompromised hosts result from reactivation of the virus (latent) from a previous infection, transmission of the virus from a donor organ or blood product, or initial or primary contact with the virus in a seronegative patient. Infection in immunologically normal patients can cause mononucleosis similar to that produced by infection with Epstein-Barr virus.
Reference Values
CYTOMEGALOVIRUS ANTIBODIES, IgG
or =6 AU/mL (positive)
CYTOMEGALOVIRUS ANTIBODIES, IgM
Negative (reported as positive or negative)
The presence of IgM class antibodies or a convalescent IgG antibody level of >6 AU/mL combined with a ratio of > or =2 in a paired sera (seroconversion) IgG titer indicates recent infection. The presence of only IgG antibodies generally indicates past infection with CMV.
Interpretation
IgG:
Individuals with negative cytomegalovirus (CMV) IgG results are presumed to have not experienced infection with CMV and, therefore, are susceptible to primary infection.
Positive CMV IgG results indicate past or current CMV infection. Such individuals are potentially at risk of transmitting CMV infection through blood products; the likelihood of transmission by other modes is not known.
A ratio of > or =2 in paired sera (acute and convalescent) IgG values, along with a convalescent antibody level of >6, indicates a seroconversion has occurred and may be indicative of a recent infection.
CMV infections are quite common. Approximately 60% to 85% of the population is believed to be infected by age 18.
IgM:
Negative CMV IgM results suggest that an individual is not experiencing a recent infection. However, a negative result does not rule out primary CMV infection. It has been reported that CMV-specific IgM antibody was not detectable in 10% to 30% of cord blood sera from infants demonstrating infection in the first week of life. In addition, up to 23% (3/13) of pregnant women with primary CMV infection did not demonstrate detectable CMV IgM responses within 8 weeks post-infection. In cases of primary infection where the time of seroconversion is not well defined, as high as 28% (10/36) of pregnant women did not demonstrate CMV IgM antibody.
Positive CMV IgM results indicate a recent infection (primary, reactivation, or reinfection).
IgM antibody responses in secondary (reactivation) CMV infections have been demonstrated in some CMV mononucleosis patients, in a few pregnant women, and in renal and cardiac transplant patients. Levels of antibody may be lower in transplant patients with secondary rather than primary infections.
Cautions
Sera drawn very early in the acute stage of disease may have IgG levels or =20 mg/mL may cause interference in the CMV IgM assay.
Results must be used in conjunction with clinical symptoms and patient history.
A specimen taken late after the convalescent stage of infection may not contain detectable levels of IgM antibodies to CMV. Because CMV IgM antibody may persist for many months after primary infection, its detection in a single serum specimen is of limited value in determining the timing when infection occurred. Negative results do not preclude recent infection by CMV.
This test should not be used as a general screen in the absence of clinical symptoms or known exposure.
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is known to be a potent B-cell stimulator. Infections with EBV have been suspected to elicit antigen-specific IgM responses in individuals previously sensitized to a variety of non-EBV infectious agents.
http://www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/test-catalog/Clinical+and+Interpretive/84420
EBV
Prevention
Given that 95% of people acquire EBV, it is obviously very difficult to prevent infection. It has been recommended that person with mononucleosis refrain from donating blood until at least six months after recovery. People who have had hepatitis caused by EBV will usually not be permitted to donate blood.
Outlook
Almost all people who are infected with EBV recover completely in about one to three months. Neurological changes usually completely resolve, although a few adults may have some deficits. Although most infections become latent, most remain asymptomatic. There are ongoing efforts to develop a vaccine against EBV, but these have not been successful to date. New medications are being developed to treat mononucleosis and EBV.
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/epstein-barr_virus_infection/page10_em.htm
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Antibodies, IgG and IgM, Serum
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality, especially in organ transplant recipients and individuals with AIDS. (1,2) CMV is also responsible for congenital disease of the newborn. The most common infections with CMV in immunocompromised hosts result from reactivation of the virus (latent) from a previous infection, transmission of the virus from a donor organ or blood product, or initial or primary contact with the virus in a seronegative patient. Infection in immunologically normal patients can cause mononucleosis similar to that produced by infection with Epstein-Barr virus.
Reference Values
CYTOMEGALOVIRUS ANTIBODIES, IgG
or =6 AU/mL (positive)
CYTOMEGALOVIRUS ANTIBODIES, IgM
Negative (reported as positive or negative)
The presence of IgM class antibodies or a convalescent IgG antibody level of >6 AU/mL combined with a ratio of > or =2 in a paired sera (seroconversion) IgG titer indicates recent infection. The presence of only IgG antibodies generally indicates past infection with CMV.
Interpretation
IgG:
Individuals with negative cytomegalovirus (CMV) IgG results are presumed to have not experienced infection with CMV and, therefore, are susceptible to primary infection.
Positive CMV IgG results indicate past or current CMV infection. Such individuals are potentially at risk of transmitting CMV infection through blood products; the likelihood of transmission by other modes is not known.
A ratio of > or =2 in paired sera (acute and convalescent) IgG values, along with a convalescent antibody level of >6, indicates a seroconversion has occurred and may be indicative of a recent infection.
CMV infections are quite common. Approximately 60% to 85% of the population is believed to be infected by age 18.
IgM:
Negative CMV IgM results suggest that an individual is not experiencing a recent infection. However, a negative result does not rule out primary CMV infection. It has been reported that CMV-specific IgM antibody was not detectable in 10% to 30% of cord blood sera from infants demonstrating infection in the first week of life. In addition, up to 23% (3/13) of pregnant women with primary CMV infection did not demonstrate detectable CMV IgM responses within 8 weeks post-infection. In cases of primary infection where the time of seroconversion is not well defined, as high as 28% (10/36) of pregnant women did not demonstrate CMV IgM antibody.
Positive CMV IgM results indicate a recent infection (primary, reactivation, or reinfection).
IgM antibody responses in secondary (reactivation) CMV infections have been demonstrated in some CMV mononucleosis patients, in a few pregnant women, and in renal and cardiac transplant patients. Levels of antibody may be lower in transplant patients with secondary rather than primary infections.
Cautions
Sera drawn very early in the acute stage of disease may have IgG levels or =20 mg/mL may cause interference in the CMV IgM assay.
Results must be used in conjunction with clinical symptoms and patient history.
A specimen taken late after the convalescent stage of infection may not contain detectable levels of IgM antibodies to CMV. Because CMV IgM antibody may persist for many months after primary infection, its detection in a single serum specimen is of limited value in determining the timing when infection occurred. Negative results do not preclude recent infection by CMV.
This test should not be used as a general screen in the absence of clinical symptoms or known exposure.
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is known to be a potent B-cell stimulator. Infections with EBV have been suspected to elicit antigen-specific IgM responses in individuals previously sensitized to a variety of non-EBV infectious agents.
http://www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/test-catalog/Clinical+and+Interpretive/84420
EBV
Prevention
Given that 95% of people acquire EBV, it is obviously very difficult to prevent infection. It has been recommended that person with mononucleosis refrain from donating blood until at least six months after recovery. People who have had hepatitis caused by EBV will usually not be permitted to donate blood.
Outlook
Almost all people who are infected with EBV recover completely in about one to three months. Neurological changes usually completely resolve, although a few adults may have some deficits. Although most infections become latent, most remain asymptomatic. There are ongoing efforts to develop a vaccine against EBV, but these have not been successful to date. New medications are being developed to treat mononucleosis and EBV.
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/epstein-barr_virus_infection/page10_em.htm
if your not experiencing any smptoms from the CMV, or EBV, i would concentrate on getting hep c resolved. sucessful hep tx could have a positive effect on the other 2 viruses. of course, check with your doc.
barry
barry
Sorry to hear that you have all this issues
If I may ask, what specialty is your doctor? It sounds a bot unusual to only have confirmed a viral load and to jump straight into treating, There are other sets of tests a doctor needs to do such as determining how much the liver is affected.
A good idea is to make sure that you are seen by a hepatologist - a doctor specialized in dealing with liver issues
If I may ask, what specialty is your doctor? It sounds a bot unusual to only have confirmed a viral load and to jump straight into treating, There are other sets of tests a doctor needs to do such as determining how much the liver is affected.
A good idea is to make sure that you are seen by a hepatologist - a doctor specialized in dealing with liver issues
well just like my doc says quit focusing 'how' you got disease but how you are gonna get rid of it.
the fatigue i feel,i wait tables in a restaurant 6 days a week.its a small mom n pop.its very hard .
i read this site everyday and it really does help me to know i am not alone i do believe i have had this for 20 years ,read,read,read everything you can 'orphan' is totally correct educate yourself,my spouse doesnt realize how serious this is.it helps me just to know i am not alone.
the fatigue i feel,i wait tables in a restaurant 6 days a week.its a small mom n pop.its very hard .
i read this site everyday and it really does help me to know i am not alone i do believe i have had this for 20 years ,read,read,read everything you can 'orphan' is totally correct educate yourself,my spouse doesnt realize how serious this is.it helps me just to know i am not alone.
A fair percentage of people with hep C have no idea how they contracted the virus.
Whether it is the cause for your current problems is too hard for any of us to know.
Try to be patient and in the meantime, work on educating yourself.
Your spouse should also be tested.
Good luck,
OH
Whether it is the cause for your current problems is too hard for any of us to know.
Try to be patient and in the meantime, work on educating yourself.
Your spouse should also be tested.
Good luck,
OH
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