Fatigue

[dickl]

I was diagnosed with C and cirrhosis of the liver in 1/08.My liver is too fragile to currently undergo the treatment for the virus and I'm on 2 diuretics to control edema , along with low sodium and fluid limits.I have slowly felt better but now and then experience a couple of days of muscle aches and fatigue . I'm wondering is this the by product of a damaged liver or symptoms of the hepC?
                                                                                             dickl

[HectorSF]

I'm sorry to hear about your illness and the symptoms you are suffering.
To me, your symptoms sound like typical symptoms of cirrhosis caused by the HCV virus.

Did your doctor(s) say that you have compensated or decompensated cirrhosis? Do you have other symptoms besides edema, aches and pains, and fatigue from your cirrhosis? Such as low platelet count, varices, itching, small red spots and tiny lines on the skin called spider angiomas?

I have cirrhosis and I am on tx now. It is true that there is an increased risk of liver failure due to tx so my docs monitor my liver blood levels weekly to make sure I don't show signs of liver failure. So far my blood tests have been stable so I have been able to continue treatment.

If you can not be treated for HVC, are you in contact with a transplant center should your cirrhosis continue to progress?

I wish you all the best. Hang in there!
If I can assist in any way from my own experience please let me know.

Hector


For further details on HCV and cirrhosis you may want to check out the following resources:

Here is a link to a document from the Cleveland Clinic about cirrhosis (I’m not sure how old it is. Maybe 2004).
http://www.clevelandclinicmeded.com/online/monograph/hepc/cirrhosis.htm

Here is a link to a 39 minute video presentation given by one of my doctors, Norah Terrault, to other doctors at UCSF on March 6, 2008. (Dr. Terrault directs the Hep C treatment programs at University of California San Francisco). This presentation gives the lastest info on HCV and cirrhosis.
“Management of Hepatitis C in the Pre-Transplant Patient with cirrhosis (compensated and decompensated)”
http://www.uctv.tv/search-details.asp?showID=14086

[copyman]

Fatigue and aches & pains are symptoms of HCV even without cirrhosis so hard to say. Hang in there and hope you feel better soon.

[meki]

The liver controls alot of things - and part of the side effects of your liver not working properly is fatigue.

So - keep checking with your doctors to see if you can get on TX - as soon as you can.

OK?

Super hugs - and hope you find that well of strength to make it through all of this to get healthy!

Meki

[Marcia2202]

Sorry to hear that you are not doing well. Anywhere you read about symptoms of HCV, the first thing mentioned is fatigue. Personally, fatigue is my main complaint, but I'm not on tx, yet, so I'm mentally preparing myself for the worse. I guess that your liver being so fragile must add to the fatigue. I wish you the best of luck, and rest as much as you can at the moment. You will need the strength...