Hemochromatosis and Hep C

[faithsr]

I was diagnosed with hep c 15 yrs. ago and have had therapeutic phlebotomy's through the yrs. on and off when my iron level was high. The high iron level was always blamed on the hep c. I had a liver biopsy in Feb. and my iron level was 10 times what it should be in the liver tissue. I was told this was serious and I could go into liver failure or heart failure along with a number of other health problems. I have had 3 phlebotomy;s I was just wondering if anyone is familiar with this condition. I hurt so bad and the fatigue is beyond description I hardly get out of bed most of the time. I was told yesterday my ferretin level had dropped to 900 it was 1200. My hair has also been falling out and I woke up with a lump in the back of my head that is very tender> Anyone with any information please share.
God Bless
faithsr

[faithsr]

I understand completely not knowing which condition is the cause for the pain, I was also diagnosed with fibromyalgia so at this point i'm totally digusted.

God Bless and my prayers are with you through your tx journey

faithsr

[Trinity4]

I was diagnosed back in Oct with a condition call porphyria cutanea tarda.  Causes blistering and fragile skin on the backs of hands.  Doc said it is associated with hepc and tested positive.  PCT is caused by the liver's inability of process iron and overload goes back into the bloodstream causing toxicity in the liver as well as skin.  Ferritin level was around 800.  I had a total of 13 phlebotomy's and ferritin dropped to 17.  Doc said that high iron level can cause additional liver damage as well.  I was very tired through the whole phlebotomy process.  Fatigue and muscle weakness much more than usual.
After the last phlebotomy immediately started treatment so I can't tell what process has made me feel worse.  Doc says he will keep an eye on the ferritin level throughout my tx and if necessary will "vampire me" to keep iron in check.  With the SOC I'm on people tend to become anemic so I feel like I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place.  I'll do whatever I have to but it isn't easy and I totally understand what you are going through. What kind of damage did you bx show?  Are you considering treatment for the hepc?  When I had my biopsy they also check for hemochromatosis and I did not have it.  Phlebotomy is the only option for people with hemo.  They are painful and make you feel like **** but it's better than the alternative.  Hang in there and hope things go well for you.
Trinity