Infections and hepatitis in Salt Lake City

[sammiej00]

I'm 24 years old, and I have hep c. I haven't had any major health problems in my life until the last few months. I got a UTI at the end of August that was followed immediately by an infected kidney stone then a sinus infection. I was feeling better for a couple weeks then I got an ulcer and I now have a reoccurring red, itchy rash with hives that is hot to the touch that appears on my arms and legs. Last night my body started showings signs of yet another infection. With the on-and-off fever and pain in my abdomen similar to when I got the kidney stone. I've spoken with my PCP, but I don't feel like she is as concerned as she should be. Could the infections be related to the hepatitis? Do I need to request that more tests be done? Test were done about a year ago and the doctor recommended interferon, but my insurance wouldn't cover it. Oh, and I've been sober for 2 years. Why would all these health problems start happening this long after I quit?

[Sunshine1022]

I had similar allergic reaction and side effects due to septra/sulfa that they gave me for my kidney infection. A red rash that made my skin feel as if it was on fire. It didn't begin to show until te last days of meds but my doctor was concerned that it could come back weeks after stopping the meds.

[Bill1954]

Hi Sammie—

I can’t comment on your UTI or other infections, other than to say that HCV patients aren’t usually subject to opportunistic infections like HIV/AIDS patients.

In reading through some of your previous comments, it appears you’re having trouble with insurance paying for HCV therapy? Are you aware that the drug manufacturers routinely pay for the HCV meds for those who are uninsured, or are otherwise denied Rx coverage? If obtaining meds is the obstacle, you can call the makers of the drugs and see if you qualify for assistance:

Pegassist (Roche/Genentech Pegasys system): 1-877-734-2797

Commitment to Care (Schering- Plough/Merck PEG-Intron system): 1-800-521-7157

Best of luck to you—

Bill

[sammiej00]

Yes I have fevers. Antibiotics were the treatment. A lot of them. I can't even remember all the names. I want to say one of them was Cephlexin. I'm allergic to Penicillin. The Urologist gave me a pill that he said was a massive dose of antibiotics in his office at my appointment. He was set to do surgery to take the stone out because it wasn't passing, but the morning of it passed on its own. For the ulcer she gave me a list of foods to eat and stress reducing techniques and said to come back if it doesn't go away. She said a lot of them go away on their own. Ugh. Looks like I'll be calling the Urologist on Monday to find out what he thinks. Thanks for the help.

[HectorSF]

Get a second opinion if you want to.
Go to your PCP and get a referral to see an Infectious disease physician who specialize in that branch of medicine which diagnoses and treats diseases caused by invading infective agents such as bacteria, viruses and fungi.

When you say infections, did you have fevers? What was the treatment. What does the Urologist say? If you have on-and-off fever and pain in my abdomen similar to when you had a kidney stone. Something is very wrong. Once the stone has passed or removed by surgery you should have no pain at all. I just had surgery for a kidney stone in the beginning of Oct. I have had stone for 10 years now and passed at least a dozen so I can tell you something is wrong if you still feel pain and that your doctor isn't concerned baffles me. Stone pain can be the most pain most people will experience in a lifetime. Some say more than natural child birth.
What was done to fix your ulcer?
A rash? Have no idea what that could be.

We on this forum don't know your medical history and can't examine you. Only a doctor can help you.

Good luck.
Hectorsf