Itching and purpura, can this be cryoglobulinemia?

Hi all-
I am f2,grade 3, geno 1a, and I've had hep c for 27-30 years. I am 52. Six years ago my biopsy was f0, grade 2, the same as it was 11 years ago. My doctor thinks it is likely that there was a sampling error 6 years ago. If not it appears to be moving fairly rapidly.

I have been itching a lot with no obvious lesion or rash for 3-4 years, maybe more. I have what appears to be purpura that comes and goes for about 2 years now, but my family doctor didn't have any idea what it was. They checked my platelet last time it happened and said it appeared to be normal.

Does anyone know if these these symptoms are generally  associated with cryoglobulinemia?

Thanks, Dave

[child24angel]

I can't tell you if this is related to cryoglobulinemia or not.

I can tell you my son had several years of severe itching
We kept telling the doctors and they kept saying no, itching is not
related to HCV.  I actually stood there and argued with the doctor.

Fast forward to another medical center..and waa laa yes it is.

Strange but when he was on treatment or on maintenance before
the HALT C studies came out he felt much better and didn't itch as much at all.
Once off all tx he was pretty miserable itching, however there was nothing
on his skin...nothing.

I don't know if this helps you, just sharing a bit of info

Hugs
Elaine

[spectda]

Thanks elaine. I appreciate you're support and kindness. I read your info and I am very sorry you lost your son. We are lucky to have you continue to support us! You are obviously a very strong and compassionate woman.
Dave

[positude]

Here is a link which says "purpura" is a sign of cryoglobulinemia. Hope this helps.

http://www.mayoclinic.org/cryoglobulinemia/symptoms.html

[spectda]

Thanks for the link positude (I wish I could have a more positude myself lately!). It seems that there are a few reasons you can have purpura with hep c, most don't seem so good! I guess I should find out for sure.

[child24angel]

Thank you Dave
I wish you nothing but the very best

Hugs
Elaine

[orphanedhawk]

When I had lots of itching it was because of elevated enzymes.
Its easy to have your enzymes tested with a simple blood test.

[spectda]

Hi orphanedhawk, Even though I am at f2, my alt is only 70 and ast 57, just slightly out of range, my bilirubin is normal, the only number that is high is my viral load which is 1,524,324 iu/ml, 6.2 log iu/ml  this is pretty consistent with many years of blood work.