Not sure whats going on??

Hello all,
Hope everyone is well.  I am curious about a few things.  Let me list my info first.

25 yr old female, 3a, vl 450,000. Liver enzymes elevated. No biopsy.  Just found out 1 1/2-2 ago months that I have HepC.  Saw the specialist on may 10.  They decided because I have not been feeling well and have probably had this for a few years that I will go on treatment for 24 weeks.  I was not feeling good at all around the time they were doing all the tests and I found out I had HepC.  Then i started feeling better. Now its coming back.  Does this come and go.  I am confused.  I dont feel good today.  My symptoms are Hotflashes I feel like I am burning up, tiredness, nausea, achiness in neck,shoulders and back.  Pain on right side(has gotten better, more of an uncomfortable feeling) Headaches.  I get really hot then get the chills.  I just dont feel right.  Not alot of energy.  I will probably be starting treatment in 2 weeks.  I am scared and nervous of how it will effect me.  I just want to get back to normal.  I hope everything will be ok.  They didnt say I absolutley needed treatment.  It was my choice too.  But I figure beat this while my viral load is low.  why wait.. Is this a smart decision.  Thanks for listening.  :)
P S.  I am also proud to say I have quit smoking!!Its been 2 months!

[can-do-man]

Hello and welcome. As for the way you feel its really hard to tell. I felt fine, besides the fatique. This is just my feeling but i would want a biopsy to know how your liver is. As for a low viral load, That doesn't much matter on if you will clear or not. Seen it both ways here to many times. Some with low VL don't clear while ome with high VL do clear. VL really only matters when you start treatment. Being a 3 is better then being a 1 0r 4. But i would really want a biopsy. Best to you going forward.

[Mishelli]

Thanks for your advice.  I know this sounds stupid.  But I am so afraid of getting a biopsy.  I know its my health and its important.  Did you have a liver biopsy?  And if Yes what happened? My dr also said because I am young and have a low viral load that I probably do not have liver damage.  Do you think I should get a second opinion?

Thank you

Shelli :)

[can-do-man]

Having the biopsy was scary for me to. But the worst part was laying after it for 3 to 4 hrs. Have one that is ultrasound guided, with some iv sedation and its really nothing, i was awake the whole time and it was painless. a second opinion is always a good ideal. Viral load and damage don't mean a whole lot. Being your young the odds are your damage is low. Thats why a biopsy could be the most important thing. Worry is the worst part. Best to you and hope to see you here often.

[2hep2it]

Dear Misheli,

Please do think about getting the biopsy done. Isn't it better to know than not know?  Knowing you can deal with it and fight it with more positive outcome. Not knowing, you run the risk of letting yourself go until damage that could have been averted happens. I had my first biopsy in 97. It was quick and relatively painless ( I did feel it a little ***** of the needle) somewhat like a regular needle when blood is drawn. there was a slight "plop". It may or may not be similar for you. It is the ONLY CONCLUSIVE way to determine what state your liver is in.

As far as your doctor telling yopu " because you are young and don't have a high viral load" you probably don't have liver damage. Sorry but thats not sopund advice. So yes, I would get a second opinion. Viral load high or low is not a reliable indicator or prognosticator of liver damage. Liver damage may be possible with LOW or HIGH VIRAL LOAD, LOW OR HIGH LFT's (Or even normal ) OLD or YOUNG. Age is not the issue. The state of your liver and amount of damage is. The liver is a very individualized organ and it can take a lot. But it also reacts differently  from person to person. So yes, I would get another opinion, please see another doctor. When you do, don't be afraid to ask questions: How many patients do you treat with Hep? Did you do a Hepatology fellowship ( if the person is a Hepatologist), what is your success rate in treating your patients, are you involved in research, etc. These are indicators expertise. Remeber a GOOD doctor will work with you.


Good luck!

[Mishelli]

Thanks.  This website is great.  Its nice to have people that know what you are going through.  I have been this anxiety ball ever since I found out.  I cant stand the waiting, it makes me crazy.  If you dont mind me asking what genotype you have, Etc.

Shelli

[Mishelli]

Thanks for your advice.  Should I be seeing a Hepatologist instead of a gastro doc???  My primary care referred me too this dr, and I can honestly say that I wasnt happy with the way they handled me.  The NP said one thing and the dr said another...And I didnt even see the dr I was referred too.  So now this dr that I am not too fond of is the one I am stuck with.  I think I should get a second opinion.  What a long process....waiting and waiting.  I just want answers and to feel better. Thank you for your advice again.  Talk to you soon.

Take care

Shelli :)

[can-do-man]

I had slight discomfort in my right shoulder. Didn't last long and didn't need any meds for it. Was a little score for a couple days, mainly when i would get up from setting or laying. Again nothing bad. Like i have said the worse for me was having to lay for so long after the bx. Good luck to ya

[rochammer]

Hi Mishelli

As posted above a biopsy is the last part of the puzzle and maybe the most important. It

[OnAPrettyPoison]

My biopsy was done by the radiologist, ultrasound guided.  They gave me something IV that caused a momentary amnesia.  They could have probably cut off my big toe and I wouldn't have cared.  Watched Elvis in Blue Hawaii on the TV and laid on my side for three hours.  Not even sore later.  Left less of a mark on my side than the vampires leave when they draw my CBC's.

[Pdilly]

Okay those that have had the bx.   I have mine scheduled for next week.  Everyone agrees that if they numb the area you don't feel much.  A lady at work has had two and she said the actual bx did not hurt but the afterwards did.  She said she was close to tears both times.  Maybe she has a lower level of tolerance of pain.   I don't have a high one.  Did any of you feel the pain (the 2-3) hours you lay there afterwards?

[can-do-man]

If at all possible go with a Hepatologist. I first went to a GI and when i asked him what my geno type was he said, whats it matter you have hep-c. Run don't walk to a Hepatologist. And again try not to worry. We all did. But for the most part it was the worst part. Hep-c for the most part is a slow moving virus. Most have it 30 years or more without knowing it.

[2hep2it]

Hey Shelli,

Sorry for not answering you sooner, but I was sort of out of it. Although there are good GI's out there. I would go with a Hepatologist, since they are the most qualified. A Hepatologist has to go through several extra years in what is called a Fellowship to become certified as a liver specialist. Many docs say there are specialists, when in fact they are not. I'd look into it if I were you. It took me 9 years to get to the point where a "specialist" is exactly what I got....a real one.


Talk to you soon

2hep2it

[Mishelli]

THanks.  Hope you are doing well.

Take care

Shelli :)