hep -c stage 2

[williechas]

hep-c stage 2 water retention in both legs feet , sometimes very itchy?
salt is this aproblem

[Anne1717]

Hi - I have had hypothyroidism for 25 years now.  When my thyroid is off and I need to  up the dose,  I get very, VERY tired, and my skin is dry and itchy.  My hair also get quite dry.

It night be good to have the thyroid panel.  Even if it is not very high - 3.5 or so, you will still have symptoms.  We try to keep mine under 3

[Bill1954]

Hi Charlie, welcome to the discussion group.

Unfortunately, while ultrasound is an excellent tool for many purposes, it can’t discern between various stages of fibrosis. I would personally question someone that determined my stage of liver disease via ultrasound scan. The best tool for this is liver biopsy, although there are several special blood tests that attempt to approximate liver condition as well. Discuss a liver biopsy with your doctor.

There are a number of things that can cause swelling of the legs. You said:

“my leg swelled up so bad and it turned weird red and it was like a log but very painful”

If this swelling or edema only involved one leg, it might very well have been attributable to a blood clot. It sounds like they may have had you on blood thinners at the hospital? In any event, if this is the case, and the swelling is returning, you should go to the doctor ASAP; they can help determine the cause. In fact, you might even drop by hospital ER and have it looked at; a blood clot can dislodge and have serious results, including pulmonary embolism:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001189/

If both legs are involved, it could be related to liver disease, kidney disease, right side heart failure, among others. In any event you should call your doctor and sort this out.

For now and the next several years, HCV management will continue to include drugs that involve significant side effects.

Good luck-

Bill

[williechas]

I am a VETERAN and I had the cat scan, liver biop.Then when I moved to japan, I had an
episode,my leg swelled up so bad and it turned weird red and it was like a log but very painful
anyway I stayed in the hospital for ten days. My 1st blood test when i was admitted the numbers were all  out of wack! Then I was on iv day and night for 6 or 7 days and my leg became noemal and my blood work was excellent my white count was normal again This was in august 2010 and now for about 1month the water started to build up again(april)so anyway
when do you think a new harmless sideefect medicine will come out?
Does the certain Tea work?I work out everyday,and OH they did an ultra sound and thats when I asked what stage and the doctor said stage 2 plus  the blood work came out good
I feel great no swelling in the liver area,just the water retention worries me, thats all.
                                                              thanks for your imput Charlie

[copyman]

like bill said make sure of the stage. your symptoms are typical of advanced liver disease not stage 2.

Reducing salt intake can help with water retention.

Make appointment with a Hepatologist (liver specialist)

Best of luck

[hcvJames]

I have cirrhosis and had edema ... when told to quit salt for tx the edema seemed to go away after some months. Not sure what it means, just an observation. Bill is right (always:) you do need a biopsy.
On the itchy part I've had psoriasis almost as long as Hep C. Psoriasis is an incredible itch problem all by itself.
Stay in touch. All the best.

[Bill1954]

How did you arrive at the conclusion you were at stage 2 fibrosis; was this per liver biopsy, and if so how long ago was the procedure? Edema and itching might be a sign that your disease has progressed. Do you often see a doctor?

Bill