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hep c and high blood pressure
male Caucasian 62 years old. Hep C diagnosis in 2005 kind of by accident, first time blood donor. Went to specialist and had biopsy, came out stage 3 about 9 years ago. Never had any liver problems indicated in any previous lab work. Took "the cure" Ribovirin and Interferon "Pegasis" for about 3-4 months. Almost died from thyroid complications, stopped treatment.
Last lab work about 6 months ago, still plenty of virus load, liver functions still in the box, healthier than most guys my age...go figure?
But now my blood pressure is creeping up to some pretty bad levels on occasion. 160/98 at times, don't feel bad, no headaches or any thing, still chopping trees and digging ditches. So what is the cause? Back pressure from a plugged up liver? Any thoughts on where to go with this as far as medication?
Last lab work about 6 months ago, still plenty of virus load, liver functions still in the box, healthier than most guys my age...go figure?
But now my blood pressure is creeping up to some pretty bad levels on occasion. 160/98 at times, don't feel bad, no headaches or any thing, still chopping trees and digging ditches. So what is the cause? Back pressure from a plugged up liver? Any thoughts on where to go with this as far as medication?
I had high blood pressure prior to treatment for HepC, controlled to near high normal by Losartin. During successful treatment my blood pressure dropped to low normal. I thought it might have to do with improved liver function, but was advised otherwise by my liver specialist. So if a good liver can't lower BP, a poor liver shouldn't raise it.
Years ago (when I first developed high BP) I researched why healthy feeling people got it and read that half the cases were of unknown origin. I read that to mean it's a normal part of getting old. High blood pressure is also known as "the silent killer" so don't think because you don't feel symptoms your okay. Get treated with drugs or change your lifestyle enough to reduce your high BP.
Years ago (when I first developed high BP) I researched why healthy feeling people got it and read that half the cases were of unknown origin. I read that to mean it's a normal part of getting old. High blood pressure is also known as "the silent killer" so don't think because you don't feel symptoms your okay. Get treated with drugs or change your lifestyle enough to reduce your high BP.
Hi Tark,
Good comments from Pat and Lynn re: getting treated with new agents for your Hep C. They now approach 90% or better success with few or no side effects.
But you should ALSO get your high blood pressure attended to ASAP.
This can lead to bad things such as heart attacks and strokes, kidney disease, eye problems. Your hypertension is likely not particularly associated with your liver problems or past treatment attempts. You may need to see a primary care MD for this, or perhaps your hepatologist can start you on treatment if he is willing to do that (mine was for my own high BP).
Good luck!
Mark
Good comments from Pat and Lynn re: getting treated with new agents for your Hep C. They now approach 90% or better success with few or no side effects.
But you should ALSO get your high blood pressure attended to ASAP.
This can lead to bad things such as heart attacks and strokes, kidney disease, eye problems. Your hypertension is likely not particularly associated with your liver problems or past treatment attempts. You may need to see a primary care MD for this, or perhaps your hepatologist can start you on treatment if he is willing to do that (mine was for my own high BP).
Good luck!
Mark
Hi, Tark, welcome to the Forum.
Please go to the Dr - best to go to a hepc Specialist, hepatologist or qualified infectious disease Dr.
It is best to get the treatment (tx) BEFORE the disease reaches the stage where the damage is so bad, you have symptoms. As Lynn said, treatment is usually 12 or 24 weeks, the side effects (sides or sx) mostly not or very mild -- there are some who have worse but there are usually complicating factors/other conditions, etc. PLUS you are male and you do a lot of physical work ('exercise') both of which usually mean less side effects.
Also, there are programs to help pay for or to pay entirely for these expensive meds - so don't let that stop you. If you don't have and/ can't afford health ins to pay for Dr visits, Lab work etc., every state has programs in place to help.
we can talk about that when the time comes. One step at a time, here.
We are here to help guide you through the process, answer questions, etc and walk with you through this. We have all been there OR are there now so you have lots of company and knowledge available to you!
Take a deep breath, exhale, call for a Dr appt and start on the road to getting rid of this 'Dragon' (the hepc) forever!
Keep us informed, ask questions...we are here. Oh, and get copies of all your Lab work, and find out your genotype as well as viral load. When that is available, people can answer questions more specifically.
Good Luck, and again, welcome. : -). May you treat get over this hepc, and have the Happiest, most Prosperous And Healthiest HepC free New Year ever!
Pat
Please go to the Dr - best to go to a hepc Specialist, hepatologist or qualified infectious disease Dr.
It is best to get the treatment (tx) BEFORE the disease reaches the stage where the damage is so bad, you have symptoms. As Lynn said, treatment is usually 12 or 24 weeks, the side effects (sides or sx) mostly not or very mild -- there are some who have worse but there are usually complicating factors/other conditions, etc. PLUS you are male and you do a lot of physical work ('exercise') both of which usually mean less side effects.
Also, there are programs to help pay for or to pay entirely for these expensive meds - so don't let that stop you. If you don't have and/ can't afford health ins to pay for Dr visits, Lab work etc., every state has programs in place to help.
we can talk about that when the time comes. One step at a time, here.
We are here to help guide you through the process, answer questions, etc and walk with you through this. We have all been there OR are there now so you have lots of company and knowledge available to you!
Take a deep breath, exhale, call for a Dr appt and start on the road to getting rid of this 'Dragon' (the hepc) forever!
Keep us informed, ask questions...we are here. Oh, and get copies of all your Lab work, and find out your genotype as well as viral load. When that is available, people can answer questions more specifically.
Good Luck, and again, welcome. : -). May you treat get over this hepc, and have the Happiest, most Prosperous And Healthiest HepC free New Year ever!
Pat
Hi welcome
As far as where to go yhat would be to your doctor.
There are new treatments recently approved to treat hep c which are of shorted duration, with minimal side effects for the majority of patients and highly effective at eradicating the hep c virus.
Most people don't feel bad until hep c has progressed to the point of having developed extensive liver damage that is when symptoms develop.
Viral load is not an indication of how much damage you have.
Liver function tests also don't show the degree of liver damage only that damage is occurring. Before I started treatment my liver function test were barely out of normal and I have cirrhosis to the last 7 years.
Some of the names of the new meds are Sovaldi, Olysio, Harvoni and the newest VIEKIRA PAK approved in December
Good luck
Happy New year
Lynn
As far as where to go yhat would be to your doctor.
There are new treatments recently approved to treat hep c which are of shorted duration, with minimal side effects for the majority of patients and highly effective at eradicating the hep c virus.
Most people don't feel bad until hep c has progressed to the point of having developed extensive liver damage that is when symptoms develop.
Viral load is not an indication of how much damage you have.
Liver function tests also don't show the degree of liver damage only that damage is occurring. Before I started treatment my liver function test were barely out of normal and I have cirrhosis to the last 7 years.
Some of the names of the new meds are Sovaldi, Olysio, Harvoni and the newest VIEKIRA PAK approved in December
Good luck
Happy New year
Lynn
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