psychosomatic?

[csick]

Hi, I received the news that I was + hep C about a month ago. I am still waiting on genotype and quantitative HCV RNA..and then have an appt. with a specialist in March....
I've read enough to pretty much be sure I am in the chronic category..I have elevated ALT and AST.Alt 2X higher. Elevated Iron and depressed HDL...even though total cholesterol is low and LDL low...Iron way too high!

I think before I knew I had vague symptoms but nothing debilitating..things like occasionally having axillary lymph nodes, transient chill and fever.especially after exercise..I live a pretty healthy life...I had surgery from a wreck in 1982 and received multiple blood products..

Well here is my question...since finding out, I feel bad everyday....my stomache aches after eating so I just minimize eating......this has to be psychosomatic but feels pretty real...this is like a reverse placebo effect I hope...

and one more question: what should I eat and take? I read all the information I can....low salt, adequate protein.....
avoid iron.....anyone suggest a simple food regimen..like i would eat very simply, taste is irrelevant to me...just a simple plan......

and one more question why I am at it....I am a running junkie....I want to keep this up...so far no problem when I run, but I am wiped out afterwards ( i run 10-15 miles most days)...i can cut the distance,,,,but am I hurting myself? I feel so happy to be doing it, it is just a measure of life for me that I dread giving up....

Thanks ..it is wonderful we live in a time that people with mutual problems can find each other