This is WEIRD.....

[Mikkimoe]

OK this is really weird - I went to the cardio doc today and my heart did it's "beating thru my chest thing" for him (109 bpm sitting still). He checked my lab tesults that just got in (were just done last week) and he said "no wonder it is acting up with such a high Viral load. The virust can effect all your organs{. I said "I thought it was low - my lab 2 weeks ago from lab Corp was only 58,000". He showed me the current one and it was 3,730,000. BIG DIFFERENCE. He said it could of been the lab (lab corp has as bad rap here) to talk to my heptamologist about it. That the last one (The 3,730,000 one) done there at UCI med center is the right one.

HAS ANYONE EVER KNOWN A VIRAL LOAD TO CHANGE THAT MUCH IN 2 WEEKS? Boy I was so happy about my reading 2 weeks ago - bummer.  

For anyone new - I am a 2B getting ready to start tx if I can get thru all the pre-work.(I have to get more heart tests before starting tx., also have a liver scan tomorrow etc.)
I am a show case of symptoms already...can hardly wait to see what happens. My Hepto Dr was going to try me on a shorter tx time due to the previous low VL - guess he'll probably change his tune now. I'm going to email him tonight about it.

Mikkimoe

[Mikkimoe]

From what I understand Cryoglobulins are present if you have the type of Arthritis (arthralgia) that is associated with Hep C. So if you finish tx - and are SVR then your arthritis pain can go away. (I was hoping) This type is painful but does not cause the deterioration and major surgeies like the real RA that I have. Also other autoimune disorders like Lupus and Sjogrens syndrom show up with high Cryos. They also run antinuclear antibody screens, and ama screens to detect autoimune disorders. As well as the RA factor.

I spoke with my Hepta doc today. He is pretty cutting edge. He is OK with me staying on the Enbrel (The biogenetic injections for RA) - we are just going to keep a closer watch on my vitals. And he did indicate that my RA would probably worsen during tx.

As for my labs - He indicated that the VL labs were inconsistant. He said the RNA levels can have marked fluctuations, but those were more than usual.

On the heart - You could have something here - I drank more today and think it was a bit better. I will know after the echo and the monitor results (I have to wear a monitor for a month or I can use a kind that you just hold to your chest when it feels weird) Anyone have a preference on this? I have to decide by Monday.

Thanks

[Deb_c430]

Oh I didn't put that together Medi, I been hearing heart in my ears at night,  being anemic  would explain that, (due to tx) I love aha moments!  thanks :)

Mikki, what are cryos?    Should i google?  I love trader Joes,  and i just discovered world market!  

Mikki have they said how tx will affect your RA? will you be able to medicate for that still?   Just asking because after my accident I had started treating and they said it was ok to still medicate for that.  

Hugs
Debutante

[Mikkimoe]

Thanks for the feedback...I have been a bit slack on the water intake....I carry the darn water bottle everywhere but just take little sips. I've been having a tough time consuming anything lately...but I just had my butt slapped so will try to do better.

I just bought a smart water from Trader Joes...guess I should drink it huh?

I just got a little more bad news - My cryos came back negative (after 48 hrs - what ever that means). I was hoping they were positive so that some of my severe RA pain would of gone away after tx...no such luck - oh well

Thanks,

Mikkimoe

[pKinCA]

If it is electrolyte imbalance, then I've heard Smart Water, Vitamin Water and/or Poweraid/Gatorade can be helpful... and I think a little salt too... (Is that correct, medicmommy?)

Hi mm, by the way!  :-)

[medicmommy]

Another thought...Often heart "thumping" (in the medical field we call it palpitations) is caused by dehydration or electrolyte (blood salts) imbalances...Also anemia can cause it...(amongst a bunch of other things...) Keep a close eye on these things and remember to drink your water!

[Deb_c430]

Hey darlin,
First stay calm!  
Mine did the same thing first  VL check at 4 weeks.  GI used another lab, for baseline, then  for 4 week lab,  it went to Lab Corp, actually I think they  contract out for the PCRs.  Not sure about that.  

I am not sure about the heart Doc,  tending to agree with JIm here.  I would say maybe if you had started tx already, maybe a side effect..

Your Vl can can change quickly, it is a virus,  sneaky B*stard!  

Hugs

Deb

[nygirl7]

I had heart issues and they too have never been associated with the hep at all.

Me thinks that doctor doesn't know very much about hepc and it just trying to sound like he does to you.  

The meds can affect your heart which is why we all have an EKG or whatever they call it before hand but viral load, no it doens't affect your heart rate.  

[jmjm530]

Viral load can change even over short period of time, but lab variance could also be a factor. For that reason, it's often suggested you stick to the same lab unless a reason to switch. As to your heart "thumping" and viral load -- all due respect to your cardiologist, but most non-liver specialists know squat about HCV. I have a number of cardiac issues and neither my liver specialist (nor two cardiologists) ever related it to HCV. BTW other members of my direct family have similar cardiac issues and neither has Hep C.

-- Jim

[medicmommy]

Hello!
No worries! Your viral load can change an entire log value in 24 hrs...I've been told, when your immune system is taking a hit, the hep dragon gets a toehold, and the vl rises...Thus the reason for the interferon part of the tx...It ramps up the interferons in your system (ie. immune system) and a "dragon stomping" commences...I've seen quite a bit on how hep affects other parts of the body...