Re: Questions

Posted By kat on July 20, 1999 at 11:30:22
I'm a 23 year old female who's been having hepc for 21 years (from a blood transfusion as a baby). We have just discovered that my viral load is 8.5mill/ml. My liver enzymes have always been normal, except for a bout with mono in 1992. Does this mean I'm a carrier? I don't know if I show symptoms or not--I recently started getting headaches, malaise everyday, and small, red, dry, rash spots show up on my face every now and then (I have no idea from where). My upper right quadrant has vague discomfort sometimes, but I don't know if it's my imagination or not. I have also noted that I have some mental confusion/memory problems that keep getting worse. My doctor says that I'm perfect for a clinical trial with a helicase inhibitor--The problem is that I will be in clinicals (Medical Technology program) when I start the drugs, and won't be able to take off. I would like to know the side effects of this drug (if known). I am scared, confused--I try not to get upset (I've been in and out of depression for years as well). I haven't had a liver biopsy--doctor says we'll do it before the trial. Should I get a 2nd opinion?  I don't know what's what anymore.

[kat__0]

Posted By kat on July 20, 1999 at 18:53:47
I forgot to mention that I'm nauseated often--especially when I drink coffee. Do any of these symptoms have to do with the hep? Or is this all my imagination?

[HFHSM.D.-D.M.]

Posted By HFHSM.D.-D.M. on July 25, 1999 at 15:18:24
Dear Kat:
I appreciate your situation and your questions which cover a range of issues associated with hepatitis C.  Ill try to address all of them.
You wonder if the fact that your liver enzymes are normal means that you are a carrier.  The answer is no.  First the term carrier has to be used carefully in describing patients with hepatitis C.  Some patients with hepatitis C have little to no fibrosis on their liver biopsy despite having the infection for decades.  These patients are sometimes called carriers.  However, to know if you are such a person you have to have a liver biopsy.  The fact that your liver enzymes are normal does not mean that you do not have progressive and significant damage on your liver biopsy.  In fact up to 10 to 20% of people with normal liver enzymes can have advanced fibrosis or damage on their liver biopsy.  
I dont know if your symptoms are related to hepatitis C or not.  Many of your symptoms are somewhat non-specific which means they are common symptoms and can be seen in a variety of conditions or in someone without chronic disease at all.  Most patients with hepatitis C have minimal symptoms.  In fact, most people with hepatitis C dont even know they are infected.  Patients with very advanced liver damage with hepatitis C will develop symptoms but it should be relatively easy for your physician to identify whether you have signs of a failing liver.  Nausea with coffee use is often related to irritation of the stomach or reflux of stomach acid into the esophagus associated with the caffeine.  This can be made worse if someone also uses a lot of soda, cigarettes, alcohol or medications like aspirin or motrin, advil, nuprin or ibuprofen.  You might want to cut back on your caffeine use and see if this gets better.
The hepatitis C has a unique enzyme called a helicase and many companies are interested in developing helicase inhibitors.  However, it is my understanding that these drugs are years away from being available for even experimental use in humans.  
I dont blame you for being depressed and upset.  However, I find that the more patients know about their hepatitis C, the less they feel that way.  As for a second opinion, I feel it is never wrong to get a second opinion (even for my patients).  I hope this information is helpful to you.  Good luck. If you have any additional questions or concerns, you can post them through MEDHELP. The direct number to our liver clinic at Henry Ford is: [phone]. At Henry Ford, we have an active group of hepatologists with a strong interest in the care and research of hepatitis C.
This response is being provided for general informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice or consultation.  Always check with your personal physician when you have a question pertaining to your health.  

[kat__0]

Posted By kat on July 25, 1999 at 22:50:16
Thank you so much for your reply--
I see my doctor in November to talk about the next step (supposedly that helicase inhibitor I was talking about.  You aren't the only person who's told me how unlikely the drug is in the near future...).  He says that interferon would probably not work with me b/c of my viral load.  However, I feel like something should be done, you know?  My mom feels the same way--I think it hurts her more than me, but she stays really strong for me.  
Coffee is the only form of caffeine that I have, but I will cut back on it.  I don't smoke, but I do take Aleve pretty often for some congenital hip problems.  I guess I'll try to cut back on that as well.  The fear of the unknown is the greatest fear of all--I guess every little thing that goes wrong with me makes me blame hepatitis.  I'm sure that I'm looking for symptoms, and waiting for the day they arrive.  It's hard to live with such a silent disease!!!  But once again, thanks so much for your time and advice--I greatly appreciate it!   I have to say that this forum is such a good thing...

[Patricia__0__0]

Posted By Patricia on July 27, 1999 at 12:52:08
I keep hearing that most people who have hep don't show symptoms. Do you mean that most people who don't KNOW they have hep don't show symptoms? Everyone I've ever talked to in the past 10 years I've known I've had hep had symptoms - fatigue, headaches, achy joints, "liver pain", brain fog, etc...Patricia

[Laurie__0__0]

Posted By Laurie on July 30, 1999 at 17:46:52
I have had hep c for 30 years and found out 2 years ago.  Didn't have symptoms before and still didn't after I found out.  It is true that since finding out I worry about the source of an ache here or there, but at age 47 most people have an ache here or there.  In reading people's comments here and in other sites, I know that many do have significant symptoms.  I have no doubt that those symptoms are real, but an awful lot of people do not suffer so I believe it is very individual with no absolutes.  In the scope of things, hep c is relatively mild for a serious disease.  I do not take it lightly - my path report says I have early cirrhosis from it - but a person enjoys decades of good health and probably will not die from it.  If I have to have a disease at all, I am grateful to have this one.










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