herbs

dear dr. d can you explain why some times i have liver pain. i was diagnosed with hep c last year in november 2007.my gp doc did all kind of tests on my back, rib area, (right side). she found nothing wrong. she seems to think its muscle spasm.  i have not treated yet for hep c. i have been taking milk thistle, vitamin supplements,(individually).tumeric,green tea,dandelion root,burdock. could the herbs be the problem? or the vitamins. some days i dont pain at all. exercising helps. my viral load is 1 million. ast 65, alt 54. i really didnt have any symptoms until i went to emergency, thought i had an urinary tract infection. they did nt find anything wrong.  thats when i went for check-up with my g p blood test, confirmed i had hep c. im very healthy, in shape, dont suffer from fatigue. can you help?  and could this be liver pain or something else?

[Douglas Dieterich, MD]

Some people have  a vague feeling of discomfort in the right upper quadrant from time to time. That is probably the liver capsule stretching with inflammation and swelling. Many people think it is worse when they are tired. I believe it is your liver since the capsule has nerve endings. Many doctors are not aware of this phenomenon. The best way to relieve it, as long as it is not your gallbladder, is to get treated for HCV! Stay well. DTD