is it hep c??

recently i have been getting very sharp pains in what feels like inside my middle right hand side ribcage.liver region...all though not long ago had liver function tests and all was ok this starts from my tummy and works its way to my back, only feels a little better if i hold my ribcage.
Ontop of this my limbs in general are exremely weak, hands especially i do suffer from poor circulation but this is drifferent, Especially a rather painfull tingiling on my left palm under my thumb.
Left foot the arch bit continually cramps up as well...?
i feel like whats going on in my brain is taking my body 2 mins longer to realise...
i suffer bipolar and take lexapro for this but the past few days i have been on Ice and had a about 6 xanax 2mg during this weekend period and hence havent taken the lexapro
Also have had diaroeah..a normal daily thing for me...god knows why.
been very twitchy with my fingers but not in a normal "come down" way, i feel like im safe if im picking at my nails
nails have also become very smooth and shiny lately...almost greesy?
am i just going completely bonkers!?!?!
my partner has hep C and i am also concerned this chest pain may be liver?

[Douglas Dieterich, MD]

There is no reason to worry about your right upper quadrant. Just get the blood tests for HCV  and a sonogram. The chances of transmission are very low. The Lexapro is much more effective than Xanax for these issues. you should take it every day.

[Dayzdreamer]

Hi Jessa,

I hope this information helps. I sectioned the questions so it may be easier for you to read. I am not a Dr. So this is just advice as to what it possibly may be. If you have any questions I will do my best to respond to them.

1. It is common for those with hep c to feel pain in their upper right qaudrant. The liver doesn’t actually feel pain as said below. It could also be inflamation (inflammation) of the gall blader or you may be getting gallstones. This is common with liver disease.

Hepatic Pain or Liver Pain
Hepatic abdominal pain is usually in the right upper quadrant giving rise to more mild pain or discomfort than severe pain.  If the pain is severe, this may  indicate heart failure  or acute hepatitis.  Damage to the liver tissue does not give rise to pain!  It is the stretching of various other tissues (hepatic capsule) which causes the pain.


2.  If you are feeling week in your limbs you  your Dr. about a should ask your Dr. about a test for anemia. Your liver sounds ok but hepatitis is a liver disease so you may suffer from muscle loss due to your liver not processing protien properly. I think this usually happens if the liver is a stage of cirrhosis. Ask your doctor. I had tingling in my legs and my toe being numb. This can be from bad circulation, your veins are not getting blood flow through them as they shrink.  It may also be some nerve damage but with what you say about your liver I would say it is due the circulation and vein shringage.
If you can exercise regularly that will help.  A massage if you can get one done helps to. If you end up anemic your Dr. will probably recommend a iron supplement.


3.  If you are having cramps you may be low in potassium. Make sure you are getting enough in your diet. A Dr. can run a test on this when he checks for anemia. Drink lots of water and stay away from caffiene and alcohol which dehydrate you. You don’t want to drink alcohol. It causes alcohol hepatitis. This will speed up your hep c as it is working to damage the liver also. Best not to stop medications unless your Dr. orders it. Hepatitis c can cause itchiness. Your nail picking may be because of this. Then again with what you are going through you just may be nervous/anxious with reason.



4. You are  probably having the diareah because of gastro problems. This happens with liver disease. Chronic gastritis may cause right upper quadrant pain, nausea, and bowel movement abnormalities. Your bowel could be smooth/normal, watery due to a rapid transmit from the intestines, to constipated. If you do have gastritis your Dr. will put you on something like prilosec or a prescription one.  Don’t just take the prilosec because it can be bought over the counter.  Make sure you Dr. oks it. It is not meant for long term use unless your Dr. wants you to. I copied these articles for you to look over.

Gastric Pain and Duodenal Pain
Gastric and duodenal pains are often poorly defined upper abdominal pains which can also be felt in the back in accordance with meals.  It can be a gnawing pain which may be relieved by antacids.  
Duodenal pain may be localized by the patient who can point directly to the xiphisternal area.  The pain is aggravated when the patients stomach is empty therefore will habitually awaken the patient at night (duodenal lesions).  In general, duodenal pain will be relieved after eating a meal but if the pain is aggravated by foods it will be gastric.  
If the pain radiates to the back it generally suggests posterior penetration of gastric or duodenal ulcer.  When a ulcer perforates the pain will become more generalized (unless ulcer is small)
Large Intestine Pain
Large intestine (colonic) abdominal pain tends to be most predominantly felt in the central abdomen if the ascending or transverse colon is affected.  If the descending colon is affected the discomforting pain will be felt in the lower abdomen below the umbilicus.  
Small Intestine Pain Small intestinal abdominal pain is a colicky and periumbilical   when due to inflammatory or infective causes.  Small blood supply is impaired there may be mesenteric angina with pain after eating lasting until blood deficiency of the gut ends.  Terminal ileal pain tends to be localized to the right lower quadrant.  Complete arterial blockage with intestinal infarction causes sudden onset central abdominal pain with circulatory collapse.  

I still feel that stomach problems such as gastritis, ulcers or a helicobactor pylori infections remain a consideration. Look at the Gastritis pain above. If your nails are chipping and you pick on them it may be due to  iron deficency.

This is from research I have done and learnt from boards on hep c. I do have cirrhosis so my symptoms are more extreme but those with hep c do suffer with these problems to a certain extent. I would suggest taking notes and have them ready for you next Dr. visit so you are prepared. He may want to do a CBC and if he questions gastritis or a  peptic ulcer may want a endoscopy done. He will no. You may not have to have the edoscopy. (upper scope) I wish you the best and will have you in my prayers.


Dayz