Polycythemia

I have been ill for quite some time now.  I've had a whole slew of symptoms that my doctor hasn't been able to get to the bottom of.  I've been suffering from hypertension for 10 years now and am a chronic hepatitis b carrier.  My mom had an active case when I was born over 48 years ago so I'm assuming that's where mine came from.  Up until recently I'd been pretty healthy.  However, for about 6 months I've been experiencing chronic fatigue, night sweats, bloating in my stomach - it feels like I'm pregnant but I had my tubes tied, chest pain, chronic pain on my right side that seems to worsen at night, dark urine, blood after BMs periodically, joint pain, daily headaches, nausea, chronically thirsty.  They're also trying to confirm that I have COPD because I have such shortness of breath but my oxygen level is good - in the upper 90s.  Had a pulmonary function test and am supposed to get the results today.  In August, my headache was so bad that I cried for hours.  It finally went away but I was in bed for days because I just didn't feel well.  Then in December I had 3 episodes where I felt like I was going to pass out and nauseous.  I checked my blood pressure because I was at the grocery store.  Once it was extremely high 160/100 and another time it was 90/70.  I am taking blood pressure medicine.  Anyway my doctor did some bloodwork and my red blood cell count is high 16.7.  She referred me to a hematologist which I haven't seen yet to see if I have polycythemia.  Then I was watching mystery diagnosis on discovery last night and saw an episode about someone with some form of Budd-Chiari syndrome (I think - can't find the episode on the link).  Those sympstoms really hit home for me.  The lady was plagued by headaches and dizziness.  She kept going to the emergency room.  They'd rehydrate her and she felt better for a bit but the symptoms always returned.  Anyway they finally did an MRI and discovered that she'd had a couple of strokes that did no lasting damage.  I can't help but wonder if I had strokes too when I had those episodes in December.  I called the medical exchange because I know strokes in women don't manifest themselves the same way as they do in men.  I realize mine is a complicated case but I'd definitely appreciate any input that you can provide.  Also as far as my weight goes, I am not overweight - 5'3" and 118 pounds but I have gained 8 pounds within the last 6 months and haven't eaten anymore than I normally do.  In fact I've been eating less because I feel so bloated and full all of the time and can't eat very  much when I do eat.

[KjFlicka]

Have you had your liver panel done because of the Hep B? Viral Hepatitis is a common cause for liver disfunction and damage. I'm curious if the all the weight gain you mention (the 8 lbs or so) has seemed to have gone to your belly??  I had Hep B as a kid, it lead to an extra sensitive liver and, paired with alcohol, rewarded me with cirrhosis at age 34!

I'm sorry I can't address all your symptoms as I only really have experience myself with liver and pancreas stuff. Please do let me know if you have any questions about those, though.

Hopefully someone else here can provide some more input for you!

Take care!