Anyone have any digestive problems with Hep C?

[Healingangel]

Just wondering if anyone else has digestive problems and major food intolerances?  The longer I've had this Hep C virus the worse it has become.  I am now approaching week 7 on the Sovaldi and Olysio combo and my viral load test said I was under 15 but still detected.  Anyone else had that result?  But my doc is very pleased and said I will be undetected by week 8.  No sides extreme fatigue which seems to get worse as the treatment goes on but I'm still so very grateful to be on these wonderful miracle drugs!

[susan400]

I don't have the leaky gut thing. But, I've had IBS for years.  It seems like the older I've gotten, the worse it's become.  It's the constipation predominant type.  I don't understand why I've ever gotten this actually.  I eat veggies, fruit, drink plenty of water, exercise regularly and yet, doesn't seem to make alot of difference.  I have noticed ( and this may be unusual ), but it seems like when I eat whey protein, that I bloat up really bad.  Unfortunately, almost all yogurts and the 'good bacteria' contain whey protein.  I can't tolerate high gassy foods or spicy foods either.  Like if I eat dried beans for example, I am in agony and pain.  Mexican food is totally not tolerated by my body in any way.  Is any of this related to the liver?  Or is it a separate IBS issue?  I've never really had any heartburn symptoms or reflux.  Just the processing the food and moving it through the system and out the bowel type of thing.  I'm actually to the point to where once I've SVR'd and gotten the treatment drugs out of my system.., seeing about trying that new drug for IBS - Linzess or something like that.  I'm tired of walking around with all this added pressure in my gut-very uncomfortable.


Susan400

[candyce1953]

Yup 12 weeks clear of tx and cured
ALT /AST/ al phosphate/billy Rubin =all normal
Rheumatoid arthritis better
But
Higher eospinals 25 now, do not know
Anti Mittachonrial down from 114 to 77  but still 57 points too high
And also an anaphylactic allergic marker serum tryptase also high
I am allergic or something going crazy to something but  do not know what?

[lb141]

Your accessment of this monster is so on point.I,too,didn't believe that HCV could be the source of most of my ailments.Who woudda thunk?

[Verdugo]

Chris, eating smaller sized meals is sound advice for anyone but especially those with taxed livers.  I find I feel sick and sloth-like after a huge meal so eating regularly (every 2-3 hours) has helped immensely.  Also drinking water regularly is another common sense thing I seem to often forget but helps enormously when I do remember.

HA, I truly feel for you!  When nutritious food makes you ill, you feel completely helpless.  I've been there.  Remember that healing generally takes a long time, and it seems the gut takes even longer.  I still remind myself of this because although I'm doing better, I still have a ways to go.  It's definitely two steps forward, one back.  Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be a one-size fits all prescription/diet, so it's up to us to educate ourselves on how to get well.  

Candyce, we'll be waiting to hear if you resolve or have improvement in your autoimmune issues once you finish treatment.   Until a few months ago, I never would have believed that my HVC could be responsible for anything but liver damage -- now I think differently.  It's a very complicated, sneaky, confounding, scary disease that affects everyone differently and should definitely not be underestimated!

[ChrisDDD]

I've kind of always had digestive issues, but at my last doctor's appointment he said to eat small meals several times per day, not all at once, because my liver can't handle it.  I definitely can tell if I eat a big meal.  Yech.  I'm on a lot of stomach medications by now.

[Healingangel]

Thanks for your input, it's comforting to know I'm not alone with this nightmare condition.  Yup, I have leaky gut too but unfortunately haven't been able to tolerate fruits or veggies ( cooked or raw) for over a year.  I'm eating gluten free but everything is all white in color.  Also have to rotate foods every 4 days.  It's a full time job trying to figure out what I'll tolerate each day.  Hopefully when this virus completely clears I'll be able to have a more varied diet.

[Verdugo]

I've had digestive issues for the past 8 years which have steadily worsened over time.  Stress is like adding gas to a fire.  Last year was an all-time low.  I moved, started a new career, moved my dad into a retirement community, and emptied the house I grew up in.  Felt ill and malnourished most of the time and lost 10 lbs which made me look thin and unhealthy.  Then in Feb. 2013, I was diagnosed with IBS following a colonostopy.  No surprise.  The doctor told me there was no connection with diet (as that is the accepted belief in the world of MDs) but anyone who has IBS knows that's just ridiculous!

I believe that there must be a connection between HCV and digestive issues.  For one thing, a gastroentronolgist treats both IBS and HCV.  The liver is responsible for bile production and maintaining blood glucose levels -- majorly important tasks for digestion.  In addition to my digestive woes, I also had a high a1c test, making me pre-diabetic, so I know my liver is not handling glucose properly.

In December, I consulted another doctor who tested me for food allergies which came back positive for about 10 foods, one of which was wheat.   As a result, I was confirmed to have a leaky gut.  I've been on a very restricted diet since January (meat and fruit, veg. only) and a bunch of supplements.  It has  really, really helped.  

Started treatment with Sovaldi and Riba 5 days ago.  I'm hopeful that my glucose issue will be resolved after treatment, assuming I SVR.  

You're doing great.  More than halfway there!  

Glad you started this thread.  I look forward to hearing from others.

V.

[candyce1953]

I am on my last week of Sovaldi and olysio, unfortunately the fatigue is not any better, couch potato throughout 11weeks of treatment

I cleared at 4week, but 15 is very very low, I would listen to your md and not worry about it

I have developed allot of food allergies over the last 6 years years

I have had hepatitis c for 43 years, and always had a stomach of iron, now I can not digest raw fruits or vegetables, only cooked
I has a CAT Scan they said illietus ? Auto immune in origin no known cause, also wheat allergy, so try to eat gluten free, but is difficult

Overall I developed allot of aunt immune illness with hepatitis C
1) primary Bilary cirrhosis
2) hypothyroid
3) rheumatoid arthritis
4)ileitis

My hope is that when the treatment is over and I am cured of the hepatitis I hope all the auto immune disease will go away, since my bloodwork are all normal now, and they were all severely off

Good luck, hang in there !
Xox
CH