Newbie needs info

[Davidb1959]

Hi, I was diagnosed with Hep C in 2005, recently I feel fatigued to the point I'm sometimes sleeping 14-15 hours several times a week, I have joint pain and tenderness bordering on pain in my uper right abdomen. My ALT's are around 156, I don't know my viral load but me doc says I'm the 3rd highest he's seen in his practice, I take NORCO and Lyrica for pain, I have not yet gone to a specialist due to finances, I just had bloodwork and a ultrasound, Ultrasound just showed a "fatty" liver. I probably contracted the virus in 1983 from a blood tranfusion after a car accident here I needed minor plastic surgery and had some bad head wounds that required the transfusion, Are the fatigue and pain normal at this point or should I be looking outside the Hep for other answers

[Davidb1959]

My docs office just called and said my Ammonia is at 168.2, I know this isn't a good thing, they're calling in a script for lactulose, what can I expect now and how does this drug work, I've read it's a laxative that reduces Ammonia via the digestive tract, do you feel OK generally speaking taking this med or should I prepare for some kind of side effects

[Davidb1959]

About my VL, I just don't have the test results at the moment but if my memory serves the number was 2.8 mil,  I just don't have a point of reference to indicate what that means to me and the illness. I live in South Bend Indiana and so far my doctor doesn't seem to think the numbers are all that inportant, this concerns me a good deal, he's a nice guy but he is a GP and hasn't made any recommendations so I've been doing research and found this place where I thought others could help me know if I'm getting proper advice, also I do realize depression can cause that type of sleep but I've been through that before and all I can say is that this fatigue is different, I'm starting to get concerned, I have decent insurance right now but with the economy I don't know how long I can sustain my employment like this and continue to afford the insurance, I really feel like **** all the time anymore and everything seem to take a ton of effort to do. Are these thing all normal and should I be thinking about changing Docs to one that might have a better understanding of Hep C? Also are there things like diet  I can do to inprove my energy, I eat pretty much like a normal American I suppose but maybe I should be doing something different, any guidance is really appeciated since I feel a little freaked out lately at these changes

[IMstacie]

Yes those are symptoms of Hep C but many folks have no symptoms which is why so many don't get tested.  I'm not the most experienced person on this site but I believe your ALT's are rather high at 156, indicating liver damage.  Where do you live?  Is there any free clinics close to you?  Teaching hospitals?  

Hopefully, someone will weigh in on this post.  I've seen some good info in this forum for people that don't have insurance.  Good Luck.

[Mary4now]

With my limited understanding I will say that I think it is different for some people.  Certainly fatigue is a common symptom, but fatigue can also be related to depression, or just plain ole being tired.  To much sleeping can also be depression.
I dont understand why you cant get your VL.  You will need a biopsy to determine any damage to your liver which is pretty important.  Also what is your genotype?
A specialist really is not that expensive you could probably see one for $150.00.  And the biopsy might be negotiable with the hospital.  You might get into a trial and they could help with the cost depending on the trial.
You do have some options, but first I would get a biopsy.  Where do you live?
I'm exhausted but I think its from life, working lots, not relaxing enough, stressing.  I can still get myself to work, and some days I feel great, I do have aches in my joints, but I'm 60 yrs. old did massage for 20 years and do lots of manual work now. So..... who's to say unless its the kind of fatigue where you cannot literally get yourself up.