Questions about HCV

[BigMistake1]

I have an HIV and HCV scare. I already adrdessed it on the HIV board and they feel I don't have an HIV risk and to assess my HCV risk here.  I had protected vaginal sex with a asian massage girl back in May. About three months later I started to have this pain in the top of my right foot. It spread to my left foot also. The pain then turned to numbness over a period of time. I have had multiple symptoms in the last month or two and it is now 6 months post exposure.

My symptoms are as follows:

Almost 20 lbs weight loss in the last month
Itchiness all over my body for quite some time now
I get a real raised rash if I do scratch even the slightest bit
Dry skin
Dry eyes
Dry mouth at night to where I can't sleep right-even when using dry mouth toothpaste, mouthwash, and gel
I had painful/swollen lymph nodes in my neck and armpit and still have some aches from time to time
Extreme fatigue-my legs are the worst whether its walkin up a flight of steps of bending over to pick something up   they are dead
What looks like broken blood vessels on the inside of my cheeks randomly placed
What seems like easy bruising
Dry cough
Pain under my right ribs where liver would be?
I'm sure there's more I had but cannot think of at this moment

I know symptoms usually don't show up for long time if any do but I have read almost all of these can be HCV related from peripheral neuropathy to dry mouth. I was diagnosed with mono over a month ago but the doctor said many of these would not be from mono and I would not be continuing to lose weight. I had a liver function test done maybe two weeks ago and my liver enzymes were fine. I read that you're enzymes can fluctuate between abnormal and normal with hepatitis. The doctor also said my liver did not feel swollen to him on Monday when I went. I know it was protected sex, I used a condom, but afterward I freaked out when I got home and started to shave everything down there and cut myself. My fear is that maybe the virus was on my skin still and got into that cut. I have read it can live outside the body longer than HIV. This Monday I had another HIV test which is 6 months post exposure (I had a negative one after nearly 5 months), a Hepatitis panel, and a thyroid test. I have read a few places that Hepatitis C can cause a delayed seroconversion with HIV. The people on the HIV board don't agree with this. Sorry to get off topic with the HIV but I figure it would better help you understand my current situation.

[scaredlonelady]

Happy endings are not that happy after all huh?

[R Glass]

As previously posted, all you can do is wait for the results. We all know waiting for results can be torture. When I was tested for HIV, I was not concerned at all. By the time the results came, I had convinced my self I had every HIV symptom and was going to die, only to find out, I was negative. I even considered re-testing. I doubt any of this is HCV related but you made the right choice by getting tested. Mainly for peace of mind.

I know you posted on the HIV, HBV, and HCV Forums. This is fine because that is what the forums are for but “sex with a asian massage girl” is useless information for all forums.

[Trinity4]

You'll just have to wait for the results of your test.  We're not doctors.

[BigMistake1]

I had a hepatitis panel done monday. Awaiting my results still. Would symptoms start within 6 months?

[GSDgirl]

yor say you have had multiple tests????? was one for hep C maybe and if not go get it done

[BigMistake1]

I had a complete blood count and I guess it came back normal. I have had multiple tests. Would HCV symptoms show this early? Thanks for the fast responses.

[willbb]

With all those symtoms a trip to the dr.for a full blood workup wuold be in order.

[Trinity4]

No risk but get tested.  We are not doctors and do not have a crystal ball that will tell you for certain one way or the other.  You obviously have a lot anxiety and testing by HCV RNA by PCR will detect the virus two weeks after exposure.  

Trinity