Sun Reaction

[Djanna]

I am still in the first stages of finding the right physicians.   I hear there are tests they give that are even more extensive.  The Drs. at the clinic have me on a strict diet and I can't take any over the counter meds. I have had lab work, ultrasound, and am in the process of getting copies of all my records.  
I thought people only had reactions to the sun who were on treatment.  I have not started treatment but went in the sun and got sick like I have never been.  I am itchy all over and have a rash all over.  My skin is red and my palms too.  I feel sick to my stomach.    
I just want to know if the is a common reaction so I know what to expect and what to do about it.   I have read other peoples stories but it seems the ones I read were on treatment.  

[Djanna]

Plants are great!   I just planted a baby fig tree about two months ago.  I know that fig leaves, on big trees, are an irritant to my skin.  Never bothered me to bad but it seems my skin is more sensitive lately.
Thank you for your support and encouragement!

[Djanna]

Good to read your reply and hear how you feel.  You sound like you keep an open mind and that can be very helpful in the long run.  Thank you very much!

[Djanna]

Thank you

[Djanna]

Thank you Dawn you offered a lot of good information and spent time filling me in.  You help is very much appreciated!!!

[ceanothus]

I don't think sun sensitivity is something that would be likely to be related to HCV infection. Treatment, yes, but not just infection. Lots of other drugs can cause such sensitivity (especially many antibiotics), and of course there are also lots of plants out there. I have a lovely native Lemonade Bush in my backyard that I never suspected of anything until I pruned it one day. Big mistake, it has the same toxins in it that poison oak has, even though the plant form is radically different. Take care, and I'm so glad to hear you are making progress on getting appropriate medical care!

[PJ1966]

I've never had any sun reactions and in fact am an avid sun lover (before treatment).  Never burn type skin.  I haven't any experience with sun reactions under treatment (only on day 7 now), but I'm not going to take a chance!  I'm just staying out of the sun.....I do not want those rashes/itchy skin and the sun can only make things worst.  Hope you find a good doctor.  Where do you live?  I know a good one in San Diego at UCSD.  I know weight is a concern.  I lost a huge amount of weight before starting the program.  The first time on the program, I was heavy and was a relapser so I did everything I could this time around to try to put myself in a better place for success.
Good luck on getting treatment.

[Dawn703]

You are def in the right place to get answers and help you understand.
When you said strict diet and no over counter meds, I just wondered if there were other health issues. One thing about HCV, is that it can cause other issue besides to the liver (extrahepatic manifestations). Some may cause sun sensitivity.

http://www.hcvadvocate.org/hcsp/articles/Bonkovsky-2.html

There are other reading materials as well, just google extrahepatic manifestations and HCV.

Your liver has to process everything your body takes in (food, drink, absorbed through skin, and inhaled). HCV has to attach to your liver cells to multiply, your immune system fights the virus living in your liver cells, and the constant bombardment from the fight damages your liver. As long as HCV is present it will continue to be damaged; eating a very health diet and living a healthy lifestyle does not stop the damage but at least you won't be adding to it by taking in extra toxins that your liver has to process.

Ok so for diet (I wouldn't call it strict), just eat as much organic and whole foods, whole foods meaning whole grains, no to little processed foods, raw veggies and fruits, brown rice, only filtered water to drink (and drink plenty of it), etc... NO ALCOHOL. Only unscented producst on your body and all natural cleaning products. Get plenty of exercise as well. Not sure why they recommend NO over counter meds, you do have to be careful of what you take so as to not further damage your liver, but we all take over counter meds (they are known by our Dr's though) of some sort. They may just be waiting to see the staus of liver damage.

Now when Jeralice asked you for more info, I think she might have been refering to your status, such as genotype of HCV (very important), status of liver (you probably do not know this yet), blood work done, etc...That just helps us answer questions more accurately.

So what you need to do is def get copies of your tests, just go to the lab or Dr office to get them, you have a right to those copies. Why did you have xrays and ultrasound? Were/are you having issues? Did you have a RNA PCR test done to get genotype and viral load? Anyway, def post your results here when you get them, especially blood tests (did you have a CMP and CBC, thyroid?) and any PCR test results.

So when you go to Dr finally, he will likely go over test reults. And things you should have done is a test to determine the state of your liver damage (make SURE your Dr does this). You can have fibrosure test or a liver biopsy done (more accurate). If you haven't had the above mentioned tests, I would hope your Dr is planning to, if not TELL him to do them. With the info from liver test and other results, you and your Dr. can go over treatment options. Now if liver damage is not too bad, you may be able to wait to treat when newer drugs are out that cause less side effects, if you want to wait to treat. If you do decide to treat, genotype (gt) plays a big role in your treatment plan. Your viral load doesn't really matter much except during treatment; it is used to gage your response to treatment. If you do decide to treat now, there will be a whole other list of questions you will need to ask your Dr. If you do decide to wait to treat, just live as healthy as possible and be kind to your liver, don't overwork by putting crap into/on your body. Good luck and keep us posted along the way. If you have any thought, concerns, questions, please don't hesiate.

[rainypass]

Djanna, To answer your question, it is while undergoing the treatment that people cane become very sensitive to the sun and that can make the rashes cuased by the medications worse.
Having hep c does not cause sun sensitivity, being out in the sun too long can cause dehydration and that could make you feel ill. If you were outside working is it possible you could have been around poison oak/ivy? There are other vegetation/plants that can cause  skin rashes too. Whatever the cause, you may be able to try taking some benadryl to relieve the itching. Oatmeal baths, and over the counter cortisone creams can help. While I was doing the interferon/ riba treatment I had itchy rash issues and what worked best for me was alove vera gel,it is also great for sunburns.

Welcome to the forum, it is a good place to learn more while you are preparing for treatment. You are in the right place to ask questions about HCV.

Rainypass

[jerialice]

no that is not a normal issue with hep c.
sounds like an allergic problem or some other immune system disorder.. have RA, thyroid and other tests done. stay out of the sun til you find out what is happening.
as far as a diet- just DON'T DRINK ALCOHOL or take drugs.
lots of water, and if you are overweight, try to lose some.
most people are saying that will help with tx.
let us know how it goes and good luck finding a good hepatologist.
make sure you are working with a specialist for hep c.

[Djanna]

I stated in my first post that I had only met people who were in treatment that were bothered by the sun the same way I was.  That is what made me wonder if maybe they felt like that before treatment as well.  Since I am not in treatment yet.

[Djanna]

Thank you for your answers.  I am certain I am in the right place.  This is the hep forum.  
I have been diagnosed but am in the process of finding a good Dr. who treats it.  I have been referred to one who I am looking forward to seeing.  The one I had kept canceling and scheduling me far into the future.  I am not on treatment as of yet.  I am in the process.  They told me I should be on a hep c diet.  By strict I mean I am adhering completely to what they said.  They told me no aspirins and stay away from toxins.  I wont be properly informed until I a professional who knows about HCV.
I have had x rays blood tests ultra sound.  It is all so new I didn't know I should ask for copies of my tests.   I need to look at them to be more specific. I am calling about that tomorrow.   What they told me was at a clinic then they referred me and it has all taken so long.
I have a little more insight now into this part of it now.  I wrote down a list and have a good plan.
  
My question was about the sun.  I was wondering if it was just the heat or had to do with the hep.   I was out in the sun fixing a gate and didn't realize how much time went by.  I got a bad rash, sick, and itchy all over.  I never had that happen before.   Isn't this what the forum is for so you can find answers that help you understand Hep and what others do and don't experience?

[jerialice]

lots more info needed to even find others having these symptoms.
are you on treatment for hep C? which meds?
at any rate if you are at the right place you will get support here. i agree with dawn- contact your doc asap.
let us know..
ja

[Dawn703]

Welcome to the forum. Why are you on a strict diet and why no over counter meds? Not too sure of the answer to your question, but I never had a reaction like that to the sun before tx. Do you have other health issue this may be associated with? It may be something you want to bring up to your Dr.