hep c and fatigue

[wings21]

I had Hep C geno type 2b grade 1 a,  I had it for 30 years from a transfusion and lead a very active life.  It was once treatment that started to spiraled me into a permanent fatigue state.  Many drugs have been tried as provigil, adderall, vitamines, antidepressants, eating right.  I have been clear since 2006 and continue to have this check with liver ultrasound.  The bloodwork is terrific. I have pushed myself and end up crashing, so now I pace what I do and limit my activity.

Is there anything that could reverse Hep C fatigue once someone clears. Possibly any studies for people with fatigue and Hep C

[treebird01]

I lived with Chronic Fatigue for years. Don't let people tell you its due to depression, unless you are depressed. And If you're depressed you will know it.

Stay off the ADs if you can. They will wreak havoc on your mental health and are hard to get off. Unless, of course, you are seriously depressed  and your life is in danger. Then saving your life and getting you back on your feet outweighs the havoc of the AD's.

I tried everything for my chronic fatigue. Ultimately no one understand it and you have to alter your lifestyle. You need to rest daily and eat well. Get massages. Walk. Do liver and colon cleanses. I have heard this works wonders. Diet changes are powerful. Good luck. Hang in there.

Also,  yes, I've heard of people who have fatigue after treatment. If you did  not have it prior to treatment, don't doubt that treatment brought it on and let all doctors know, even if they don't believe you. You are not alone.

[wings21]

Agree with the psychological part, I kept before treatment, during and still do.  I do have the anexity which has been kept in check for years with zanax at night .5, have not had to increase and it does help me sleep.  Was on wellbrutrin and zoloft unitl the body wouldnt take it anymore.

Each drug that is tried, ie right now the vitamin D, I have to wait to see if it works. I think the thyroid might be a relook.  A classic symptoms I get is the sweats throughout the day and night but since that started with treatment and just didnt end. Doc states most women might go into early menopause? Bloodwork didnt show it but again the symptoms are there. They tried different combinations of hormones and that just threw me into sweats every 20min. The OBGYN had stated the hormone levels are hard to say what is normal since the range is wide and they dont know what might have been normal for me.  

The thyroid meds I have not tried but it is worth looking into again

Thanks

[curiouslady1]

Like HepC, depression can linger for many years undetected and can be brushed aside and disregarded in the face of other more pressing concerns.  It is often called "the Great Pretender" because it can masquerade as many other things.  Many people defensively overwork themselves in a form of denial to counteract their depression. Furthermore, it is not necessarily associated with sadness or weepiness as is popularly believed.   When someone has a serious and long lasting infection that is anxiety provoking and demands attention such as the HepC virus, it is easy to attribute our various ills and unhappiness to it.  Once that cause is removed we may need to face the idea that there are other things in our current or past life that are unsatisfying and pulling us down.  Not to say this is necessarily relevant to your situation wings but in doing a check up it is always good to look at our psychological health as well as our physical health.    

[willbb]

It seems like unfortunately  we collectively haven"t really come up with anything .that you already haven"t looked into or have addressed.

I will just mention thyroid again....the normal levels by labs is still  (.35 -5)  Many informed endocrinologist feel that the optimum should be (  .35  to  no higher than 2 )    the higher the number the more under active the thyroid is.  So my point is...many uninformed docs will say your thyroid is ok at 5  when really many feel symptoms (especially fatigue ) at this level.

If it is ok..and all the rest of your bloods show ok(especially HGB.) and your B12  and D are in range,sleep is adequate,you get proper exercise and there is no depression issues...well sometimes the body just wants to act the way it acts  :)

Hope it all works out..
Will

[curiouslady1]

Depression and fatigue go hand in hand.  Anti-depressants treat symptoms but they don't treat the cause.  If there is no illness that can be found, consider psychological issues that remain unresolved.  

[wings21]

Garyw723

:-) I had quit for two years during treatment and borrow one cigarette. Well we know where that went.  It did give me a temporary boost for two days but I was hooked again and it no longer worked!

I appreciate all the input

[wings21]

The Vitamin D is 50,000 and I get tested at the end of the month to see if it worked.  I also take it once a week.

Hope you also clear the virus.

[Garyw723]

Well then, try nicotine gum! Might perk you up some. J/K

[wings21]

Yes, enough sleep, I have to lay down during the day, no naps just have to lay down in a lateral position.  One specialist tried tramadol to insure I was knocked out.  He wanted to try and reset the body as he put it.  The tramadol worked opposite, which he said happens to a few people, I had the shakes and was up all night.  Of course when your looking for answers, One hates to hear your in the minority.  That is why I posted here but I can see there is not many people that treated sucessfully and still have the fatigue?

[Garyw723]

Are you getting enough sleep? Sometimes people have sleep apnea and don't even know it.

[frijole]

I know a lot of us expect to gain great energy after we clear the virus and I read on this forum quite frequently that it does not happen.  How often are you taking the rx vitamin D?  I am taking 50,000 units once a month but started with it once a week. Maybe that needs to be stepped up.  What was your level?

I have not cleared yet so cannot speak to whether my energy level will increase but I do see folks older than me with more energy -- in some cases they are fueled by nicotine.  There are so many reasons for energy level decreases.  Do drink lots of water in order to flush your body out.  I have no other ideas.

frijole

[wings21]

I have been off the anti D for two years now, no longer needed.  They definitely worked, Doc seen great improvement except for the endurance.  Many test for every other possible aliment, The thyroid gets checked every 3 months.  Its normal!, I have discussed taking the synthroid even though the bloodwork is normal.   The last test did show my body was fighting a virus but the gastro said it just comes with the territory, He said, nothing to be concerned about.  They did cytokine test but there is nothing that I found to treat/supplement.  I wonder if the stage of liver, even minor could have impacted my energy level.  And even if it did, I keep looking for any new treatments.  I have met with a doc that is doing Hep C and Fatigue post treatment.  Have not found any new treatments except taking a prescription Vitamin D at this point.  Its only been a few weeks but they said they need to get that normal.

[Anne1717]

+1 Will

[willbb]

Congrats on  your SVR.  and your subsequent good blood work and ultrasounds.Your fatigue is not caused by Hepc  as you no longer have the  virus.
Fatigue is very often complained about prior to treating as a symptom of HCV .however now that you have eradicated that..... your symptoms would most likely be caused by something else.

You say you blood are excellent...and hopfully your doctor has monitored thyroid .it often gets thrown out of whack during treatment and medication(synthroid ) is needed to keep levels in range. One of the main symptoms of low thyroid is fatigue.

I know that is a simple solution..however it is surprising how many doctors miss this.

You also mention taking Ad"s....if you still are they can very often contribute to fatigue and obvoiusly should only be taken in the long term if you are dealing with clinical depression..

Just some thoughts.....
Will