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symptoms when the hepatatis c progresses
I found out in Feb. of 08 that I have hepatitis c, but because of the levels found in my liver my doctor says I've had it for a while. So as i read the symptoms(which I have all of the ones listed)I wonder if some of the other symptoms I suffer from are related to the HVC. So if anyone can tell me what some symptoms of advanced HVC are I'd liked to hear them thanks
There are many great websites out there that you can learn a lot of information from. You can go all the way to cirrhosis without being symptomatic to being stage 1 with a lot of the symptoms. People vary in their experiences. If you are feeling many of the symptoms do let anyone tell you it is in your head because it probably is not. I know that I felt like Sh!% a lot before I found out I had Hep C. I used to tell my wife that I should not feel this bad all the time. I was beginning to think I was turning into some kind of hypochondriac which I had never been.I had friends and family tell me it was stress. The doctors tested me for epstien barr , lymes disease and all kinds of stuff before they figured out I had HCV. I then started reading about it and there in black and white were many of the exact same symptoms I had been feeling.In addition to the sites that were listed above try these sites as well
http://www.janis7hepc.com/
http://www.hepcchallenge.org/
I totally recommend you download a copy of "choices" from the above site. It is free and has a lot of great information. This forum is full of a lot of great people and can help answer a lot of things too in addition to give you great support as you continue this journey.
http://www.janis7hepc.com/
http://www.hepcchallenge.org/
I totally recommend you download a copy of "choices" from the above site. It is free and has a lot of great information. This forum is full of a lot of great people and can help answer a lot of things too in addition to give you great support as you continue this journey.
lets step back a second here.after all great info hippygem but the great majority of people do not have any symptoms until they are well into stage 4.
i know when i first found out I had Hep c , i was imagining all sorts of symptoms.
turns out I am stage 2 and i realize that it was my imagination.
get a biopsy. if you are not stage 4, there is an overwhelming chance that you do not have any symptoms that are caused by HCV.
i know when i first found out I had Hep c , i was imagining all sorts of symptoms.
turns out I am stage 2 and i realize that it was my imagination.
get a biopsy. if you are not stage 4, there is an overwhelming chance that you do not have any symptoms that are caused by HCV.
Gem: Wow! I was going to say that was just tired! Great post. :)
Kelanid: I hope your doctor gave you the talk about drinking. All the ones I know say NO ALCOHOL, PERIOD. This seems to be a serious catalyst for progression of liver disease in HEP C patients. There are also many pharmaceuticals that should be taken carefully or avoided by patients with liver disease.
Kelanid: I hope your doctor gave you the talk about drinking. All the ones I know say NO ALCOHOL, PERIOD. This seems to be a serious catalyst for progression of liver disease in HEP C patients. There are also many pharmaceuticals that should be taken carefully or avoided by patients with liver disease.
Many people infected with the Hepatitis C virus have no symptoms. Even if the person has been infected with Hepatitis C for a long time, no symptoms of the disease may present themselves until cirrhosis has developed. When symptoms are present, they can range from mild to severe. The most common symptom of chronic Hepatitis C is fatigue.
Additional common symptoms of Hepatitis C include:
· Intermittent abdominal pain
· Reduced appetite and weight loss
· Nausea or vomiting
· Depression
· Jaundice – yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes
· Low-grade fever
· Muscle aches
· Pale or grey colored stool
· Dark urine
· Generalized itching
· Ascites
· Bleeding varices – dilated veins in the esophagus
Extrahepatic Manifestations
People with Hepatitis C may exhibit symptoms and signs of infection that manifest in organs other than the liver. Known as extrahepatic manifestations, or immune-complex mediated diseases, these symptoms arise from the immune system’s effort to fight off the infection. Chronic Hepatitis C infection leaves people vulnerable to the development of diseases involving the kidneys, the skin, eyes, joints, immune system and the nervous system. The occurrence of an extrahepatic manifestation does not correlate with the severity of the underlying liver disease. The following associated conditions are the most commonly seen as a result of liver disease:
1. Cryoglobulinemia – This condition is due to the presence of abnormal antibodies (called cryoglobulins) that come from Hepatitis C virus stimulation of lymphocytes (white blood cells). These antibodies can deposit in small blood vessels, thereby causing inflammation of the vessels (vasculitis) in tissues throughout the body. The skin, joints and kidneys (glomerulonephritis) are often targets of the vasculitis.
People with cryoglobulinemia can present a variety of symptoms, including weakness, joint pain or swelling (arthralgia or arthritis), and a raised, purple skin rash (palpable purpura) usually in the lower portion of the legs. As well, people may experience swelling of the legs and feet due to loss of protein in the urine from the kidney involvement and nerve pain (neuropathy). What is more, this vascular condition can spawn Raynaud’s phenomenon, in which the fingers and toes turn color (white, then purple, then red) and become painful in cold temperatures.
2. B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma – This cancer of the lymph tissue is associated with the chronic Hepatitis C virus. Its cause is believed to be excessive stimulation by the Hepatitis C virus of B-lymphocytes, resulting in the abnormal reproduction of the lymphocytes. Most individuals with Hepatitis C virus-associated non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma will require standard anti-cancer therapies.
3. Porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) – PCT is a skin condition characterized by the overproduction of enzymes involved in the manufacturing of blood. People with PCT often have blisters and vesicles form on the back of the hands, forearms and neck, as well as the face. Lesions develop in areas exposed to the sun or have sustained minor trauma. Increased facial hair and pigmentation changes are also common. Major risk factors for the development of PCT include excessive iron exposure, heavy alcohol use, and the use of estrogens.
4. Lichen planus – A skin condition, Lichen planus appears as shiny, flat-topped bumps that often have an angular shape. This rash can occur anywhere on the skin, but often favors the inside of the wrists and ankles, the lower legs, back and neck. The mouth, genital region, hair and nails are affected in some individuals. Thick patches may occur, especially on the shins. About 20 percent of those affected with lichen planus of the skin experience minimal symptoms and need no treatment. However, in many cases the itching can be constant and intense.
5. Diabetes mellitus – An increasingly common metabolic disorder, diabetes mellitus is characterized by resistance to insulin, the hormone that regulates the amount of sugar in your blood. The accompaniment of Hepatitis C with diabetes is strongly associated with advanced liver fibrosis or cirrhosis. People with cirrhosis are believed to have decreased hepatic uptake of glucose, along with reduced hepatic clearance of insulin, leading to high levels of insulin and, therefore, insulin resistance syndrome.
Other conditions noted to be associated with Hepatitis C infection, include:
· Thyroid disease
· Kidney disease, especially Membranoproliferative Glomerulonephritis (MPGN)
· Vitiligo
· Arthritis
· Sjogren’s syndrome
· Mooren’s ulcer
· Neuropathy
While Hepatitis C is perceived as a virus attacking only the liver, clinical practice proves that its ramifications extend beyond solitary hepatic involvement. Perhaps due to the liver’s involvement in nearly every aspect of health, Hepatitis C is a systemic problem. The wide range of possible manifestations of this virus should signal increased public education for earlier diagnosis and treatment of Hepatitis C. Additionally, understanding the commonality between conditions associated with Hepatitis C can help a person suffering with multiple ailments recognize the likely origin of their extrahepatic manifestations.
References:
www.aocd.org, Lichen Planus, American Osteopathic College of Dermatology, 2006. {mosimage}{mosimage}{mosimage}
www.ccjm.org, Hepatitis C Infection: A Systemic Disease with extrahepatic manifestations, Aman Ali, MD, Nizar N Zein MD, Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine, November 2005.
www.hcvadvocate.org, Extrahepatic Manifestations of Chronic Hepatitis C, Roderick Remoroza, MD, Herbert Bonkovsky, MD, Hepatitis C Support Project, 2003.
www.idph.state.il.us, Health Beat: Hepatitis C, Illinois Department of Public Health, 2006.
www.medicinenet.com, What Conditions Outside the Liver are Associated with Hepatitis C?, Tse-Ling Fong, MD, MedicineNet, Inc, 2006.
http://www.hepatitis-central.com/mt/archives/2007/03/hepatitis_cs_ot.html?eml=hepcen25
Additional common symptoms of Hepatitis C include:
· Intermittent abdominal pain
· Reduced appetite and weight loss
· Nausea or vomiting
· Depression
· Jaundice – yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes
· Low-grade fever
· Muscle aches
· Pale or grey colored stool
· Dark urine
· Generalized itching
· Ascites
· Bleeding varices – dilated veins in the esophagus
Extrahepatic Manifestations
People with Hepatitis C may exhibit symptoms and signs of infection that manifest in organs other than the liver. Known as extrahepatic manifestations, or immune-complex mediated diseases, these symptoms arise from the immune system’s effort to fight off the infection. Chronic Hepatitis C infection leaves people vulnerable to the development of diseases involving the kidneys, the skin, eyes, joints, immune system and the nervous system. The occurrence of an extrahepatic manifestation does not correlate with the severity of the underlying liver disease. The following associated conditions are the most commonly seen as a result of liver disease:
1. Cryoglobulinemia – This condition is due to the presence of abnormal antibodies (called cryoglobulins) that come from Hepatitis C virus stimulation of lymphocytes (white blood cells). These antibodies can deposit in small blood vessels, thereby causing inflammation of the vessels (vasculitis) in tissues throughout the body. The skin, joints and kidneys (glomerulonephritis) are often targets of the vasculitis.
People with cryoglobulinemia can present a variety of symptoms, including weakness, joint pain or swelling (arthralgia or arthritis), and a raised, purple skin rash (palpable purpura) usually in the lower portion of the legs. As well, people may experience swelling of the legs and feet due to loss of protein in the urine from the kidney involvement and nerve pain (neuropathy). What is more, this vascular condition can spawn Raynaud’s phenomenon, in which the fingers and toes turn color (white, then purple, then red) and become painful in cold temperatures.
2. B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma – This cancer of the lymph tissue is associated with the chronic Hepatitis C virus. Its cause is believed to be excessive stimulation by the Hepatitis C virus of B-lymphocytes, resulting in the abnormal reproduction of the lymphocytes. Most individuals with Hepatitis C virus-associated non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma will require standard anti-cancer therapies.
3. Porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) – PCT is a skin condition characterized by the overproduction of enzymes involved in the manufacturing of blood. People with PCT often have blisters and vesicles form on the back of the hands, forearms and neck, as well as the face. Lesions develop in areas exposed to the sun or have sustained minor trauma. Increased facial hair and pigmentation changes are also common. Major risk factors for the development of PCT include excessive iron exposure, heavy alcohol use, and the use of estrogens.
4. Lichen planus – A skin condition, Lichen planus appears as shiny, flat-topped bumps that often have an angular shape. This rash can occur anywhere on the skin, but often favors the inside of the wrists and ankles, the lower legs, back and neck. The mouth, genital region, hair and nails are affected in some individuals. Thick patches may occur, especially on the shins. About 20 percent of those affected with lichen planus of the skin experience minimal symptoms and need no treatment. However, in many cases the itching can be constant and intense.
5. Diabetes mellitus – An increasingly common metabolic disorder, diabetes mellitus is characterized by resistance to insulin, the hormone that regulates the amount of sugar in your blood. The accompaniment of Hepatitis C with diabetes is strongly associated with advanced liver fibrosis or cirrhosis. People with cirrhosis are believed to have decreased hepatic uptake of glucose, along with reduced hepatic clearance of insulin, leading to high levels of insulin and, therefore, insulin resistance syndrome.
Other conditions noted to be associated with Hepatitis C infection, include:
· Thyroid disease
· Kidney disease, especially Membranoproliferative Glomerulonephritis (MPGN)
· Vitiligo
· Arthritis
· Sjogren’s syndrome
· Mooren’s ulcer
· Neuropathy
While Hepatitis C is perceived as a virus attacking only the liver, clinical practice proves that its ramifications extend beyond solitary hepatic involvement. Perhaps due to the liver’s involvement in nearly every aspect of health, Hepatitis C is a systemic problem. The wide range of possible manifestations of this virus should signal increased public education for earlier diagnosis and treatment of Hepatitis C. Additionally, understanding the commonality between conditions associated with Hepatitis C can help a person suffering with multiple ailments recognize the likely origin of their extrahepatic manifestations.
References:
www.aocd.org, Lichen Planus, American Osteopathic College of Dermatology, 2006. {mosimage}{mosimage}{mosimage}
www.ccjm.org, Hepatitis C Infection: A Systemic Disease with extrahepatic manifestations, Aman Ali, MD, Nizar N Zein MD, Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine, November 2005.
www.hcvadvocate.org, Extrahepatic Manifestations of Chronic Hepatitis C, Roderick Remoroza, MD, Herbert Bonkovsky, MD, Hepatitis C Support Project, 2003.
www.idph.state.il.us, Health Beat: Hepatitis C, Illinois Department of Public Health, 2006.
www.medicinenet.com, What Conditions Outside the Liver are Associated with Hepatitis C?, Tse-Ling Fong, MD, MedicineNet, Inc, 2006.
http://www.hepatitis-central.com/mt/archives/2007/03/hepatitis_cs_ot.html?eml=hepcen25
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