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Possible 40 years with hep c genotype 1a Since 2007 have not succeeded with treatment 2011 tried protease inhibitors but after 12 weeks anemia and depression were too overwhelming to continue Also in 1991 was transfused with infected bloods In 2012 cirrhosis started My numbers are okay not huge alt's etc but have terrible itching and my skin has now discoloured very dark on feet and up to my knees. My arms are discoloured all over. Have terrible cramps in hands legs and torso thanks HELP
Hi David, First, congratulations on your decision to go forward. I highly suggest that If you haven’t already joined the Hep Forums, that you do. There is lots of great information there and you will likely have more questions as you explore treatment. http://forums.hepmag.com/ As for your specific questions, it sound like you are getting good advice, and are being offered a medication that sounds perfect for you. RE: "Hep-A&B twice without building the antibodies" - This is common with hep C patients. I worked with a world expert on this, and his research found that although we don't have detectable antibodies, we actually have antibodies below detectable level, and we are immune. He advised stopping after the 2nd series. Hope to see you on the Hep Forums.
Lucinda, thank you so much for your blog and especially this article on brain fog. You have (no pun intended) cleared up a lot of questions for me. It describes my symptons perfectly. I am a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who is rated 100% disabled due to PTSD, and I receive all of my health care at the V.A. Until now, I attributed this brain fog to PTSD, but that shows what I know. My biopsy was done in May, 2005. I am infected with hep-c, genotype 1a with a viral load of vl>500,000 iu/ml when I saw my doctor for my biopsy follow-up on May 24, 2005. When he reviewed my biopsy results, he said my liver damage was so minimal that if it was any less, it wouldn't even be detectable. I told him that was impossible, since the only exposure I could remember was in boot camp in 1975 by air jet vaccine guns. I told him that I had drank enough beer in my time to do more damage than that. I told him he had the wrong results and demanded another biopsy be done. He refused, citing his Hippocratic Oath. He assured me the results were correct and told me that since I had so little damage he recommended waiting for something better than Interferon, due to the side effects, to come along, with a biopsy every three to five years. He made an appointment with the head of the clinic for a second opinion, who concurred. When I asked my primary care physician about a biopsy some years later, he said," As long as your enzymes are normal, there is no need to stick your liver." It didn't make sense to me to wait until the damage is done to act, but the V.A. is not the Mayo Clinic, and no further biopsies have been done and I am treatment naïve. Now that "something new," Harvoni, has "come along I told my new primary care physician that I wanted to be treated with Harvoni. He made an appointment with Hepatology for May 5, 2015 and ordered a viral load count which, as of April 15, 2015 was 10,900,000 iu/ml. Can you tell me if Harvoni is the right choice for treatment and what to expect as far as liver damage is concerned since all of my liver enzymes have been in the normal range. Also, I have DM type two. Is twelve weeks of Harvoni enough to eradicate this high viral load? Also, I received the three shot vaccine regimen for Hep-A&B twice without building the antibodies. What is the significance of this? I have a million questions but these are the most troublesome. I cannot trust the V.A. with my life without some kind of validation. I have done what they asked yet they have not a should hold up their end of the bargain. Any advice you can give me will be greatly appreciated.ntended) cleared up a lot of questions for me. It describes my symptons perfectly. I am a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who is rated 100% disabled due to PTSD, and I receive all of my health care at the V.A. Until now, I attributed this brain fog to PTSD, but that shows what I know. My biopsy was done in May, 2005. I am infected with hep-c, genotype 1a with a viral load of vl>500,000 iu/ml when I saw my doctor for my biopsy follow-up on May 24, 2005. When he reviewed my biopsy results, he said my liver damage was so minimal that if it was any less, it wouldn't even be detectable. I told him that was impossible, since the only exposure I could remember was in boot camp in 1975 by air jet vaccine guns. I told him that I had drank enough beer in my time to do more damage than that. I told him he had the wrong results and demanded another biopsy be done. He refused, citing his Hippocratic Oath. He assured me the results were correct and told me that since I had so little damage he recommended waiting for something better than Interferon, due to the side effects, to come along, with a biopsy every three to five years. He made an appointment with the head of the clinic for a second opinion, who concurred. When I asked my primary care physician about a biopsy some years later, he said," As long as your enzymes are normal, there is no need to stick your liver." It didn't make sense to me to wait until the damage is done to act, but the V.A. is not the Mayo Clinic, and no further biopsies have been done and I am treatment naïve. Now that "something new," Harvoni, has "come along I told my new primary care physician that I wanted to be treated with Harvoni. He made an appointment with Hepatology for May 5, 2015 and ordered a viral load count which, as of April 15, 2015 was 10,900,000 iu/ml. Can you tell me if Harvoni is the right choice for treatment and what to expect as far as liver damage is concerned since all of my liver enzymes have been in the normal range. Also, I have DM type two. Is twelve weeks of Harvoni enough to eradicate this high viral load? Also, I received the three shot vaccine regimen for Hep-A&B twice without building the antibodies. What is the significance of this? I have a million questions but these are the most troublesome. I cannot trust the V.A. with my life without some kind of validation. I have done what they asked yet they have not a should hold up their end of the bargain. Any advice you can give me will be greatly appreciated. Thank You.
Thanks for the information regarding fatigue and brain fog, Lucinda. It is important to talk to health care providers to determine the cause and what steps can be taken to clear up those feelings.
Steve.. I suggest you look at food allergies. I had the same symptoms until I had to cut out all grains (Except rice), eggs, shellfish, nuts from my diet. All the brain fog, ringing in the ears cleared. Try eating just white rice, chicken(dont use any store bought seasonings) and fruits for 2 days in a row and see if you see a significant difference.
This would be a good question for the Hep Forums: http://forums.hepmag.com/
I have been on Viekira Pak for 7 weeks. Clear of the virus in all recent labs. However the mental fog and fatigue are intense. I have a ringing in my ears and it is really hard to concentrate. Any other folks out there with these symptoms
Lucinda Porter, RN
I recommend visiting the HEP Forums to ask questions. http://forums.hepmag.com/- lots of amazing feedback there.
February 18, 2016