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Recently contracted Hep B -- Getting Vertigo Like Symptoms among others!

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Posted 11/10/2013 4:07 PM (GMT 0)
New poster here, so bear with me. I somehow contracted Hep B recently. I have no idea HOW I got it, but I do know that it was not sexually transmitted (I know for fact all women I have been with, are clean) and it was not done by sharing needles (I am against drugs and would never consider).
So I've narrowed it down to nicked with a dirty razor at the Barber or stuck with a dirty needle/utensil at dentist office (He has admitted he has other Hep B patients) or even doctor's office, though have no proof on any. I believe those would be the common ways to get it. Is there any other uncommon way?

One of the major symptoms I am getting is some form of vertigo feeling. It doesn't seem to happen all the time but seems to be whenever I'm sitting on something elevated. An example would be at a football game or even in a movie theatre. I sit down and have to hold onto the chairs for dear life because I feel like someone is pushing me forward and I'm going to fall. I've actually stopped going to the games because I was afraid I was actually going to fall at those points. I've seen number of specialists for this (Neuro, ENT, Cardio) and nobody could find the cause, all suggested vestibular dysfunction.

Besides this, I've lost approximately 15lbs in the months I have had this as well as became very weak, especially in the morning when first waking up, as well as shaky hands. Symptoms were a lot worse a couple of months ago, to the point where I was tired and listless and slept all day and then eventually developed insomnia. However, those symptoms have passed. My doctor said this was all from stress and anxiety from the Hep B. I told him the vertigo feeling was happening before I even knew about the Hep B. He wanted to put me on anxiety meds.

So, has anyone else experienced a Vertigo type of feeling?

Also, as far as me and my doctor know, I have only had this virus for about 3-4 months. If it goes to 6 months, he wants to send me to an Infectious Disease Specialist. Should I be going there or another type of doctor? If I do go there and end up going on meds, what is my best option? Preferably the one with least side effects and that will make me generally feel better.

Just for numbers' sake:
-My AST and ALT have been going down each blood test. AST went from 72 to 53 to 42. ALT went from 129 to 119 to 92.

-My HepBe Antigens were negative however, the Antibodies were also negative

-My viral load count has gone up. Approximately 272,000 to start and last blood test revealed around 5 million? I asked my doctor about this and he said it was normal. One day it will be low, the other day it will be high. Mentioned it fluctuates.

Thanks for any advice!

P.S.
Would taking Milk Thistle help out any?

Post Edited By Moderator (hep93) : 11/10/2013 12:09:30 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 11/10/2013 6:45 PM (GMT 0)
      luckyman welcome!   i have vertigo also, but it stems from a neurologic problem.  you seem to be in the window phase.  your rise in enzymes and v/l along with fatigue and listlessnes, makes me think acute phase.  since your enzymes are starting to drop, i believe your dr is correct to monitor for natural recovery.  if by chance you become chronic your E antigen is negative, which suggests minimum replication and minimal ability to transmit the virus.

      what kind of dr is monitoring you.  if your chronic, i would want a specialist who txs hep b regularly.  I.D. drs only do tx.  a liver specialist gives the id dr a presription for treatment. let us know how your labs are progressing and best of luck on your journey

barry

Posted 11/10/2013 7:05 PM (GMT 0)
Luckyman, welcome to the forum. I agree with Barry that you are in the acute phase, or just easing out of it. It is entirely possible for your immune system to handle this on its own. This happened to me back in the late 60s. (I wasn't so lucky with hep C.)

Unlike hep C, hep B is not just blood-borne, but can also be contracted from saliva or drinking from the same glass as someone with an infection. So do be careful around others for awhile.

I don't believe your vertigo has anything to do with hep B, especially if it was happening prior to your infection.

I agree with Barry that you should see a hepatologist, or a GI doc at the least...then let him suggest a care plan to the ID doc. If you still show no antibodies after this acute run, you might want to ask one of the docs about immunizations against hep B.

My doctor told me that milk thistle may not help but it wouldn't hurt. However, there is a question of purity, dosage, etc. If I were you, I would stay away from any supplements right now. It will not cure hep B, anyway.

Hopefully, you will come out of this just fine.

Hugs,
Connie
Posted 11/10/2013 7:13 PM (GMT 0)

ppm guy said...
      luckyman welcome!   i have vertigo also, but it stems from a neurologic problem.  you seem to be in the window phase.  your rise in enzymes and v/l along with fatigue and listlessnes, makes me think acute phase.  since your enzymes are starting to drop, i believe your dr is correct to monitor for natural recovery.  if by chance you become chronic your E antigen is negative, which suggests minimum replication and minimal ability to transmit the virus.

Thanks, thought to be honest this is not a place I ever thought I would be in my life. I'm actually seeing the GI Specialist at my local doctor's office. I asked him many questions, of course, all of which he was able to answer. Sounds like he has some other HepB patients as well. Should I seek someone else other than the GI Specialist at this point?

I sure as heck hope that I'm still in acute phase and that my body recovers, because every day is a very hard struggle. It's tough because I try to function a normal life but the symptoms (especially the weakness and vertigo) are tough to get through. People around me don't seem to understand what I am going through, experiencing and they keep telling me the symptoms are "in my head" but it's really happening.

Posted 11/10/2013 7:56 PM (GMT 0)
I think the GI specialist is fine right now.

You stated you lost 15 lbs., so of course you are weak, as well as the virus attacking your body. Try to get better nutrition...drink Boost if necessary.

You will come out of this, but it takes awhile. Never mind what others think.

And once again, your vertigo most likely has nothing to do with hep B. I know it's maddening and you can't ignore it. Have you seen an ENT (eye, nose, throat) specialist, neurologist, or ear specialist?) Could it be as simple as impacted wax?

Hugs,
Connie
Posted 11/10/2013 9:41 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, wanted to respond to some comments in here:

My vertigo feeling is not necessarily anything "spinning". It's more of a panicky feeling, that I'm just going to fall out of my chair and pass out. Things get a little fuzzy at first and then I lose some focus and have to end up grabbing onto something because of the feeling. My doctor even said it sounded like a panic attack. 

I know I said this happened before the virus, but it happened before I KNEW I had the virus. Ironically, it started to happen the week after I had the following things done in this order:

-Allergy Testing at same doctor's office now treating me for Hep B

-Haircut

-Dental Work

-Physical Therapy for neck/upper back pain

The vertigo like symptom started to happen during physical therapy session and a couple of weeks later, I went to the doctors to complain about it and that's when they found the Hep B in my blood with blood tests. So that is why I believe one of those scenarios caused the Hep B and the sensation I am getting still, is happening because of it (I was perfectly fine in April/May/June and even beginning of July this year).

I did not know you can get it from sharing drinks. My friends and I do this often when we wanted to try something one of us had. I thought I read that sharing drinks, utensils and such would not spread this? Now that I know this, is it possible that one of my friends has this and not know it? Is there any test to determine how long I have had this virus or at what stage I am in with the virus? I'm worried I have had this longer than July/August.

As for the vertigo, I've done the following:

-Neurologist: Sent me for MRI of Brain, came back normal. Suggested vestibular dysfunction and I'd clear it quickly. Did not clear it within 2 weeks so he sent me to PT for it and that did not help either. He said "You will be fine in 6-8 weeks". That's this week coming up and it's still happening.

-ENT: Did a hearing test and a balance test, could not find anything. Wanted to send me to another place to essentially do the same things.

-Cardiologist: All heart tests came back normal. 3D Cardiogram revealed nothing, stress test was normal, Holter Monitor also showed nothing

-Chiropractor: My step-mom recommended me one because she at one point was getting dizzy sensations like she was going to pass out and after a few sessions, she was cured. It did not help me.

I'm not sure any more with the vertigo but all I know is that my body does not feel the same. Some days, I'm just afraid that this virus is going to be the end of me, as certain things don't seem the same to me...almost as if everything is darker to me now. But I keep putting in my head that I won't let this beat me and that I'm going to beat it.

Posted 11/11/2013 9:45 AM (GMT 0)
My daughter has vertigo - hers is from crystals in her inner ear moving around (we all have them but they're not supposed to move around). They gave her certain sitting and laying down movements to do which help her tremendously ... It was quite debilitating for a while. If ENT wanted to do more tests, it might be a good idea.

I get a similar sensation during my foggier times. It's like looking through a wide angle camera lens then suddenly being thrust backwards at top speed .... scares the crap out of me because I'm sure I'm going to pass out. They've told me it's anxiety, too. If it's any help it doesn't scare me any more - it seems I've gotten quite used to it.

Sure hope they get you the answers you need ... for all of it.
Posted 11/11/2013 2:55 PM (GMT 0)
"I did not know you can get it from sharing drinks. My friends and I do this often when we wanted to try something one of us had. I thought I read that sharing drinks, utensils and such would not spread this? Now that I know this, is it possible that one of my friends has this and not know it?"

Yes and yes. It's hep C that cannot be contracted or transmitted any way except through blood...including sharing toothbrushes where one has sores or poor oral hygiene. This is another thing you should not do. Hep B is much easier to contract than hep C. HBV is also much easier to recover from. So it is far from being "the end" of you.

I agree that there is a strong possibility that your vertigo is caused by crystals (I had a friend with this and she did the positiioning) or anxiety or both. Do some deep breathing and try to relax. You might also use a cane for a sense of security until you are rid of the vertigo. Just having an attack can make you very anxious and fearing the next one. I had one panic attack in my life and it was awful. I felt a couple coming on after that, but had read of some breathing exercises to stop them and it worked. I've been fine since (knock wood.)

Hugs,
Connie
Posted 11/11/2013 7:01 PM (GMT 0)
Deb, thanks for sharing. I'm unsure if I want to go through MORE tests. I think I can beat whatever this is.

Connie - Wanted to respond to the other thread but will keep going here. Thankfully, besides my Viral Load going higher, all my numbers were decent and my liver enzymes going down were a good thing.

As far as the vertigo feeling, it does not happen when standing or walking (at least not any more). Mainly while sitting in certain situations, so I am trying to beat that now as well. I'm still convinced the virus has something to do with it because it is very coincidental that it came about the same time I found out I had the virus (vertigo first and then finding out I had the virus).

You mentioned sharing drinks. Let me ask another question. Is it possible that if I used a public outhouse at a festival, that I could have caught it from there? Or is it possible that the moderate drinking I did, caused this? I'm just trying to narrow things down. I guess I'll have to talk to my friends to see which ones had the HBV shots and ask others to get tested, in case it's from someone I shared a drink with, and tell any loved ones I have to make sure they get immunized before they catch this from me.

Finally, good to hear that HBV is the easiest one to recover from. This gives me hope that my body can clear it naturally. Of course, my last question is, could this virus be the cause of all my weight loss? People have told me I now look "skinny" which is pretty scary to me and I looked in the mirror this morning and felt that way too.

My next doctor appointment is in January so I'm hoping to come back here and give you guys some good news. The way I feel today, makes me believe I'm in the last stage of clearing this virus... hopefully I get back to a normal life after that!
Posted 11/11/2013 8:36 PM (GMT 0)
hey lucky, in response to your ?s about tx. tx is treatment. viread if i remember correctly is brand name for Tenofivir. viread and peginterferon are monotherapy txs. there are trials as we speak on viread/peginterferon combo by gilead. all meds have some degree of side effects, but that is secondary to sucessful tx. viral loads are not necessarily predictive of liver damage. they are best used to diagnose active virus and tx success
barry
Posted 11/12/2013 4:54 AM (GMT 0)
Lucky, it's about impossible to catch anything from a public toilet/outhouse. I don't like to use them since I have a compromised immune system, but will if I have to.

Drinking did not cause your hep B, but will make matters worse if you drink now. Sharing glasses, cups, is more likely.

I still. do not think that your vertigo has a thing to do with hep B infection. You could well have anxiety/panic attacks under stress, though it can happen out of the blue as it did with me.

Your weight loss, however, could well be from the assault on your body by the HBV. It's a virus. You haven't been well. How is your appetite?

Thanks for keeping everything to this thread. It's easier to look back and see the history.

Hugs,
Connie
Posted 11/12/2013 9:11 PM (GMT 0)
Connie, thanks for responding. Appetitie has been decreased though I eat when I have to. I used to be able to an appetizer, dinner and dessert (along with a few drinks here and there) and now I'm just doing mainly dinner. I've had to skip the desserts many times because I just wasn't hungry. Heck, I was able to eat 6 pieces of pizza on some nights without any problem.  Now it's 2.

The vertigo feeling is driving me nuts. I sit down, say at work, and all of the sudden get a swaying feeling and then my eyes go fuzzy and I feel like I'm going to black out. I end up grabbing something in front of me out of panic because I feel like I'm going to fall. As I said, this happend almost right before I got the Hep B diagnosis so I believe it's related.

Posted 11/12/2013 9:27 PM (GMT 0)
L,

By the way, do you get these bouts of near syncope on nights where you have had alcohol, things start to go dark and you feel as though you are going to blackout? It could be related as alcohol makes your blood vessels expand which in turn causes low blood pressure and hence, syncope (near syncope). Notice if this only happens when you drink.
Posted 11/13/2013 12:10 AM (GMT 0)
Mae,
They do not come on nights I had alcohol. It happens in the middle of the day at times. I'll give you some examples as to when it happens:

-Sitting in a movie theater
-Sitting on a bar stool in a restaurant
-Sitting in a chair at a sporting event (It's so bad, I can't go to any events now. I used to go to events once every month and this happened).
-Sitting at work during the day, almost all day.

I actually gave up drinking for a few months after I discovered the Hep B but this was happening before this, so it was happening whether I had a few drinks in me or not. I've already been to a Cardiologist for this (among many other doctors) and they could not find anything wrong with me there.
Posted 11/13/2013 12:26 AM (GMT 0)
OKay, but I remember now that it could also happen AFTER a night of drinking, so maybe now that you're not drinking at all, then it has no bearing.

Hope you find the solution.
Posted 11/13/2013 1:38 AM (GMT 0)
Even though you may find it scary, it is best if you can get up and walk around a bit, or even just stretch. It is not good for anyone to sit for long periods of time. 90% of my jobs have been sitting ones, including medical transcription, where I was really stuck in a chair 8 hours a day. But I always got up and stretched, took a coffee or bathroom break, walked down the hall...anything...after an hour or two, tops. You could have something vascular going on here, where blood is not returning to your heart fast enough. When you do stand, be sure not to do it quickly. Try this and see if there is any improvement.

If this were a result of hep B, then others would experience it also. And this is the first time I've ever heard of this as a side effect of HBV.

Even if you can't eat much, try to have breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Snacks in between would be good. And be sure to supplement with Boost or Glucerna. I found the Glucerna to be tastier, even though it's for diabetics (which I'm not.) Or make your own smoothies. There are even frozen ones in the freezer section at the grocery store now. I also advise taking a multivitamin WITHOUT iron every day.

Hugs,
Connie
Posted 11/13/2013 9:26 PM (GMT 0)
There's a yoga restorative pose where you SLOWLY lay on your back with your butt flush against the wall, and SLOWLY raise your legs so they're resting on the wall, arms resting by your sides. It helps return blood to where it should go! When you get tired, bend your knees with your feet on the wall, or spread your legs for a bit, then slowly return to straight legs. If you can do this for 10-15 minutes ... it's extremely good for circulation. It's good after a long flight, too.

Take notice of your breathing ... if it is anxiety, you might be holding your breath, or hyperventilating. When I started having anxiety, they coached me through with calming breaths. Just being aware of breathing can bring things quickly back into focus.

I had to forget living a normal lifestyle but it is hard to accept new limitations. I had to sleep from the time I got home from work until the next morning, for about 8 months. Sometimes I had to go in the bathroom at noon hour and try and sleep for a few minutes. People won't understand ... that's a given. That's why you have us!:)
Posted 11/14/2013 5:35 AM (GMT 0)
Luckyman, please e-mail me (addy is in my profile...click on my user name to the left.) I have a site for lots of hep B info that I want to share with you.

Hugs,
Connie
Posted 11/14/2013 3:17 PM (GMT 0)
Deb, thanks for the Yoga advice. Thankfully, my sleeping patterns are somewhat back to normal. I too, was falling asleep from around 8pm until the next morning... until I was getting up at odd hours, such as 3:30-4am. Then that turned into no sleep. Now I'm back to my usual 11pm-12am until about 6-7am. My doctor said to "live a normal life" but there have definitely been limitations, especially with the dizzy/passing out feeling when in certain situations. I'm trying Ginko Bilboa now to see if this helps.

Connie, I sent you an e-mail. Thanks again. I'm trying not to rack my brain thinking about having this and worrying about it too much, as my doctor said it could make me more ill. I have a feeling I'll have to update you guys in 2 months here after my next appointment... hopefully with good news!
Posted 11/14/2013 7:02 PM (GMT 0)
Dan, thanks. I got it and replied.

Hugs,
Connie
Posted 11/18/2013 7:45 PM (GMT 0)
I have been recently been cured of hep c ( Jan 2013 ) and I asked my doctor if I needed to be vaccinated against hep a & b. So he took a blood test and said I did not need to because I have the antibodies, and I was protected against it. I don't know how that could be, because I have never been vaccinated against it. I'm not sure but I think it goes away on its own.

Post Edited By Moderator (hep93) : 11/18/2013 1:42:25 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 11/18/2013 8:44 PM (GMT 0)
EzAl, if you have the antibodies, you are protected. Sometimes B is handled by the immune system....sometimes not. Mine was, but before TP, they still gave me vaccinations against B, and also A.

Hugs,
Connie
Posted Today 9:43 PM (GMT 0)
Hey all, I appreciate all the advice given to me over the past month. I'm trying to cope and have a question... My family told me I got the HBV Vaccine when I was baby.

Is this possible? Over Thanksgiving, my aunt swore up and down that she remembers my mother taking me to the doctor's to get my HBV Immunization right as soon as I was born, the series of three shots is what I got supposedly. This was back in 1977 (did they even have this in 1977?!)

Unfortunately, besides knowing which hospital I was born in.... I do not know which doctor my mother took me to nor is she around to tell me as she passed away 9 years ago. My father, doesn't seem to know.

If this case is true, could I have still contracted this virus? If so, how? If not, could my blood tests be lying or mixed up at the lab or could it be possible I have something else that is showing up as this (and would anyone know what it could be that got confused as Hep B based on experiences?)
Posted Today 9:55 PM (GMT 0)
I wouldn't worry too much about it, Hbv usually goes away on its own if you were vaccinated there's no way that you could have it. But don't lose sleep over it it's no big deal even if you have it it should disappear on its own.
Posted Today 10:24 PM (GMT 0)
Being vaccinated doesn't mean it will protect you forever. The vaccination needs to be done every (I think) every 5-10 years.
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