Need validation for now

I have Hep C, genotype 1. First diagnosed in 2004. I've been stable and symptom-free for years. Until this last January. My recent liver biopsy showed mild to moderate fibrosis. I've been having some physical symptoms starting six months ago that have been progressing. My liver doc claims that they may not be related and he doesn't think the progression over the last six months can be attributed to the Hep because "Hepatitis C doesn't work that way."

So my question is -- how many of the symptoms I list below are likely related? I mean, really, what's more likely-that I have numerous unrelated physical symptoms that have nothing to do with each other or that they're more likely related to this one big diagnosis?

Anyway, so here's been my problems

--Exhaustion. Difficulty functioning in the daytime. No matter how much i sleep I'm still tired. I got 9 1/2 hours last night and I'm functioning at zombie level.
--Difficulty concentrating
--Headache with unknown etiology x 6 mo. 24/7
--Sensitivity to light and inability to focus eyes, also unknown etiology
--Skin problems – acne and itchiness
--Aching muscles
--Random, unexplained bruising
--Nausea
--Excessive sweating

I can handle most of these but the exhaustion is intolerable. I also have bipolar. I have been stable for two years and am very cognizant of my mental health needs. My single greatest need in terms of stability is sleep. If I don't get rest then I risk having an episode. If I have too many episodes, I risk hospitalization. I've been hospitalized once before about 3 years ago and I CANNOT be hospitalized again. I have a life. I have kids. I have a wife. I have a home. I have a full-time job. I also have 2 ex-wives that would not hesitate to take my kids from me if I had a mental breakdown.

I'm waiting to see my liver doc. Originally, his staff said that I couldn't see him until Thanksgiving. I squawked some and he is now going to get me in next month. I'm seeing my GP today. I don't know how much longer I can take this exhaustion. I don't want to wait any more to start treatment for the Hep. I want this virus out of me. If the above symptoms don't clear up then at least I will know.

As Dog said, I'm not bi polar, either. Anxiety could be your problem. It's not worth worrying about that which you can't change. Try and pay attention to things you can control. Spend time with your wife and kids. Remember to rest whenever possible and drink plenty of water. Don't drink alcohol, avoid salt, red meat and sugar. Again, stop worrying. I know that sounds like a pat answer, but it's very important to be calm.

welcome hepcat, Dog makes a good point. your symptoms are not likely liver related. can you post any of your recent labs and imaging results.

as far as treating asap, i would try to calm things down and look at your options. i think your best bet would be to wait for your appt. and talk with your dr about the new treatments coming later this year. with your genotype 1, present txs all contain interferon/ribavirin. its difficult to tolerate and has warnings about serious mental side effects. it will effect your work. ask your dr what he/she thinks of sovaldi/ledipasvir. i think it is a perfect fix for you. i see a good ending for you.
barry

Except for the light sensitivity and headaches, I have to say that my brother, hep C genotype 1, had every other one of those symptoms (before his transplant). Then after transplant his new liver started getting attacked by the Hep.....he treated, became undetectable, and all the bad stuff went away.

I'm sure that your bipolar meds could coincidentally be causing overlapping symptoms, but I think your doc is wrong to tell you that none of them are related. Who knows better than we who have been through it, whether as CG's or patients? Who wouldn't be anxious with all you have on your plate. Yoga, anyone?

Hi HepCat74 -

Something to note about liver disease is that it can cause a good portion of what you've listed. But it may do this in some individuals but not others. And it is very poorly correlated to the severity or advanced state of the liver disease condition. This makes it kinda vague unfortunately which makes it hard to pin down wrt the research activities of our doctor friends.

Certainly you should follow themiz's advice and check other medical possibilities as well. What you are dealing with could be via a combination of overlapping issues.

I share many of things which you suffer with. In particular, the fatigue ... it is amazing in how relentless and debilitating it is. Joint pain and muscle soreness play into it as well. Intrahepatic cholestatic forms of liver disease are particularly noted for this.

Good luck and hope you are able to track down the source of your problems.

Thank you all for the replies. I guess the main thing I was looking for right now was validation.

While I do appreciate the suggestion that these symptoms may be related to anxiety, I highly doubt it. Although I'm bipolar, I've been stable for years. Medication, therapy, meditation, mindfulness, etc, all keep me sane and relatively anxiety-free. That having been said, certainly any element of anxiety can exacerbate things and I am certainly mindful of that and intend to talk to my therapist about it.

I spoke with both my GP yesterday and my cousin, who just so happens to be a gastroenterologist. Both confirmed my suspicions that all of my physical symptoms are not uncommon in people with Hep C. This is especially so when one considers that I already have fibrosis. Of course they qualified this by saying that there could be other things, they did confirm that these could all certainly result from the liver dysfunction.

Also, my gastro's office called me this morning and set an appointment for next month. So keep your fingers crossed that I start treatment by September.

The main thing I needed was validation and the knowledge that at least some of these symptoms will subside with treatment.

In the meantime, as a prophylactic measure, my GP is ordering a whole battery of other tests to rule out any other possible neurological disorder. She's also ordered an MRI because she thinks that I may be a migraine sufferer independent of the Hep C.

Now I know that my medical team is working hard to make me feel better. Just knowing that already eases my mind.

Thanks Mae! I really appreciate the encouragement and hope.