Guest guest Posted January 20, 2000 Report Share Posted January 20, 2000 Hi ! I'll give you my opinions, for what they are worth! First, don't accept an " ok " as an answer. Get copies of ALL your lab test results, including the viral load if she did one. My liver function tests (AST, ALT) were only very slightly elevated and sometimes normal for at least 5 years that I know of before a doctor thought to check for hep, but a biopsy showed signs of chronic inflammation and early fibrosis. LFT's can only be used as a guide, they are not accurate in determining the amount, if any, of liver damage. You need all this information, along with a good doctor, to make an informed decision. Yes, I personally believe you should see a specialist. Unless your doctor has special training in diseases of the liver she probably is not qualified to handle HepC. I guess MY answer to your question 'what to ask' would be for an appointment with a GI doc. (My doctor wasn't going to send me to a specialist either because my LFT's were so mildly elevated, so I asked her if it was her, what would she do. She thought about it, then said, I guess I'd see a specialist.) Hope I've been some help! Be assertive!! Claudine ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 20, 2000 Report Share Posted January 20, 2000 Hi ! I'll give you my opinions, for what they are worth! First, don't accept an " ok " as an answer. Get copies of ALL your lab test results, including the viral load if she did one. My liver function tests (AST, ALT) were only very slightly elevated and sometimes normal for at least 5 years that I know of before a doctor thought to check for hep, but a biopsy showed signs of chronic inflammation and early fibrosis. LFT's can only be used as a guide, they are not accurate in determining the amount, if any, of liver damage. You need all this information, along with a good doctor, to make an informed decision. Yes, I personally believe you should see a specialist. Unless your doctor has special training in diseases of the liver she probably is not qualified to handle HepC. I guess MY answer to your question 'what to ask' would be for an appointment with a GI doc. (My doctor wasn't going to send me to a specialist either because my LFT's were so mildly elevated, so I asked her if it was her, what would she do. She thought about it, then said, I guess I'd see a specialist.) Hope I've been some help! Be assertive!! Claudine ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 20, 2000 Report Share Posted January 20, 2000 , it's me again! You asked about symptoms - Many people don't have ANY! Or they are so vague you don't realize you are having them. Probably the #1 symptom is fatigue, lack of energy, etc. Some people have occasional fever, body aches, nausea. There is lots of info at web sights like Hepatitis-Central and others. Check them out. Claudine > ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 20, 2000 Report Share Posted January 20, 2000 Claudine, Thanks. You know how men can be about going to the doc. I know I should be more proactive. I hear an answer like 'it's OK' and I go with it. Thanks for the support. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 20, 2000 Report Share Posted January 20, 2000 Hi Donna, I could be wrong, but if you don't have any active virus it's not there in your liver to damage it. Your very lucky! Just keep following up with your doc to recheck. Claudine ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 20, 2000 Report Share Posted January 20, 2000 Hi Donna, I could be wrong, but if you don't have any active virus it's not there in your liver to damage it. Your very lucky! Just keep following up with your doc to recheck. Claudine ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 20, 2000 Report Share Posted January 20, 2000 Hey all, donna here, I am in sort of the same limbo as . In June 1998 - I was told by GP doing a routine physcial that I had tested positive for Hep C. - Needless to say - it rocked my world and I went into shock and then denial. Finally in April 99 I went to PCP who referred me to Liver specialist. He was discussing modes of treatment when he went over my last blood test and said- On never mind, you have no active virus at this time. I will see you in 6 months for another blood test? He said that a small percentage of people exposed to hep c can clear virus w/o treatment and that I did test positive for Hep C anti-bodies but had no active virus. He never mention a biopsy. Any suggestions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 20, 2000 Report Share Posted January 20, 2000 Thanks Claudine - I sure hope so. I dealt with some very serious Hep B back in the 70's - had chronic, persistant hep for about 3 years. Had 2 separate biopsy's and finally underwent surgery for a blockage in the hepatic duct. Once that was removed I got better and have had decent blood work every year until the Hep C news. I hope is stays gone. we all deserve good health. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 21, 2000 Report Share Posted January 21, 2000 Hi . This is Heidi. Since you do not seem to have much information about Hep C I would suggest ingesting as much information as possible. A very good site to visit is Hepatitis Central.com. It is full of articles regarding every aspect of the disease. There is also a bulletin board/chat room for fellow suffers to chat. Best of luck and, I agree, you need a different doctor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 21, 2000 Report Share Posted January 21, 2000 Hi. Try finding some good literature on the WWW, either at Hepatitis Central or another site, march into your docs office, drop it off for some weekend reading, and then go see a specialist. This is nothing to mess around with. Good luck. Heidi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 25, 2000 Report Share Posted January 25, 2000 , Following basic tests are required to consider starting anti- viral therapy: Elevated AST/ALT Positive HCV-RNA Changes of ch hep on liver biopsy If any two are present you should be on therapy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 25, 2000 Report Share Posted January 25, 2000 , Following basic tests are required to consider starting anti- viral therapy: Elevated AST/ALT Positive HCV-RNA Changes of ch hep on liver biopsy If any two are present you should be on therapy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 30, 2002 Report Share Posted April 30, 2002 , When I talk about " brain fog " it is a feeling of just kind of being disconnected, or " spaced out. " Here's what I tell people: It's the feeling you would have mentally if you stayed up all night working and then went to sleep for one hour. Then, someone woke you up. That would be a " brain fog " experience. Immunity - now that has become my BIGGEST problem since October. All this winter, I have been sick with SOMETHING. I've had numerous sinus infections and bronchitis and three or four intestinal viruses. As I write, I have a bad head and chest cold. The longest stretch of time that I haven't had a virus this winter has been one week! If you get the chance, tell me more about your immunity problems, . There are not a lot of men who visit these thyroid boards. Best regards, Jim --- " Codling, " <john.codling@...> wrote: > Jim I would be very happy if you would expand on the > sentence below. this is how I feel. The brain fog is > sometime like an empty box or I cannot digest > things. Fatigue I understand and go you go into > depth Immunity. > > Thanks > > C > > > > > > But I still have terrible immunity, > > > fatigue and brain fog. > > > > > > Jim > > > > > > > > > >. > > > ********************************************************************** > This message may contain information which is > confidential or privileged. > If you are not the intended recipient, please advise > the sender immediately > by reply e-mail and delete this message and any > attachments > without retaining a copy. > > ********************************************************************** > > __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 25, 2006 Report Share Posted May 25, 2006 I have had both pvc's and ventricular palpatations. Both make you feel like your heart is jumping out of your chest. The ventricular palpatations were caused by an abherrant nerve. It is common for persons with MS to get an abherrant nerve in the heart. As my cardiologist said, hearts are all electrical anyway. The PVC (premature ventricular contraction) I got were caused by a food allergy, specifically nutrisweet. A nurse told me that nutrisweet causes a type of " sludge " around your nerves. This is particularly a problem for persons with MS who already have a troubled nervous system. When I gave up nutrisweet I never had them again. The ventricular palpations I had were exacerbated by another autoimmune disease - graves disease. This is an overactive thyroid. It is also common for autoimmune diseases to come in pairs. If you have the palpatations frequently and are also suffering any of the other symptoms of graves disease (hair thinning, frequent bowels, weight loss, fatigue, loss of eyebrows, ) I would get a thyroid level check. Graves disease is treatable. Once I got my thyroid under control I rarely had palpatations again. There is a quick trick to stop the palpatations if you catch it early. Sit down and drop your head as far as you can between your legs. If you spread your legs apart you can roll forward on your thighs to get your heart down around your knees. Then also, drink water. Take care and good health. Pam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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