Hepatitis C Support Group
Hepatitis C is a blood-borne viral disease which can cause liver inflammation, fibrosis, cirrhosis and liver cancer. The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is spread by blood-to-blood contact with an infected person's blood. Many people with HCV infection have no symptoms and are unaware of the need to seek treatment. Hepatitis C infects an estimated 150-200 million people worldwide.
Hi everybody on Monday I started feeling a little weird like scared or like my body is in shock. Ever got really bad news and you get really scared after hearing bad news, kinda like anxiety? Well I started feeling this way on Monday, and it seems it has gotten worst. Anyone ever experienced something like this before? It's a really bad feeling. I don't know why I started feeling this way. I don't feel like I'm really sick enough to go to the hospital, but I been having a few minor chest pains. I'm starting to think this is anxiety and it comes and goes. But when it comes I feel this way for hours. Also I did blood work yesterday and my alt was in the high range. It was 1 number above normal. I'm thinking the virus is back. I pray not. But someone told me just because it's up by 1 number above normal it could be something else. My ast is in the normal range. I feel bad already and this just makes me feel worst. Does anyone or has anyone ever experienced this stuff I mentioned? How do I get rid of this anxiety or whatever it is. Please help if you can. Let me know your thoughts on the alt levels also.
I am waiting for my SVR 12 too and it is a stressful time. I just want it to be over with.
YOUr liver enzymes go up and down for many reasons, an inury, infection, a lot of exercise can all make them go up, not just the virus.
If you feel you can't get yourself calmed down, get your mind off the situation, then you should seek out some medical help. Being in a locked stress response is not good and can cause other health problems.
I agree with Hydron, sounds like a panic attack or major anxiety. This disease messes with our whole "sense of well-being".....
Once I decided to be "happy" and STOP stressing about the tx and Hep C, my body kind of took over and for a while I was able to forget again about this disease.......FELT SO GOOD!
I usually wake up every morning afraid and have been that way my whole life......it came back this last week and puzzled me as during tx, that feeling was gone....I am still finishing SOV/Riba couple weeks as on 24 weeks, so this scared feeling is awful - I do understand it. (I do have a psych I see now & then)
I also have anxiety meds that I will take.....I can't wait to finish and already I am trying not to panic that the Hep C will return as soon as I stop the meds.........Have to get back to "happy place".
Panic/anxiety attacks ARE REAL....and we all want so badly to be cured, and it is stuck in our minds, while we sleep - biggest stressor there is..........That 1 number is really nothing and I have watched my ALT these entire 22 weeks now.......My Alt went up once during tx, which surprised me - but it could be related to sickness, injury and the biggest "stress"....
Do what you can to put your mind on something else - I would not be concerned about just 1 number as these labs are overwhelmed......
I go to the movies when I have to get my mind off something as then I get into the movie.......I play CD's in my car and I pray for
God to deal with my stress as it is too much for me, not him...
I see your picture has a guitar - if you play, that should be relaxing, hubby plays and it helps him.......
I too am having lots of anxiety at times, not full blown panic attacks, but anxiety and even nightmares. We are having to come down off the drugs and also off of years and years of Hep C and in our cases, we have a transplant behind us that still causes 'stuff'. If you need to, ask about getting on a very light dose of Xanax or something for the anxiety. We will be fine. Dr. G. is now telling me to get an ultrasound of a lump in my neck that's been there for at least 20 years. I may do that, or I may not.
The first time I ever heard of ALT/ASTs was when I had specifically ASKED to be tested for HCV. My PCP told me that I had it, and just happened to look in my chart and noted, outloud, that I had high numbers in 2007. This was around when I had my first child, and was battling toxemia (REALLY high blood pressure), so I was physically and mentally stressed. BUT, I did have HCV too and didn't know it. Last Oct and this past Apr, my levels were within range, but close to the edge of the higher one.
I was told I have anxiety by that same doc PRIOR to my asking for the HCV test....go figure. He prescribed valium (generic) and I took that minor dose for about 3 years. It works albeit temporarily cause it doesn't last long, but now I am on sertraline (zoloft). I was scared to take any of those meds, but I had to do something, and now I wish I had done it sooner.
My stress (as with most others) isn't just a 'having-a-bad-day" moment as I have a young child, college work, a sick mother (HCV, heart trouble, and Peripheral neuropathy), and, ya know, my own stuff, BUT we will make it through this!!
Sounds silly, but exercise helps with anxiety, even if it is a stationary bike, jogging in place, or walking around outside. About 30 min or whatever you can handle at that moment. Try it out, even if a doc gives you an anti-anxiety med. *hugs*