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.
This thought was triggered by the recent topic of Exercise. There is a point just after being diagnosed but before one begins treatment or even meets with the doctor to learn about treatment options when there is a certain amount of thoughts racing through your mind on a daily basis. I fully believe this leads to mental fatigue which can be more tiring than physical fatigue.
Lately I have been dealing with nausea with almost everything I eat and sometimes drink. I used to be one that I would nibble a few times a day and then eat a big meal at night. Now I am getting up and eating something for breakfast: either a banana or some yogurt and granola. Lunch I have some fresh veggies. Then at supper I have a slightly larger version of what I had for lunch. I am making sure I get my protein. But the nausea has me puzzled since I am eating healthier than ever. Is this psychosomatic or is it real. I was diagnosed on February 28 of this year. I have had an ultrasound and viral load test. I know the virus is active in my system and that my liver looks healthy. I meet with the doctor this coming Tuesday.
I never had any symptoms and now all this nausea plus muscle and joint aches. Is it just in my head, a byproduct of the mental fatigue, or a side effect of the virus as it strengthens in my system.
Just curious what others have experienced.
Lately I have been dealing with nausea with almost everything I eat and sometimes drink. I used to be one that I would nibble a few times a day and then eat a big meal at night. Now I am getting up and eating something for breakfast: either a banana or some yogurt and granola. Lunch I have some fresh veggies. Then at supper I have a slightly larger version of what I had for lunch. I am making sure I get my protein. But the nausea has me puzzled since I am eating healthier than ever. Is this psychosomatic or is it real. I was diagnosed on February 28 of this year. I have had an ultrasound and viral load test. I know the virus is active in my system and that my liver looks healthy. I meet with the doctor this coming Tuesday.
I never had any symptoms and now all this nausea plus muscle and joint aches. Is it just in my head, a byproduct of the mental fatigue, or a side effect of the virus as it strengthens in my system.
Just curious what others have experienced.
The immune system is suppressed when we are under stress and all kinds of real symptoms and illness can occur.
For me it's vertigo, headaches, eczema, fatigue.
See youru Dr. and perhaps you may want some Rx help, anti depressants, etc.
I experienced some of the things you mentioned after diagnosis, especially the eating problems. Food tasted like cardboard in my mouth, I couldn't eat, and lost 20 pounds. Appetite finally came back, and not a minute too soon. I'm pretty sure this was all due to stress.
However, I was experiencing fatigue, muscle pain, and various mental issues at least a year before dx. Yes, stress can contribute to and exacerbate these things, but I think they are VERY REAL extra-hepatic HCV symptoms. It seems like many doctors are skeptical or at least ignorant of these symptoms. I wouldn't be too quick to use the term "psychosomatic" with them. Some of them will seize on that and run with it...and just assume that everything you're experiencing is in your mind. Yes - certainly tell the doctor about your symptoms, and yes, be honest about the stress you're under...and yes, take some Rx help if you can get it. But in my opinion, you have to guard a little bit against the tendency of some doctors to dismiss extra-hepatic symptoms as just some nonsense in their patients' imaginations. Hopefully you have a good doctor.
For what it's worth, I doubt the things you are experiencing are from a dramatic strengthening of the virus from February to March...but like Kramer says, stress impairs the immune system.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUecUKa_yqo