Thanks.  More questions for my first visit with my new Hepatologist.

The ALT and AST can fluctuate widely during an active infection. There were times that my LFT's were normal and I had been infected over 20 years. Many things can cause these fluctuations. Medications, illness, and some herbal supplements will affect the result significantly. When you witness extreme elevations, it's an indication of an aggressive response to the ongoing damage.

Wendyo

Thanks, I am very encouraged about today's medical advances to cure this disease.  

I do have one question.  I see many of the members stating their ATL and AST values. My last numbers were ALT 75 and AST 80 and one test before had numbers over 200 each respectively.  I know it is representative of your liver enzyme and these numbers are out of range, but with this fluctuation is this something that needs to taken into account?   

welcome Lex. Glad you have your appointment on the books so you will get some much needed answers. As others have said, start a list of things to discuss as the brain fog will kick in. Today's treatments are much better than years past so there is HOPE! And this forum and group of folks here will make you laugh, cry and learn. 

That happens to me all the time. I call it "Manopause"! I cool down and then sweat like a fountain. I carry an extra shirt for those days. The temperature elevation is peculiar, but could be virus related. Your Hepa will need to know all of those things. Write it all down before you go, we all end up forgetting half the questions we went there to ask! Good luck!

Thanks to everyone who responded to me. I appreciate the encouragement.   Sorry, I meant to type Hepatologist which I will see in two weeks. With my repeated getting chills, my temp going up to a 100+ for an hour or so and then starting the sweating cycle, I was not sure if this was a liver / hep c experience with others.  

Hi Lex and welcome from me also. I also had / have symptoms caused by another issue. But one thing is for sure, getting rid of the HCV will in all likelihood make you feel much better than you do now regardless of what your other issue is. I just got finished with 24 weeks Harvoni in January and I'm feeling better than I have in a long time and feeling better every day.

 Keep us posted on what you find out at your next doctors appointment. Hopefully he'll get you started on HCV treatment and you'll be on your way to feeling better for a long time to come.

Hi Lex,

I'd like to welcome you here too! You have found a great bunch of caring friends and we'll do our best to answer your questions and allay any fears you might have. 

I notice you mentioned an appointment with a Hematologist. You will need to see a Hepatologist or other liver specialist for proper HCV treatment. Hematologists are blood specialists and are a valuable team member if you have issues specific to that. A Gastroenterologist and Infectious Disease specialist can also help you with HCV treatment. Select an appropriate specialist and you'll be in good hands.

As already mentioned, many of your symptoms have been experienced by those infected with HCV. Fatigue and brain fog are quite common. During the acute phase of the infection (first 6 months) people often experience low grade fevers and malaise. Some experience no symptoms at all. HCV is very silent at times, all the while causing it's damage. 

It's a good time to treat and after your next appointment, you'll be ready to make some decisions. We'll be here to provide as much advice and informed opinions as possible! Good luck!

Hi Lex,

Symptoms such as you mention are not uncommon, I think all of us that have had cronic Hep C have had symptoms at one time or another that we weren't sure what they were or why. Primary Care Physicians often are not up on every disease or ailment and depend on specialists for that.  Your Hematologist will know and be able to explain many facets of the virus and treatment. By hanging out here, you soon pick up on and become aware of how treatment has gone for others, with the new DAA drugs out now it's not a mater of if you can be treated, just a matter of when.

As a general rule of the past, it was often difficult to get treatment if Fibrosis scores were under stage F3 or F4 but times are changing rapidly as new treatments evolve very rapidly and more drugs become available. I believe some insurance companies are now just accepting that anyone with HCV needs to be treated. As one or more Insurance companies go this route, others soon follow. There are many options to getting treatment, lots of trials as well as tried and true, effective treatments via insurance so not to worry, like I said you will be cured.

Once you meet with your Hematologist, you'll know a lot more. Stick with us, we're here to help you along the way.

Patience is hard to muster at a time like this, I know, but as I mentioned, it takes time to let the system work for you. Just knowing and having an appointment with a specialist is HUGE ... so you are on track and headed in the right direction.

Take Care,

Dave

Thanks Dave.  

Jimmy, 

I now understand and your and the sites concerns. Let me reword my question "has anyone experienced these characteristics with their individual Hep C? 

Hi Lex,

Welcome to the forum!

Lots of friendly, knowledgeable and helpful people here, you came to the right place ... Welcome!!

We've all been where you are now, not knowing quite what to expect but not to worry, the meds out today work and work VERY well so you will be cured.

Be prepared to do some waiting, the system works fairly slowly but fortunately the virus works even slower ... many of us here have had HCV for over 40 years and didn't know it so it's good that you know now and get the ball rolling.

HERE's a Link to many abbreviations used on this site.

Take Care and Welcome,

Dave

With regard to symptoms we cannot advise. That is for your Doctor to determine. We have great folks here but Internet diagnosis is not wise.

We are here for you regardless and we support each other here. But we also know our place and we reserve for the professionals to determine such.

Hope you understand we want nothing but the best for all here.

JimmyK

Thank you for the quick response it is greatly appreciated.   

How about the symptoms? Unfortunately, I am dealing with another medical issue at the same time and and why they started doing so many blood test that found the Hep C. Not sure my stated symptoms are related to Hep C or my other issue.  

Thanks again for the response. 

Greeting and welcome.

We will be seeking a bit more information so please check out the new members area and get a feel for what we value in information that can be helpful to us in assisting you.

As a quick note if your VL is 300k it is quite low. The Fibro Sure test tends to exagertae results some and they are not all that bad. 1a and 1b are common to The States in particular.

Having never been treated before, if you Hepatologist recommends Harvoni, you may well be an 8 week program kind of person given the few details you have mentioned.

Again the more information you can provide the better but to begin with no worries. Your case does not sound bad and the current Meds are quite good at knocking this out.

Regards

JimmyK

Just got the diagnosis last month that I have Hep C. Completed all initial test including Fibrosure with results of Hep C 1a or b, 300k blood virus level, and Fibrosure results of F2 / A2. I have not yet had my first appointment with my now new Hematologist so I don't know if I am good, bad, or ugly..... I have been for the past two years dealing with fatigue, periodic low grade fever with night sweats and occasional, what I learn no the net, fog. What I don't know is are these symptoms related to Hep C? Unfortunately, I have gotten little direction from my primary Dr. and a little lost in this process so any comments would be appreciated.