Diagnosed 2 days ago, apart from an occasional mild headache (which I usually attribute to wearing glasses but not having an eye test for 3 years) I've not really had any feeling of being unwell. Today though, my headache increased and decreased as my workload increased and decreased, also I became a little short of breath and became dizzy.
Laying down made the problems slowly go away. But even walking restarted them. I came home was cold so got into a hot bath which felt luke warm. I did warm up, and after an hour laying down I felt better. I just walked to the kitchen and back which made me aware that the mild headache is still there only becoming noticeable with any physical movement. I am a few weeks away from starting my antiviral meds and wondered if this is the normal unwell feeling that I should expect until my meds start working?
Hi Gravy. It's me again. Sorry to hear about your headache. I cannot recall getting any when I was diagnosed with Hep C but, I do feel the cold more now. However, I put that down to my age and sitting down in the evening when your metabolism is lower than during the day. I really would suggest an eye test but, also, may be the headache is due to your brain taking on all your concerns about the shock with your result and treatment. You will get through this. Talk to your mate who makes you laugh hey! Please look after yourself.
Thanks Teletonetapper. Because I never had any symptoms before, only decreasing platelets that my doctor noticed 10 months ago and was going to refer me to a consultant, I reminded him of that a month ago and within a week I got an appointment. My doctor said something had been noticed in my liver.
So when the consultant told me I had hep C I was a little shocked, he thought I already knew. So as I did not feel unwell I'd only had a very mild headache, I did not know what was happening, how serious it is, are my decreasing platelets significant? ... all the questions I should have asked I did not as I was stunned.
Anyway only 2 days after being diagnosed, I was suddenly ill at work, since then someone told me that dizziness, short of breath, fatigue and headaches are the symptoms of hep c.I'm a little concerned about my decreasing platelets as it points to liver failure, but I've read that low platelets can be treatable, I assume after the hep c has been treated...
I guess I'm anxious because suddenly I am unwell, I am waiting for the ultrasound and fibroscan because covid has delayed these things, I have to wait for my antivirals and now I'm a little upset because I think maybe my doctor could have got the ball rolling after christmas when he was first alerted to the decreasing platelet count.
It's possible I could have had all my treatment if things were sorted 10 months ago, now I worry that the delay since then, and the sudden onset of feeling ill, the slow wait until antivirals start is stressing me out. I'd feel better if a doctor told me, I'm not on my last legs just yet.
I really can understand how you feel Gravy. It has been such a long "waiting game" for you. Unfortunately, the Covid onslaught delayed all normal practices but keep your chin up hey. There will be answers and results soon. Take good care and try to keep smiling - I know how difficult it is for you and your family.
I think, if my doctor had informed me I have HepC before my cosultants appointment, I would have gone in with questions... the most important being "How serious is this in my case?".
That's the thing I really want to know now. After leaving the appointment I was a little concerned but I felt well, then two days later, I'm freezing cold, heart racing, short of breath, dizzy, headache and drained of energy. Because it happened so fast, it worried me, but what is worse is I cannot contact anyone, my doctor tells me to contact the consultants secretary for answers. I have emailed but expect no reply. I guess I am looking for a doctor to say
"this is normal symptoms, some people are usually much worse and the 4 week delay before antivirals are given is perfectly okay. This is not serious enough for you to worry for a few years yet"
I can cope with anything, as long as I know I have a couple of years to have a little life. It's just the (usual) fear of the unknown and that is compounded by the fact that I feel the doctor or consultant could put my worries to bed if only I had asked or if I could ask. But covid delays and contact is difficult. So, Sunday night was bad (symptom wise) but Monday and today are good. So I'm going to go back to work Friday and see how I cope. I think a little normality will do me good.
Hi Gravy - it's me again, "pain in the ..se". No, that's not what you'll get as a symptom - just joking. I really sympathise with you. All of this is so unexpected for you. Your mind is racing which is possibly linked to the symptoms you are experiencing. Hopefully, you will feel more assured when you see a qualified Consultant. Pleased you are going back to work at the end of the week as mixing with other people will take your mind off matters. You'll have plenty of future years ahead, the Hospital will monitor you. Make sure you have all your concerns and fears written down when you see someone. Top hospitals know their job - you will be in safe hands - not handcuffed. Keep smiling - please. Take good care and keep positive.
Hi. I’ve only just come across your post. I am by no means an expert, but could your symptoms be down to anxiety? I too was diagnosed with Hep C over 12 months ago. Shocked is an understatement! It seems I got it from a blood transfusion many years ago. I had no symptoms and have been successfully treated. Since then I have had all kinds of ‘symptoms’, cramps, fatigue, headaches, even chest pains. I have had all the associated tests ie fibroscan, endoscopy etc, and I have now been diagnosed with cirrhosis. Sorry if I’m rambling but what I’m trying to say is that even though I have had my diagnosis the doctor says that most of my ‘symptoms’ are due to anxiety!Take care
Yes, it's more than likely anxiety. I was stunned and speechless and did not ask the doctor any questions. So, before coming here, I googled hep c and all the doom and gloom hit home.
Undoubtedly the anxiety and stress that night probably rook over. Coming here, getting good advice has helped me immensely.
Thank you for replying Ruby, I had my first fibroscan yesterday and my hep c has put my liver at 12.25, fibrosis 02 so I am so lucky. It is more likely that I contracted hep c almost 50 years ago when I was a stupid teenager and experimented with amphetamine,
Yep, you are very lucky. My fibroscan was 21.5, so cirrhosis, sadly. My drinking habits probably contributed to it, I can’t deny that. Never been addicted but a binge drinker at times. Look after yourself.
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