Aa
Fatigue within Family Members.....any similar observations?
In the past five years I have noticed increasing levels of fatigue and chronic lethargy within my family, both spouse and teenage children. Their increasing tiredness during the day, yawning, forgetfulness, and lack of energy all seem to have developed in recent years, and seem similar to many of my decades-long symptoms of fatigue and lack of energy. Of course, as I have stated in the past, they have tested negative for HCV on blood testing, but I regularly wonder whether another form of the infection might be at work here....maybe not a blood borne infection, nor a typical chronic HCV issue, but maybe an immune reaction from casual exposure to the virus.
Now, I know there is currently no way to either confirm or disprove this possibility, but at least we can look to the greater HCV community to determine if others out there have been seeing similar problems within their own HCV-negative family members. I would love to hear straight forward, objective comments on this issue, either similar or contrary to what I have been noticing. If there is a pattern out there, I would think that others on the forum would have also been observing similar issues. If there is not any connection to the HCV, then probably none or very few of our members would have a similar experience within their families.
I am also speaking about people that have been around their family members for probably 15 years or more....enough time for slowly developing symptoms to become apparent. As I have indicated, this pattern has only become noticable in the past five years.
Comments????
Now, I know there is currently no way to either confirm or disprove this possibility, but at least we can look to the greater HCV community to determine if others out there have been seeing similar problems within their own HCV-negative family members. I would love to hear straight forward, objective comments on this issue, either similar or contrary to what I have been noticing. If there is a pattern out there, I would think that others on the forum would have also been observing similar issues. If there is not any connection to the HCV, then probably none or very few of our members would have a similar experience within their families.
I am also speaking about people that have been around their family members for probably 15 years or more....enough time for slowly developing symptoms to become apparent. As I have indicated, this pattern has only become noticable in the past five years.
Comments????
My husband and I both have had hcv for many years, probably before either of our children were born. Daughter is a sophomore in college, snowboard/ski instructor, manages to get good grades, studying abroad next year and does all the normal things that kids do.....homework, talk on the phone, text each other, talk to me, watch tv and fall in and out of love effortlessly. Sometimes it amazes me. My 24 year old falls more into the category that you are describing but I don't believe it's physical. I think he's scared of moving on with his life. While growing up, he was always sort of a star athlete, never seemed to get sick, did all the normal things kids do...karate on Monday, Scouts on Tuesday, Soccer on Wed....you know the drill. He works construction and when he works, he works hard....big strong 6'4" kid, healthy as a horse.
So, to answer your question I can only speak for my little corner of the world but I detect no sign or symptoms of the sort that you're describing at all. Course, we're just one family.
Do you know if there have been any studies done to corroborate this theory or are your experiences more anecdotal. Can I ask have you ever had anyone respond positively to your question concerning this. It'd be interesting to know if there are others who share this opinion. I happpen to think that we're aware of changes/patterns/nuances in the way we feel physically way before medical science catches up. I think for years, doctors believed hep c was asymptomatic until we were almost at cirhossis, can I correct?
Anyway, hope this helps. Just throwing in my $.2 cents.
Charlote
So, to answer your question I can only speak for my little corner of the world but I detect no sign or symptoms of the sort that you're describing at all. Course, we're just one family.
Do you know if there have been any studies done to corroborate this theory or are your experiences more anecdotal. Can I ask have you ever had anyone respond positively to your question concerning this. It'd be interesting to know if there are others who share this opinion. I happpen to think that we're aware of changes/patterns/nuances in the way we feel physically way before medical science catches up. I think for years, doctors believed hep c was asymptomatic until we were almost at cirhossis, can I correct?
Anyway, hope this helps. Just throwing in my $.2 cents.
Charlote
I've been married 25 years,and my husband has probably had hep c for 30 (motorcyle accident and transfusions as a teenager). We haven't noticed any chronic fatigue, etc. here. I'm a teacher and my students accuse me of being hyper! Our two sons (ages 19 and 24) are very active. They both snow ski, snow board, hike, rock climb, canoe, kayak, I could go on and on. One was an eagle scout, the other active in scouts all through high school. So, no, we don't see any of this except the normal tiredness, and forgetfulness of people who constantly try to do too much at one time!
Hope you find out what is causing your family's symptoms.
Hope you find out what is causing your family's symptoms.
Hi DD, I don't think they do have any relation, but you never know, I guess. If there is no relation, I wouldn't say it's "hypochondria", necessarily (I don't like that word very much). "Mass hysteria", maybe? (lol - yeah like that's a better word.) All kidding aside, it happens all the time when a family member is known to be sick or chronically ill (or terminally ill) and the focus of others in the family has been that illness, or it's been suggested that their symptoms might be related to the sick family member. It's just human nature. It's probably the "power of suggestion". I don't buy the other pathogens as much as I buy the power of suggestion. If anything, the professional world is probably more influenced by the power of suggestion. There is a lot to be said for the saying "ignorance is bliss" :)
after i posted last night i was giving it some thought and after reading your post again something came to mind. has your house ever been tested for radon or mold? the sx your family has can be attributed to mold and/or radon. just a thought.....
Snook is a forummember who hasn't beenaround for awhile.
Genedog -- how are you? Any plans for re treating in the future?
frijole
Genedog -- how are you? Any plans for re treating in the future?
frijole
Hi,
I am new and trying to get my HCV viral load down naturally before I start treatment since I am paying for this out of my pocket. I have done a lot of research.
Some beleive chronic fatigue is linked to the HHV-6a virus. Could it be that some of us also have this, and could family members also have it too. Just a thought. We go on a lot of family hikes walks which seems to help with my fatigue as long as I don't over do it.
Cela
I am new and trying to get my HCV viral load down naturally before I start treatment since I am paying for this out of my pocket. I have done a lot of research.
Some beleive chronic fatigue is linked to the HHV-6a virus. Could it be that some of us also have this, and could family members also have it too. Just a thought. We go on a lot of family hikes walks which seems to help with my fatigue as long as I don't over do it.
Cela
My first reaction is that the entire concept is pure fantasy.
There may be a syndrome causing fatigue,but HVC????????
A simple anti-body test will confirm (or not) that no family members have been exposed to the virus.
It is contracted only blood to blood, and there is no 'contact fatigue ' or malaise that sufferers transmit to others,except by their constant moaning about how wretched it is to have Hep C.
There are other things that could cause insidious malaise in a household-a gas leak for example.
But Hepatitis C,you are either infected or you are not.
There may be a syndrome causing fatigue,but HVC????????
A simple anti-body test will confirm (or not) that no family members have been exposed to the virus.
It is contracted only blood to blood, and there is no 'contact fatigue ' or malaise that sufferers transmit to others,except by their constant moaning about how wretched it is to have Hep C.
There are other things that could cause insidious malaise in a household-a gas leak for example.
But Hepatitis C,you are either infected or you are not.
I prescribe to the theroy, the more you do, the more you can do. The legthary I see in the population in general is not fatigue but rather a lack of energy stemming from not doing anything. Way too much TV in this world. Even (most of) the young college students I see are not fit. Kids sit in front of the TV or video games and have lost or never gotten muscle tone. I have been to concerts and all the young kids do is stand around -- no dancing.
My husband and I joined an outdoor club recently - they do canoeing, back packing, rappelling, caving, and hiking. When we joined I asked the guy what the ages of the members were (I was afraid we couldn't keep up). Turns out they are all my age -- late forties and fifties. The club is composed of an old outdoor club that used to be around in the seventies and early eighties. It disbanded and all the members got busy with families. When it was reformed, a lot of the old members joined - families now all grown and gone. He said they couldn't interest young adults in it. Go figure. What is happening to people?
frijole
My husband and I joined an outdoor club recently - they do canoeing, back packing, rappelling, caving, and hiking. When we joined I asked the guy what the ages of the members were (I was afraid we couldn't keep up). Turns out they are all my age -- late forties and fifties. The club is composed of an old outdoor club that used to be around in the seventies and early eighties. It disbanded and all the members got busy with families. When it was reformed, a lot of the old members joined - families now all grown and gone. He said they couldn't interest young adults in it. Go figure. What is happening to people?
frijole
I see this too, but there is a lot of chemical depression in my family...the happier ones seem to run around like crazy...I do agree with Friole? about the societal issues...heard a great piece on NPR about how kids are getting more and more depression (and resultant diseases from inactivity like obesity and diabetes) ,
Their worlds are larger on one hand cause of the net, but much smaller and more contracted physically, cause they are always at the computer, TV, all in one room, etc...and not getting enough physical exercise...and they are chauffered everywhere...I remember I used to tell my mom I'd be home by sundown, and it was off on my bike with the rest of my pals...I think all this technology is a blessing and curse at the same time, I have read the sheer amount of images we see per day is astounding...where a hundred years ago it was a tiny fraction of that....a lot of stress production with this modern life, it's really a good idea for people to develop good coping skills (positive thinking, meditation, cognitive therapy, physical excercise), commune with nature a lot more, and happily, my family does a little of that, but not near enough...
Their worlds are larger on one hand cause of the net, but much smaller and more contracted physically, cause they are always at the computer, TV, all in one room, etc...and not getting enough physical exercise...and they are chauffered everywhere...I remember I used to tell my mom I'd be home by sundown, and it was off on my bike with the rest of my pals...I think all this technology is a blessing and curse at the same time, I have read the sheer amount of images we see per day is astounding...where a hundred years ago it was a tiny fraction of that....a lot of stress production with this modern life, it's really a good idea for people to develop good coping skills (positive thinking, meditation, cognitive therapy, physical excercise), commune with nature a lot more, and happily, my family does a little of that, but not near enough...
change the familys diet. all of you get out of the house and do things together. even though i believe there are many extra things that come along with HCV, i think you are out on the limb with this one. BUT nothing would really susprise me with this disease!
they are known to take lots of vitamins, but their politics' are somewhere right of Attila the Huns...just kiddin Snookie Baby...he's a guy who used to be here, helped a lot of people, (got into a few scuffles) and cleared, so I would be happy to know, that he's on to his SVR life....
Thank You everyone for your very thoughtful comments and observations. I agree a bit with all of you, and I also am aware of my own growing tendency to see many of these symptoms through a magnified light. I sure do hope that my concerns are coincidental and have no relationship to the HCV. As was commented, there are also other as yet unidentified pathogens, viruses, etc. that may be causing problems as well. There may be unknown factors at work here, and then much of what I am seeing may be nothing more than ordinary reactions to stress and life. I am sure that I will still have some concerns, and also given that I have three or four close friends who all had brief relationships with common dating partners twenty to thirty years
ago,...and all of us share a similar set of symptoms today... its hard to completely chalk it all up to hypochondria. They all test negative for HCV, and doubt that there is a relationship to the virus, but they do think there must be some sort of chronic virus at work. All are highly successful professionals, and have been tested for everything. Elevated ANA's are the only common thread.
So again, I thank all of you for your input. Any additional comments are welcomed.
DoubleDose
ago,...and all of us share a similar set of symptoms today... its hard to completely chalk it all up to hypochondria. They all test negative for HCV, and doubt that there is a relationship to the virus, but they do think there must be some sort of chronic virus at work. All are highly successful professionals, and have been tested for everything. Elevated ANA's are the only common thread.
So again, I thank all of you for your input. Any additional comments are welcomed.
DoubleDose
Could there be some toxin which you guys are all reacting to? What happens if you all stay somewhere else for a few days?
Sorry MM,
I meant this comment for you.
"Wow, that explanation was . . .scary.
Can I quote you? hahaha."
Wyntre
I meant this comment for you.
"Wow, that explanation was . . .scary.
Can I quote you? hahaha."
Wyntre
genedog,
what's an around snook?
HCA,
Wow, that explanation was . . .scary.
Can I quote you? hahaha.
DD,
All I can say is . . . I understand. Hang in there.
Wyntre
what's an around snook?
HCA,
Wow, that explanation was . . .scary.
Can I quote you? hahaha.
DD,
All I can say is . . . I understand. Hang in there.
Wyntre
Not trying to be dismissive of your theory, but I'd have to agree the symptoms you specify are vague, extremely generic and easily found in large percentages of the population that have no exposure to HCV. For those who test HCV AB neg and by all accounts are not infected in any way with HCV, then these "observed" symptoms could be anything, or absolutely nothing. They could also be a form of projected hypochondria. As a consequence of persistent unresolved health related anxiety, selectively seeing or noticing certain generic symptoms in others that the observer feels they are experiencing (which they may actually be). And then convincing one's self these perceived symptoms are more frequent and significant than they actually are. It's also possible the hypochondrial projector can psychologically affect family members (or other living cohorts) by endoctrinating them (either consciously or subconsciously) with the proposed theory of "occult" HCV symptomology vis a vis casual contact - especially if the projector is an authority figure within the family (i.e. the parent). A social and behavioral "feedback" loop can be established this way, which might actually cause the psychosomatic manifestation of "observed" behavior to occur amongst the HCV uninfected/AB negative.
On the other hand, since the observed symptoms are amongst those living under the same roof, there may be a common environmental factor at work. Like dust, mold, low level carbon monoxide presence, allergies, something in the water, and/or a common hereditary factor etc might be playing some legitimate role. Also, at one time HCV was unknown, and therefore it was never identified in blood. I tested clean as a whistle back in the 80's, but yet was carrying this disease at that time. The medical community can only test and identify things it knows exists. And there can be zero doubt that there are almost certainly many forms of low level parasitic "ghost" illnesses that are yet unknown and unidentifiable with current tests. Including unknown bloodborne and even possibly airborne/casual contacting viral infections; like HCV was circa 20 years ago.
But speaking for myself, I've never noticed my HCV/CFS-ish symptoms you describe in those I've lived with before (beyond what you'd see in any household). Also, most people I know with full blown active HCV infections are completely asymptomatic, many never knowing they had it for decades prior to being diagnosed.
On the other hand, since the observed symptoms are amongst those living under the same roof, there may be a common environmental factor at work. Like dust, mold, low level carbon monoxide presence, allergies, something in the water, and/or a common hereditary factor etc might be playing some legitimate role. Also, at one time HCV was unknown, and therefore it was never identified in blood. I tested clean as a whistle back in the 80's, but yet was carrying this disease at that time. The medical community can only test and identify things it knows exists. And there can be zero doubt that there are almost certainly many forms of low level parasitic "ghost" illnesses that are yet unknown and unidentifiable with current tests. Including unknown bloodborne and even possibly airborne/casual contacting viral infections; like HCV was circa 20 years ago.
But speaking for myself, I've never noticed my HCV/CFS-ish symptoms you describe in those I've lived with before (beyond what you'd see in any household). Also, most people I know with full blown active HCV infections are completely asymptomatic, many never knowing they had it for decades prior to being diagnosed.
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