Tired and anxious at all my diseases

Living With Hep B
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Seemingly, I look like a healthy person. I’m not emaciated or overweight. Whites in my eyes are white, skin isn’t yellowish. I don’t have any physical handicap. But inside, I feel that I’m fallong apart at 34.

I was waiting for a planned jaw-surgery for my underbite. It required two years of orthodontic preparation; a lot of money was invested in it. The surgeon knows about my HBV. This alone wasn’t a contraindication to the procedure. But recently, my health started deteriorating and new diseases sprung up like mushrooms.

First, I had to postpone the surgery because I was a bit ill. The swab showed staphylococcus in the nose and strep in the throat. The doctor prescribed an antibiotic to apply inside my nose (mupirocin) and some tables for the throat. At the same time, I got painful canker sores under my tongue because of garlic and ginger that I decided to eat to figt the cold.

Out of nothing my joints started aching. Nothing serious or debilitating but after reading about the symptoms and knowing that it’s best to act as soon as possible, I decided to get tested for Lyme disease. The first result (ELISA test) showed an active infection. Freaking out I hastened to the doctor to get antibiotics because I know consequences of this disease can be dire. If it developed into neuroborreliosis it could definitely rule surgery. So I got doxycycline. Soon after side effects like dizziness showed up.

Few days later, I received results of yet another blood tests. This time Western blot for Lyme disease turned out to be negative (IgG as well as IgM). At the same time, the norm for rheumatoid factor (RF) was exceeded 7 times. I still undergo diagnosis to confirm chronic arthritis or another rheumatological disease. Obviously, I got another medication, etoricoxib.

That’s not the end of the story because just before the weekend I got itchy lesions on the back. The doctor confirmed my suspicion: shingles. And I got yet another medicine: aciclovir. Reading the leaflet and checking drugs interactions leaves me puzzled. I take Tenofovir daily. Taking it together with Aciclovir can elevate the risk of kidneys failure. I’m supposed to take Aciclovir (800 mg) 7 days, 5 times a day. They write that the patients should increase the intake of water to protect the kidneys which I do. I’m worried, nonetheless, that I’d up with destroyed kidneys and having to go for dialysis. Is this scenario possible? Does acute kidney injury can happen in my case over a week? I have no idea. But I know that without healthy kidneys, I will not be qualified for surgery.

I take this forum as a place to share and vent. I know that people don’t like reading or hearing about someone else’s suffering (understandably), so I’m restraining myself and try to be positive. After all, I’m not dying yet and joints ache is manageable. I’m in the lookout for a good advice.

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Hi @Arb,
We hear and empathize with you. I am sorry to hear that you have been going through a lot lately. Life can sometimes feel cruel and unfair to us. It may feel at times like the entire world is against you. It can get frustrating pretty quickly. I understand that feeling very well. We have to keep fighting even when we don’t feel motivated to do anything. Hold on tight, remain hopeful, and fingers crossed that things begin to turn in your favor soon. We stand with you now and will be with you throughout this process. Feel better soon and keep us posted. Bansah1

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Hello @Arb

My oh my! You have been through a trailblazer of illness. I just had shingles vaccine because I heard shingles is horrible to have. I hope you are doing alright.

I can’t answer your question on whether the medication will damage your kidneys to the point of dialysis. I imagine the doctor wouldn’t recommend that medication if it did.

Doctor does know you have HBV and on Tenofovir?

I also know there’s another medication that doesn’t damage the kidneys as much. Entercavir.

How is your diet? Fresh fruit and vegetables, no fatty fried foods. Plenty of vitamins and minerals from food. Keeping healthy through exercise, sleeping well.

@ThomasTu

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Hi @Arb ,

So sorry to hear about your travails, that all sounds like a huge amount to deal with. Regarding your questions about aciclovir being taken with tenofovir, this is something that should be asked to the @HealthExperts and @PharmacyExperts.

Thomas

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Hi @Arb ,

You certainly have had a run of bad luck! Hopefully that means you are over due for some good news.

Taking both acyclovir and tenofovir together for just a week does not seem to me like it would permanently damage your kidneys, but I am not a physician, so I urge you to contact your doctor to ask about this specifically.

John.

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@Bansah1 @Caraline @ThomasTu @john.tavis Thank you!

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i wish you best of luck, i am sure you will get better, i am very positive your kidneys won’t fail in 1 week for permanent basis, stay strong, good days are coming

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Stay strong. Try not to think about it. I know it’s hard. I been feeling tired these day and wonder about hepatitis B as I m getting older.

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But when honestly speaking are these good days coming?

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Hi @Opa,

I definitely think that a lot of people build better days for themselves as they adapt and find the support that they need for their condition. This is the philosophy of starting this forum: we want to help people get to those days quicker through the peer-navigation, peer-support, and understanding that we try to promote here.

Better is not necessarily 100% happiness, but it is some progress towards good days.

I myself feel good about my life, with the impact that I see here and what can be done if we all work together, it really feels amazing.

TT

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