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1567377 tn?1295396918

5 years post treatment

I completed my treatment (one full year) about 5 years ago.  I have expanding girth, rigid rt. side of abdomen, extreme fatigue, depression and anxiety.  Yet, my liver function test shows no problem.   I wonder what the long term, lasting effects of the interferon/ribaviron might be and if anyone else has experienced similar problems...my family dr seems to have no clue about liver testing for the virus returning and I don't know how to talk to her about this or my current symptoms, she seems to think Im a hypochondriac, which I may be...who knows.
9 Responses
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1225178 tn?1318980604
How in the world did they hit the kidney when they were going for a liver biopsy? Sounds like somebody didn't know what they were doing.

I will never understand why people keep going to the same doctor who isn't taking care of their illness... especially if they are acting like you are a hypochondriac. This doctor doesn't deserve your faithfulness. Get a second opinion, or a third one until you find out what is going on... and ask if they treat a lot of people with hep c BEFORE you spend a penny on going to their office.

Diane
Helpful - 0
92903 tn?1309904711
Hey reeses - Don't give up. Like NY girl says, there has to be some free medical available. Does your county have an outreach program? I know that here in the land of liberals, birkenstocks, and medical marijuana, at least one of the major liver centers has an outreach program where they go out into the community looking to help those who wouldn't otherwise receive care. Can you check on that locally?  
Helpful - 0
179856 tn?1333547362
Jez that is just so unfair.......I bet if you were illegal and worked under the books you would get insurance no problem at all!  Yet people wonder why we need healthcare - it's us who pay in the end when we lose a job etc after a life time of hard work.

Anyhow on my ramble is there any chance you can find a liver clinic anywhere you really really really need to be seen by a doctor who knows about the liver - PCP docs think they have a clue but they dont.

It seems you need a lot of tests done and things like lesions on your liver are serious one way or the other you gotta get seen and have them done.......I dont know where you live but isn't there has to be SOMETHING. I'm sorry I'm not muc help it's very frustrating.
Helpful - 0
1567377 tn?1295396918
there are alot of things that should be ruled out.  not having health ins is a big problem cause my dr won't order tests that she knows i can't pay for.  can't get medical coverage from the assistance office because i have a small $400/month retirement annuity.  haha that makes me too rich to get any help.  I owe about $50k, possibly more, in medical bills...sometimes the depression makes me feel totally hopeless.  when obama passed the health care bill i has some hope, but now i guss the republicans are trying to repeal that.  i guess i'm not really ready to give up though since i am talking about it on here. thanks for input everyone.
Helpful - 0
1567377 tn?1295396918
oh yeah, goofydad, I did have a liver biopsy and it revealed that I had a large tumor on my kidney...when they did the biopsy they kept pulling out pieces of tumor instead of liver...so the virus probably saved my life which is ironic...they did another biopsy during my surgery since they were in there moving my liver around.  they said there was no scarring but one lesion on the liver.  that was 2003.  too bad my liver dr retired because he knew which tests to do, seems my family doc has no clue whatsoever about hep c.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
It seems that with your medical history there are a number of potential medical problems that should be ruled out.  I sure with that you could get an abdominal cat scan...

Regards your doctor - if you don't fight for your health who will?
Helpful - 0
1567377 tn?1295396918
Six months post treatment I was pronounced free of the virus.  But about a year ago my stomach started becoming larger and hard as a rock.  No sexual references implied.  No, the doc doesen't palpate my abdomen or do much else.   I had a tumor removed along with my kidney and a few other organs in 03, so I worry about that recurring too.  I have abdominal pain where my liver is and don't know if its adhesions from my surgery or what. I guess since I don't have health insurance the dr doesn't really want to get into what may really be going on with me.  I am so depressed and anxious I probably come across as hypochondriac.  Oh well, thanks for letting me vent.  Guess I'll just wait and see if I turn yellow or not.
Helpful - 0
92903 tn?1309904711
Hmmm... two references to "expanded girth" and no penile ads on the page. Maybe we need "increased length" to stimulate the spewing, so to speak.

Reeses, by your comments about the virus returning, I expect that it was once gone? If you cleared the virus and remained clear for 6 mos after treatment, the chances are extremely slim that it returned.

Like Bill says, the biggest question is whether you acheived SVR.  

Has your dr palpated (poked and prodded) your abdomen? That would seem pretty routine given your report - and should quickly answer whether your liver was causing overall firmness, no penile pun intended.    
Helpful - 0
87972 tn?1322661239
Welcome to the discussion group, but sorry to hear of your problems.

Can you elaborate on ‘expanded girth’?

What was the clinical outcome of the treatment; did you test for presence of HCV RNA virus at six months post treatment? Did they use the term ‘Sustained Viral Response (SVR) at any time?

Did you ever receive a liver biopsy, and if so, what was the outcome?

Unfortunately, liver function tests alone don’t tell the whole tale; it’s possible for a patient to progress into very significant liver disease with normal liver enzymes (ALT/AST).

Best of luck to you,

Bill

Helpful - 0
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