Can I survive with stage 4 cirrohsis ?

[papimilk]

Thanks very much to anyone who can give me feedback.

I have had hep c type i for about 40 years. In january of this year i began hep c treatment with interferon , ribovarin and victrelis. I have compensated cirrohsis and my doctor says it is stage 4. My liver is functioning well. my viral load was 160,000 initially  and another test indicates i should have a favorable outcome. The hep c cleared my blood after 4 weeks of treatment. It is now undectable. My albumin and bilirubin levels are normal. My doctor feels i will be cured. My concern is the cirrohsis. i do not drink alcohol or do drugs even though i have in the past. Can i live a normal life after completing treatment? Will the scarring get better? How long do i need to be on meds? Thank you

[crossroadsec]

I've been researching about how different parts of the liver may be more diseased or cirrhotic than others. I'm stage 4 and decompensated in 8/10. I treated w/ protease inhibitors and am SVR for a year now.
I'm off of the diuretics, but still form varices. I am a believer in reversing scar tissue.
My best to you and I hope your side effects are few. Can-do-man, you're full of good info. Look at you with your brain all clear! xoxo Karen:)

[can-do-man]

The liver is remarkably tolerant of disease and injury. Even after 70% of its mass has been destroyed or removed, the organ can still function, albeit with decreased effectiveness. If the conditions that caused the destruction have been removed or corrected, the liver usually can bounce back.

Although function can never be restored to parts of your liver that have turned to scar tissue, you can live a healthy life with the remaining portion if the disease is caught in time. However, there is a point of no return with cirrhosis. As more cells are replaced by scar tissue, fewer healthy cells are left to handle the liver's many tasks. Eventually, function problems arise and may remain. This is why it's important to identify the underlying causes as soon as possible and begin taking steps to eliminate them.

http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/understanding-cirrhosis-basic-information

[WOG1964]

WOW! so encouraging! I too have type 1 with stage 4. I have not started treatment yet but this news is so up lifting. Congragulations.

DECLARE YOUR VICTORY TODAY!

GOD BLESS!

[papimilk]

Hello again. I wanted to answer one of your questions. Sorry i was not accrate as to when the hcv cleared. I started interferon and ribovarin on 1/18/13. My viral load at this time was about 160,000 . 4 weeks later they started the victrelis. The hcv clered my blood as a result of a blood test on or about 2/24/13 and reported to me on 3/1/13. When my doctor told me this I thought i was cured! He then let me have the facts. Thanks again.  

[papimilk]

Thanks. All of your responses give me hope. God bless all of you.

[papimilk]

Thanks for your response. The stage 4 cirrohsis was determined from a blood test