End stage Hep C

My Dr.'s are considering me for a liver transplant. I have had Hep C 30 years. Interferon did not work for me though I did tolerate it fairly well the whole year. Are there any new options or treatments ?  It seems to me if I loose my imune system that the Hep C will be given free reign over my already damaged body.  Am I right about this line of thought ?  If I don't have the transplant what could my life expectancey be ?  I prefer answers that aren't sugar coated. I find that for me it's easier to deal with this when I know what to expect. Thanks. Ducky1822

[tmangeles]

Do you have cirrhosis?what is your fibrosis/necrosis grade?Are you suffering from Hepatic encephalopathy or esophageal varices?do you have portal hypertension?You need to be more specific on why he said that..I think if your doc says that you need a new liver,then you are a canididate for liver failure..Good luck

[Pdilly]

Keep your spirit up.  My neighbor was put on the transplant list about 2 1/2 years ago was moved  high up the list about 2 years ago (the doctors can move you to the top by how much you need one) anyway he got a liver.  He is doing good.  The anti rejection drugs have made him gain weight but other than that he's as good as new.

[2hep2it]

Hello Ducky,

First, I'd like to commend the fact that you don't like to be suger coated. Shows you've got what it takes.  

Alhough I am not a doctor, this is my take on it: Most patients are referred for a liver transplant when they are estimated to live two years without a new liver. There are  determinations on who is indicated for a tranplant. As tmangeles has stated, Encepalopathy and Varices being a few. There is a scoring system called MELD- ( Model for end stage liver disease) under which the sickest patient gets the liver.It is based on 3 tests.The bilirubin, the prothrombin time (PT) measured in INR (international normalized ratio) and the creatine ( a measure of kidney function )You can input your numbers into the UNOS site @ www.unos.org. Scores range from 6 to 40. 6 being the least ill and 40 being the sickest.

You should talk to your Doctors ( plural) as what what your PARTICULAR situation is. And not sugar coated. Its YOUR HEALTH. There are also conditions such as pre existing cancer. If cancer exist anywhere OTHER than the liver. You are NOT a candidate for transplantation. If  there is liver cancer a transplant can be done and your MELD score will be based on A TNM ( T stands for extent of tumor, N for presence or absence of lymph nodes and M for presence or absence of Metastasis (tumor spread to another organ ).

Please check out the UNOS website and ASK MANY QUESTIONS But make Sure you get ANSWERS. Doctors are there to Help YOU.

I wish you all the best. Hang in there!

[stangshelly]

HOW FAR ADVANCED IS THE DISEASE AND WHAT SHAPE IS YOUR LIVER IN ? DID YOU KNOW WE ONLY NEED 10% USE OF OUR LIVER? DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU LIVE THERE IS A GREAT PLACE IN PA JUST OPENED FOR STATE OF THE ART TRANSPLANTS...LOTS OF GOOD FEED BACK FROM HERSHEY MED. HANG IN THERE..