HEP C question

[kj66]

Hello,

My dear friend contracted Hep C through dirty needles as a teenager, now she is clean and 32, her body has suffered and been neglected for many years.  She recently started interferon for the 2nd time but it was killing her red blood cells at an excelled rate after two months so she was removed from treatment, at least, this is what she tells me.  Her counts are sky high and they have now decided that a blood transfusion every week for the next six months is the only way to go in her circumstance.  Has anyone out there been through this?  What were the results for you, I realize they may be different for everyone.  She tells me she is in the final stages of Hep C and I am wondering what has worked for others, to ease or slow the process.  Does anyone have an honest answer as to how much time she may have left?  She does not ask a lot of questions as she is scared.

Many thanks,
KJ

[CoWriter]

If she was in "the final stages of Hep C" they wouldn't have given her interferon becaus eof the risk of complications.

Co  

[Bill1954]

Hi Kj,

I’m a little confused about your friend’s condition. I understand she underwent two treatments for her Hep C; and yes, one of the components or treatment can cause hemolytic anemia. However, this resolves shortly after treatment is completed. I don’t understand why she would benefit from long term transfusion; can you elaborate on this a little?

Typically, the need for treatment is determined by liver biopsy; has she had one of them performed recently? Who is managing her care right now; a GI doc, or a hepatologist?

Bill