Had Biopsy Results

[antioch4]

Some might remember my earlier posts
Got diagnosed around middle Dec 04 and was waiting for biopsy in Jan05.

Aged 48, Live in London UK and told I have had the virus about 25-30 years

Just had my biopsy results
Told I am geno type 1 (Not sure A or B)
But they told me my liver is stage 1 only mildly damaged

They said something about being one of the fortunate 30% that have slow damage, since I have had it all those years.

They didn

[aaapattie]

:-))))

I can't imagine your pill supply pile!  I always worry about having problems with my giant bag of pills just going state-to-state here in USA.  My nerves would never make it to another country!
Ha!

Thanks for the grin.

P.

[jevs2]

Hows Brazil?
Did you manage to smuggle your suitcase full of Thyroxine through customs?
Joanna xxxx

[britgirl]

brazil is very, very hot but i am not complaining! I do indeed have 8 months supply of Thyroxine with me - it's quite a sight as I take 2 tablets a day (50mg and 25mg). I am glad to see that you are feeling well. Long may it continue.

[jevs2]

I was genotype 2b and 42 years old.

I heard that Kings has a long waiting list at the moment.
Perhaps your GP could refer you to another hospital?
Try not to stress over it at least you don't have much damage to your liver.
Best wishes
Joanna

[britgirl]

I have just moved to Brazil but i was treated at King's college in london. Who is the doctor you mention?\ the consultant i  had was Dr Rizzi and my nurse was Opal, both very good. Unlike you I had no problem getting treated as I already had moderate fibrosis. Thay are a very experienced Liver Unit and it may well not just be about money; they probably genuinely believe that having a 50% chance is not enough to risk all the side effects . In my opinion, though, it is a shame they can't leave you to take that decision, rather than making it for you.In my case, it was the opposite; i felt i was being bullied into having a treatment I was not sure i wanted!It took me eighteen months to make up my mind after the biopsy. By the way, I never did get a viral load test done. I just had the qualititive tests, so it perfectly possible to go through treatment and get cured without ever knowing what it is!

[antioch4]

Thanks for your comments

I am at Kings College in London, The doc who spoke to me was the
head of the Liver outpatients unit

My next appointment is in 6 months time so I will try and do some more homework or even try to get a second opinion if I can find out where I can get one, or even find another hospital

What Geno were you, that might be the factor. and it might be my age.

When I see my GP I might see if she has some ideas,

Will keep your email in case I need some info from you if that is okay

[Califia]

Dare I say this?--but your doctor may not be entirely wrong.   Perhaps other factors have come into play, which you haven't mentioned here:  constant fatigue, extra-hepatic syndromes, poor quality of life as the direct result of living with this virus.  If this is the case, then I can understand why you are determined to go ahead and treat.   As Snook posted recently, one prominent  hepatology center in the States (Schiff) also refuses to prescribe chemical therapy to liver patients who only have Stage1 fibrosis.   So the issue here is not merely budgetary,  I think, although I certainly have heard enough horror stories about the shabby treatment HCV patients receive at the hands of the National Health system  (refusal to treat "side effects" with pricey Epogen, etc.).   No one yet understands why in some people this disease progresses rapidly, whereas in others it can remain smoldering at a low level for years.   It has everything to do with "host" factors that have yet to be teased out, and indeed you may be one of the lucky ones whose immune system does not over-react by triggering rapid fibrogenesis.  I don't know about this statistic of 30% you were given--I have never heard it quantified like that before--but my personal opinion, for what it's worth, is that you should continue investigating very thoroughly before jumping in with both feet.   Keep a pristine diet, a high nutritional profile, exercise like mad, and avoid those good British ales.   One thing to keep in mind, however,  is that the newer drugs may take at least seven years to come down the pipeline  (this I just heard from my own specialist), which would put you in your mid-50s by the time you treated.    But whatever you decide, the best of luck to you.

[jevs2]

Heres my email in case you want it.
***@****
Don't like the sound of your doctor saying stuff like 'does more harm than good'
I finished tx a year ago and feel fantastic!
Joanna

[jevs2]

What hospital are you with?
I live in Teddington and was treated at Kingston Hospital.
I had only mild inflammation and had no trouble getting viral load tests etc or getting on tx.
Maybe they have a funding issue. Financial year starts in April so they might be waiting for that.
Best wishes
Joanna