Is it taboo

[dranurag]

I know it may be taboo to ask, please forgive me. I have noticed much stronger night erections now that for last many years. My libido is also better. My VL is still high. Is it that my liver function is improving with the virus actually not going away?

[HectorSF]

Your erections now "last many years"?!?! Haven't you heard the Viagra commercials saying that if you have an erection for more than 4 hours go to your nearest emergency room!!!

If you have an erection that last more than 4 hours, I say more power to you!
For most of us male baby boomers things are heading in the other direction!!!

Seriously? I think anytime your libido is healthy it is a good indication that you are both physically and mentally healthy too. So it is a good sign of health.

I don't think the liver has too much to do with sexual drive except when you have advance liver disease your libido pretty much disappears.

Cheers!
Hector

[dranurag]

sorry I mistyped. I meant stronger than for many years in the past.

[HectorSF]

Yes I'm sorry I was trying to make a joke.

But I believe what I said.
If you have a good libido, I think it is a indication of good physical and mental health.

When we feel physically ill or emotionally upset our libido seems to not be as strong as when we feel good and well. Day to day sexual desire does vary but I am speaking of in terms of weeks and months. I'm sure in your life there were times that you have stronger sexual desires than at other times. This is all normal. If you had no sexual desire than I would be concerned.

But as I said I don't believe the liver has much of a role to play as far as sexual desire in concerned. Please remember that VL and liver disease progression are not related. So you can have a high VL and still have a healthy liver.

Take care.
Hector

[dranurag]

I had a trple phase CT scan repeated after an interval of 1 yr and the report says there is marked improvement as the mild signs of portal hypertension are now gone and liver is normal in size shape etc.thre are some lymph nodes though in and around porta and minor calcification on the superior surface of liver. Does that mean something?

[HectorSF]

I don't belive a CT scan can determine the overall health of the liver. I had a triple phase CT scan for HCC (liver cancer) 2 weeks ago, but that scan is used to look for tumors not determine the stage of liver disease or the amount of inflammation.
Others on this forum know more than I on this subject.

In my opinion if you want to know the condition of your liver, have a biopsy done. It is a very simple procedure and it the "Gold Standard" for determining the progression of liver disease. Your liver disease will progress usually over decades of time through the various stages until you reach Stage 4 (cirrhosis). In order to stop this progression, you must be treated for the underlying cause of the inflammation of your liver. In our case, the HCV virus.

So I would recommend finding out the current condition of your liver and then decide if you want/need to treat the HCV virus. I don't believe your liver will get "better" on its own without treatment.

Best of luck.
Hector

[dranurag]

I had biosy before tx. It is stage 3 on a scale of 6. I was UND on IFN but VL became 1 million within 1 month of stopping. Currently off tx.

[HectorSF]

Excellent news! So your liver is still healthy enough not to affect your chances of achieving SVR.

What you want to do is try to understand WHY you relapsed. And then retreat.

The following articles I believe will be helpful to you.

"Retreatment Strategies for Patients Failing First-Line Therapy"
http://clinicaloptions.com/Hepatitis/Management Series/Advanced HCV Management/Modules/Retreatment Strategies.aspx
Source: Advanced Topics in Hepatitis C Management: Tools for Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants
By: HoChong Gilles, RN, MS, FNP

"Understanding HCV Nonresponse and Identifying Candidates for Retreatment"
http://clinicaloptions.com/Hepatitis/Treatment Updates/HCV Nonresponders/Module/Shiffman.aspx
Source: New Management Strategies for HCV Nonresponders and Relapsers
By: Mitchell L. Shiffman, MD

"To understand why patients with chronic HCV infection do not respond to treatment, it is essential to first understand why patients do respond. It is also essential to recognize the various virologic patterns associated with response and nonresponse during interferon-based therapy. This requires that HCV RNA be monitored at frequent intervals during treatment. At least one half of all patients with nonresponse are good candidates for retreatment and could achieve SVR during retreatment. This includes patients, regardless of genotype, with breakthrough, relapse, partial response, and slow virologic response."

Hector