Need some Definitions if possible

[pokie82]

I have been reading and studying all that has been posted here since my first post. I find that there are so many initials/unknown names that I am having a hard time getting a grasp.
I am a college graduate and know I can get involved with this, but it would help if I knew what some of these represent.
I know it is a big job-- I realize that when we get her results after her GI appointment Aug 3 -- they may make more  sense.
I have been keeping a list of what has me stumped at this time.
This forum almost needs its own dictionary.
??
Qualitative
Neutrophils
Pegasys
SX of the SSRI's
SSRI withdrawl
SVR
Varices
Tx
T.I.P.S procedure
ALT level -- should be what
ESLD hep c's and cl'rd in
I realize this is a big job--
Thank You
Pokie82

[starfish30]

Tx - Treatment

others should be on shortly to give the other definitions.

:-)

[susan400]

Qualitative - This is a test to determine whether or not you have detectable virus in your blood.  The Quantitative is the one that tells you how many copies of virus you have in your blood.


Neutrophils - part of the blood work on a complete blood count (CBC)

Pegasys - one of the interferon treatments available (a once a week longer acting shot)

SX of the SSRI's - SSRI's are a type of antidepressants, SX is symptoms

SSRI withdrawl- what happens when you stop taking those anti-depressants

SVR - sustained viral response   (I think)
Varices - varicose veins in the esophagus, but can also be found in the rectum, legs, etc., except on the legs they're not called varices, just variocose veins

T.I.P.S procedure  (I'm not familiar with this)

I'm not an expert, but I answered these to the best of my knowledge and ability, I think that they are pretty close to be accurate, if somebody knows more, please correct me.

Susan400

[pokie82]

Thanks much -- got it!
Any one on the much used ALT ?
POKIE82

[Galen]

Ok,
Neutrophils are the mature part of the white blood cells that fight infection.  When these are low you are more subject to imfection.
Varices - abnormally swollen or dialted blood vessesls, present in the liver of advanced disease.
TIPS Procedure is Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt.
Used to relieve the pressure in a diseased liver that has bridging vibrosis and cirrhosis. Doctors insert TIPS devices in patients with liver disease who have serious and life threatening complications such as the prescence of hemmorhage from the stomach or esophagus, problematic fluid accumulation in the abdomen, and also for a form of kidney failure that arises in some patients with advanced liver failure. In addition to sucessfully decompressing the portal venous system in over 95% of cases, blood flow to the kidneys frequently improves. The increased blood flow to the kidneys will not injure them and in fact can lead to an overall improvement in kidney function in some patients with cirrhosis.
Normal ALT is under 40.
ESLD is end stage liver disease.

I sincerely hope this is not what your friend is facing.  Best to you both.

[Kaoticbuttrfly]

I was wondering what all the numbers meant to all my doc told me was I had hep c level one worst to treat but i'm getting a lot of knowledge in here and have a lot of questions for my doc. I have finally got my appt for liver biopsy  and it's july 29th and see what happens and go from there : )

[cindee]

rev_____________ again you come though for us! We are blessed to have you here!!!!! love@ prayers, Cindee

buttrfly....hi there....I wish you the best with your liver bx. Mine was great. You can read about mine on the forum LIVER BIOPSY ACCURACY July 4th (I think C-13)...but it is in that Question Post. Have Fun!!!!! Honestly, I will be praying for you. love @ prayers, Cindee

[pokie82]

Thanks to all for the information I have copied and pasted it into my info base
Im am certain I will have other questions and hopefully she will come here for support also
Pokie82

[DonL]

Check the following sites. (If I've got the links right, you can click on them. Otherwise, copy and paste it into your browser):

Understanding your Complete Blood Count (CBC)


<A HREF="http://www.aidsmeds.com/lessons/CBCTest.htm" http://www.aidsmeds.com/lessons/CBCTest.htm </A>

Janis and Friends

http://janis7hepc.com/

<A HREF="http://janis7hepc.com/" http://janis7hepc.com/</A>

They have a lot of information that will complement what others have said here.

Best of luck for your friend. If she needs treatment (tx), check back here. There are a lot of knowledgeable and caring people who understand tx from having gone through it.

[DonL]

Clearly screwed up the links. Here are the sites:

Understanding your Complete Blood Count (CBC) <BR>

<A HREF="http://www.aidsmeds.com/lessons/CBCTest.htm"> http://www.aidsmeds.com/lessons/CBCTest.htm </A><BR>

Janis and Friends<BR>

http://janis7hepc.com/<BR>

<A HREF="http://janis7hepc.com/"> http://janis7hepc.com/</A><BR>

[mikesimon]

I question the cited material on elevated direct and indirect bilirubin. My understanding is that it is direct or conjugated bilirubin that signals liver disease or bile duct disease. Elevated indirect bilirubin can be caused by such things as Gilberts disease, hemolytic anemia (with which I am familiar due to the ribavirin) sickle cell anemia and pernicious anemia. It is the elevation in direct bilirubin that give us patients cause to worry whereas an elevation in indirect or toatl bilirubin for us on tx may be attributed to our use of ribavirin. I don't know where you got the posted information but it appears to have it backwards. Mike

[cuteus]

how are you feeling post tx? found some fun things to do with the time freed by the not taking shots and meds? When is that pcr? We should create a gas fund for that svr bus of Indy, it is doing a lot of traveling...

I wish for your health to continue improving and maybe we can run the NYC or Boston Marathon some day soon?
best to you

[mikesimon]

Hi cuteus. I think I am feeling better. I finally want to ride my motorcycle again and I haven't felt like that for a long time. I really haven't changed anything dramatically as of yet. I did get labs from June 28th, just after I stopped interferon, and my labs look pretty good. My ALT is 15 and AST is 19 and that's just where I like them to be. I will have another Heptimax the last week of July or the first week of August. I know that's early but the last time I quit I relapsed within 2 1/2 weeks and my load was in the millions so it doesn't seem to take me long to know or at least to have an idea. I won't be making any reservations to go anywhere until the next PCR and then maybe I'll start feeling optimistic if things are still good. Thanks for asking about me. Good luck and good health to you. Mike

[mikesimon]

Thanks chevy - I feel the same way about you. I'm glad you're done with the tx and now both of us will play the waiting game. For me it's not so bad because I've failed before and half expect to again. I'm not negative I don't think and I do harbor the hope that this time it will be different but I imagine that you are far more optimistic than I. Hopefully we'll both make it to the other side of this disease and then we can truly celebrate. Good luck. Mike