HepC and Cirrhosis

[KarenRobinson]

In June 2013 my son was hospitalized with spinal meningitis.  He was in ICU for two weeks on a respirator.  Prior to this he was diagnosed with HepC and cirrhosis of the liver.  While in the hospital it was found that he had an ulcer and had had two strokes.  I almost lost him twice.  He has hepatic encephalopathy.  His doctor is in the process of signing him up for a liver transplant.  He hasn't had a drink since June 25, 2013.  Would it even be useful to try this drug with all his other problems and the possibility of a transplant?

[Groupergetter]

Karen, hope and pray your son gets through this.  

Good stuff Jimmy, as usual excellent information, well written and supported.  

[KarenRobinson]

Thanks so much for your very imformative response.  :)

[KarenRobinson]

Thanks for your response.  He has been alcohol free for 9 months and I don't ever expect him to drink again.  He knows that if he does, he will certainly die.

Took him to the gastro doctor last week and doctor is going to contact Duke University about treatment and possible transplant.

Glad to hear that you are doing fine  :)

[orphanedhawk]

I had a liver transplant and did hep C treatment, successfully, two years after being transplanted.

I'm not sure about the new meds, but with interferon based hep C treatment, it would not be recommended for him to do treatment until post transplant.

Although one can not change the past, I would like to point out that the first thing anyone diagnosed with hep C should do is stop drinking alcohol.

I wish your son the best of luck.

[JimmyMose]

I'm sorry for your son's medical problems and hope for the best.

You will need to have your son seen by a medical practitioner with expertise in hepatitis C, cirrhosis conditions and treatment (ideally in a liver transplant center).to determine whether treatment is recommended.

Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) have developed a web-based process for the rapid formulation and dissemination of evidence-based, expert-developed recommendations for hepatitis C management

http://www.hcvguidelines.org/full-report/unique-patient-populations-cirrhosis-box-summary-recommendations-patients-cirrhosis
Patients with decompensated cirrhosis (moderate or severe hepatic impairment; CTP class B or C) should be referred to a medical practitioner with expertise in that condition (ideally in a liver transplant center).
Rating: Class I, Level C

The recommended regimen for patients with any HCV genotype who have decompensated cirrhosis (moderate or severe hepatic impairment; CTP class B or C) who may or may not be candidates for liver transplantation, including those with hepatocellular carcinoma. This regimen should be used only by highly experienced HCV providers
Daily sofosbuvir (400 mg) plus weight-based RBV (with consideration of the patient's creatinine clearance and hemoglobin level) for up to 48 weeks
Rating: Class IIb, Level B

NOTICE: Guidance for hepatitis C treatment is changing constantly with the advent of new therapies and other developments. A static version of this guidance, such as printout of this website material, booklet, slides, and other materials, may be outdated by the time you read this. We urge you to review this guidance on this website (www.hcvguidelines.org) for the latest recommendations.