Significant bridging fibrosis with Ishak score of 4

[Mel1950]

Hubby had Hep C in 2002, took clinical trial and was declared free of it after 1 year of treatment.  Slowly started to drink beer again, now drinking everyday 75oz or more.  Last week, new doctor said he had the above and should not be drinking at all.  They ran tests and the nurse said they all came back ok so he thinks it's ok to keep drinking.  Would appreciate your input. on drinking alcohol.  Also, isn't a score of 4  bad?   Thank you.

[nursehepc]

My bad. I thought when you referred to "he" that you were referring to the nurse.  I am relieved to know that the nurse did not say it was okay to drink.

I am sorry for your situation. He really does need to stop drinking-he needs the End Stage Liver Disease version of scared straight. I am guessing they do some kind of "scared straight" type of thing in alcohol treatment centers.

He is lucky to have you.

Take care of you. Regards. Jo

[patra_]

Hep C.  The new meds are Better than then current meds, supposed to have a higher percentage of cure - some say 100% - but they said that about the ones we are using now.  That occurs when they pick their patients, people who have the disease, are treatment naive, are not cirrhotic, and have no other major medical problems.

However, they are easier to take, and for a shorter time, have less side effects,  and do have a higher percent of cures.  I pray that all of us on treatment will reach SVR ( Sustained viral Response = cured) and not need the new ones, but I am SO glad they are coming out with them for people who have relapsed, or have not yet had the opportunity to treat.

Glad he is HepC free!  What a wonderful gigt!

Keep on keeping on.

[Mel1950]

Thank you for your post, I will let him read these posts.  His doctor mentioned that if he had Hep C again or Hep A, the new drugs were curing it?  His tests came back with no sign of the diseases so that's one good thing!

[patra_]

Remind your husband - from me - also Stage F-3 A0-A-1, and on treatment NOW to either cure this Dragon, or to give my liver a break from the Virus until the next generation of meds come out - that He - LIKE ME ( and all of us) HAS ONLY ONE LIVER, if he stops now, and chooses to eat a liver friendly diet then his liver can regenerate itself to some degree and he may never go on to cirrhosis.

IF HE KEEPS ON, and developes cirrhosis, he is setting himself up for either a liver transplant in the future, if he is lucky enough to qualify and one is available, or for a very painful, and generally uncomfortable death.

He knows what you are telling him.  He just doesn't want to hear it.  All you can do is give him the information and facts - HE must be the one to choose to live.

In my 30s and early 40's I had several drinks everyday.  I finally got smart (due of all things, to gaining too much weight), and had pretty much quit drinking altogether when I was diagnosed in 1994.  At that time, when I asked about it, my, then gastro, said there were no studies that he know of, so to do what felt comfortable.  I CHOSE LIFE AND NEVER HAD ANOTHER DRINK!

Could I have had an occasional drink without problems, probably, but I decided to go the safest route and have never had another drink.  The INF I was on back then, did not even put me in remission, but I believe not mistreating my liver by stopping drinking THEN, is why I am around to have this wonderful, life giving, hope giving treatment NOW.

Again, tell this to him from me so he can't blame you.  He should be so grateful that you love him enough to care if he takes care of himself or not that he would try to do what will protect his health.

Also did you say his Dr is looking at these new DAA meds?  Has he become reinfected with HepC again?

I will pray for you and for him, but he is the only ome who can choose to live.

Good luck.

[Mel1950]

By the way, his doctor mentioned that they were waiting on approval of a DAA Agent that was a cure for Hep C.

[dontworry_behappy1]

Typo ---you shouldn't drink after treatment.  Sorry

[dontworry_behappy1]

Welcome to the forum.  I was never much of a drinker before treatment.  I had socially drank all my life without an issue.   Treated my hepatitis C and after a year started socially drinking again.   Unlike before treatment drinking really didn't effect my liver much.  I was stage 2 at treatment.   What was interesting is after treatment my body didn't tolerate drinking very well and my doctor attributed this to a weakened system from treatment.  I ended up in the hospital after drinking just a minimal amount of alcohol over a period of three or four months.  Apparently, my liver doesn't processes alcohol in a timely manner.   What can take a few days seems to take a great deal longer.
There has been much talked about that if you don't have hep C you can drink again.  My personal experience is....that is a very bad idea.  Fact is, drinking is very hard on your liver as is Hepatitis C treatment.  I now am a firm believer you should drink after treatment.

Best to you.

[Mel1950]

I thought the same when I looked up the scoring.  I think he only wants to hear all is ok, border line alcoholic and smart enough to know he shouldn't be doing this to his body.  Stubborn.  Thanks

[Mel1950]

Thank you for the comment.  I didn't mean to imply the nurse said it was ok to drink, she just told him the tests came back ok.  I have a call in to talk to the clinic and tell them my concerns about his liver, hopefully they will give me what I need to get him to quit.

[can-do-man]

A score of 4 out of 6 on their scale would be late stage 3 so your husband is very close to cirrhosis. While drinking will not cause the Hep C to return the amount he is drinking on a daily basis could very well push his liver into cirrhosis. While an occasional drink might not do any harm the amount he is drinking is not good. Wishing you both the best.

[Livelife777]

The Ishak scoring method is used to determine stages of fibrosis.  The ranking ranges fro 1-6.  1 being minimul to none damage, 6 being cirrhosis.
Your husband is Stage 4 which is prior to Stage 5 which is when Cirrhotic Nodules begin to appear.  He is now drinking more than 1 pitcher of beer a day.  
Even in a healthy liver more then a pitcher a beer a day is to much.  An average can of beer is 12 oz,, so he's accumulating more then a 6 pack daily. Yes, I would agree he is headed for trouble.
Even tho he did rid himself of Hep C, this amount of alcohol is way to much.
Should he continue on this path he will end up with Cirrhosis.  You may suggest to cut back, as I don't know if he would be willing to quit.
Know your in a tuff spot here.  You obviously love and care for your husband and I also would be concerned if mine decided to drink knowing the long term consequences.
Yes, he is at risk for liver disease and the continuation of drinking will affect his health and his life.   I hope that he will listen.
Take Care
....Kim

[nursehepc]

I find it hard to believe that anyone told your husband that it was okay to keep drinking when his liver has significant bridging fibrosis. Its not okay (especially 75 ounces or more of beer/day). Your husband has significant bridging fibrosis and an Ishak score of 4. A score of 6 is considered cirrhosis. Your husband, without drinking can potentially reduce his score. However, with the kind of drinking he is doing, he could progress to cirrhosis. I would not drink if I were him (especially daily-if he can't moderate, he may be someone who should not drink at all).  Good Luck. I hope your husband chooses to at least moderate his alcohol consumption, although it would be better if he did not drink at all.  Jo