biopsy result

[06yuya]

Hello, this is my first post. My husband has recently been diagnosed with Hep C and we just received his biopsy results:
   Chronic hepatitis, mildly active (Grade 2), with mild portal fibrosis (Stage 1), Sections from the liver show mildly expanded portal tracts with mild interface hepatitis and minimal lobular activity with rare acidophil bodies. There is no appreciable steatosis and no Mallory's hyaline, granulomatous inflammation, or bile duct proliferation or injury is identified. Special stains show mild portal fibrosis. No stainable iron is present.

Needless to say we are very scared and are just learning about the treatments that we are being advised to start. I was hoping to find some insight and advice. Should we begin treatment? How soon? Exactly what are the results in lay terms? There seem to be awful side effects tio the treatments, are very costly, and the odds are against us.  My husbad is 47 yrs, in good physical condition, has been abstaining fron alcohol and quit smoking 10 months ago.  He has  geno-type 1, with a high viral load. (please forgive me if i am not using the proper terms)
Thank you for your time

[amirtracy1]

Hi. I was stage 2/grade 1 w/ a starting viral load of 10mill. genotype 1b. the hardest to treat.
treatment wasn't easy but i did it. treated for 48 weeks. i have cleared the virus and am SVR, which is code word for "cured". :)  I had no insurance. there are options for meds and reduced cost on lab work. you have to ask, noone offers. this forum will be a lifeline and the people her know more than 99% of all specialists out there so ask questions, read alot, and don't be afraid. it'll be okay. :)
tracy

[working dog]

good luck with your tx...sounds like your going to do real well...i'm not sure if i would wait for tx if i was retied or even had a less phisical job...i hate having this virus..my x wife went through tx and did ok...was sick the day of the shot and the day after but could work the rest of the week most of the time...she cleared and is doing ok..that was 4 years ago...still some stuff going on but that may have nothing to do with tx...i'm working on moving my life toward tx...selling my house (to get something smaller and move to a better location to treat..)..getting rid of things...just keeping my dogs snakes and a lot less stuff..i have had lots of sides over the last 8 years but didn't know what it was all about till march of 06...and before i found this forum (feb of this year) i was in bad shape..now i'm doing much better and am going to try to wait for better tx...love to hear it when treatment is going good...billy

[Terrylee8]

Hi, I'm 59, VL 5.5mil, Geno type 1, grade 2, stage 2, 24 weeks into a 48 week treatment.  I cleared the virus at 7 weeks.  I find treatment to be doable.  For me it took some getting used to, but after awhile, I just see it as a nuisance.  My sides are brain fog and fatigue, no aches, no pains, no chills, no fever.   It all depends on how the sides hit your hubby.  I don't work and I think that it's a major factor in my tolerating the treatment.  Stay in touch.

[working dog]

i'm 55..geno 1a...vl 5.5 million...kind of high alt and ast..like 70 and 90 or about that...grade 2 stage 1 to 2...i had bx done 6/15/07...i was advised by my doctor as well as many on this forum stay healthy as posible by going on a real good diet...exercise ...enough sleep...no drinking or smoking..and then to get another biopsy in 2 years to see how things are going...bottom line waiting for the better treatments...i've read hunderds of posts here over the last 6 months from folks that have treated...most seem to make it through ok..some just don't do well...i think you should read this forum every night for at least 3 months before your husband starts treatments...good luck...billy

[06yuya]

Unfortunately, there is not a Hepotologist in our area. We are treating with a GI doc. I am realizing that there is  alot of helpful information right here, as well as many wonderful, caring people.  I think we are going to wait until January to start the treatment. I am reluctant to wait the 2-3 yrs for the new treatment.  

good luck and thanks!!

[gauf]

Well, there is really 2 schools of thought on when and when not to treat. There are a couple of drugs in the pipeline awaiting FDA approval. The most promising is Telaprevir or VX950. You can search through the posts here to get more info on it. In a nutshell it will cut treatment time in half and raise the cure rate as well. It is probably 2 to 3 years out yet. being a Grade 2, your husband may have the option of waiting for the new drug to be approved. He could treat with the current standard of care that includes Interferon and Ribavirin. He will be on these drugs probably for a year or longer. The sides can be challenging but, I myself was able to work while on TX. The important thing  in the short term is to get educated on the disease and treatment. This is the place to get started for sure. Of course, whichever option you choose must be discussed with your doctor. Is he seeing a Hepotologist? If not, he should. Most major cities with a teaching hospital should have one or more on staff.

[charm27]

I also have mild peri-portal fibrosis-You will be okay once you have a plan and know everything. Your prognosis is good.

I too am 1A with 1 8mil viral load-No Steatosis-Stage 2 Grade 2-and treating for the first time.

Im hoping for the best too. Dont be scared.

Good luck

[06yuya]

Wow, I didn't expect such a fast response,thank you.  Your words are encouraging. I do not know his exact viral load...i think it was approx 2 million??  What is the next step if treatments don't work? I hate to be a pesamist but the odds are not good . The more I read about the effects the scarder I get

[gauf]

Just noticed the Genotype. What is his viral load? Yes, side effects can sometimes be rough, but everyone is different. You will get plenty of info here so stay tuned.

[gauf]

First of all relax, nothing life threatening at this point. Grade 2 /Stage 1 is still fairly early in the progression of liver disease. No steatosis is also a good sign. Mild fibrosis can be completely reversed with successful treatment. Can you give some more info? Genotype? ALT and AST  along with Albumin and Bilirubin numbers from his bloodwork? There are people here who can answer all your questions about treatment, etc.  He will be fine.