can I outlive this

[RickColorado]

Found out 6 years ago about the hep c, after all the lab work the first Dr. just said that I would probably just die with it not from it, I am 62 now. I have probably had the hep c for 30 yrs. Last labs 6 months ago say genotype 1b, stage 1 fibrosis, waiting on the labs and I type this. My question is, is there possibility of out living this before before it gets to late to treat?

Rick

[MeWithC]

I'd take interferon & Riba again in a New York heartbeat...as long as it worked with sofosbuvir.......the magic word...sofos...

[pooh55811]

I am not bbj, but I know bbj had Genotype 3.

[BoceprevirGal]

  Oh, sorry, or you may just stay at a Stage 1.  Or you could advance quicker, which would be the worst-case scenario.  The Interferon Treatment is hardon the liver, and you are older so, I would think you would need the more gentle Treatment. The Triple Treatment that is out, for genotype 1's, is a pretty rough ride, although I have seen many people your age successfully Treat.
    But they keep promising that Sofosbuvir is on it's way, and that would be the more gentle Treatment. They also have Clinical Research Studies out, that you could participate in (be a guinea-pig for research), with that new Interferon free regimen. Since you are healthy, you could give that a try~  
    I woukdn't wait longer than 3 yrs more, to Treat,if you plan on living to be 100 yrs old, like I do~            

[BoceprevirGal]

   If I were you I would wait for the Interferon free Treatment, coming out in a few years.  It took 6 yrs for you to go from Stage 0 to Stage 1, so hopefully you will be able to Treat, when you are a Stage 2, and do it the Interferon free way.
   That is what my Doctor tell people. She rights text-books on Hep C,and has been Treating people for many, many years. She also attends all the Hep C conventions and is an expert on Hep C, although not a Hepatologist. She is an  Internal Medicine Doc, and also a Psychiatrist.
    I treated at Stage 2 because alot of my blood-work was abnormal, as in low platelets, etc.  I was Undetected of virus, at my 3 month post treatment labs, but the Interferon caused my knees to stiffen, and my hip joints pop out and in, spontaneously now. My life isn't the same as before the Interferon. Most Doctors are vary wary of Interferon, and weight the risks with the benefits~
  

[FlGuy]

This is just a guess that the name of the test is HCV RNA (there are several different types) and that the number of the test is 41750.  However, the result is clearer.  It shows a HCV viral load of 8,029 International Units per milliter of sampled blood.

[mrsbitt2013]

I am hopeing that someone here can tell me what a test result is .. The nurse who gave the test said she didnt know what the numbers meant. It says Final Result Positive - HCV RNA 41750 Then under that line it says HCV RNA ( IU/ML) 8029

[Idyllic]

Oy. Sorry about that - I over looked where you indicated you had a biopsy.

If you are in good health then you have way more options than that doctor presented. As others pointed out there is no way to predict how rapidly the disease progresses; plus, there is the matter of extrahepatic manifestations (conditions related or associated with Hepatitis C). In a few years there will be Interferon-free treatments (all oral) that are highly efficacious with a considerably less harsh side effect profile. I am stage one but I opted to treat now since even though early in the disease I had a condition that ended up being associated with Hepatitis C which resolved about half way through treatment.

Anyway, this article points out that despite many years of chronic infection, the majority of people infected with HCV do not develop severe liver disease, and some may not need treatment - I guess I just want to make sure you take every step necessary to determine that you are one of these people :)
http://www.mamashealth.com/infect/hepcupdate.asp

[RickColorado]

Liver biopsy 6 years ago, then just had another biopsy 6 months ago, went from stage 0 to stage 1 on the last biopsy.

Rick

[Idyllic]

I understand you were diagnosed 6 years ago and so far you know you are a genotype 1b but like the others I do not follow how you know how advanced your fibrosis is.

Did you have a biopsy or a Non-invasive test such as a FibroSure or FibroScan? These are ways that actually provide an idea of where you are in the disease process. There is pro and con with each but the point is your labs would not reveal what stage you are. If you have not done so I encourage you to find out so you can make an informed decision related to the if and when you treat.

[Noku77]

What genotype you had

[Noku77]

I don't think that you have to wait. I am 35 years old and I got diagnosed with HCV only 1 month ago genotype 1B. I am at the phase that I am redoing all my test on another lab just to double check the results because it is really strange that I do have the HCV after the way of living up now, a really correct life. Never a tatu, never drugs, never had alcohol problem but at the end, I do have (even that i am waiting the second results). How I took it, of course by someone mistake because is always like that, maybe during a surgery 10 years before, maybe at the dentist maybe.... who will never know but at the end dispate the liver damage phase I will start the treatment ASAP and the main reason is that I do not want that other people get infected by me, by mistake like always happen. I know that is a expensive cure but if you have the possibilities do not wait.
Regard
n  

[magic1964]

I have finished treatment 6 years ago and have had great results, the tests show "no Trace" but dont call it a cure. I have had no prob since and feel great. My wife has known since we got together 13 years ago and she was not infected. The treatment was tough but the results are great.

[bbj2856]

Hi like you our age is close . I  had my Hip C for 35 or so years. My Dr advised me to treat. I was told 24 weeks and my life would be a lot better after it was over. He did not hesitate to tell me it should be treated right away. I treated for 24  weeks with Peg and Rib was UND at first check was end of my  4th.  week and  stayed UND through out treatment.  I Finished in June 2012 and had my 6 mo. check up in Dec.2012 still Und . Most blood work back to normal. If you have a Dr who is saying this get a new one dont trust this opinion  ..
Good luck

bbj

[RickColorado]

Liver biopsy 6 months ago, sorry!!

[can-do-man]

I sure agree with seeing a hepatologist, not sure what you mean when you say your labs show stage 1 fibrosis....... Have you ever had a Biospy and if so how long ago?

Waiting a few years might not be such a good ideal with your age and depending on your liver condition, once one becomes cirrhotic treatment is longer and harder to treat....... Best to you.

[FlGuy]

"Last labs 6 months ago say genotype 1b, stage 1 fibrosis"

What lab test did you take that returned a result of "stage 1 fibrosis"?

[HectorSF]

I would certainly talk to a hepatologist to get a reality check before gambling my life on any one doctor's opinion.

I don't know why you would choose to live with hep C when there will be treatments in the next few years that have little side effects and only require 12 weeks of treatment.

Again I would risk my life on one doctor's opinion especially if they are not a hepatologist at at teaching hospital or transplant center as they probably know very little about liver disease and its consequences.

Good luck.
Hector

[dooklebug]

Rick, I am new to this forum as well and have not begun treatment yet, so what I have to say is not from experience.  But I think most would agree that you need to find a new doctor.  Your genotype is not the worst and stage one fibrosis is low.  You do NOT have to die from or with this.  I would seek out a Hepatologist, who specializes in liver disease, and get his/her opinion.  I am 55 with 1a, stage 2 fibrosis and I have every intention of fighting and ridding myself of this.  Please search for another doctor.  Good luck to you.