death

Will hepatitis C kill me?

[HCA]

In your last post it was your husband who had Hep C.
Some confusion evident here!

[Trinity4]

Listen to the video below dear.  You obviously know nothing about hepc and it's apparent you would rather have others inform you than familiarize yourself with the dynamics of having hepc.  The video was posted by one of our members zaza and has good, solid information for all those needing basic information about hepc as well as treatment protocols.


http://www.uctv.tv/search-details.aspx?showID=16056&subject=health

[copyman]

sure it will kill you. so will a lot of other things. unlike some of the other bad diseases out there at least it is possible to be "cured" of hepatitis C.

[orleans]

might

[AKHepper]

the hep c won't kill you, but the cirrhosis and liver cancer might

[lulu83]

It is my husband and he got on this site becuase i told him i joined, he is scared and we do know nothing about this as of yet... he has an appointment tuesday for an ultrasound and then he meets with a specialist the 27. We went to his health fair at his work and that's when we first found out about his count being so high, so we went to the dr and his alt is 217 and his ast is78. So we were just wanting some answers or help!

[HCA]

You have to educate yourself like the rest of us!!!!!!!!!!!!
The answer to your question is 'probably not',but your question is too broad and too naive to merit a proper answer.You can't displace the responibility onto us-you have to do the basic research.
The raised alt and ast are signs of inflammation.
Watch the video via the link that was provided to you earlier./

[Isobella]

The cliche you hear often here is that most people will die with hepC, not from hepC.

Spend time reading the posts on this forum.  Look through the expert forum, archives and the social side. You will learn so much from everyone here. Once you are more educated on the virus, you will be able to write down a list of questions for the doctor when you do get in to see him

You will also have a better idea of the options you will have and that in itself will give you some peace of mind.  

Watch the video.  And read all you can.

Go luck to you both.

[Trinity4]

Lulu,

You're on the right track.  Meeting with a specialist, hopefully a hepatologist (liver specialist) or at the very least a gastroenterologist that has treated many with hepc.  

Your comment about his count being so high do you mean liver enzymes or has a HCV RNA PCR been performed giving you a viral load and genotype yet?  There are many tests that need to be done prior to considering treatment and his doctor will advise him according to test results what the best plan of action should be.  

I figure I've had hepc for around 37 years.  I never had any symptoms until the spring of 07 when I developed a disorder called PCT which is directly related to hepc. I've worked all my life, still do and I have advanced liver disease.  I'm in my 55th wk of a 72 week treatment course and I'm not dying.  Not even close.  Sometimes this treatment makes me feel like a zombie but I manage.  I suspect with my age and degree of liver damage if I don't clear the virus or attempt treatment again with the newer and better drugs coming down the pike, I will be a prime candidate for cirrhosis but there are degrees of cirrhosis as well.  It is not an automatic death sentence.

Here are a couple of good websites which will give you a broad understanding of hepc and treatment.  These websites also list questions you should ask your doctor which will ease your mind and give more insight into treatment options.

We all go through a shock and awe period when we first find out and then things settle down.  Evaluation and treatment of hepc is a hurry up and wait process.  It requires much diligence and patience. Read as much as you can on hepc, including the archives on this forum.  There is invaluable information from those who have treated, are treating and considering treatment.  The more you know about this disease, the better you can manage the journey.

Good Luck
Trinity

Websites:

janis7hepc.com

hcvadvocate.org

[jmjm530]

None of us are doctors here, nor do we have your husband's medical records -- but in general, the cliche seems to hold -- most people die with hepatitis c and not from it.  We have members here who have been infected for 30-40 years before being treated and they are just find. I include myself here. Of course the disease progresses faster with some than others that's why it's important to get your husband properly evaluated. Best person to do this is a liver specialist who are called hepatologists and they can usually be found at your larger, teaching hospitals.

[Mary4now]

Scary isn't it? it is an unknown because of how differently this virus affects and progresses.  Again, the first information I got from my provider was "most people die with hep c not from it"  
Good luck getting the information you need and taking the steps you need and doing what you can to lead a healthy, happy life. Remember happiness comes from within.  Dont worry it does no good, this diagnosis is a wake up call that this life is temporary.
Do the best you can with what you have and lead a good life.

[IMstacie]

I see you recently joined and have a lot of questions.  Most folks here were exactly the same way when they first found out they had HCV.  You will learn and get proficient doing the research as we all do.  You can search this site and look at old posts as well as find a lot of information in the Health Topics http://www.medhelp.org/tags/show/12170/Hepatitis-C?center_adam=true.  ;

Good luck and stick around - this is a great forum.