life expectancy hepc

[rockey]

i was diagnosed with hep c when i was 20 im 25 now i also have gout in the feet im a social drinker on average what would be the life expectancy of a person in my position

[PJ1966]

Sarge,
I have had hep C for 40 yrs and had both cataracts removed about 8 yrs ago.  I hadn't heard there was a corrolation.  My father had cataracts and I know it can be hereditary so always thought I got it from my family genes.  It's an easy operation and the positive is better eye sight.  I got so bad that I couldn't see at night at all.  It is so much better.  I went with uni vision and had one eye corrected for reading and one for distance.  They coordinate and it works great.  They have to test you to see if your brain/eyes will work with uni before you choose this.  I LOVE IT though.
good luck.

[Ruthieathome]

My mom and husband have hepc . My mom is older and takes very good care of herself. She seems to be doing very well. My husband drinks occasionally and every time he does his side hurts him and the next couple of days or more. Aside from the emotional bruising from the disease I've noticed that drinking does affect him physically. He also has appetite and fatigue issues after the drinking. I also have a 70something year old family member whom takes very good care of  herself and does not drink. She is a very glowing and wonderful lady who has had hep c her entire life. I do believe drinking will greatly cause bad effects on you physically with this disease , based on seeing others life choices.  I hope this could be helpful to someone .

[Mary4now]

My hepatologist / transplant doctor, told me drinking alcohol was like pouring gas on fire.
thats enough for me.  It wasn't enough when I had hep in 1971, STUPID, but now that I'm OLD, I know bad things can happen and  just the knowledge of the possibility of drinking escalating, or doing more damage is enough for me to not drink.  
I guess we all pick our poisons.  

[newleaf09]

Life expectancy?  Impossible to say.  The disease affects everyone differently.  The bad thing is that even while your liver is scarring and sustaining great damage, there are absolutely NO SIGNS.  You usually don't feel bad or have aches or pains or turn yellow.  You just won't know until you have cirrhosis (totally scarred liver unable to function any more; leads to death).

My advice is go to a hepatologist (Gastroenterologist specialized in the liver) and get the initial work-up: Bloodwork to look for indicators of cancer or cirrhosis, PCR to get viral count; genotype test, liver biopsy if he recommends it.  Be sure and tell him about the gout.

If you are genotype 2 or 3, treatment is shorter and more successful and you may as well do it (most americans are genotype 1).  If you have a low viral load you are much more likely to cure.  Do the tests and let your doctor lay it all out and help you make a decision.

[Sarge801]

I have always been very healthy and always going to the gym.  I went into the USMC and put my time in.  I still felt great, then in 1979 I had 3 motorcycle accidents in a very short time.  During that senerio I had received at least two complete blood transfusions.  I suppose that was standard practice.  NOW things seemed to happen that shocked the hell out of me.  I went in to our family MD for a complete physical and blood workup.  The results are what scared me, he said I had  Hep C, and had the virus for around 20 to 25 years, it was just incubating somewhere in my body. Shortly after I started Pegasys and Interferon weekly for a year.  I fell like hell. AND the financial costs (even with ins.)  was outragous.  But it had to be done. Right?  After completion of the treatment, I had another blood test work-up and the doctor sid the virus was barely detecable, but I will always carry the virus.  Now I am again geting alarmed.  My wife is a very well educated nursing superVisor and has strongly advised against indulging my drink. She said it won't kill you, but at the same time, it won't help you either.  My latest shock was this past week (Apr. 09) when I went to the optomistirst (eye doctor) for a check up and he stated that I have aquired cataracts in both eyes.  My wife said there is a strong corolation of cataracts and hepC, as they both attack the auto immune system.  I have been scheduled for eye surgery sometime in May  2009.  I feel horrified, invaded, but I am still alive (for now).  Is there someone out here with some good, truthful, and helpful suggestions on how to handle this and keep moving on with a positive attitude?  It's seemingly impossible to keep going at times.

Ralph   aka: ***@****

Sincerly Yours;  Semper Fi:  Latin for (Always Faithful to God and yourself).  I love those who have the courage to hold on, and pray for those don't.

[pigeonca]

I'm so sorry, really thought it would work for you.  But actually it did, because you haven't resumed using, so next time the odds will be better.

Whatever you do, whether you do the daily shots (Infergen?) or wait for some of the newer meds, I'd recommend doing everything possible to build up your strength.  You know the drill: eat right and exercise, both of which will make you feel infinitely better.  If you're debilitated from your last tx, maybe you need to take a few months off, at least, before doing the shots.

You're only stage 2, so you have time to regroup if you want to.  There are so many new and improved therapies for this disease.  If it were me, I'd wait, get healthy, and then go for Vertex or something like that when they're available.

You're a tough chick.  I really admire you for staying off the drugs.

Best of luck,
Love,
pigeon