life span

[spcecst2]

I just read this article about hep c and life span does anyone have a link to some charts that spell out what the life span may be?? I've read a bunch of info but would like something a little more clear!! Hopefully I'll be clear in six months anyway!
http://health.msn.com/menshealth/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100153990

[orphanedhawk]

This is an old thread.
If you have a question, start a new post.

Here's a list of acronyms~ and tx means treatment.
http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Hepatitis/Hepatitis-C-Acronyms-Abbreviations/show/3?cid=64

[justcurious750]

what is "tx"?

[Marc1955]

FWIW I thought your facetious response was spot on and quite amusing. And contrary to pjhep80's response, it was relevant to what she had said. To say I know someone in his 80s who smokes like a chimney therefore I'm not going to quit smoking not very sensible. There is a lot known about HCV. The experience is far from random. I think the problem is that there is much conflicting and out of date information floating out there which leads people to draw the wrong conclusion.

[joker_snake]

My name is Jake, and I was recently diagnosed with Hep C the cause was more than likely drug use, I did this to myself and i'm prepared to face the consequences. I'm 21 years old and just living my life day to day i have no idea what stage i am i just got the blood work done the first time about 8-9 months ago, i havent went back to confirm the diagnosis, but reading some of your comments gives me faith i believe everything happens for a reason even tho i brought this onto myself i think that as crazy as it might sound this disease has saved my life it really opened my eyes life is too precious too brief to worry about the little things and this little liver problem isn't going to ruin my life i stay focused and look forward younger people like myself are gonna look towards seniors for answers and advice I advise you to keep them positive give them hope. God bless all, much love

[alagirl]

key words, "average," and "with hep c."  Meaning that half fall below that age and half above, and that we are talking about people who still have hep c.

I don't necessarily disagree with those findings given that people with untreated hepc show higher rates of kidney failure, etc  Still, its difficult to comment with any certainty on these articles that pull data from studies unless you get to read the actual study.

[pjhep80]

"That's why I don't listen to those stupid statistics about smoking or drinking because it really doesn't mean anything.   You just live your life and come what may that's what I say. "

i said stupid disease not stupid statistics...

sarcasm will get you nowhere...or maybe im being too sensitive

whatever...

[mremeet]

Yes I knew you were talking to me. By the way, the pic in your avatar is the best ever! If only the virus could see that ferocious tiger, we'd all SVR el pronto. ;-)

[Andromedae]

"Statistically, if I were drinking right now, with the extent of liver damage I have, I'll be dead in a couple of years. Don't know the exact time that would happen, but it would and I'm not going to take any chances.  Besides, I thought you were a big proponent of the all natural approach. "

Sometimes I'm too snarky for my own good. ;)

I did notice a few posts saying that you can't rely on statistics (regarding alcohol and disease progression) and thought I'd take the argument to it's illogical conclusion.

[Trinity4]

I'm sure you know I directed the above to you.
Trin

[Trinity4]

You know I believe Dr. D is probably as good as they get in the field.  I don't doubt that those without advanced liver disease and who successfully tx will have a marked improvement in their liver health.  My bx states:  Liver with focal increase in periportal dense fibrous connective tissue.  Stage 3 of 4 fibrosis  Scar tissue in other words.  I can't wrap my head around new tissue growing over scar tissue (dead hard cells) to the point where my liver is fairly normal again.  And you're right, it doesn't really matter because if I do SVR than at least the progression will stop there. My focus is not so much on my liver going back, just not going forward.  As far as I know, it's still working pretty good despite my attempts to sabotage it over the years!  You've been on this forum a long time and done a lot of research and you know that without sucessfully treating, my liver going to get worse.  There is no disputing that.  Exactly when no one knows, but that is the nature of this disease.  I am to the age where the damage starts to accelerate.  I'm hoping for SVR and anything else is plus at this point.  Thanks for your input - as always I enjoy your posts.
Trin

[Fl_Gator]

I only copied what Dr D posted...But I do believe that if you have no scaring, your liver will fully recover after SVR...

[comeagain]

After my first tx sept06 to feb 07 i had done no bx , my doc said that he could almust guarantee that I was stage 3 but he said if you reach SVR it will all go back to normal even if you  have steaotis ( fatty liver.) that will go away aswell.

ca

ps did a bx in nov 07 and I didn`t had stage 3 much better, but thats another story.

[mremeet]

I know you were in on what Dr D said above in the referenced link. Why do you think you'll only revert one stage, best case scenario? I'd be much more optimistic than that. I'm not sure I'm buying the blanket assertion that "...after SVR it should all go away. Your liver should return to normal.", but I really do think that a very significant improvement is achieved in most after SVR-ing. If you only have F3 fibrosis (and not advanced cirrhosis), and you do not develop an autoimmune disease after treatment (which can be treated anyway), then I'd feel fairly confident that your liver will strongly recover over time (more than just one stage). Will it ever recover to the point that after you die (of old age of course!) and an autopsy is performed, the coroner would never know you had liver disease at one point in your life? Probably not (IMO), but as long as its full function and the vast majority of the damage done is healed, what difference does it make? The liver has a huge reserve capacity by design. It is specifically designed and evolved over millions of years (or made by god and his infinite wisdom, if you "proffer" ;-) to absorb toxins and damage. It's built to accommodate reductions in its total capacity (which are often temporary) as a result of damage done by disease or ingestion of poisons etc. So for this reason I would feel fairly confident that if you get your SVR, over time with healthy living you can expect a rollback of more than just one stage. Don't sell you and your liver short! ;-) My $0.02 anyway.

[Trinity4]

Are you considering stage 3 as mild cirrhosis?  It may be, I don't really know about the Childs scoring but I do know that regardless of SVR  my liver damage is not going to go away.  With SVR, it may diminish, but it will NEVER go away.  

Andromedae
Statistically, if I were drinking right now, with the extent of liver damage I have, I'll be dead in a couple of years. Don't know the exact time that would happen, but it would and I'm not going to take any chances.  Besides, I thought you were a big proponent of the all natural approach.
Alcohol has toxins!
Trin

[Fl_Gator]

This is a post from Dr D

"If you had mild (Childs A )cirrhosis or anything less in fibrosis score, after SVR it should all go away. Your liver should return to normal. However in people with established cirrhosis, there may be a continuing risk of liver cancer so screening once or twice per year may be in order. Follow up biopsy is not really indicated. Good luck!
And Congrats on your cure! "

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/534318

[Andromedae]

"i have read more than i care to about this stupid disease really ... i dont think anyone knows anything with any certainty, you hear stories of 80 year old people living large who have had it for 60 years and then 40 somethings with cirrosis."

Yes exactly.  It's like those stupid statistics about how tall the average person is in the U.S.  They say the average height is something like 5'9" but they don't know anything at all.  I'm 5'7" so what does that tell you?  Also I've seen some people, in fact a whole lot of people who were who were 5"2 (eyes of blue) and a bunch over 6 feet.  statistics are stupid and so are the people who make those things up because they really don't know what they are talking about  with any certainty anyway.

That's why I don't listen to those stupid statistics about smoking or drinking because it really doesn't mean anything.   You just live your life and come what may that's what I say.

[Trinity4]

Have you considered tx?  Stage 2  is a tough call for some when it comes to tx.  Should I wait for better drugs or should I just go ahead and treat try to get rid of the virus?  I think it's a personal decision and there are no guarantees either way.  Of course, the percentages are better for those who are geno 2 & 3 and if the liver is not in advanced stages.  Alot of factors to consider but I am curious if you've ever been on tx or considered it.
Trin

[pjhep80]

i have read more than i care to about this stupid disease really ... i dont think anyone knows anything with any certainty, you hear stories of 80 year old people living large who have had it for 60 years and then 40 somethings with cirrosis...

everyone is different... i guess im just hoping my stage 2 doesnt get to stage 3 really...

[Trinity4]

Stage 3 is bridging fibrosis. Even if I do clear the virus, my liver will not return to normal health in the sense of a totally regenerated liver.  Maybe, and I say maybe very cautiously I will dip down a stage.  It may have taken me 30+years to get where I'm at but I promise it will not take that long again to get to stage 4.  If you have read about this disease and it's progression, the odds are not in my favor, henceforth, my reason for treating.  No one can predict with any certainty, just based on the all the information and studies and doctors recommendation it is not likely my liver disease will progress slowly as I advance in years.
Trin

[pjhep80]

'The older we get, the more quickly liver disease advances.'

i dont agree with that... i think  it all depends on the individiual , on how strong or weak your immune system is and how you take care of yourself

the liver is an amazing organ and it can regenerate itself, the only thing i have ever read is that cirrotic damage is hard to reverse

and stage 3 is not stage 4... i have read many stories on here from people who have been living 10 years or more with stage 4 disease... so you could be stage 3 for another 10 years and then stage 4 maybe another 10 years after that...so you easily have another 20 years or so, unless of course your hep is raging...

i am stage 2 and 46 ... so, if im stage 3 at 56 im going to feel pretty dam good about that

lol

[Trinity4]

Stage 3 - 56 years old - it's not going to reverse itself. The older we get, the more quickly liver disease advances.  I remain hopeful, but realistic.  
Trin

[pjhep80]

Contrary to what some may say, cirrhosis is inevitable in my case.  Maybe not within the next few years, but it will happen.


why???

[Trinity4]

Sorry you have such devasting side effects post tx.  I know the quality of your life has been drastically changed.  In my case, there was no option. Treat and try to avoid the next step which is cirrhosis. Contrary to what some may say, cirrhosis is inevitable in my case.  Maybe not within the next few years, but it will happen.  I'd rather take my chances with possible long term problems from treatment than to suffer with ESLD and and never know if that next step could have been avoided.  Keep in mind, once the liver is in the advanced stages it literally poisons the body as well.
Trinity

[Andromedae]

I am very sorry for your medical problems and I completely understand how you feel the way that you do.  In similar circumstances I could not say that I would not feel the same way.  I think that your post reminds us all that treatment is not without it's possible consequences.  Everyone should go into treatment with their eyes wide open as to the possible side effects - potentially long lasting ones.

My understanding of the odds is that the Interferon/Riba treatment leaves the vast majority better off in the long term health-wise than otherwise.  this is why I decided to go for treatment as quickly as possible.  With that said, god-knows what they will discover about the treatment 10 years from now.  It's always a risk but is one that I do choose to take because I think it offers significantly better odds at a better quality of life for me.  That is my personal choice and I hope it turns out to be a correct decision.

Once again I am very very sorry for the outcome that you experienced and I completely understand your point of view regarding the treatment.

Andromeda