my mother has hepatitis c, I would like to talk to someone about it...

[nikki_d32]

My mother told me a few years ago that she had hepatitis c, since then all I do is worry and she tells me the doctors tell her she will live a long life and is doing great. I as so scared to ask questions but I need to know. She does not tell me everything cause she dont want me to worry. She takes no meds for it. She goes to the doctor every few months for it and we don't discuss it much. 4 days ago mu mother was admitted to the hospital for pnemonia. Today she was put in intinsive care with pnemonia and her body is not fighting it off. I did some search on her today at the hospital, I found out her platlets are at 68, and her white blood count is at 10.8, I want to know how bad that is and is there anything We can do to bring them back up. What types of meds are used to help this disease . I guess i would just like to hear from someone that has been through this.
Thanks for taking time to read this, nikki

[Krusing]

My heart aches for you and I really believe that facts are a lot less scary than ignorance!!  Does your Mom have health insurance or Social Security?  I'm on disability and SS (for an unrelated issue) and they totally paid for my Hep C treatment.  I was feeling totally fine, perhaps a bit fatigued, but didn't really feel sick.  I was diagnosed with Hep C in 1998 and pretty much ignored it for almost 10 years.  I began seeking treatment in April of 2007, because my 7th grandchild, FINALLY a girl, was born and I was determined to dance at her wedding.  After much poking and proding and blood taking I began treatment on October 5, 2007.  I was 59 years old, 5'11" tall and weighed an excessive 232 pounds.  I have adult daughters, my youngest being an R.N.  Those 48 weeks were the absolute WORST of my life.  I lost myself......my cognitive thinking was foggy, I had no muscle strength, I was anorexic, my entire body ached, including my bones, I vomited endlessly and finally slept 18 hours a day.  My treatment took more of an immediate toll than had my disease.  My daughters, who were both well informed and prepared, were in the state of shock in which you now find yourself.  Long story short, it is now now one day past the 5th month of the end of my treatment.  Although I had the worst possible Hep C and my liver was almost shot, I am proud to say that I have been virus free since week 4 of treatment.  I turned 60 a couple of months ago, my hair is slowly growing back, I ended up losing 100 pounds and am now beginning to have a mind which is not enveloped in fog.  I can think and drive and cook and will know in one more month if treatment has been worth it all........
What I really wanted to say to you and your Mom is not to be afraid of treatment, it is hard, the 2nd hardest thing I've ever done.  But if there's the slightest chance the outcome will be good, I say go for it.  
If my viral load is back up next month, my option is to take another 72 weeks of hell........would I do it????  In a heartbeat.........

Good Luck to you both!!
Shannon

[lalapple]

platelets are look low.  don't know if there are any meds for boosting platelets, but Neupogen is for increasing production for neutrophils.  i don't think her wbc is low at all, compared to mine, mine hoovers around 2-4 on treatment.

[Kathy73]

I agree with you that most of the time it is empowering to have knowledge and education but I do not agree with you in my circumstances. My daughter is overcome with worry about her father's health and I don't see how it would help her or me to overwhelm her with my situation. It is a rollercoaster that she can not help with. My son on the other hand keeps everything inside and is sick about his father too. Now I want them to focus on me? Sounds selfish and unnecessary. I am getting support from people that are able and willing to give me that. If I don't clear and I progress there will be plenty of time to worry them.

[Megan5515]

I think it is important to let your family know what is happenning.  Yes, they will worry but that is what families are for.  I think it is really important especially in a case like Nikki's.  You never know when you might be injured or get sick.  You may not be able to tell your doctors or anyone what's going on, and it's important that your family is well informed in the case that they may need to care for you.  My family has been a life saver throughout my illnesses, and I think they worry less when they are well educated on a topic than when they are in the dark.  Knowledge and education give most people some sense of control when everything else in life seems so out of control...

Good luck Nikki!

[Kathy73]

I made a conscious decision not to tell my family members except my current husband and a couple of very close friends that I have Hep C. My ex-husband has Hep C and Lou Gehrig's desease and my children are already concerned enough about his health. I don't think they need the added worry my diagnosis would give them. They are 21 and 20 respectively. My current husband is  very supportive and I'm currently 13/48 and a 1a. I suppose I'm trying to spare my children the worry you are currently going through.

[granitekonig]

bump

[GreatBird]

Sometimes parents have the misguided impression that we need to protect our children. Your post has brought tears to my eyes (I have a 27 year old daughter). The problem is, they aren't protecting you. They are leaving you to worry, worry, worry because you don't have facts.

As a parent, I encourage you to sit down with your folks and ask them for the truth. If they don't have copies of the biopsy and labwork they should. Ask them to see it. You *are* an adult. You could remind them (lovingly) of that. :)  

Honestly, I don't know what I'd do without the support of both of my kids.

This is just one mom's advice . . .  

[nikki_d32]

I did ask the doctor a little bit ago what is really low for the platlets and the white blood count. He said her white blood count was okay but the platlets were really low. I don't know what normal is, I saw something on this site that said normal is 200,000-400,000. if thats the case omg... The doctor also said it is very normal for them to drom this low when somebody is as sick as her. My father told me that they are always in this range and vary between 65-85.  I know she has had a biopsy several times since she acquired this in 1995. the only thing is they sugar coat everything for me. I am 28 and they treat me like I am 18. I just want to know the truth. I mean i have been worried for years but this hospitalization really threw me for a loop. She does not ever heal a minor cut takes months for her, and pnemonia well I just pray she will be able to fight it off. I really don't want to go into this blind sided, so I do want to kind of be prepared for what could happen... enough thinking like that... I know she is gonna be okay! She has to.I love her so much!

[zazza]

Do you know what the normal range is for the platelets? 68 seems a bit low to me. But these normal ranges can vary from lab to lab, so better find out what the normal range is in your particular case.

[puppiepaws]

well i have hep c and iam 43 and i took 48 weeks treatment and i relapsed... but the first thing she needs to get is a boispy of her liver to see how much damage or inflammation is going on, she may have already had it and u dont know..if her wbc are low they can give her rescue drugs.. they gave me neupogen.. iam not real sure about platelets.. Its true u can live ur whole life out with hep C.. alot of people have it dont know they have it..  Treatment is a option on each situation.. as pneumonia thank goodness she is in the hos.. Also the ratio depends on how long she has had it and age weight and alot of things could into play with this disease.. Have a great day.. Maybe someone else on the forumn can help more...

[granitekonig]

Hi Nikki,

Sorry to hear about your Mother. My Mother had hep c and gave it to me. I strongly suggest you get yourself tested for it. Most likely you will not have gotten it from her but you should definitely get tested.

I'm not knowledgeable enough to advise on the pnuemonia, platlets or white blood. Her doctors should know what to do. When she recovers, if the doctors think it's a good idea, then they can start her on treatment for Hep C. There are many factors to consider, so this is all up to what your Mother and her doctor's decide.

Wish you the best.
Keep being there for your Mom.