pancreatitis and hcv

[myangelathena]

I am a 60 year old female who was diagnosed in the late 80s with acute pancreatitis and still have sporadic trouble today in 2014. A few weeks ago I was diagnosed with hcv and was wondering what effects I would have with the two diseases together, for instance if given treatment for my hep-c will it make my pancreas worse or will I even be able to do the hcv treatment at all? I don't have a regular gastroenterologist that I see with my pancreatitis but was given an appointment with one for my hep-c which I never followed through with for fear of what I might find out. So i'm hoping that someone on here will have or has experienced this same problem and can give me some advice. I  know that going to the doctor is probably the best thing I can do but my fear is overwhelming. please help....alone and afraid.

[patra_]

All have given you good advice.  Just want to add two things:

1). You are NOT alone.  There are so many of us here who have gone through or are going through HepC and other medical conditions!  while we may not have exactly that combo, we may.  And, like kOkO said, they may be related.  We may not be in the same 'house' as you, but we are all a family, who really understands what is going on and how you feel and we are just a keystroke, or two, away.

2). Think about what additional problems the stress and anxiety you are experiencing is doing to your mental state and, possibly, your medical condition!  KNOWING is the first step in healing!  I KNOW how you feel - being scared to find out, thinking you can't get better, but everyone experiences those.  It is the brave, the strong who go on anyway, as that is the way to better your situation!  

You are saying but I am not strong or brave.  Wrong!  You are braver and stronger than you could possibly know, the more so because you have reached out and now you have the strength of others to support you!

As Lynn said,  Call that doctor for an appt and then GO TO THE APPT!

Let us know what comes of it and we will be here to offer information, support, advice and caring.

Take it one step at a time, but take each step, and hang in there!

Virtual Hugs!  Pat

[keepingOnkeepingOn]

What do you have to lose by seeing a Gastro Doc? It is likely to turn out positive and you will get the care you need. What do you lose by NOT going to a Gastro Doc? The answer is obvious. Unless you take control of your life and health the virus will make you sicker as time goes on and the older we get the decline in health goes rapidly.

I often wondered If Steve Jobs pancreatitis was related to having Hep C. It does affect other organs like brain, Kidneys, Gall Bladder as well as the liver. Most experience spleen and portal vein issue beyond the liver issues. I'm saying could pancreatitis and Hep C be jointly related in you too?

It's scary no doubt but putting one foot in front of the other and not obsessing is a good start. Set the appointment is one step. Another step is getting to the docs office on appointment day. Then go from there.
Let go of the fear if only for a while each day. You will adjust to this news over time and perhaps even be cured. If you could be cured would you go to see a Gastro?

[flyinlynn]

Hi Myangelatheana

Nice name.

I know it is a big shock to hear you have yet another health concern but the best thing you can do is go forward with your doctor appointments waiting won't help and just make it harder to get going on what neeed sto happen.

But yes take a deep breath everything will be ok. We have all been there with the shock of having this diagnosis you will find many kind, knowledgable and supportive people here.

The newest medicine out there is Harvoni it is just 1 pill a day generally well tolerated most patients especially compared with the prior treatments that you would have done just over a year ago. The treatment is for most patients just 12 weeks.

I did a quick search and found a reference on a document by Gilead Pharmaceuticals mentioning Harvoni and Pancreatitis quoted here:
"All patients with grades 2 to 4 elevations in lipase were asymptomatic, and the elevations were generally transient, with no treatment emergent clinical events of pancreatitis."

Haven't really found much else so I am thinking that thus far there haven't had any issues with pancreatitis and Harvoni use. Of course your doctors will be your best source of information especially as you situation is a bit more complex.

Also just to let you know most here have been living with hepatitis c for many years. For example I have know I have hep c since 1990 and probably contracted it in 1978. I have since progress to cirrhosis diagnosed in Jan 2008 but even with that I still am basically fine. I work full time and lead an active life. And not everyone with hep c will develop that degree of liver damage they say only about 20%.

Some questions you will need to know the answers from your doctor are how is you liver doing and what is your genotype. There are I believe 6 different genotypes of hep c and treatment is different depending on which one. I have genotype 1a for example.

I encourage you to see your doctor we will be here to support you and help you understand information from your doctor.

I am sending you a long distance hug from Washington state

Best to you
Lynn