progression of liver dammage

I want to know how long (in years ) it takes to get to stage 1, 2 and 3.... I also would like an Idea how long I had it @ a stage 0. I realize timming varies, like alcohol, other med cond etc. but I still would like an opinion . Thanks

[HectorSF]

There is no "answer" to your question.
Hate to repeat but, no two people are the same. That is why patients need to get a biopsy to follow the progression of their liver disease.

Increased rates of fibrosis:

    * Age at infection >40 years
    * Male gender
    * Daily alcohol consumption >50 grams per day

Stage 1- Inflammation
State  2- Fibrosis
Stage 3- More Fibrosis
Stage 4- Cirrhosis
Stage 4 A: compensated   B: some decompensation/complications beginning to appear. C: End-Stage Liver disease /severe cirrhosis. (Only a transplant will save you)

If 100 people catch the hepatitis C virus at the same time:

    * 15 - 20 people get rid of the virus within two to six months (but will continue to carry antibodies for some time).
    * 80 - 85 people have chronic (long - term) hepatitis C infection.
          - Around 20 people will never develop any liver damage or physical symptoms.
          - Between 60 to 65 people will develop some level of long term symptoms or signs of liver damage ( after an average 13 years )
                + Between 20 to 25 of these people will develop cirrhosis of the liver (over an average 20 year period)
                      # Between 5 to 10 of those people will experience liver failure of liver cancer (after an average 25 to 30 years, all up)

hectorsf

[copyman]

No one can answer that question. It is different for everyone. It is typically a slow moving disease, Many have it for 20-30 yrs before any symptoms appear. Best thing to do is have tests done every 6 months to monitor it. Biopsies every 5 yrs if minimal damage and more often if 2+ stage.

[HectorSF]

There is no "answer" to your question.
Hate to repeat but, no two people are the same. That is why patients need to get a biopsy to follow the progression of their liver disease.

Increased rates of fibrosis:

    * Age at infection >40 years
    * Male gender
    * Daily alcohol consumption >50 grams per day

Stage 1- Inflammation
State  2- Fibrosis
Stage 3- More Fibrosis
Stage 4- Cirrhosis
Stage 4 A: compensated   B: some decompensation/complications beginning to appear. C: End-Stage Liver disease /severe cirrhosis. (Only a transplant will save you)

If 100 people catch the hepatitis C virus at the same time:

    * 15 - 20 people get rid of the virus within two to six months (but will continue to carry antibodies for some time).
    * 80 - 85 people have chronic (long - term) hepatitis C infection.
          - Around 20 people will never develop any liver damage or physical symptoms.
          - Between 60 to 65 people will develop some level of long term symptoms or signs of liver damage ( after an average 13 years )
                + Between 20 to 25 of these people will develop cirrhosis of the liver (over an average 20 year period)
                      # Between 5 to 10 of those people will experience liver failure of liver cancer (after an average 25 to 30 years, all up)

hectorsf

[tashka]

It is highly variable. Research shows that in general women progress slower than men. I know a few people (women) who had this disease for over 30 years and are still stage 1.

But nobody can predict the future. You need to keep a close eye on your liver, just as the posters above said. Best of luck to you.

[amanda60]

what do you mean by tests every 6 month , do you mean liver enzymes , i thought so and mine were slightly elevated last time but Hector told me it's irrelevant , how should i check for liver damage.

[orphanedhawk]

amanda60:
Proof of  liver damage is shown by having a biopsy unless there are already symptoms of cirrhosis.
A fibroscan is another way to check for signs of fibrosis.

[debpar]

I'm at Hep C Decompensated Cirrhosis (Stage 4B by the info from Hector above) and my gastrenterologist (specialist) tells me I could still be 35 years away from major liver failure.  Most people die WITH the disease, not because of it.  

[nygirl7]

I dont know about 35 years - most people once they hit stage 3 do treatment immediately, do you have any plan in place? With decompensated cirrhosis I would surely think you are doing something?

[willbb]

Great post by Hector and as you can see by that the odds of prog.are more in our favour than against to  progress to liver failure.

My own exp. is have had HCV for 34 yrs. and have Stage 1 fib.

[willbb]

After reading my last post meant to say the odds are in our favour to "not" progress to liver failure than to progress. Sorry about that.

[Trinity4]

I do hope you have 35 years from liver failure but realistically I don't agree with your gastro guy.  You are decompensated and had a bleed and that is not indicative of keeping your liver long term.

Trinity

[amanda60]

does geno type has any thing to do with progression of liver damage? , i am geno 4

[nygirl7]

Not that I have ever heard of but it would make a really interesting study that is for sure.

[copyman]

I mean to have liver function tests every 6 months and biopsies 5 yrs or less.

[blondie717]

Thank you all. I looked up old post and found simular questions with these same awnwers... But thanks for awnsering..I was hoping to get a time line in which I got this hep C..I am tx @ time day 6 and alls great. I asked because Im speaking to a lawyer re , sueing my husband. I have known him 4 yrs.  He used my tooth brush as often as his own. He often let his blood make a mess @ the grocery store he worked @, And would let one of the cashiers bandage him up and clean up the mess (and they were after school kids). I found out he had Hep C, because he got in a fight with a cop , and commented on how he hoped he got what he had and died ( drunk ofcourse) he was taken to hospitol , he told them he had Hep C and tested positive.  I am stage 0, my study doc did say looks like you havnt had this too long... . I imagine it will be dificult to prove with out a sample of his blood. Actually Im not really speaking with the famous lawyer, Im emailing and playing phone tag. lol....Just trying to make the case more appealing and easy for the lawyer. Because we all know if you want your business taken care of , ya better take care of it yourself.   Oh you all just cant imagine how my blood boiled when I read on a police report, he hoped a cop got what he has and dies, That warning said to a cop he hated, yet not one word in years to his wife.. Last May he told me yea I probally gave it to you, but its curable, you just take a couple pills for a year and it goes away... In the mean time he is still out there hating women, and continuing a lifestyle which makes him a danger to the public.  Sometimes the only way a thick brained thug learns is to pay for his actions.  With kindest reguards I am Ginger

[debpar]

Hi, just wanted to clarify (re Stage 4B still have 35 years)  - I've been on different tx's - 4 times - non responder.  Am treating with diet, exercise, vitamin supplements ... the bleed was minor and I'm still in good health!  My GI is excellent, one of the best in Alberta.  His attitude was difficult to understand at first, but now I get it ... don't worry about the big (ugly) stuff until (unless) it arrives ... in the meantime live clean and healthy and don't let the disease define who you are and what you do.  It was the hardest lesson I've had to learn since being diagnosed!!  I am well aware what a tightrope I walk ... I just choose to do as much living as I can ... and I may just make it across intact!

Blondie717 ... I'm assuming your husband is now your "ex"?  It sounds like he takes no responsibility for any of his actions and that is a dangerous attitude in life ... sure to get you nowhere.  While I hope you have success in your legal suit, I'd be more concerned about making sure your health is taken care of.  The stress from a legal battle may not be worth it.  Take care of yourself first, and learn as much as you can about how that fits in with Hep C ... because it can change your life in ways you never anticipated and the learning curve is STEEP.  The best we can do is to deal with symptoms as they appear ... armed with loads of knowledge and research.  Like you said about taking care of business ... same applies in your medical well-being.  We have to take matters in our own hands these days if we want good care, that's for sure!!!

[blondie717]

Thanks, I almost missed this as I figured everyone was done. no luck with famous lawyer. They all sluck. I am in a clinical trial, and recieving SOC and 2 other pills be they a placebo or , a turkey or , a miricle?... Will you be thinking of taking telapevir when it comes out in 2011? it just might end your liver problems... Good luck to you. My mother died of the final stages of liver failure. She liked Vodka, straight, for breakfast, lunch and dinner or just when ever she was not passed out. And that was not enough. I remember wishing she would pass out..