Aa
thoughts on my treatment ?
I went to my G.I. yesterday. No, I don't have a Hepatologist. Since I need a stent put in because of my heart the
doc wants me to have that fixed first before considering treatment for the Hep C. I do have a VL of 670,000 (geno 1a) at last check but no real signs of Liver damage. I haven't had a biopsy because of the Plavix & other meds I'm on.
Here's my question - The G.I. doctor told me that a Fibroscan or Fibrosure test wouldn't be reliable anyway.
I asked him if this was an option to the biopsy but he kind of blew me off. He said "if I wanted one" that he
would set it up. Does it really matter if I do it or not since the virus is active anyway? I should just treat.. right?
If and when I do it most likely won't be for several months from now because of the heart. I really don't want to treat
but know I should at least try because I do have Cryobulinemia that's also messing w/ my kidneys. The G.I. doc
and my Kidney doc both seem to think if I treat the Hep C that that may clear up the Cryo. As you can tell I'm
very unsure about so much of this. I'm trying to get educated but I know everyone's situation is different. I'm 48 and went through Chemotherapy for testicular cancer at 30. If this treatment is anything like that I know it will be tough.
I only went through 3 month of Chemo before ( although very very intense ) I can't imagine 48 weeks. This seems like a bad dream but everyday I wake up and there it is. I'm actually not feeling too bad right now. I keep thinking that maybe this will go away on it's own... is that really possible ?
doc wants me to have that fixed first before considering treatment for the Hep C. I do have a VL of 670,000 (geno 1a) at last check but no real signs of Liver damage. I haven't had a biopsy because of the Plavix & other meds I'm on.
Here's my question - The G.I. doctor told me that a Fibroscan or Fibrosure test wouldn't be reliable anyway.
I asked him if this was an option to the biopsy but he kind of blew me off. He said "if I wanted one" that he
would set it up. Does it really matter if I do it or not since the virus is active anyway? I should just treat.. right?
If and when I do it most likely won't be for several months from now because of the heart. I really don't want to treat
but know I should at least try because I do have Cryobulinemia that's also messing w/ my kidneys. The G.I. doc
and my Kidney doc both seem to think if I treat the Hep C that that may clear up the Cryo. As you can tell I'm
very unsure about so much of this. I'm trying to get educated but I know everyone's situation is different. I'm 48 and went through Chemotherapy for testicular cancer at 30. If this treatment is anything like that I know it will be tough.
I only went through 3 month of Chemo before ( although very very intense ) I can't imagine 48 weeks. This seems like a bad dream but everyday I wake up and there it is. I'm actually not feeling too bad right now. I keep thinking that maybe this will go away on it's own... is that really possible ?
Hi Lucky.
"but no real signs of Liver damage. I haven't had a biopsy because of the Plavix & other meds I'm on."
Understandable that you haven't had a biopsy lately, but what do you mean no real signs of Liver damage? Do you know how long you have had HCV? Years? Decades?
"Does it really matter if I do it or not since the virus is active anyway? I should just treat.. right?"
Not necessarily. If you have no liver damage you may be better off waiting for new more effective treatments to come along.
Cryobulinemia? Sorry I have no knowledge here.
"As you can tell I'm very unsure about so much of this. I'm trying to get educated but I know everyone's situation is different."
You're doing the right thing. Keep asking questions and reading about HCV.
"This seems like a bad dream but everyday I wake up and there it is. I'm actually not feeling too bad right now. I keep thinking that maybe this will go away on it's own... is that really possible?"
I understand what you mean. I didn't feel ill myself. Actually felt healthier that ever. Then I had a blood test that showed low platelets. Biopsy confirmed cirrhosis. You don't want to wait until you feel bad from a diseased Liver! Just because you can't see it doesn't mean there is no problem. Your heart disease was probably developing for many years silently also. Remember that the chances of clearing the virus go down as Liver disease progresses especially when you reach stage 4-cirrhosis.
Yes tx is no fun. (I'm going through it now). But End Stage Liver Disease is way worse!!! You need to look at the risk vs.benefit in order for you to decide how to proceed.
You made it through chemo so you must be a tough cookie!
I wish you all the best.
Keep sharing. Stay positive.
Hector
"but no real signs of Liver damage. I haven't had a biopsy because of the Plavix & other meds I'm on."
Understandable that you haven't had a biopsy lately, but what do you mean no real signs of Liver damage? Do you know how long you have had HCV? Years? Decades?
"Does it really matter if I do it or not since the virus is active anyway? I should just treat.. right?"
Not necessarily. If you have no liver damage you may be better off waiting for new more effective treatments to come along.
Cryobulinemia? Sorry I have no knowledge here.
"As you can tell I'm very unsure about so much of this. I'm trying to get educated but I know everyone's situation is different."
You're doing the right thing. Keep asking questions and reading about HCV.
"This seems like a bad dream but everyday I wake up and there it is. I'm actually not feeling too bad right now. I keep thinking that maybe this will go away on it's own... is that really possible?"
I understand what you mean. I didn't feel ill myself. Actually felt healthier that ever. Then I had a blood test that showed low platelets. Biopsy confirmed cirrhosis. You don't want to wait until you feel bad from a diseased Liver! Just because you can't see it doesn't mean there is no problem. Your heart disease was probably developing for many years silently also. Remember that the chances of clearing the virus go down as Liver disease progresses especially when you reach stage 4-cirrhosis.
Yes tx is no fun. (I'm going through it now). But End Stage Liver Disease is way worse!!! You need to look at the risk vs.benefit in order for you to decide how to proceed.
You made it through chemo so you must be a tough cookie!
I wish you all the best.
Keep sharing. Stay positive.
Hector
No - it won't go away on its own -- -unless you're in acute phase - and your body spontaneously clears it...
which amazingly some people do.
Anyhow ---- your viral load is normal...
Does the fibroscan work? It really depends on who you talk to. I think they have a good place in this world... But are they as reliable as biopsies? Probably not....
But they are better than nothing.
As far as treating ---- with your conditions - probably a good thing to wait until you are a little healthier.
As far as chemo - and TX - I've heard that they are about the same --- minus the radiation causes complete hair loss - and massive cellular damage.
Still - the HCV TX is a chemotherapy - and it can be hard on some.
As far as getting educated - there are alot of really educated folks here on this forum - so just keep reading --- you'll find that each person is unique and may have some good advice for you.
As to the Cryobulinemia --- I have no idea about that whatsoever - and how that plays a factor in your I really don't know.
But someone here might.
GOOD LUCK -- Hugs!
Meki
which amazingly some people do.
Anyhow ---- your viral load is normal...
Does the fibroscan work? It really depends on who you talk to. I think they have a good place in this world... But are they as reliable as biopsies? Probably not....
But they are better than nothing.
As far as treating ---- with your conditions - probably a good thing to wait until you are a little healthier.
As far as chemo - and TX - I've heard that they are about the same --- minus the radiation causes complete hair loss - and massive cellular damage.
Still - the HCV TX is a chemotherapy - and it can be hard on some.
As far as getting educated - there are alot of really educated folks here on this forum - so just keep reading --- you'll find that each person is unique and may have some good advice for you.
As to the Cryobulinemia --- I have no idea about that whatsoever - and how that plays a factor in your I really don't know.
But someone here might.
GOOD LUCK -- Hugs!
Meki
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