hep c and cirrhosis

[suzi67]

My dad has hep c. His counts are high not sure how high. But it's bad. He's done treatment twice and it hasn't worked. He also has cirrhosis now. Mostly from drinking when he was younger. He can't have a liver transplant. What happens now? Will he live years?Months? I appreciate any help you can give me.
Thank you.
Suzi

[suzi67]

I just wanted to thank you again. Because of the things you told me I was able to let my parents know so they will be more informed. My parents had said my dad couldn't have a liver transplant because of his hep c. I told them that he should be able to and to ask the doctor about it again because of you saying he should be able to have one. My parents asked again and found out they had misunderstood the doctor. He can have a transplant he's just not that bad yet. So because of your help myself and my parents have a better understanding of his illness. Thank you so much. You made a stressful time a lot less stressful. By the way my dad is 56.
Thanks again.
Suzi

[Dayzdreamer]

I did mention my first post that her dad must have had hep c a long time to be stage 4. Age can be a factor as we get older. Also your  health and how you have taken care of yourself. What medical conditioins you already have may make it harder and yoru alcohol content can make a big difference in how hep c effects you

Age and how long you have hep c can vary how bad you are per individual. I have spoken on board with others. One person was more advance than me at end stage at 35. I am 48.

Niether age or how long you have hep c will make much differnece in your doctor giving your father a number on lifespan. The condition he is in will tell you more for a guess.

[palfour]

You left out 2 important facts  your dads age and how long he  has had hep c.

both these influence the accuracy of  any answer

[suzi67]

Thank you soooo much. He probably just doesn't remember his genotype. I'll make sure he finds out. I'll also give him all the info about diet you gave me.
Thanks again.
Suzi

[Dayzdreamer]

This is odd. A doctor won't treat you for hep c without knowing the genotype. Depending on your genotype tells them how long you would be on treatment to try and clear the hep c. What type of doctor did he have to do treatment twice and not know his genotype? When he was tested for being hep c positive they should have done his genotype then.

Having hep c doesn't mean you cannot have a liver transplant. I know a woman the had the liver transplant and after 9 months had to do treatment for the hep c and was a lucky one with genotype 1a, the hardest genotype to treat and clear the virus, and she cleared the virus.

If his liver is so damaged he should if he has insurance to get on the liver transplant list. From there they go my the MELD score in what place you will be in line and also have to find a liver that works for him.

I am guessing since he doesn't have the major symptoms of a seriously damaged liver the doctor thinks he doesn't need a liver transplant.  As far as treatment some try it more than twice and don't clear. Many wait for a new treatment to come out that may give them a chance. I have read the VX950 may be out in a few years.

If he was on the treatment for 18 months he is probably a genotype 1. He should demand they get his genotype if they haven't. Maybe he has but just hasn't told you?

Again even at stage 4 liver disease a doctor can't give you his life span. If he doesn't drink alcohol and stays with a low protien diet with what supplements he may need he has a good chance of extending his life longer.

A low protien diet would be getting your protein from fish and poultry. Better to avoid a lot of red meat. He should watch his sugar intake as it stays in the liver longer before digesting. A good antioxidant is good, I take a nutrient called liva plex that is great. Many with hep c believe in taking milk thistle. Find the kind with the highest percent of sylimarin in it. May have to go to a vitamin store. The liva plex has vitamin B 12 in it but I take and extra B 12 vitamin. Lots of fresh vegies if possible. Get frozen over canned as the canned as high sodium. I keep my sodium level under 2,000 mg per day. Soy milk is better than regular milk. Be careful with toppings like salad dressing and katchup and pickles they are high sodium products. Start looking on the ingredients to see what percentage the product has especially of sugar and sodium.

I hope this is helpful. If you have more questions please ask. I will do my best to answer.

[suzi67]

My parents said he couldn't have the liver transplant because of the hep c.He is going to have a biopsy next week. Here are the only things my parents know. He has hep c level 4 with cirrhosis. He's had treatment twice. His numbers before treatment were 12 million. They are now 600,000 and the doctors say they will keep going up? They aren't sure of the genotype. My dad doesn't drink anymore and hasn't since he found out he has hep c. Do you know why he wouldn't be able to have the transplant? He doesn't have any of the symptoms you asked about. thank you for all your help.
Suzi

[cat33]

Dayz asked some very important questions. On the part about life expectancie. No one knows. I was told"" 48 hours to 5 years. That was thank god a year ago.

[Dayzdreamer]

Your dad has probably had the hep c for some time. The worse thing one can do is drink alcohol with having hep c. You can be drinking and not even be aware you have hep c yet. What happens is the hep  c speeds up to to the liver also damaging the liver. I hope he has stopped drinking compeltley. Why can't your dad have the liver transplant? Can he not afford to get on the transplant list? Do you know the stage of cirrhosis your dad has? What are his symptoms? Any varicies bleeding in the stomach or esophagus. acites, edema? Had your dad had a biopsy? What is your  dads genotype. 1a is hardest to treat.

It is hard do say how long your dad has as far as life span. Even a doctor can't say for sure when he has a record of symptoms blood work and biopsy. Those with end stage liver may not make it  a year but you hear some that have lived 10 years and still going. Not drinking alcohol and proper diet for a damged liver are crucial to to helping the liver keep going stonger.