Very Newly Diagnosed

[Mikeslisa]

I had ascites and was taken to emer room. I was given a MRI of my lungs and some blood work. After 10 hours the dr just breezed in said I had cirrois and left. I followed up with my family dr and was told I have Hep c. Tomorrow I go to the liver specialist for the very first time. I am so scared. I have been off and on sick for about 15 years but they could never find what was wrong. I also had a stroke about 7 years ago. I am a 45 f, on disability for my stroke and now THIS. What can I expect tomorrow? And then? The only #'s I was given was hcv rna pcr hcvq is 1368453, and hcv viral log hcvq is 6.136, result is positive. I have no idea what any of that means. Please someone respond because I should already be in bed, resting for this appointment in the morning.

[SonniQ]

Hi there.  It seems as though you've been hit with a lot very fast.  It will take you awhile, with lots of research, to learn the things you need to know.  Ascitis is not a good place to be, I've been dealing with it myself.  There are lifestyle changes you will end up making, but these are not necessarily bad things, but changes needed to help your body do what your liver can't do anymore.  If your cirrhosis has progressed to that kind of fluid build up that means your liver isn't working anymore, otherwise you wouldn't have ascitis.  The liver is like a colandar.  What goes through it has to have a way out.  When it is scarred, the holes in the colandar are plugged up and the fluid leaks out into the abdomen and also causes edema in the feet ankles and calves.  You also don't feel very well.

Not all Drs are the right doctor.  You need one who at least has some compassion that you haven't had the chance to mentally adjust to this.  Someone who doesn't make you feel as though your 15 minutes are up - so leave.  This forum is a good place to be because you will find people who are going through what you are going through.  Many of us are at different stages because each person is unique, and we have had the virus for different lengths of time.  Me - it's been 35 years - but things progress differently for each of us.

I wish you peace of mind and let us know how you are doing.

Sonni

[nygirl7]

Good luck to you our new friend.  it sounds like you've already had your fair share of bad luck - but the good news is that you've found out you have this disease and now perhaps can finally do something about it and get well.

Everyone is scared when they find out.  Learn all you can so you can make educated decisions when it comes to the treatment or course you choose to take.  As Merrybe suggested the Janis website has more information than anywhere else I've seen.  A great place to start.

And dont' forget - ask all the questions that you want.  it's why those of us who treated long ago are still hanging around here - for support and any help you might need.

GOOD LUCK!

[orphanedhawk]

Relax. Although this is not good news, hep C moves slowly.
If you drink alcohol, stop immediately! Alcohol makes this disease worse.

Make a list of questions to ask the heptologist ( liver doctor).
He/she will most will have you do some blood tests and possibly some others to see what condition your liver is in.
Ask to be given copies of all your  labs.
Try to stay calm. You aren't alone.

OH

[merryBe]

Sorry to hear about your condition. You will find this site very helpful to begin learning:

www.janis7hepc.com

you will be scared and have lots of questions and that's normal. Relax a little bit for now, there are various degrees of cirrhosis and folks can live another 15 or 20 years from that initial diagnosis. There's also no way to be certain you are in stage 4 (cirrhosis) without them having done a needle biopsy which is not done in ER...so they are only guessing as to your stage of disease.
You will learn more when you see your doc.
ask for a copy of all your labs, and we will try to help you understand them if you post them in here.
Your viral load is 1.3 million which is about average, not uncommon at all, and not a number to be alarmed by.
There are treatments that can work and cure people. I'm sure your doc will explain tomorrow the SOC (standard of care) which currently is pegasus and ribavirin, however I'd wait to be certain you are really in stage 4 before considering that treatment right now since new drugs, called PI's (protese inhibitors) will be on the market in about one more year.
try to relax and sleep....this disease does not do people in over night, you've already had it 15 years without knowing...so you will be around for a good while yet, God willing.

mb