Cirrhosis

[mphillips]

I was diagnosed with HCV and cirrhosis. Tx succesfully. My question is will my liver continiue to deteroriate even though I have eradicated the virus?

[newleaf09]

I was on TX from Nov. 08 til June 09 and my bone marrow (platelet production) was still suppressed at my 24 week post visit in Nov. 09.  I was at 30 at EOT and 127 at 6 wk. post; I was thrilled.   I had still not gotten back up to my pre-TX level but definitely climbing and climbing faster as more time passed post-TX.  Next lab visit in Feb. I think yours will come up, too; it's just slow after TX with cirrhosis.

[mphillips]

I don't have copies of my latest labs yet, but gastro's office said my platelets were up to 90, which is about where the were before I started Tx. I plan to get those copies from Mayo next month. I was diagnosed with cirrhosis by needle biopsy in Jan 08.

[GoofyDad]

I hope the Hepatologist tells me to go home and live life.
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I'm sure he will.
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That's assuming it's a he. If not, she'll probably tell you to go home, pick up your socks, and clean out the garage.

[can-do-man]

I hope the Hepatologist tells me to go home and live life.
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I'm sure he will.

[vik97]

Congratulations on achieving SVR!  The fact that there were no esophageal varices and the colonoscopy and ultrasound was good is great news!  My guess is that your liver will    improve since it doesn't have the virus to fight with anymore.  Have your blood test results  gotten any better since stopping treatment?  Was your diagnosis of cirrhosis based only on bloodwork or did you have a biopsy or fibroscan?

Vik

[mphillips]

Can-do,
Thanks for the congratulations. What a long strange trip it's been. I'm glad and hopeful the tx part is over with. Although I did not have too many bad sx it was enough.
That's good that your doc doesn't think that your liver will continue to deteoriate.
I have not had the best of communication lines with my gastro and have not been able to find any real info regarding whether the liver will continue to deteoriate or not.
I am definitley going to ask the hepatolgist at Mayo and will let you know his answer.
I did have an upper GI,colonoscopy and an ultrasound done after Tx and everything looked good.
I hope the Hepatologist tells me to go home and live life.

[can-do-man]

My original question was will my liver continue to deteoriate
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First congrats on being cured. I'm not going into the living a healthy life style bit as we all know whats good and whats not for the liver. As a stage 4 my doctor does not think it will continue to deteoriate.

As for your doctor wanting  to keep you on the "radar", very good ideal. You still need to be checked for cancer once or twice a year, even a upper gi at times would be a good ideal.

Best to you

cando

[mphillips]

Sorry Guys been off the computer most of the day.
Here's a little back ground
Tx for 24 weeks ( geno 2b) relapsed 3 months post tx
Tx again for 48 weeks and have been SVR
My Gastro referred me to Mayo after I was diagnosed and I think he wants me to stay in touch with and on their "radar" in case I do need a transplant.
My meld score was 11
My original question was will my liver continue to deteoriate

[vik97]

Did you have a liver biopsy?  If so, what was the result?

[yodennis]

This is sounding contradictory to me. If you were treated I presume you were not decompensated. And if your treatment was successful relative to defeating the virus per se, and you are without varices why are you being considered for a transplant. I am cirrhotic with varices,  with the virus very active (tx. unsuccesful prior to cirrhosis times 2) and am pretty far from a transplant consultation?

[GoofyDad]

That's interesting that your are having a TP consult at this point. Is your cirrhosis compenstated? What were your platelets going into tx? MELD score?

[Rockerforlife]

The regeneration of the liver from someone who has hep C  will take longer,as opposed to the liver regenerating from someone who gave a part of his liver as organ donor is quite different .

[mphillips]

My labs are doing better. Platelets are in the 90's which is up from 30 to 50's during tx. I had an endoscopy done and there was no sign of the esophagul verices, which were grade a( meaning very small). I am feeling a lot better physically. I go to the Mayo in Jacksonville next month for a transplant consult.

[GoofyDad]

The idea is that there's a tipping point - if you are on the good side of the tipping point (not too, too much damage) you should see some improvement... but it's a slow recovery game. My hepatologist (who knows his stuff) said "I expect you to be healthier in 5 years than you are now." Better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick - I'll say that!  

[justme53]

Well, I'm hoping that if I clear, that in time, my liver will start reversing some of its damage. I thought there was a study from 2009 on this subject, but here's one from 2008 that may be worth the read.

http://www.natap.org/2008/EASL/EASL_75.htm

The key, of course, is the SVR (which you reached?) and then maintaining a liver friendly lifestyle after the fact.

How are your labs running post tx? Platelets, INR, bili, LFT's? Do you feel better?

Pam