Finally Went to Get The Bx Results Today

[averagegeek]

Finally stopped putting off going to thr GI for my Bx results. As a list, this is what he had to say, and I would like everyone's opinions to find out the gravity of the situation. Thanks in advance.

1. (as I've stated before) genotype cannot be determined due to such a small VL
2. I am a low/no responder
3. Untreatable with today's methods because: A) AST/ALT perfect, B) I have minimal inflamation of the liver C)Recent suicide attempts
4. My immune system has stopped fighting the virus, and has integrated it into my liver--Chronic infection now, not acute any longer.
5. Stage 2 with: Periportal Fibrosis, reticulated pattern
6. Cannot yet tell if periportal fibosis is/has regenerating nodules
7. Type and stage look mild
8. PCR pos. HCV w/ stage 2 fibrosis, minimal inflammatory changes to the liver
9. RECOMMENDS: STOP Vicoprofen, STOP naproxen. Switch to different narcotic pain reliever for degenerative disc disease/hernatied disc. Switch to ASPIRIN 4X daily to treat inflammation in spine
10. Never take ANY OTC pain reliever EXCEPT aspirin.
11. Replace benzodiazepine sleep aid with strong antihistamine. Benzos cause liver damage, Antihistamines DO NOT
12. Liver function test every 6 months
13. Yearly abdominal ultrasound
14. Yearly (sp?) alfa-feta-protien
15. Re Bx every 3 to 5 yrs

Like I said, thanks in advance for your answers.
~Averagegeek

[averagegeek]

OK, so I have the results of the upper endoscopy: inflamed esophagus, inflamed stomach, inflamed duodeum, stomach bleeding, and Barrett's disease, as well as hiatal hernia. GI says no aspirin, no OTC pain meds of any kind, no arthritis meds. My GP put me on a low dose oxycodone...says it won't interfere with stomach or liver...maybe it's processed in the kidneys? I don't know. I do know there are no hepatologists within 6 hours of me, so I have to go to a GI...been putting off finding new Drs....seems like they'll just find new things wrong with me.

[averagegeek]

This is all so confusing. I'm moving to a different town this month, and I'll be getting a new GI or maybe will opt for a hepatologist, so I'll be getting a second opinion then. My last VL test was about 3 months ago. I think one of the reasons he says I will be a low/no responder is because my immune system has stopped fighting the HCV, and has integrated it into my liver. Anothder is because I have periportal fibrosos involving some ducts.

  I also have acid reflux disease, and am having an EGD tomorrow to find a cause, and determine if there has been damage done. This has been ongoing for about five years, and yes, Naproxen hurts my stomach so I have to take it with breakfast--indicating sensitivity?

I had a C-sections in 1998 and 2004 received blood during the procedures. Could I have been infected then? I was sure they were screening for hep back then.

Thanks all :D
~Averagegeek

[newleaf09]

NSAID's are liver damaging to people who are sensitive to them.  Aspirin, however, thins the blood and may be harmful to stomache if overused.  People with liver damage develop low platelets as liver damage becomes more severe and aspirin would lead to further bleeding problems.  While I was on TX, they allowed me 2 extra strength tylenols two times a day.

[nygirl7]

Stage 2 isn't really minimal inflammation of the liver if you ask me.  Due to your being a stage 2 I am wondering if you were infected well before you believe the date to be and were considered active a long time ago and have been chronic all of this time.  It usually takes a while to get to stage 2 - at least a couple of years not six months.

I don't believe there is any problem with taking vicoprofen unless you are taking many a day (which it sounds like) then of course it would be an issue just the sheer amount would do it.

With a history of depression it is going to be impossible to do a course of IFN so you are probably going to have to cut out everything you can and live the most liver healthy lifestyle possible.

Good luck geek....maybe someday soon they will get the non-SOC drugs passed through and you could find a trial with them.

[chemister]

11. Replace benzodiazepine sleep aid with strong antihistamine. Benzos cause liver damage, Antihistamines DO NOT ???


My specialist in Hep C doctor Von Deer Lippe told me that benzodiazepines is not
Hepatoxic, also not bad to the liver.
Another people who has get the same information?

I get from my doctor diazepam (Valium) and nitrazepam.

[desrt]

1.When was your last viral load test?
2.Not sure how you determine response if you've never txd.
3c.Never heard of a responsible MD who will Rx IFN if you've had attempt or ideation in your history.
5. Stage 2 is not consistent with your date of exposure - you may have had earlier exposure.
9&10 Not clear on your gastros ideas about NSAIDs. I took vicoprofen before, during and after tx and haven't heard of NSAIDs being contraindicated unless you have gastric issues or varices. Not sure why aspirin would be considered better than ibuprofen or naproxen. May have something to do with other meds you are taking.

May want to consider 2nd (or 3rd) opinion(s).

Hopefully others will weigh in with opinions. All seems a little muddled. (But I'm easily muddled.
Take care.