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Hepatitisis C Information
I have been diagnosed with Ascites, went to the ER they said my hep C level was .11 is that a for real answer I have hep C and if so what are so ways to lower this fluid level I am on Spiro 25 mg and it does not seem to be working still havent wizzed a cler fluid and only about a half a cup every 8 hours or so. Can any body please provide me with a solid start here? I am 51 and way to young to be put 6 foot under yet. It really feels like I am dieing at times I so bloated. Thanks for your help God Bless
Again Thank You and You are in My Prayers. And God is with you you have touched me. Take care!!!!!!!!! talk to you later
It is my pleasure to help you in any way I can.
I have been living with ascites for over 3 years now and mine is totally under control thanks to my diet and diuretics.
There are probably other complications you are not aware of that need to manage as well. Your hepatologist will help you with these too.
Don't worry, all this takes time to adjust to all of these changes, but is time you will become an expert if you want to understand what is happening with your health.
The good news is the vast majority of can manage ascites until we reach end-stage. Ascites rarely goes away unless liver function can be improved, but it can be managed with sodium reduction and diuretics so we don't have to deal with being able to breathe and eat because there is room room in our abdomens. The umbilical hernia, if you have one, can be repaired later. I am hoping my transplant surgeon throws in the hernia repair, tummy tuck and the George Clooney plastic surgery since I since I promised him a pound of See's Candies. ;-)
You can always write me a personal message if you have any questions. I am not sure how I will be after transplant but I will try to get back online as soon as I can.
Good luck with your appointment! Finding a good hepatologist is a big part of the battle. They can help us manage the complication of liver disease as well as monitor our condition so we don't have any unwanted surprises.
This can be a long and challenging journey but it is doable.Heck if i can do this anyone can.
Thanks for your well wishes. I appreciate it very much.
Best-
Hector
Brief bio:
Hepatitis C undetectable for about 20 weeks now on all oral Gilead treatment, class A/B cirrhosis and HCC (liver cancer) for 21 months
# 4 on the Liver Transplant waiting list @ University of California San Francisco UCSF - blood type O
I have been living with ascites for over 3 years now and mine is totally under control thanks to my diet and diuretics.
There are probably other complications you are not aware of that need to manage as well. Your hepatologist will help you with these too.
Don't worry, all this takes time to adjust to all of these changes, but is time you will become an expert if you want to understand what is happening with your health.
The good news is the vast majority of can manage ascites until we reach end-stage. Ascites rarely goes away unless liver function can be improved, but it can be managed with sodium reduction and diuretics so we don't have to deal with being able to breathe and eat because there is room room in our abdomens. The umbilical hernia, if you have one, can be repaired later. I am hoping my transplant surgeon throws in the hernia repair, tummy tuck and the George Clooney plastic surgery since I since I promised him a pound of See's Candies. ;-)
You can always write me a personal message if you have any questions. I am not sure how I will be after transplant but I will try to get back online as soon as I can.
Good luck with your appointment! Finding a good hepatologist is a big part of the battle. They can help us manage the complication of liver disease as well as monitor our condition so we don't have any unwanted surprises.
This can be a long and challenging journey but it is doable.Heck if i can do this anyone can.
Thanks for your well wishes. I appreciate it very much.
Best-
Hector
Brief bio:
Hepatitis C undetectable for about 20 weeks now on all oral Gilead treatment, class A/B cirrhosis and HCC (liver cancer) for 21 months
# 4 on the Liver Transplant waiting list @ University of California San Francisco UCSF - blood type O
Thank You so very much I am glad that you are soon to have the transplant I will Pray for you every day. I have an appointment tomarrow with a Hepatologist and go from there I am going to increase the Spiro to 100 mg a day tonight. Again this is the first flare up and hope to get past this Ascities soon cant afford to lose my job right now. low sodium is where I am at I cant eat very much right now I have to force myself to eat. I am so appriciateive of you words Thanks again and please excuse the bad spelling I am in a hurry to go pick up my CT exrays ... God Is With You and stay in touch let me know when you go to surgery. Thanks again
I am sorry to hear of your ascites.
'my hep C level was .11 '
That sound like a anti-body test. It should have said if it detected antibodies to hepatitis C. If so a HCV RNA test should have been performed that shows that you are currently infected and have the virus in your blood.
If not, the hospital doesn't know how to properly diagnose hepatitis C.
Despite knowing the cause of your liver disease Ascites is typically a complication of advanced liver disease. Commonly called cirrhosis of the liver. You need to have your overall health evaluated and any liver disease you have and the cause of your liver disease diagnosed. Ascites besides being uncomfortable is dangerous because the fluid can get infected and can have serious sometimes life-threatening consequences.
You didn't mention how extensive your ascites was.
You are not producing enough urine. Which can be way your urine is dark or it could be because of bilirubin in your urine that makes it tea colored.
I don't know if anyone told you this but you must abstain from all alcohol which is toxic to the liver and will make your liver disease worse more quickly.
Since your live in Tulsa you should contact the University of Oklahoma. They are the only medical facility in Oklahoma that can help you to manage your advanced liver disease and if needed, perform a life-saving liver transplant.
I am sorry if this is frightening to hear but I don't want to mislead you into thinking this is not a very serious indicator of a serious life changing disease. You should understand how important it is for your to seek medical help because to delay could effect your future life permanently.
While advanced liver disease is a very serious and possible life-threatening condition with properly medical care it can be managed to some degree and does not have to be fatal. I have had ascites and other complications of cirrhosis for 3 years now and I should be receiving a life-saving liver transplant in the next few weeks.
In the meantime you need to reduce your sodium intake to 2,000 mg per day. The sodium causes the fluids to leak into the area of your lower abdomen. This means no restaurant, processed or even canned food unless it says sodium free. You need to check the labels of everything you eat. The best diet for one with ascites is lots of fruits and vegetables.
Omit -
Anything containing baking powder or baking soda (contains sodium bicarbonate): pastry, biscuits, crackers, cakes, self - raising flour
and ordinary bread (see restriction below)
All commercially prepared foods (unless designated no or low salt — check packet)
Dry breakfast cereals except Shredded Wheat, Puffed Wheat or Sugar Puffs
Tinned/ bottled savouries: pickles, olives, chutney, salad cream, bottled sauces
Tinned meats/ fi sh: ham, bacon, corned beef, tongue, oyster, shellfish
Meat and fish pastes; meat and yeast extracts
Tinned/ bottled vegetables, soups, tomato juice
Sausages, kippers
Cheese, ice - cream
Candy, pastilles, milk chocolate
Salted nuts, potato crisps, savory snacks
Drinks: especially soda water, mineral waters according to sodium content (essential to check sodium content of mineral
waters, varies from 5 to 1000 mg/L)
If sodium reduction alone doesn't work than diuretic(s) are added.
Spironolactone alone. The starting dose is 50 – 100 mg/day according to the degree of ascites. If there has been insufficient response after 3 – 4 days, then the dose is increased by 100 mg/day every 4 days to a maximum of 400 mg/day, unless high levels of potassium develops. Lack of clinical response indicates the need to check the urinary sodium, because a high value will identify the occasional patient who is exceeding the prescribed low sodium diet.
If there is insufficient response or no response on spironolactone alone (when taking 200 mg/day) or high levels of potassium, a loop diuretic such as furosemide (Lasix) is added at a dose of 20 – 40 mg/day.
The goal of diuretic therapy should be to effect a 1-2 lb weight loss daily.
Unfortunately local hospitals do not have the expertise or experience to know how to treat ascites or advanced liver disease. Only a hepatologist (liver specialist) can help you with your condition.
Here is the info on OU's Liver Transplant Center...
Oklahoma Transplant Center
940 NE 13th Street
405-271-7498, 1-888-777-7081
Here is there webpage
http://www.oumedicine.com/oumedicalcenter/medical-services-and-departments/oklahoma-transplant-center
I have a friend that was treated there and OU seem to be a good center for the care of patients with liver disease.
Please call them and get an appointment ASAP. Tell them you have ascites and you want to be seen there.
Cheers!
Hector
'my hep C level was .11 '
That sound like a anti-body test. It should have said if it detected antibodies to hepatitis C. If so a HCV RNA test should have been performed that shows that you are currently infected and have the virus in your blood.
If not, the hospital doesn't know how to properly diagnose hepatitis C.
Despite knowing the cause of your liver disease Ascites is typically a complication of advanced liver disease. Commonly called cirrhosis of the liver. You need to have your overall health evaluated and any liver disease you have and the cause of your liver disease diagnosed. Ascites besides being uncomfortable is dangerous because the fluid can get infected and can have serious sometimes life-threatening consequences.
You didn't mention how extensive your ascites was.
You are not producing enough urine. Which can be way your urine is dark or it could be because of bilirubin in your urine that makes it tea colored.
I don't know if anyone told you this but you must abstain from all alcohol which is toxic to the liver and will make your liver disease worse more quickly.
Since your live in Tulsa you should contact the University of Oklahoma. They are the only medical facility in Oklahoma that can help you to manage your advanced liver disease and if needed, perform a life-saving liver transplant.
I am sorry if this is frightening to hear but I don't want to mislead you into thinking this is not a very serious indicator of a serious life changing disease. You should understand how important it is for your to seek medical help because to delay could effect your future life permanently.
While advanced liver disease is a very serious and possible life-threatening condition with properly medical care it can be managed to some degree and does not have to be fatal. I have had ascites and other complications of cirrhosis for 3 years now and I should be receiving a life-saving liver transplant in the next few weeks.
In the meantime you need to reduce your sodium intake to 2,000 mg per day. The sodium causes the fluids to leak into the area of your lower abdomen. This means no restaurant, processed or even canned food unless it says sodium free. You need to check the labels of everything you eat. The best diet for one with ascites is lots of fruits and vegetables.
Omit -
Anything containing baking powder or baking soda (contains sodium bicarbonate): pastry, biscuits, crackers, cakes, self - raising flour
and ordinary bread (see restriction below)
All commercially prepared foods (unless designated no or low salt — check packet)
Dry breakfast cereals except Shredded Wheat, Puffed Wheat or Sugar Puffs
Tinned/ bottled savouries: pickles, olives, chutney, salad cream, bottled sauces
Tinned meats/ fi sh: ham, bacon, corned beef, tongue, oyster, shellfish
Meat and fish pastes; meat and yeast extracts
Tinned/ bottled vegetables, soups, tomato juice
Sausages, kippers
Cheese, ice - cream
Candy, pastilles, milk chocolate
Salted nuts, potato crisps, savory snacks
Drinks: especially soda water, mineral waters according to sodium content (essential to check sodium content of mineral
waters, varies from 5 to 1000 mg/L)
If sodium reduction alone doesn't work than diuretic(s) are added.
Spironolactone alone. The starting dose is 50 – 100 mg/day according to the degree of ascites. If there has been insufficient response after 3 – 4 days, then the dose is increased by 100 mg/day every 4 days to a maximum of 400 mg/day, unless high levels of potassium develops. Lack of clinical response indicates the need to check the urinary sodium, because a high value will identify the occasional patient who is exceeding the prescribed low sodium diet.
If there is insufficient response or no response on spironolactone alone (when taking 200 mg/day) or high levels of potassium, a loop diuretic such as furosemide (Lasix) is added at a dose of 20 – 40 mg/day.
The goal of diuretic therapy should be to effect a 1-2 lb weight loss daily.
Unfortunately local hospitals do not have the expertise or experience to know how to treat ascites or advanced liver disease. Only a hepatologist (liver specialist) can help you with your condition.
Here is the info on OU's Liver Transplant Center...
Oklahoma Transplant Center
940 NE 13th Street
405-271-7498, 1-888-777-7081
Here is there webpage
http://www.oumedicine.com/oumedicalcenter/medical-services-and-departments/oklahoma-transplant-center
I have a friend that was treated there and OU seem to be a good center for the care of patients with liver disease.
Please call them and get an appointment ASAP. Tell them you have ascites and you want to be seen there.
Cheers!
Hector
There are several folks on here who are more than knowledgeable about ascites and the like. I do know reducing your salt intake is crucial. Did the ER put you on the Spironolactone? Is your ascites caused by cirrhosis? It is important to know the cause you your ascites to manage/treat it effectively. What stage of fibrosis are you?
I take Spironolactone for an unrelated reason and although it varies based on your particular medical condition and circumstances 25 mg seems a low start dose for one diagnosed with ascites. Either way it takes a few days for Spironolactone to kick in and even still it usually requires a follow up for a dose adjustment. I would schedule a follow up appointment with a Hepatologist & maybe even a nutritionist in your area and find out exactly where you stand with your Hepatitis C.
I do not know what .11 is supposed to mean. Hep C isn't measured that way. You either have it or you don't. People who treat gauge their response to the medication by a numerical value called a viral load. Another number that comes to mind is your stage of fibrosis but that is not measure that way either.
___________________-
Be sure to check back since there are several people on here who can offer way more detail than me. I hope this works out :)
Take care
I take Spironolactone for an unrelated reason and although it varies based on your particular medical condition and circumstances 25 mg seems a low start dose for one diagnosed with ascites. Either way it takes a few days for Spironolactone to kick in and even still it usually requires a follow up for a dose adjustment. I would schedule a follow up appointment with a Hepatologist & maybe even a nutritionist in your area and find out exactly where you stand with your Hepatitis C.
I do not know what .11 is supposed to mean. Hep C isn't measured that way. You either have it or you don't. People who treat gauge their response to the medication by a numerical value called a viral load. Another number that comes to mind is your stage of fibrosis but that is not measure that way either.
___________________-
Be sure to check back since there are several people on here who can offer way more detail than me. I hope this works out :)
Take care
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