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Is untreated HCV a death sentence?

I have read many posts from people that say if untreated you wll die of complicatons of HCV.  That is not true.  Only 5% get liver cancer and it's hard to tell the progression of cirrohsis especially if your lifestyle is healthy.   I've had HCV for 40 yrs and only stopped etoh 2009.  Stage 0-1.  People are different.  I work in a hosptal ICU, 8 years and have seen 1 liver cancer from HCV and the patient was a heavy drinker.   All the HCV patients I see in the ICU with GI bleeds, cirr. are actively drinking heavily.  I am not saying this virus is a good thing to have, I am treating currently.  I just want people who want to wait for less toxic drugs not to bee so fearful if their liver can wait.
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1931045 tn?1323225542
What comes to my mind - is not the why or how of the HepC - or the who.

It's the same old question of whether the suffering of the treatment will be worth it.  When you and your loved ones and physicians decide the time is right for treatment - then the hard part starts.

I'm now watching my loved one suffer in treatment - the 3rd week of 48 weeks.  No eating, can barely stand up, too weak to move hardly - when before that, he was working 12 hour days - at age 58.  He NEVER drank, but many, many years ago he used IV drugs.

He was walking his dog 4 miles a day, and now he can barely walk to the bathroom.

And we still have to wonder - would he have EVER gotten sick with liver disease?  Apparently his doctors believe the chances are he would have.
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419309 tn?1326503291
"something that everyone has a tendency to do"
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And that makes it beyond reproach? Maybe I'm associating with the wrong people... I don't see everyone around me laying blame on others for being sick, or blaming victims for the crime.  Is it acceptable to you that folks working in our medical or legal system have and practice such tendencies?

Because someone is forgivable does not mean they are above being pointed out the error of their ways.  I err often, and try to forgive, but will never claim to be divine.
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1669790 tn?1333662595
"It is a natural human tendency I think for many to want to blame others for being sick no matter what the sickness"
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I'm not sure why you would feel compleled to blame others for your sickness, but I've never blamed anyone else for my HCV.  I take full responsibility for my actions and try to take very careful consideration for all when posting on this forum.  I've learned many things on this forum, but probably the most important is to consider the full audience when posting and be willing to stand behind what i say.  
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Avatar universal
Just because something is a human tendency, whether natural or unnatural, does not make it defensible, acceptable, nor excusable.

*****

It makes it forgiveable because it is something that everyone has a tendency to do and often does do.  If not regarding HepC, then with regard to a host of other occurrences.  It might be helpful to remember the saying "To err is human.  To forgive, divine".  
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1747881 tn?1546175878
By pcds | Sep 24, 2011
12 Comments  .Deciding whether to treat? Geno 1.For those of you out there wondering whether to treat now or wait, I went through this debate myself, so some thoughts that may help you decide.
Age.  I just turned 59, this is hard on me, so the younger you are the better you may cope with treatment.  I'm in good shape, but the years make it more difficult I'm sure

Health.  If you have no current issues besides the HCV, then it might be a good time to treat.  You never know what might be coming up especially if you're over 50, that's when the machine starts to breakdown.  The doc had found a nodule on my thyroid before I started treatment, it turned out to be nothing, but it could have stalled my treatment for HCV.

Medical coverage.  I see the future only getting more difficult for us to get good coverage.  If nothing else it will cost you more in the future most likely.  So if you have good coverage through work it may be a deciding factor.  As far as medicaid the future is truely grim.

Current treatment vs upcoming tx.  It took 15 yrs for Telaprevir to hit the market.  There is new stuff on the horizon with less side effects, very very tempting especially if your liver is in good shape.  But there are no guarentees when it will be available.  The new meds now are powerful, but it's really been tough for me but I'm glad I just jumped in, took the plunge and feel my future will be bright.
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1747881 tn?1546175878
                                   "judgemental"

"I work in a hosptal ICU, 8 years and have seen 1 liver cancer from HCV and the patient was a heavy drinker.   All the HCV patients I see in the ICU with GI bleeds, cirr. are actively drinking heavily."

                            "a few nasty people ruin this site"

HectorSF  
Oct 08, 2011 .To: pcds.The lowering of platelets is normal during treatment. It is a side effect of interferon. If they didn't drop that would be odd. You have plenty of platelets. There is no reason to be concerned. Platelets help the blood to clot. When you get a cut and stop bleeding it is because platelets gather are the cut and stop the bleeding. Nothing to do with the flu. As I said this is normal. If this is your only issue with treatment then you are doing very well.

Although this isn't an issue for you. I would like to point out that
Ibuprofen like other NSAIDs, reduce the ability of blood to clot and therefore increase bleeding after an injury. It also causes kidney problems and fluid retention. These are all issues for cirrhotic patients. That is why people with very advanced liver disease i.e. decompensated cirrhosis/ESLD should not take Ibuprofen or any NSAID. People with cirrhosis should only take Tylenol for mild pain relief.

Best of luck with your treatment!

Hector .
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