What is my dads future?

[daddysgirl1]

Dad did not respond to 2treatments. First he was on peg/copeg for six excruciating months. Treatment failed.  Next he was on inferon/ribav for 48 long weeks and treatment failed again.  Dr said there is no other treatment he can put him on. I'm scared of loosing him.  Does anyone out there know of the outcome? What can we expect?  his at 247,000 today.
Need advice.

[GrandOak]

Some factors one needs to consider is his Genotype and at what stage his liver is at now.  No one can predict the rate at which the virus will affect a person. I know folks who have lived for 10, 20 years with the disease slowly progressing.  I'm fairly sure that I had the virus approx. 30 years before it took off within me.  The key is that if factors permit, it one can keep watch and live with the disease for a time without it affecting them.

The good news is that in the next few years new meds are expected to come out which are showing signs of helping current treatments becoming much more effective.

If he has one of the tougher genotypes and is at a stage which makes waiting less of an option, then you might want to have him look at the information in the previous thread titled "FDA emergency Investigational New Drug (IND) application" which idnetifies how one might apply to get these promising meds sooner.  It's at URL:

http://www.medhelp.org/forums/Hepatitis/messages/42543.html

[daddysgirl1]

Thank you GrandOak. Will definetly look into info.  Even considering herbal/natural remedies at this point.  Good Luck on your journey.

[GrandOak]

BTW, if you haven't already, might I suggest you sit down an have a serious talk with him about it and discuss your feelings and concerns.  It could help to know where he is at in dealing with this insidious disease and the experiences he has had with the attempts at treatment.

From my own experience, I notice that family tends to tip toe around the issue and never seem to want to seriously discuss it.  It can seem at times like no one really cares and what's the use to continue the struggle.  Which I know is not the case, but it does help to hear others care and are very concerned at times.

It can be even worse when others do not understand how serious this insidious disease is and act like all you got is a cold or something or go to the other extreme of treating you like you've got some kind of deadly disease which can attack them by simply being near them.

I wish you and your father well and want to say that is uplifting to see someone who is as concerned as you are for your Dad.

[miked]

I have a daughter and she's really close to me too.

Can you give us some basic information about your Dad?  Do you know if he has any fibrosis or cirrosis (it will give a score....fibrosis ranges from 0-4; after that is cirrosis)?  How old is he, what's his geno type (1a, 1b, 2, 3).  What difficulties is he suffering from?

[daddysgirl1]

His geno type 1a.  No fibrosis detected. Will be doin a biopsy to find out if any cirosis.  He is 65yrs old. Used to be a truck driver but disease/side effects to meds forced him to retire.  Loss of hair sensitive skin BAD MOODS It is horrible to see him down like this. Stays in the dark all day.  Now with the diagnosis of relapse it feels like he gave up.  What do you think about natural/herb remedies.??

[Forseegood]

good posts...have a great weekend...

[daddysgirl1]

Likewise.  Thanks for the advice.  goodbye. :)

[GrandOak]

Thanks and I hope to.  My nephew and godson is home on mid-tour leave from Iraq so my sister is planning to celebrate his birthday since he will be back in country then.

He's on post in a very volatile area where they sometimes have to travel by chopper for re-supply because ground routes are too dangerous.  So it should be good to see him.

You have a good one too.

[Snookmiester]

When you say that he failed treatment the first time for 6 months, I have to question why he only treated for such a short period? The standard for geno 1's is 48 out the gate. If he failed that, then most Dr's would recommend 72, as long as he saw a response. You say he failed, but did he ever achieve an undetectable PCR? If he did, then in fact he is a responder, and a candidate for retreatment, but for the 72 week duratiuon. There have been many people here that have failed 1, 2, 3, or more attempts, then licked it by going longer..
Natural supplements are great for reducing inflamation and halting progression..They aren't gonna cure him, but the right combination could definately benefit him..
Here is a link for ya.. Explore the entire site for further info.

http://hepcchallenge.org/choices/supplements.htm

[FlGuy]

Since he is going to have a biopsy, I assume that he hasn't had one already.  If so, the 'no fibrosis' is more of an estimate right now.  But, if true that he has no fibrosis, that's very good.  Cirrhosis follows fibrosis and usually the evolution through the stages of fibrosis to cirrhosis is very long - can be as long as 20 years.  But can be quicker too.  The key to the situation is a biopsy (bx) and once that's been accomplished the entire view of your dad's situation will become clearer.  If little damage he can wait for better drugs that will, hopefully, more effective that what he's already tried.  You can worry, but put the worry on simmer and on the back burner for a while, if you can.

[honey11]

Sounds to me is that depression has set in with your dad,,,maybe thinking his situation is worse then it really is. I agree that the first tx he took was not near long enough so therefore the relapse.  Someone in the family needs to talk to the dr before getting the biopsy and see if he can be prescribed some AD's for his condition.  Something like xanax would help lift his spirits and he needs to come to this board to talk to others in same situation.  That always helps to know you are not out there all by yourself.  Good Luck!