Varies in the Esophagus

[wrecksm]

I am a 72 year old husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather suffering from Cirrhosis of the Liver.  This condition was diagnosed in 1994 0r 5 following the discovery of Hepatitis C.  It was suspected that I acquired the Hep. C as a result of a 1968 auto collision requiring a blood transfusion, as the blood screening was almost non-existant back then.  I however was a pretty heavy user of alcoholic products from age 20 to 39 years of age.  I completely went the dry road in 1972.  So I have always wondered if my Hematologist was really accurate.  I had a liver biopsy done that year of discovery revealing scaring.  Since the hep. C seemed to lay dormant at that time and for several years to follow, I chose not to take treatment.  Since the first of this year, my condition has worsend.  I have been fighting fluid retention, abdominal pain, diverticulosis, and other things associated with one in my condition.  Recent exams (colonoscopy, upper GI, a CT & EGD) revealed no cancer or polyps at this time.  The spleen is continuing to enlarge, and VARIES were discovered in my esophagus, which my specialist wants to check periodicly.  They are not too large at this point. I am hoping to have someone explain the sugnificance of VARIES and what part they play in an over all prognosis.  I am also having increasing HICCUPS, causing some difficulties and continue needing Ondansetron for my daily nausea.  I will thank you now for any replies.  My concerns are starting to get the best of me.
Rex

[jmjm530]

Yes, peace sounds good. Yes, stress is bad. Sorry about your insurance problems but you're strong-willed lady, so I know you'll find a way. Hopefully, by the time we're both SVR, discussions of extended tx will be trumped by discussions of the new protease inhibitors. Who knows? Take care and rest.

-- Jim

[avidreader]

My favorite so far was when my PCP ordered my original bloodwork prior to my seeing the hepatoligist. I asked her what my genotype was and she said C--you have Hepatitis C. (Something we both had known since 1989.)

[jmjm530]

The mid-nineties were like the ice age in terms of hepatitis C treatment. :)

You know they did a study on specialists once. I can't remember the exact details, but the point was that it's harder to get a specialist to change his original diagnosis than a leopard to change his spots. I think you get the point. :)

You sound like trusting soul which is a wonderful trait except many of us here have found out the hard way that it isn't always the wisest approach to modern medicine.

There are so many stories here and elsewhere of simply wrong or outdated advice by this specialist or that.

You really owe it to yourself to go outside your circle of comfort (family doctor and liver specialist) and find someone that is not invested in your case and can give you a fresh, objective point of view.

Good luck in whatever you decide and please stick around if you think we can be of any help.

-- Jim

[wrecksm]

Being a real beginner in this forum, I wonder if you could explain the abreviations below?  Is there a list of these that I could get ahold of?
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i said, but I've never seen Paris. I was then tested for hep c and dx for hep c and had it-had it since 1967-that blood transfusion thing. since I had no money or insurance and treatment was iffy, I went to Paris, came back and had an appointment w/a hep specialist in the big city.

I was a 2b, and trials for End stage liver diseasers was starting. All my meds were from Schering-free-I cl'd by day 18!! Being a 2b, I fin 24wks and have never looked back.

I'm in my late 50's. I had minimal sx's which I handled w/otc's and medical marijuanna.
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Thanks, Rex

[cuteus]

like jm stated, hcv info is ever changing, and if a dr was to say today that hcv is dormant, he would be burned at the stake!
there is no such thing, chronic hcv is always active, the fact that we exhibit no symptoms until is too late, is what makes it the "silent killer".

[jmjm530]

Cuteus said prev: "and if a dr was to say today that hcv is dormant, he would be burned at the stake!"

I think what you mean is that "he SHOULD be burned at the stake" :)

I'm still truly amazed for example when I see my PCP, dermotologist, ENT or any other non-liver/non-hep c specialist, how much in the dark they still are.

Here are some random quotes from different doctors (good in their field but not liver specialists) over the last year:

"Hepatitis C -- So how long do you have to take the interferon for -- six weeks?"

"You're taking the pills right? How often do you go to your liver specialist for injections?"

"No, ribavirin doesn't affect your skin...just the interferon"

Maybe others can share their memorable quotes. :)

-- Jim