any advice appreciated

[sparky3legs]

my mum has had oesophagal cancer and although it has not returned to the previous tuma site, Dr's will not say she is in remmission as the sqamous cell cancer will apparantly return again in another organ at some point (but how long is a piece of string? everyones body is different and we just hope it returns later, rather than sooner. So when she began to feel tied, experience loss of appetite and stomach pain, we all jumped to the conclusion that her cancer was back, and with a vengance, but this was not the case and sfter a series of blood tests, she was diagnosed with hepititis C, which she now believes she contracted at an early age of 19 after being pricked by a used needle. so effectively she's had Hep c in her system for 35 years, only now is she feeling the effects of the disease and in turmoil at how to deal with
A. The stomach pain. She wishes to know from others if there is any other pain relief (other than paracetamol) that she can use to ease the stomach pain.
B. Is this pain like 'something munching away at your insides' (she is after reasurrance that this pain is hep C pain and not liver cancer (which will be determined in 3 weeks time after an MRI scan, as it could be that the cancer has now moved to the liver :(  ) sorry for the daft description, but that is how she describes the pain, like something munching away.
C. She has been diagnosed with scirrosis of the liver (to extent of ehich is yet to be determined) but does this mean my mother will have a suffer a prolonged, painful decline without the help of any pain relief (as morphine and codiene etc...are damaging to an already damaged liver) this is a question for my knowledge only as i need preparing for what is to come.  

any advice would be greatly appreciated, and i wish each any everyone of you (and your loved ones) every success at fighting this disease,
kind regards, karen.

[eureka254]

I'm glad to hear that your mum will get the MRI sooner rather than later, and I hope that is also the case with her liver biopsy. (Btw, I'm told in experienced hands it's a relatively painless procedure.)  Though some physicians have the ability to diagnose cirrhosis based on physical examination and a combination of other markers or blood testing, as trinity4 points out, the liver biopsy is considered the most accurate diagnostic tool currently available to detect cirrhosis.

You'll come to find that you will need both patience and perserverance in navigating the coming course.  The terrifying threesome of hepatitis, cirrhosis and cancer do not make for an automatic death sentence -- my husband fought the good fight and came out on the other side enjoying life now more than ever.  And all hope is NOT lost -- in fact, my husband just recently started a combination treatment in hopes that it will eradicate the hep c virus in his body and maybe even prevent further damage to his liver.  We have no guarantees it will work (he is currently only in his 2nd month of a 12-month plan), but it's a chance at cure and possibly eliminating cirrhosis progression and further cancer.  

When you and your mom are feeling alone and overwhelmed, know that you're NOT alone.  I hope your mother's upcoming tests provide the best results possible.
~eureka

[sparky3legs]

thank you eureka254 and trinity4 for your good advice, reasurrance and well wishes. My mum is relieved to know that its not all doom and gloom from herein and has taken comfort from the knowledge that there are people out there (like your husband eureka) that have experienced both cirrhosis and liver cancer, and yet are still enjoying a pain free, fullfilled life.
i have pushed for a MRI scan and now it will be in the next week. She hasnt had a liver biopsy yet, the consultant has just told her she has cirrhosis (not sure how he has determined this tho, could it be from blood results? a previous MRI in June when we suspected the cancer had returned, due to weight loss, loss of appetite etc...but which in fact were the Hep C symptoms, which went unrecognised until a month ago. It could be that the consultant assumes cirrhosis due to mums history of drinking alcohol (which she no longer does-thankfully) or he may have determined this after examining my mum, when he said 'Mums liver felt really spongy'- am not sure really but i am certain there was mention of a liver biopsy to come, so i am sure all will become clear very soon and i will keep you posted as this journey begins. i am so pleased to have found this forum, the support from other people in similar circumstances is invaluable and brings great comfort, what would we do without the internet eh?
kind regards and best wishes,
karen

[Trinity4]

Hope your mom's liver diagnosis allows her options.  Liver Biopsy is really the most accurate way to diagnose the extent of damage to the liver.
Thank you for the well wishes and we certainly extend the same to your mom and your  family.

Eureka, that was a great synopsis.  Very nice indeed.
Trin

[eureka254]

It's not unusual for hep c to go undetected for years, and I'm sorry to hear about your mom's diagnosis. My husband also has cirrhosis, and even though that diagnosis came nearly two years ago, he's doing very well and feels good overall.  (Most people can't even tell he's 'sick.', so he says...)  He was also diagnosed with liver cancer at the same time -- a "massive-type" tumor -- which was thankfully removed  -- but there, he was actually in the minority of people with cirrhosis.  It's estimated that less than 10% of hep c patients with cirrhosis will actually develop liver cancer. (Incidentally, after his liver surgery my husband was given morphine and codeine for several days, and he seems to have suffered no ill effects, if that helps.)

What made it so shocking for us initially was that he had NO pain associated with either the cirrhosis or the cancer.  I can't answer as to whether or not your mother's stomach pain is hep c related (some people appear to have symptoms, but others like my husband, do not), but it's not unusual for patients with liver problems to also have gall bladder problems (i.e. stones), so abdominal MRI imaging might give you more information as well -- if your mom is not comfortable, perhaps pressing for a scan sooner than 3 weeks might be advised.

You mentioned that the extent of your mom's cirrhosis is "yet to be determined" -- was the cirrhosis determined via liver biopsy?  If so confirmed, evaluation by a hepatologist (liver specialist) would be essential -- cirrhosis has "stages as" well -- and much can be done to prolong a good quality of life for quite long periods of time even with significant liver damage.  There is also the possibility of cure through treatment even with cirrhosis, but it would be important for your mom to consult with a physician experienced in hepatitis and cirrhosis management.  

I'd like to welcome you to the forum, and I hope you'll find good information here.  Best wishes to you and your family, and stay strong.
~eureka