Aa
hepatologist no treatment
my husband had his visit with the hepatologist, he basically said that he would accept him as a patient to follow but that they usually treat the hep c before it reaches cirrhosis and with his lab values all being low that the treatment would make them go even lower platlet does this indicate a decomposed state?
he had a variseal bleed grade 3 varicies he is a 1a genotype with 690,200 virus count which i understand to be low it is not in the millions which is good
he is experiencing some confusion at times and can act like a two year old
he had a variseal bleed grade 3 varicies he is a 1a genotype with 690,200 virus count which i understand to be low it is not in the millions which is good
he is experiencing some confusion at times and can act like a two year old
Hi there,
Yes; by all means, if a patient is diagnosed with HCV and shows that he or she might have progressive liver disease, they usually try treatment prior to cirrhosis. The problem being that many people progress to cirrhosis before being diagnosed.
Yes, we do have folks in here that are in the early stages of cirrhosis and undergoing treatment. There is a point that treatment is no longer feasible, however; there is delicate balance determining whether a patient should or shouldn’t treat do to complications. If the patient’s liver is in poor shape, but still retains most of its function, treatment is definitely an option. Being a cirrhotic, your husband will probably benefit from a Hepatologist, if he isn’t already seeing one. Has he been evaluated by a transplant center yet? Who’s currently managing his disease?
Good to hear his blood pressure has been good, but portal hypertension will not show up in a regular systemic blood pressure test; it’s usually evaluated by symptoms, such as varicies, etc. Also good is the check for liver cancer (HCC). He will probably require monitoring for this for the rest of his life; once cirrhotic, we have an elevated risk for developing this. Usually, every six months, an ultra sound or CT scan, together with AFP is required to catch any developing lesions early.
AA is one way to quit drinking; and it probably has the best track record out there for long-term sobriety. I stopped drinking nearly six years ago without AA; so it can be done. Any way he accomplishes it is dandy, as long as he understands that he’ll have a fairly short life expectancy if he begins to drink again. I know someone locally that underwent treatment successfully, achieved SVR (the cure) then returned to drinking. His cirrhotic liver could only keep him alive for about 9 months; we buried him two years ago. It’s important for him to understand this; if he decides to start drinking again, he should do so fully informed.
It’s nearly impossible to determine how long someone will live with end stage liver disease. It’s possible for him to live years, if he takes very good care of himself. His doctor will have his history and records, and will be the best source of information for both of you regarding longevity.
A good source of HCV information is Janis and Friends; you can click on cirrhosis or any other item of interest in the right-hand column:
http://janis7hepc.com/
I wish both of you luck, and tell him to hang in there. We have members in here that are transplant survivors; maybe some of them will check in and share some of their experiences with you.
Take care, and best of luck to both of you—
Bill
Yes; by all means, if a patient is diagnosed with HCV and shows that he or she might have progressive liver disease, they usually try treatment prior to cirrhosis. The problem being that many people progress to cirrhosis before being diagnosed.
Yes, we do have folks in here that are in the early stages of cirrhosis and undergoing treatment. There is a point that treatment is no longer feasible, however; there is delicate balance determining whether a patient should or shouldn’t treat do to complications. If the patient’s liver is in poor shape, but still retains most of its function, treatment is definitely an option. Being a cirrhotic, your husband will probably benefit from a Hepatologist, if he isn’t already seeing one. Has he been evaluated by a transplant center yet? Who’s currently managing his disease?
Good to hear his blood pressure has been good, but portal hypertension will not show up in a regular systemic blood pressure test; it’s usually evaluated by symptoms, such as varicies, etc. Also good is the check for liver cancer (HCC). He will probably require monitoring for this for the rest of his life; once cirrhotic, we have an elevated risk for developing this. Usually, every six months, an ultra sound or CT scan, together with AFP is required to catch any developing lesions early.
AA is one way to quit drinking; and it probably has the best track record out there for long-term sobriety. I stopped drinking nearly six years ago without AA; so it can be done. Any way he accomplishes it is dandy, as long as he understands that he’ll have a fairly short life expectancy if he begins to drink again. I know someone locally that underwent treatment successfully, achieved SVR (the cure) then returned to drinking. His cirrhotic liver could only keep him alive for about 9 months; we buried him two years ago. It’s important for him to understand this; if he decides to start drinking again, he should do so fully informed.
It’s nearly impossible to determine how long someone will live with end stage liver disease. It’s possible for him to live years, if he takes very good care of himself. His doctor will have his history and records, and will be the best source of information for both of you regarding longevity.
A good source of HCV information is Janis and Friends; you can click on cirrhosis or any other item of interest in the right-hand column:
http://janis7hepc.com/
I wish both of you luck, and tell him to hang in there. We have members in here that are transplant survivors; maybe some of them will check in and share some of their experiences with you.
Take care, and best of luck to both of you—
Bill
my husband was stage 2 grade 3 but his Dr felt he was actually "bridging" to a 4 so who knows.
Debbie we had a biopsy it is grade 2 stage 4
bill yes i think that was what the dr was saying that they usualy treat the hep c to avoid getting to cirrhosis. but i have been seeing people posting that have stage 4 getting treatment. the doctor we went to see is over the transplant process so i think i have him wth the right people
he was also diagnosed with the portal hypertentsion as well
his last amonia level count was 111 he is taking lactlose and spirolactone the dr also prescribed a new drug propranolol for the varises but his blood preasure has always been good
they did a ct to check for liver cancer as well but his afp level was a 3 which is in range and good.
he has stopped drinking but wont go to AA he says hes been there done that and it never helped
i guess what i want to know is what are we looking at how much worse is worse
what time frame before everything really starts going south
how long can someone in a decomposed stage live? with out a liver we wont even make the cut until he has been sober for 6 months
bill yes i think that was what the dr was saying that they usualy treat the hep c to avoid getting to cirrhosis. but i have been seeing people posting that have stage 4 getting treatment. the doctor we went to see is over the transplant process so i think i have him wth the right people
he was also diagnosed with the portal hypertentsion as well
his last amonia level count was 111 he is taking lactlose and spirolactone the dr also prescribed a new drug propranolol for the varises but his blood preasure has always been good
they did a ct to check for liver cancer as well but his afp level was a 3 which is in range and good.
he has stopped drinking but wont go to AA he says hes been there done that and it never helped
i guess what i want to know is what are we looking at how much worse is worse
what time frame before everything really starts going south
how long can someone in a decomposed stage live? with out a liver we wont even make the cut until he has been sober for 6 months
The treatment for Hep C (HCV) can cause platelets to lower in some patients; if the patient already ahs low platelets due to late stage liver disease, this might prevent them from treating their disease. Is this the case with you r husband? Is his doctor telling him he can’t treat due to reduced platelet counts?
Liver disease is often referred to as decompensated when the liver ceases to function properly; if your husband has experienced grade three varicies, it sounds to me as though he might have portal hypertension; one of the hallmarks of decompensation. Interferon and ribavirin are not labeled for disease this advanced; what does your husband’s doctor have to say about this?
His confusion could be due to ammonia in his blood as a result of liver failure; has he been prescribed Lactulose or anything else to help him manage this? If not, his doctor should be made aware of this condition, and steps taken to help him.
Has your husband been assessed for transplant yet? Based on what you describe, it sounds as though it might be time to ask for a referral to a transplant center for evaluation.
If he is using alcohol or drugs, make sure he stops; this can prevent him from receiving a new liver, if one is necessary.
Wishing you both well—
Bill
Liver disease is often referred to as decompensated when the liver ceases to function properly; if your husband has experienced grade three varicies, it sounds to me as though he might have portal hypertension; one of the hallmarks of decompensation. Interferon and ribavirin are not labeled for disease this advanced; what does your husband’s doctor have to say about this?
His confusion could be due to ammonia in his blood as a result of liver failure; has he been prescribed Lactulose or anything else to help him manage this? If not, his doctor should be made aware of this condition, and steps taken to help him.
Has your husband been assessed for transplant yet? Based on what you describe, it sounds as though it might be time to ask for a referral to a transplant center for evaluation.
If he is using alcohol or drugs, make sure he stops; this can prevent him from receiving a new liver, if one is necessary.
Wishing you both well—
Bill
I am confused..Does he have liver damage yet did he have a biopsy? Without one you don't know the extent of damage or if there even is any. Not to scare you but my husband had a very low count and it wasn't until the biopsy that we found out he was at a level 3 bridging to a 4.. A 4 is cirrhosis... He is under treatment now in a study and hopefully all will be well with him... And sorry to the men out there but you all can act like two yr. olds but we love you anyway. It is a hard thing to deal with .....
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