life expectancy hepc

[rockey]

i was diagnosed with hep c when i was 20 im 25 now i also have gout in the feet im a social drinker on average what would be the life expectancy of a person in my position

[cinnyoak]

Same thing happened to me.. a bunch of us teens that use to get high and share needles all got hepb together. There was about 5 of us in different hospitals. Back then we were all quaranteened with masks gowns,gloves and shoes. It wa 1975,could we all have contracted hep c then? I had a blood transfusion when I had my daughter in 1990,she didn't have it. The next year they started checking the blood for aids and hep c.
I could have contracted it then,is there any real way to find out?????

[cinnyoak]

I was a stupid *****! I had a lot of pain issues going down and surgeries,I got myself addicted to all pain meds that were out there for 12 yeears! My life was like that of a junkies.searching where I was going to get pills to make it thru the day,not realizing each pill was loaded with tylenol. And that was eating at my liver like a porterhouse! I got on the methadone program and I have been clean ow for two years! My feet,ankles,and legs are scaring the hell out of me,is this pay back ? Any advice? I'm scared as hell, I'm not ready to die!

[bluebird305]

I am not saying anyone is an alcoholic, so please don't think this was an attempt to be miss know it all if we did we would be GOD.

[bluebird305]

I am an alchoholic  ( not ashamed)  Years ago (I believe it was around 1980)  that I was told that I had hepc.  I did not think anything about it, partially because It was not taken as serious as it is today.  But for me , I had a disease that I didn't know I had.  I don't believe that you just up and decide to quit drinking, and as far as wanting to,  in this case , I wanted to but ,  I couldn't.  It's like any other fatal disease,'if not addressed it will get worst and in my case it did.  As far as social drinking goes, it is not how much and how often we drink. its how it affects us.  There is a lot of programs and support groups out there to help you treat this disease, before it becomes a life and death situation.  Not speaking to any one person, just speaking from my own point of view.  Please do be offended.  Maybe I am not supposed to go this far with this but it should be considered important.  Thanks for reading ( if you did ).  god bless you all bluebird305

[pooh55811]

Welcome to the forum.

"Liver disease known as cirrhosis commonly occurs in two stages, compensated and decompensated. In first stage of liver damage, the liver still has the ability to function normally or compensate for the damage. When extensive damage occurs and the liver can no longer function normally, decompensation occurs. According to the Hepatitis C Trust, an awareness group in the UK, up to 80 to 90 percent of the liver becomes permanently damaged before decompensated cirrhosis occurs. Complications occur due to the disruptions in function of the liver."

http://www.livestrong.com/article/210239-decompensated-liver-disease-symptoms/#ixzz2Vqx1H7HD


Betty, if you wish to ask questions it is best to start your own thread. You can do that by going to the top of the page, right side, and clicking on the orange rectangle "Ask a Question." Then insert a subject title and ask your question. More people will see your question and respond to a new thread than to a post in an old thread (such as this one).

[bettyrubbel28]

what is decomp?

[dontworry_behappy1]

"I 'm waiting to receive treatment from USC"  Are these normal symptoms?
______________________________

This is an excellent  time to educate yourself about Hepatitis C and Treatment.  You have concerns about your fatigue, dry skin and memory symptoms.  All of your concerns could be connected to your liver disease
but that would have to be confirmed by a doctor.  Being prepared by educating yourself about hepatitis C will help you to know the question to ask your doctor.  The process your going thru can be very mentally draining.  Your not alone with your concerns.   Take the time to go to "Hepatitis.va.gov"
and read the lesson plans about Hepatitis C.  The United States Department
of Veteran's Affairs is the largest single provider of Hepatitis C Treatment and
it offers excellent information for everyone.  I think you will find it extremely helpful.

Best to You

[HepCjaQ]

I have hep c and stopped drinking in December- it is now May and I still get fatigue and have the driest skin that Ive ever had. I moisturize and try to drink a lot of water. My memory lapses a lot and I get so stressed out easily these days. Are these normal symptoms? I am on a waiting list to recieve treatment from USC- I take probiotics and did a liver kidney cleanse for 4 months. I also take a Focus pill to help my memory as well as b12 complex for my immune system. I've also changed my diet in the last 2 months, little rice, no white breads(wheat or grain only) no red meat and chicken once in a while. I'm Working toward being a pescatarian. I am doing my best to stay as healthy as possible. In this process I am still feeling mentally out of it-

[Fearby]

what is decomp?

[Fearby]

After my husband started drinking again it was like watching him kill himself. Maybe that was what he was trying to do. After he started drinking again it was only 3 years until his death, this August 31, 57 years old. I don't get it why would you drink?

[Fearby]

After my husband started drinking again it was like watching him kill himself. Maybe that was what he was trying to do. After he started drinking again it was only 3 years until his death, this August 31, 57 years old. I don't get it why would you drink?

[PJ1966]

Yes & hopefully we learn as we get older and smarter!

[PJ1966]

Sarge,
I have had hep C for 40 yrs and had both cataracts removed about 8 yrs ago.  I hadn't heard there was a corrolation.  My father had cataracts and I know it can be hereditary so always thought I got it from my family genes.  It's an easy operation and the positive is better eye sight.  I got so bad that I couldn't see at night at all.  It is so much better.  I went with uni vision and had one eye corrected for reading and one for distance.  They coordinate and it works great.  They have to test you to see if your brain/eyes will work with uni before you choose this.  I LOVE IT though.
good luck.

[Ruthieathome]

My mom and husband have hepc . My mom is older and takes very good care of herself. She seems to be doing very well. My husband drinks occasionally and every time he does his side hurts him and the next couple of days or more. Aside from the emotional bruising from the disease I've noticed that drinking does affect him physically. He also has appetite and fatigue issues after the drinking. I also have a 70something year old family member whom takes very good care of  herself and does not drink. She is a very glowing and wonderful lady who has had hep c her entire life. I do believe drinking will greatly cause bad effects on you physically with this disease , based on seeing others life choices.  I hope this could be helpful to someone .

[Mary4now]

My hepatologist / transplant doctor, told me drinking alcohol was like pouring gas on fire.
thats enough for me.  It wasn't enough when I had hep in 1971, STUPID, but now that I'm OLD, I know bad things can happen and  just the knowledge of the possibility of drinking escalating, or doing more damage is enough for me to not drink.  
I guess we all pick our poisons.  

[newleaf09]

Life expectancy?  Impossible to say.  The disease affects everyone differently.  The bad thing is that even while your liver is scarring and sustaining great damage, there are absolutely NO SIGNS.  You usually don't feel bad or have aches or pains or turn yellow.  You just won't know until you have cirrhosis (totally scarred liver unable to function any more; leads to death).

My advice is go to a hepatologist (Gastroenterologist specialized in the liver) and get the initial work-up: Bloodwork to look for indicators of cancer or cirrhosis, PCR to get viral count; genotype test, liver biopsy if he recommends it.  Be sure and tell him about the gout.

If you are genotype 2 or 3, treatment is shorter and more successful and you may as well do it (most americans are genotype 1).  If you have a low viral load you are much more likely to cure.  Do the tests and let your doctor lay it all out and help you make a decision.

[Sarge801]

I have always been very healthy and always going to the gym.  I went into the USMC and put my time in.  I still felt great, then in 1979 I had 3 motorcycle accidents in a very short time.  During that senerio I had received at least two complete blood transfusions.  I suppose that was standard practice.  NOW things seemed to happen that shocked the hell out of me.  I went in to our family MD for a complete physical and blood workup.  The results are what scared me, he said I had  Hep C, and had the virus for around 20 to 25 years, it was just incubating somewhere in my body. Shortly after I started Pegasys and Interferon weekly for a year.  I fell like hell. AND the financial costs (even with ins.)  was outragous.  But it had to be done. Right?  After completion of the treatment, I had another blood test work-up and the doctor sid the virus was barely detecable, but I will always carry the virus.  Now I am again geting alarmed.  My wife is a very well educated nursing superVisor and has strongly advised against indulging my drink. She said it won't kill you, but at the same time, it won't help you either.  My latest shock was this past week (Apr. 09) when I went to the optomistirst (eye doctor) for a check up and he stated that I have aquired cataracts in both eyes.  My wife said there is a strong corolation of cataracts and hepC, as they both attack the auto immune system.  I have been scheduled for eye surgery sometime in May  2009.  I feel horrified, invaded, but I am still alive (for now).  Is there someone out here with some good, truthful, and helpful suggestions on how to handle this and keep moving on with a positive attitude?  It's seemingly impossible to keep going at times.

Ralph   aka: ***@****

Sincerly Yours;  Semper Fi:  Latin for (Always Faithful to God and yourself).  I love those who have the courage to hold on, and pray for those don't.

[pigeonca]

I'm so sorry, really thought it would work for you.  But actually it did, because you haven't resumed using, so next time the odds will be better.

Whatever you do, whether you do the daily shots (Infergen?) or wait for some of the newer meds, I'd recommend doing everything possible to build up your strength.  You know the drill: eat right and exercise, both of which will make you feel infinitely better.  If you're debilitated from your last tx, maybe you need to take a few months off, at least, before doing the shots.

You're only stage 2, so you have time to regroup if you want to.  There are so many new and improved therapies for this disease.  If it were me, I'd wait, get healthy, and then go for Vertex or something like that when they're available.

You're a tough chick.  I really admire you for staying off the drugs.

Best of luck,
Love,
pigeon

[LipStick1959]

Well, I didn't pass...lol It didn't work. Now the Dr. wants to put me on daily shots for 3 months, then will know if it's working. I guess Geno 1 is tougher to cure. I'm soooo tired & weak & scared. {But I haven't relapsed back to Drugs!!!) ;) I just don't know what to do or expect now... any clues? LipStick

[meki]

"I am too ashamed to tell.  Re-reading this I feel like a loser, but today, I am a loser with HOPE... "

Hope is a good thing.

Don't be ASHAMED --- Ever. It's a learning experience. We ALL have something we keep in the closet. Or in our Past. For each of us it is a different thing. For each of us - we guilt ourselves for what we think is something awful.

For example --- when I was a little kid... there was this other kid that had built a sandcastle on the beach.

I distinctly remember being so jealous (as a 3 year old - that was REALLY jealous) that this other kid could build this castle and I couldn't.

Now - being a billion years older ---- LOL - I realize that that lumpy bunch of dirt clumps and broken sticks was nothing but a pile of sand... But to my little kid... that castle was the greatest thing on earth... And I didn't build it.

So --- I went on a rampage and stomped on it --- and made that other little kid cry.

And I felt happy about it.

Until I got older and that memory surfaced --- and I felt like a schmuck.

So --- I guess I learned from that experience. I was ashamed that I could have done something like that - ever.

But I learned never to do it again.

I can't really compare drugs or addiction to my sand castle stomping experience. But I wanted you to know that sometimes it's not WHAT you have done that is bad... But sometimes it really is only how YOU --- view it.

So - try viewing it a different way. Instead of saying... Look how awful I am... Say.. Look - I'm really trying - check me out!

And Hope is awesome!

Hugs,

Meki

[meki]

*SNICKER* Twinkie... OMG --- thank you for the giggle. (Know that one of the major things I craved before DX of HCV were Twinkie, DingDongs and Anything with Sugar - so that made me laugh like heck - cause I don't drink very often. I'm not a teatotaler - but am not even a mild social drinker - 6 drinking nights a year... or something like that for me... all of my life... But SUGAR.... woohooo --- SUGAR.... well now... we're talking a serious addiction. LOL!)

Could you pass the Twinkies please. (grin)

[pigeonca]

Reading your last post, I know you can make it.  I don't need to reiterate all the usual "one day at a time" mottos, 'cause you know them, I'm sure, and they're all true - esp. the serenity prayer.  Treat yourself well - pretend your home is a spa.  Bubble baths and long (slow if necessary) walks are terrific.  Get help with the household chores, read and watch TV.  Whenever you're depressed and want to indulge in your bad habits, do something else that's nice for yourself.  Ice cream is a terrific replacement for booze, BTW, as is dark chocolate.  Please keep us posted as to your progress.  We're all rooting for you.  Love, pigeon

[triggertime]

Its the same ol Q. Go drink or No drink. I see it like this....You know in your heart whether you are strong or weak. I was a "social drinker for many years. A 12pack or more a week. A couple magnum bottles of wine a week. Lots of partying with beer, wine and hard liquer every weekend. When the hepCrud came along I decided not to drink. I have not drank since. I found many years ago that when I quit smoking (for the last time back in '76) I can do any thing I want to do. I am in control of me. Its a matter of how you see yourself. If you perceive to be strong and in control you will make the right decision. The sx you endure will make you stronger. Yeh it sux but thats the way it is . If you perceive to be weak you are weak. I think of it as inner strenth. Do as you have to do. Its up to you. Many of you will most likely disagree and I dont care if you do. Just do it. Face to the wind, One step after the next. BE IN CONTROL.
May God bless you with wisdom and discernment.

triggertime
keepdafaith&don4get2giggle

[LipStick1959]

Thank you both very much for the Words of Wisdom. I have to admit to becoming wet eyed as I honestly felt "HOPE" come back to me as I read your posts. As for the 1%... I went on the treatments in Dec 05, but within weeks landed in the ICU for a 10 day stay due to pneumonia, which I have been prone to get most of my Life anyway.  I had to switch to a specialist because my reg liver Dr. dropped me like a hot rock... And I started again Sept 06. My viral count went from 8 million down to less than 2000 by March of 07.. I got to feeling better, half *** took my meds, drank during my one week vacation & fell off the wagon on a cocaine binge...Sooo stupid... I just never dreamed that a two week party would knock me down so fast. I went back for my 3 mo. check up & my count was back up close to the million {875,000} so the Nurse practioners said "We are gonna take you off, after the 6 mos..I'm climbing back..yada, yada" It was at that point that it hit me way harder than even being told I had the virus, if you could imagine that. I knew I had probably ruined the only chance I'd ever get to kill it, be cured... So, seeing how I couldn't have felt more stupid, I dropped to my knees, cried like a baby, begged like I wouldn't see tomorrow without it... and even though I saw her roll her eyes, she wrote the prescription with nasty rudeness, that I welcomed..:)... and told me after speaking with the Dr. he may call and take me off anyway... but he didn't. I received a cc of the letter he wrote to my 1st Dr. as he sends a report every 3 mos. and he said .."Even tho she was told of the 1% chance of this working, Mrs.. X still insisted she continue the full course treatment" and that he would follow up in Sept with he results.  Yes, I know what you are thinking... I was an IDIOT! My excuse was that I was so tired of being sick & tired... but now, as with drinking, I have to ask myself, "Are ya really tired of LIVING"? One look at my grandbaby and there's no doubt..Bring on the side effects, shove those fruits & veggies I can't stand down my throat, I'll help!... I want to LIVE!!! And now I believe I just might.
I'm going to write a letter to my Doctor, try to sugar coat what I did, & pray the new results will show a significant improvement. Otherwise, I will be back to square one, but with more Hope than I've ever had before. Thank You.  As for DoubleDose...It could be! I drank 7 days a week for 6 years on the national womens pool league circuit. I was very good with the Crown Bottle & the cue... ;) Prior to that I drank often. Then fell "sick & tired with pain" searching for 4 years before the diagnosed me withHepC.  I no longer can sip a drop due to the BURNING in my stomach... Wish it id the same to me with the cocaine.. I'd be "Home Free" Tho I pray I'll never touch either ever again, I sadly report I've heard my own self too many times. My son is the only one I admit this too, and he reams me almost to the point of doing it again, my daughter..I am too ashamed to tell.  Re-reading this I feel like a loser, but today, I am a loser with HOPE... I've never travelled that Path. NA says I will always b "recovering" I say "No.. I will be free from this Demon, I know I will" Have only been trying since Igot the news, and I have done great on my own. I moved from all my old friends, changed my number, lost theirs. And as I said, my kids hover over me in a good way. If I'd stay out of Walmarts I'd never be found from "Bad habit Buddies" ..but that ain't gonna happen.. Hopefully I have gotten a second chance and will make it.  Thank you all.   LipStick