life with out treatment

[McBeth]

how long can one go wiyh out treat ment and what are the symtoms of last days like.....
what about natural treatment and sucess

[jonihs]

I like new-sojourn, suffered liver failure. It was in July/02.. I also was told at that time I couldn't be tx. because of cirrhosis. I can't tell you how painful and ugly end-stage liver disease because they had me on IV morphine every 2 hrs. to control the pain, but I can tell you It's slow and painfulbecause other organs have to shut down also b4 you die. Kidneys after or at the same time as liver.You turn yellow and swell up like the Michelan man.Then theres the ammonia that builds up on your brain and I guess that's kind of a blessing because you can't complete a sentence or remember anything longer than a few seconds. That's When I got vicious w/ everyone,family and staff. The medicine they put you on for the ammonia makes you have "loose bowel movements" 5 or 6 times a day. I had to have my belly tapped twice to get rid of the ascites. I had to take 2 water pills plus potassium, Heck I can't even remember all the meds. Even after my bellirubin and ammonia were in normal range, there were others I had to take. I found out 6/03 that there was tx. available  now for patients with livers as bad as mine. I'm on week 16 of 24 and no, it hasn't been easy. I was on the verge of liver failure again 6 weeks ago, but I did research, mostly from links I found on this board, and decided the quality of life I had then(fatigued,nauseous,swollen belly)was not QOL. So I decided that even if I didn't get SVR, or feel better or extend my life, there was a chance and I was Taking It. It' already better and my belly is almost flat again from the inflamation gone from my liver and not retaining fluids. My answer, maybe not yours. It wasn't an easy choice, but I'm glad I made it.  Joni

[jonihs]

If you look on  janis7hepc.com they have direct numbers for aid programs from both Scherring and Roche. They help all they can and even help for people who can't afford co-pays. They even contacted my insurance and found out what my co-pays were going to be before I started tx. Many drug companies have these aid programs, some of them need Dr. help and most take persistence, but I got most of my mothers meds(she's on Medicaire) free or for 5.00 to 10.00 a month. Alot of them take looking. Others your doctor has papers right in their office to get things started.  Joni

[cuteus]

I got the info you just asked for. You may click on  the contact patients button and if what you are looking for is not there, I am. You may contact me.

[GwithHepC]

Jonihs:

Was it difficult to find a doctor to treat you with cirrhosis?  The reason I ask is I have a family friend who is a 63-year-old male with decompensated cirrhosis.  He has had an episode of bleeding from esophageal varices and has ascites.  I was only diagnosed last year - when I started doing research and found out about tx, I asked him if he considered treatment.  He had no idea what I was talking about.  I told him about tx and asked him to ask his doctor.  He did, but found what his doctor told him difficult to understand. I asked if he would mind if I spoke to his doctor and then I would explain to him.  His doctor told me he didn't tell me friend about the tx because he has decompensated cirrhosis and it is too dangerous to treat. I strongly feel he should have at least been given the option to tx.  I told my friend to get a second opinion, but he is scared to find a new doctor. It just really pisses me off that he was not told at all - everyone deserves to know ALL their options and make the best decision for themselves.

My friend is also planning to retire in 2 years and doesn't want to jeopardize his retirement by beginning tx and maybe having to lose time from work.  My feeling was that if he didn't do something about his cirrhosis he may not have a retirement.  I think I was beginning to scare him more than help him, so I dropped the whole tx issue and how important it might be for him to consider.  I don't think he realizes just how serious his condition can be at his stage.  I wonder if I should revisit the subject with him after he retires; hopefully he will still have the opportunity to choose tx or not.  I know at his age, and with decompensated cirrhosis, tx will be extremely difficult.  But like you and new-sojourn, it can also save your life when you have such advanced disease. Did you meet much resistance to tx and was it hard to find someone to treat you?  Your insights would be appreciated.  Again, I just think it is terrible he wasn't told and given the option. Thanks...

G

[britpeter]

Well, Hi there. You clearly promote the idea of smoking dope as a help against symtoms and all associated with end stage Liver disease. I have heard that it may help in relieving/reducing the perceptible sx while on combination. What do you smoke and how much daily? Y'see, the problem here in UK is that a lot of the cannabis is severely adulterated...it's called soap bar and is probably no more than 10% THC. Whereas, the marijuana here called "Skunk" is so strong it probably contains double or even treble the THC found in the strongest NATURALLY occurring pot....hash or grass. Occasionally, it is possible to hear of pollen based clean Moroccan which......is.....NICE!
The days of Afghani, Pakistani, Nepalese, Lebanese and even one time Turkish (before Trickydicky Nxn made an agreement with Turkey to destroy their entire crop!) as well as nice clean imported weeds from Africa & S. America...Are OVER!! Unless you visit Amsterdam of course. So, what do you recommend? I first smoked in 1966! when believe me the **** was fantastic.
What worries me is with skunk, one smokes residues of all tha fast growth forcing chemicals cos they produce crops in 12 weeks!!!!! You wouldn't happen 2 be a native Indian by any chance cos I met one at Hendrix Isle of Wight 1970 and I've never forgotten him nor the absolutely wonderful weed he brought over.......or the STP! What would dear Dr. Leary say, I wonder? Look forward to your reply, BE WELL, don't let it get you down it's only castles burning, find someone who's turning...Dragonfly by Jefferson Starship too, Santana "I hope you're feeling better" I worked 4 them/him in France 1980 on part of the Marathon tour....the Marathon goes on and be glad for the song has no ending!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[britpeter]

Oh and yes, the potential detrimental/harmful effects of those growth promoting residues used for Skunk on 1. The hep C virus genotype 1a/b.? 2. The possible pharmacological interaction with the Interferon which of course can be used to shrink tumours i.e. Growth versus Shrink and 3. Smoke with or without tobacco or take in food, teas, coffee etcetera? And apology on previous I meant Native American.....not native Indian cos I guess you don't reside in Goa, Himachal Pradesh, Manali, Puri, Kerala, Delhi, Bombay or Calcutta....! Have a Fine Weekend, Be Blessed of whatever you call God.