stage 4 Cirrhosis of the liver w/ hep c

[deejay1024]

I have Hep C/ with stage 4 cirrhosis, and geno type 1.  I went thru a years worth of treatment of peg-intron shots, to no avail.  My question is: what is stage 4 of cirrhosis and how serious is it.  I only go to the Liver transplant clinic on yearly basis, and am considering stopping those appointments. I don't feel bad and I don't feel like this thing is controlling my life.  I would just like to know how  many stages of cirrhosis are there and how far along is stage 4?   I am tired of giving blood for them to look at and they say there is no change.  can you tell me about stage 4 of cirrhosis. I am 55 years old and I am ready to leave this world anytime the Good Lord thinks I should go, should I continue to torture myself with this liver clinic?

[paulf49]

Hi I am a 49 year old man who has been diagnosed with in between stage 3 and 4 hepatic c Cirrhosis of the liver about 2 years ago. I was put on the  interferon/riboflavin and the other medicine where you had to measure the fat content you had to take when taking this medicine. I became very ill and could not continue on the medicine. This medicine was to get rid of the Hep C virus and I asked my doctor the stag that I am in is there any reason to take the medicine because the liver doesn't heal it's self. She said that there were other medicines that were coming out that I could try. I have become allergic to almost all pain medicine because my liver isn't processing them the way a normal liver would. I have started to get muscle and joint pain in my arms and legs. I am Bi Polar and take medicine for that also but wonder if the liver is filtering them. I have had to have 2 neck surgeries the 2nd one they had to put a cage in to hold the vibrate. Then had surgery on my lower back a lumbar laminectomy Infusion  in Feb. 2014. I see my gastroenterologist every 6 months and have blood work done and a Ultrasound done and they say nothing has changed. I am tired a lot and now the joint pains plus I have gained a lot of weight in my belly the rest of my body is lean. Just need to know what I should do?

[hrsepwrguy]

Welcome to the group, this is a very old thread, if you go to the top of this page an use the orange post a question button, it will start a new thread and you should get more responses to your questions

Have a great day

[kickilynn]

I have hep c and am at stage 4 with liver cirrhosis and bleeding varicies, lots of symptons and am at end of life without transplant.hoping to find out my MELD SCORE next week as this determines where you will be on list , I have been in the hospital 5 times in the last four years for bleeding varicies and one rupture which almost killed me.Should I be getting on list soon?

[MEDICALMIKE]

I AM IN THE SAME PLACE YOU ARE, I HAVE HAD CIRROSIS FOR ALMOST 2 YEARS, I'M 49 I WAS DIA. IN 1996 & I ,BUT NO TREATMENT IN 4 YEARS I DID THE PEG-ALTED INTERFERON OTHERWISE KOWN TO ME AS POISIN,LOL...YA KNOW WHAT I MEAN........!
I SMOKE THE HERB AS IT CALMS ME. I AM ON MORPHINE AND SOMA & OTHERS . AS I HAVE I.B.S CRONIC OH I AM GENO TYPE 1A THE WORST.............I HAVE DECENT LIVER FUNCTIONS ? I WITH I HAD AN IDEA WHERE I'M HEADED??????????????/  PEACE TO ALL & KILL THE DRAGON FOREVER,MEDICALMIKE/CALIF.

[MARGARETdiaz]

HI MY NAME IS MARGARET I AM 47YRS OLD AND I WASDIAGNOSED W HEP C & LIVER CIROSSIS. TOLD 1 1/2 YEAS AGO I HAD ANYWHERE FROM 3MONS TO 1 YR TO LIVE..i AM IN  STAGE 4 I BELIEVE GENO TYPE 2 -3  AND AM IN ALOT OF PAIN...CAN ANYONE LET ME IN ON SOME EXPERIENCES W FAM MEMBERS OR FRIENDS THAT HAVE BEEN THRU THIS. THANK YOU!! i ALSO HAVE TROUBLE GETTING UP ,HURTS WHEN I EAT MY BK MY BOTH UPPER SIDES, DROP THINGS AND I PASSED OUT LAST MONTH . THE DOCS GAVE ME MEDS FOR HYPERTENTION. i BLEED VERY LITTLE FROM MY NOSE SOMETIMES TOO.I AM VERY WEAK  AND DONT WANT TO EAT BECAUSE I GET BAD CRAMPS N MY STOMACH AND PAIN ON BITH SIDES THIS IS NOT TO SAY THE LEAST BUT I WILL STOP HERE.

[Bill1954]

I’m not sure I understand your question. If you were found to have stage 4 liver disease, that indeed is considered cirrhosis. Those with cirrhosis have an elevated risk of developing HCC, or primary liver cancer regardless of their viral status.

So, even if you treated with interferon/ribavirin and obtained SVR, the need for monitoring for cancer continues’ perhaps this answers your question?

Good luck and congratulations on successful treatment,

-Bill

[blackiedog1]

I HAD HEP C 5 1/2 YRS AGO RESPONDED WELL TO THE INTERFERON DRUGS,MY QUESTION IS 1 GO FOR ULTRA SOUNDS EVERY 6 MONTHS,I ASKED MY DOCTOR IF I HAVE CIRRHOSIS BECAUSE I HAD STAGE 3 TO 4 THAT I AM CONSIDERED TO HAVE CIRRHOSIS ANYBODY KNOW ABOUT THAT,

[AKAmildred]

Your post stood out to me. I am a recovering heroin addict came here to learn since my friend has stage four. Please go to an AA meeting. You can stop drinking and there are people that can relate and help you. Believe me I know how hard it is.
Take care of yourself. God bless you.

[Mr Liver]

"I have had cirrhosis since I was diagnosed in 1992. Treatment did not work for me and I am still here alive and doing fairly well. " -- JennyPenny

Hi Suzy--
My story is very similar to yours and so far I can't complain too much either. Are your LFT's in range? I relapsed after 2 attempts however I have maintained a SBR for 8 years now, which is resulting in a consistently stable state, both histologically and virally. How 'bout you ? Take care. - ML

HepCsadness-
The chance of  tx success varies in studies of cirrhotics but generally starts at about 36% and declines from there after consideration to the number and nature of all negative predictors that may be present.  In my post to Suzy above I talk about sustained biochemical response (SBR) which is considered to be a beneficial outcome of tx in lieu of total eradication. At stage 4 SVR provides the best clinical outcomes, of course. All the best to you and your husband. -- ML

Greenfletch--
Reaching out is a good first step  and I urge you to follow through and achieve  a solution quickly. I hope you are successful as your life could be considerably shorter without a change in lifestyle. You can do it.---ML

[Bill1954]

Hi there,

You might want to post a new question by going to the top of the page, and clicking on the green ‘post a question’ button; the button ‘post comment’ at the bottom only tags comments to this old post from over two years ago.

I don’t have any immediate answers for you; actively drinking with stage four liver disease is courting disaster, but you probably already know that. If you eventually need transplant, they’ll require that you demonstrate a rather lengthy period of sobriety in order to qualify. The lists are long; you should really rethink your current strategy. There are folks in here that will talk with you about this; and possibly share their personal experiences… that might help?

Good luck to you—

Bill

[Greenfletch]

Thank you for your advice.

[willing]

getting help is definitely a step in the right direction! If you don't get a useful response here, the alcoholism forum may be a better source of advice with respect to the drinking
Best wishes.

[JennyPenny2009]

Yur hubby would not get a transplant until he is close to death. A liver transplant is very serious business plus there is a shortage of livers. The very sickest people go first.

I have had cirrhosis since I was diagnosed in 1992. Treatment did not work for me and I am still here alive and doing fairly well. It is definitely worth it for your husband to try treatment.

[Greenfletch]

I have stage 4 and I can't stop drinking.Any advise.

[Hepcsadness]

My husband has Hep C, Alpha 1 and stage 4 cirrhosis.  He was diagnosed in Nov 2007.  He was supposed to start a trial in the spring of 08 and then we found out we were pregnant with twins... SURPRISE!!!! Unfortunately we were told that he was unable to do the trial as it could cause some damage to the unborn babies... So now here we are 2 years down the Rd and about to embark on treatment.  He was unable to get on any trials as none are accepting cirrhotics and the only one that did his levels were too high... So... He is going for another MRI tomorrow and then hopefully start treatment ASAP.  We have heard that people usually only have a good response to the treatment in early stages... Since we are not in the early stages is it worth him putting himself through the treatment?  He has no symptoms other than tired and stiff... And grumpy,.. But he has always been that ;-) Should we be trying to get on a transplant list?  We keep asking his Hepatologist and he says it is not necessary right now... Are they going to wait for him to start to die before they recommend him for a transplant... Please let me know if we need to be pushing for this... It is so overwhelming and scary... I don't want my babies to grow up never knowing what a great guy their Dad was.... :-((

[joannatsf]

When you recieve a transplant depend on your MELD score (Measure of End Stage Liver Disease).  It's a composite of Albumin, Creatinine, Bilirubin and INT (prothrombin time).  It breks dow into 4 stages.  Stage 1 is from 1-12, Stage 2 from 13 to 17, Stage 3 from 17 to 25 and 26 abd above is Stage 4.

When you receive a transplant depends a lot on where you live and the availability of organs.  Blood type is another determinent.  If in the course of waiting you come up with liver cancer (HCC) you automatically go to 25.

[justme53]

Hello and welcome!

Sounds like you're pretty up on all the ins and outs of being your own health advocate. There's alot of Stage 4's here including myself with compensated cirrhosis. The last year prior to tx took its toll on me too.

Good luck on your Dr. followup for your banding and keep us posted on any options you're exploring...

Hang in there.....Pam

[rkw599]

Wow!   I am new to this site.  I wanted info on end stage liver disease.  I am stage 4 cirohosis.  Don't know my MELD score.  I have learned so much and I thank everyone who has posted questions and to everyone giving answers.  One thing Dr. Gish taught me in 1993 was to take charge of my health care.  Get a folder and put copies of all labs, untrasounds, CT Scans, etc.  Also doctors dictation notes if possible.  In 1994 my Thyroid was fried from Interferon.  The doctors (all 3) of them missed it on my labs.  I caught it because I had my own copy to review and study.  I believe I contacted Hep C somewhere between 1977-83.  So I have had it a long time.  In the last 6 yrs. it has been catching up with me.  Had banding done (3 varisies) in Jan.  and doc wants to go back and take another look March 16th 2009.   Wish me luck!   Thanks again everyone.

Blessings,
RKW 599

[Bill1954]

Hi there,

Sorry to hear about your husband; there are other patients in here with symptoms like him. Keep reading, and someone will talk with you about it. In the future, you will probably want to post this as a new question by scrolling to the top of the page, and clicking on the green “post a question’ button. You have commented in a very old thread, and people will lose you in here where you are.

Good luck—

Bill

[beny55]

Hello everybody, My husband has HepC, cirrhosis, portal hypertension, and has been in and out of the hospital these last month, I'm very scared of this diasease, he was diagnose with hepc 6 year ago and he was not treated at that time, now he has cirrhois, he is only 35 years old, never been a drinker, but he was overweigth, He had varicois veins in the esophagus and those rupture, he almost beed out is the most scaryest thing I had ever experience, we have three beautiful children, and my husband is a fighter, DR say he will be o.k but that we need a lot of patience, but that is something my husband don't have, he is used to be up  and above and the more important, provide for his family, well any advice will help thank you so much, Lorena

[Mr Liver]

I can understand your frustration and anxiety. The unfortunate part of the organ shortage situation is that we usually have to get very sick before we have the opportunity to get better.

There is alot of information on the internet about the MELD and other scoring systems, such as Child-Pugh-Turcotte. These are prognostic tools with one important factor to keep in mind---they predict outcomes based on averages if a transplant is not received.
Those on the waiting list ( I am on it myself) currently have an excellent chance of receiving a new liver (about 90%). So, while they have value as prognostic tools and for assessing the necessity of transplant, the prognostications are arrived at by following the outcomes of those who did not receive a transplant. This is important to remember if you look at these scoring systems.

As I just recently posted to another member inquiring on this same topic,only the attending doctor(s) are in the position to give you the exact information you seek. If you ask his doctor(s) for the full range of possibilities and the probablility of each outcome I cannot imagine not getting an answer. I believe a patient and their spouse are entitled to any relevant medical information if it is known to the doctor.

Unfortunately, it is quite common for patients to undergo worsening medical conditions leading up to transplant, as I stated above . But positive outcomes are much more common than negative ones, and I would keep my focus on that fact. Good luck with finding the answers you deserve, and keep the faith that all will turn out well.
regards,
Mr Liver

[thepreacher]

Hi, I'm still new to this forum. And I'm not even sure I've figured out how to do this right.    I've been looking for guidance in regards to my husband.
This MELD scope thing drives me crazy.  Currently, I waiting to hear what his current MELD  is.  Its been between 17-20... even though he is "decompensated"... ascites, low platelets, edema, encephalopathy, jaundice and tons of other stuff. Sometimes the meds are working, sometimes they are not.   I'm beginning to think he will die waiting, cause even though he is very sick from all the "side effects" of liver disease, his MELD score isn't high enough.  We would like to make some future plans.  Like funeral stuff and other things.  When we ask the doc's if its time to do these things, they all kind of shuffle their feet and don't say too much.  I wish someone would just tell us how long they expect him to live.  From what I am finding, his chances of surving more that a yr or two without a transplant are low.  Does this sound right?  I'm getting very frustrated.  
thepreacher

[Mr Liver]

I think all of the scoring systems ultimately are trying to determine the same thing,i.e.,the length of time before death is expected without transplantation. I know at the tp center near me they did about 80 OLT's last year and I believe every patient was already in ICU prior to tp with a prognosis of just days to a few weeks if they did not receive a transplant. I've been told that during the last few years handing out beepers has not been necessary at my tp center. Everyone with top eligibility is already there in ICU.

Some day they might allow good Samaritan living donors as they do currently for kidneys. In spite of the excellent survivability rates for living transplant liver donors, it is still major surgery (with a major scar as you know) and the surgery carries many risks including serious post-operative problems. I think the day may be coming though, as I've seen my tp center relax the requirements somewhat on who may be a living donor. Sorry for rambling off the subject. Good point about finances. There are some resources available, and those on the list should definitely see what is and what isn't covered per ins, now and in the future.

regards,
Mr Liver

[kcmike]

Hello Mr Liver.  I have seen you here on the forum in the past and with that moniker of yours I trust in your authority.  I agree that the Meld Score was to make placement on the list as objective as possible and it does take time on the list out of the equation.  However, the CTP score is to my understanding a bit subjective in interpretation, isn't it?  Anyway in my case since I was in my younger years an occassional user of recreational drugs most hepatologists have an "attitiude" towards those of us with HCV.   Also prior to evaluation I was required to take the "Michigan Test" ( I think this is what they called it) to determine if I was Alcohol Dependent or an Abuser of Alcohol.  Abuser is a much easier route to evaluation.  For these reasons I "sucked-up" to my doctors to show the mental, spiritual and emotional states were in order in order to pass that evaluation.

One thing I cannot recall is how one reaches status 1A.  I don't recall exactly the UNOS wording, but it deals with the number of days left to survive without a transplant.  
Is this strictly elevated Meld Score?

Oh and unfortunately one must have financial matters arranged and even with insurance this can be difficult.

thank you for the well wishes,
kcmike