Spider Angioma

[DD9th]

Does anyone have any info on whether or not Spider Angioma goes away after a successful treatment?  I've got it pretty bad.  My tx starts in September, and I'm wondering if I'm successful at getting rid of Hep C, if the Spider Angioma will go away.

I've done a little reading about Spider Angioma, and one cause is Liver Disease... and one article says:

"Most patients with hepatic cirrhosis develop many hepatic spiders that may become quite prominent."

I don't know if I have cirrhosis.  The doctor is not advising me to get a biopsy because since I have been diagnosed with Hep C, and am going ahead with the tx, he says that the genotype I have (2) has a high rate of successful treatment.

But that still doesn't answer my Spider Angioma question, (whether it will actually go away), in fact, after reading about this being a result of hepatic cirrhosis, now I'm pretty concerned that I do have cirrhosis.  

What if I do?  If I beat the Hep C, will my liver repair itself?  I'm doing everything I can.  I quit drinking cold turkey back in March.  I'm going forward with this dreadful treatment.  

Should I insist on a biopsy?  Would it be more beneficial to do the biopsy after treatment? (I'll have been not drinking for a year by that time).  

Anyone else out there have the Spider Angioma?

[ladybug52]

"At one time" in the rehab biz was 27 years until last April.
Obviously I started my career at ten;)

Pictures are SWEET! Nothing like a bedside commode in the front lawn.
Sure is a nice ride, do you break hip precautions getting into and out of that?
do you have hip precautions?

Take care, sure do appreciate your sense of humor, not many people have posted pics of their bones, toilet and car!

[Proactive]

I felt guilty not posting you some new pics beside my bones---so I posted 2 for you.
I forgot you were in the rehab biz at one time. So you should appreciate the progression...I sure do, I had a great surgeon.........best wishes, Pro

[Proactive]

LOL!--Ladybug, you should count your blessings, I emailed Zazza a picture of my scars!!!!! rofl!
:*) Pro

[DD9th]

Not /that/ low!!
:)

[ladybug52]

Hi Bill! You know me, I just like to whine:) The squeaky wheel gets the grease ya know?

DD: How low are those spidery things? It's good to give the guys a mental picture, it always gets a response from Bill.

Pro: I was so excited when I went to see your pictures! You didn't say I would be looking at your bones....glad you started outpatient pt, I miss my job in rehab sometimes.
I think you should keep the cane just for shopping, especially at Walmart! It's kind of the same feeling woman have when they're pregnant and everyone defers to their delicate condition...enjoy it while you can:)

[Proactive]

We always like talking to you Ladybug, you need to stop by more often.
Well, I am 5 weeks post my new hips (pictures in my profile), not expecting to enter any polka contests for Octoberfest, but I'm doing great!. I used a cane for a few days last week---went to Walmart and even the aggressive proffesional woman shoppers (you know the ones I mean-the ones who will run you right over with a shopping cart to get to the blue light special(g)) were polite and gave me room...I felt like Moses with his staff, parting the sea!!(LOL)....hated to give up the cane!
.............;*) Pro
Started outpatient pt yesterday, by the end of the hour session we knew who was the boss----and it wasn't me!

[Bill1954]

I believe spider angiomas only occur on the upper body; i.e., face, upper torso, arms, etc. I was told I had them back in the early nineties, long before I was diagnosed with HCV. The doctor that found them told me they were a sign of advanced liver disease; but of course, I was too busy at the time drinking beer to listen.

I don’t know what effect SVR would have, if any, on varicose veins in the legs. I have them too, if it make you feel a little better :o).

Bill

[newleaf09]

How do you tell the difference between spider angiomas and varicose vein type spiders?  Because of where they are?  Example: varicose spiders on legs and angiomas on trunk?

Varicose veins run in my family and seems like a lot more varicose spiders have appeared during the last 6 mos. (on TX part of that time).  Wonder if they might fade some as the liver recovers.  Opinions?

[Bill1954]

Ahem... now I don't have to be curious where your angioma is located. Needless to say, this got my attention ;).

Another Californian.

[DD9th]

Resolve spontaneously.  I like the sound of that!  There is hope (that I might some day dare to wear a low cut blouse again).

[Bill1954]

Hey- I talk to you still :o)

[ladybug52]

LOL!
How's the resurfaced hips doing?
I love popping in here now and then, but no one ever "talks" to me anymore......sigh:(
Thanks~!

[Proactive]

Damn, I guess you were REALLY surprised.........^) (LOL!)
I hope you are well, nice to see your name pop up once and awhile..
Pro

[ladybug52]

I just pressed the space key, I thought, repititively.....must have pushed something else! Have never done that before!

[ladybug52]

I'm surprised...I would have thought that the spider angioma would stick around, like varicose veins.  But when I googled  them, wikipedia says they can resolve spontaneoulsy.

[ladybug52]

I'm surprised...I would have thought that the spider angioma would stick around, like varicose veins.  But when I googled  them, wikipedia says they can resolve spontaneoulsy.

[ladybug52]

I'm surprised...I would have thought that the spider angioma would stick around, like varicose veins.  But when I googled  them, wikipedia says they can resolve spontaneoulsy.

[ladybug52]

I'm surprised...I would have thought that the spider angioma would stick around, like varicose veins.  But when I googled  them, wikipedia says they can resolve spontaneoulsy.

[ladybug52]

I'm surprised...I would have thought that the spider angioma would stick around, like varicose veins.  But when I googled  them, wikipedia says they can resolve spontaneoulsy.

[Bill1954]

I know :). I drank heavily for many years, but stopped about a year before I was diagnosed with HCV. It worked out well for me; I wanted to quit anyway, and the HCV gave me good grounds to stay quit :o).

If you achieve SVR, and have a desire to drink post treatment, discuss it with you doc. Some docs permit reasonable alcohol consumption post treatment, others don’t, and much has to do with the individual patient.

Good luck and stay in touch—

Bill

(grumbling right along with you)

[DD9th]

I guess I'm still trying to compartmentalize this.

-- In that, in /my/ mind, whatever liver problem I have is because of the Hep C.  (not drinking).  

Well, at least I can see that I'm still trying to fool myself.  It doesn't help much (that knowledge.)  

Thanks Bill, for helping me to see it.
  
(No one says I have to be happy about it).  

*grumble*

[Bill1954]

I had several small spider nevi (angiomas) on my upper body; they have disappeared post treatment. I was late stage 3 by liver biopsy.

You have already done the best thing you could do for yourself; quitting alcohol. If you are genotype 2, you have an excellent chance of beating the virus with treatment; probably better than 90% if you successfully complete your assigned treatment. With that in mind, what would the purpose of a biopsy be?

Even if you currently have cirrhosis, you will only have compensated cirrhosis; you would not be allowed to undergo treatment with decompensated disease. A biopsy wouldn’t change your course of action, would it? You would continue to do treatment, probably successfully, and once SVR, your liver would be expected to hold its own, or possibly improve a little.

Don’t drink; several years ago, a guy in our local HCV group was diagnosed with cirrhosis/HCV. He underwent treatment, became cured, and returned to alcohol. He lasted for nearly a year before we buried him. Sad story, it was very difficult for his family.

Good luck—

Bill