Hep C treatment didn't work-wife is having hard time coping

My husband has undergone six months of Hep C treatment last year, which did not work.

As a spouse, I am having an extremely difficult time dealing with this news. Could another spouse

who has had the same experience please respond. Any insight and experience that you could

share would be greatly appreciated.

I'm sorry that your husband also has hep-c. I truly feel for all of you.  I know how horrible the treatment can be.  My husband was really lucky.  He tolerated the treatment well and only had to do it for six months, but it didn't work. The treatment is very hard on everyone.  We have no children, just two male cats; that's all I can handle.

The day we went to the doctor in Feb. thinking he was going to be released because he had tolerated the treatment so well and we were told from the doctor, your treatment didn't work; there's nothing else we can do for you, enjoy the rest of your life.  I was bawling by the time we got to the car.  I cannot tell you how my insides felt just like they hit the floor when the doctor told us that.  My husband was very upset but I was devastated and I still am.  I just have never recovered from that blow and still am struggling with it. That in addition to deaths & other family medical problems over the last three years; that's all I've had to deal with; one crisis after another.

You are right in the heart of your treatment; I'm sure your husband is very tired & feels like crap all the time. I'm sure you are overwhelmed with everything; the illness & dealing with 3 kids, two of them very small. The younger ones will only understand that dad is sick, but they can still be helpful by taking items to him.  The 15-year-old should be enlisted for their help & support.  That could be a great benefit to you. Support for your husband and all of you is so vital in all of this. 

I'm thrilled to find you too! Hopefully we can help each other.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

There is nothing else they can do for my husband. The stats of his success on the treatment was 90% or above & it didn't work. We were told if he repeats treatment, he has less than a 20% chance of it working, and he's not willing to go through that again. He is currently taking milk thistle. We're getting blood work done every three months this first year following treatment to see if the milk thistle is helping at all. They have said they don't think the hep-c will kill him; that we caught his in the very early stages & that the treatment did slow the disease down some but didn't put it in remission. They think he's got another 20-30 years left. He'll be 50 this year. Of course we believe he received it in Vietnam, as the biggest majority of hep-c people are Vietnam vets.

I've been very protective of him; I watch him at home like a hawk so he doesn't overdo. He gets tired very easily but they said he always will, but at least he feels good. He was on FMLA at work for a year, but now he's back to a regular work schedule.

This emotionally has just been devastating for me. I lost my dad 3 years ago (who I was very close to), then my mom had a heart attack & 3 surgeries the year after dad died; then my husband got sick, went through treatment, that didn't work; then he got sick with kidney stones last fall; now I've gotten sick & had surgery this spring and am back finally 100%. No wonder I'm emotionally strung out.

If there's any other words of support I can give you, I'll be happy to. Just HANG IN THERE! It's a major family adjustment for all concerned. The more support your husband has, the better he will do with his treatment. How is he doing emotionally? My husband was very lucky & didn't have all the serious depression that sometimes comes with it. My best to you & yours.

  Wow!  What an inspiration you are to everyone...Yes, you have the perfect outlook, because Hope and Family are what its all about.  Sure glad you found this place today.  Keep taking care and Keep the Hope.

MsDragonFighter,

Nearly 10 years ago, I lost my parents, and business and became severly depressed. Eventually my wife left me and my family distanced themselves due to my depression. Then just as my life seemed to be geting better, I was DX with Manic Depression. I was devistated but came to accept it in time. Then they told me I had long term Liver problems from HepC. The treatment did not work, in fact, the side effects nearly killed me.

The HepC dx was nearly five years ago and shortly after I entered college and will graduate this summer and enter graduate school in vocational rehabilitation counseling. I've changes my life style dramatically including eating better and taking good care of myself. My most recent blood work indicates no further damage. It helps to talk to someone who can relate to having is isllness.
Thank You

Hi everyone, I'm uasually on the Crohn's board because i'v been really sick with cd I'm doing better for now enough about me. I can relate to what you all are going through. My husband has hep c with cirrohsis and has been on treatment 3 times always unable to finish because of side effects. I'ts very hard on him and all of us. He was told about eleven years ago he would need a liver transplant with in 5 years it's been eleven. He seems to be doing better than i am . I do understand the stress related to living with an illness .I'm just taking it one day at a time and leaving it in Gods hands. Take care and God bless you all Auntkay

Do any of you have Hep C? Contracting it from a spouse is very easy! Also, you need to be very careful with your children!
My sister found out she contracted Hep C from the hospital she used to work at. She lives a very normal active life. Actually it hasn't changed her lifestyle at all!! Her attitude is, ok I've got Hep C, life goes on!! She takes good care of herself, eats right, exercises!! Has FUN!!
Also, just wanted to say.....if you can start checking on getting your family members on the donor list. It is so much red tape, that by the time they become seriously ill, you may not be able to get them on the list in time. We just lost our brother over a year ago to 'end stage liver disease'. it was heart breaking!! He was only 48!
Good luck to you all, I will keep you in my prayers.
Sher

 

Hi,

Hopefull but...I have put a reply to your post...sorry but i placed it on a new topic on top. Let me know if I can help with anything.