Starting Hep C Treatment

I did the ribavirin/interferon therapy in 2004 and nothing was said about it causing advanced cirrhosis. I had a liver transplant in 2009 and 6 months ago I went back on ribavirin/interferon. My surgeon had done a biopsy a month earlier and the reason he wanted me back on the therapy was to avoid any fibrosis that could lead to cirrhosis.

As far as your dad coming to live with you, it would depend on how the therapy affects him. Some people skate right through it and others have problems, ranging from minor things to being so sick they have to quit. As with most everything having to do with liver disease, there is no way to know what comes next. Meet the challenges as they come.

Hi, Marie, and thanks for starting a new thread.  And welcome once more!  Fibrosis=scarring=cirrhosis...depending on the stage of scarring.  If his is bad, then the doctor may feel that treatment may worsen this condition.  Nothing ventured, nothing gained.  Without treatment, he will surely develop cirrhosis (if he hasn't already.)  Untreated hep C also can cause liver cancer, as it did with me.  (I beat it with targeted therapy and surgery...but just found out yesterday that it has come back after 4 years.)

Back in '93 when I was first diagnosed, interferon was the only form of treatment--3 injections a week.  I suffered from severely low white counts so was taken off.  When the "combo" (the current treatment) came on board, I wasn't anxious to try it because it contains interferon and being 1a I knew the clearance rate wasn't high and half of those relapsed.  I was also working at the time and couldn't afford to get sick and have to stop working.  Now that I'm all geared up to try the newest treatment becoming available soon, with high clearances in 1a--I have to put that on the back burner while we fight the cancer, perhaps through a transplant.

The difficult thing about liver disease is that it is so individualistic.  Even with treatment, each person responds differently and their tolerance of side effects is different.  As was said, you just have to take it as it comes.  Once your dad starts treatment, if he finds the side effects are very difficult, you might suggest him coming to stay with you temporarily.  I don't think it would be necessary for him to "move in" with you.

If you have any other questions, or just need support, we are here for you.

Hugs,

Connie

Marie,

My hubby had the treatment in 2003. He has genotype 1a and didn't clear.

The treatment was very difficult for him. He lost a lot of weight, had psychological problems, slept alot, and was was very grumpy. It took quite a while to feel better after the 6 months...they stopped him early because his blood levels were so low.

From 2003 until 2010 he had a pretty normal life. He was often tired, increasingly so, and his blood levels never came all the way back to normal, and of course, the Hep C was still busy doing a lot of damage to his liver.

Now, year 8 after treatment failure, he is in End Stage Liver Disease. some folks have a longer period of good health because they AVOIDED ALCOHOL!!!!!

IT IS IMPORTANT TO AVOID DRUGS AND ALCOHOL. If he stayed sober (he got sober at this time) all this time, I think he would have had longer remission from the Hep C, Cirrhosis, and his other side effects.

WE also hear that in 2011 they are using a different dosage regime than in 2003. Lower dosages seem to be as effective for some folks. David says he is taking way less than last time and feeling well, working during his second round.

My hubby is waiting for transplant now, but if he has a successful surgery that old Hep C will still be waiting for him!

Good luck to him and to you .

Carol

Carol: I hope that his surgery goes well.

As for my father, he is genotype 3A, however, we spoke to the LNP at the specialists office today she said specialist prob wont consider my father for treatment due to his already low platelet county, we will know more on tuesday. Today I found out that my father has cirrhosis.

It makes me feel really crappy knowing that he may not get treatment for his hep c and that they are just going to "monitor" his condition. I was scared of the side effects of treatment but now I'm just scared of the cirrhosis overall!! My father has been alcohol and drug free for about 8 years! :)

Marie

Im sort of thinking about this.

If they won't do treatment at this time because of the cirrhosis, he is in the same boat as my hubby..failed Hep C treatment.

With his being alcohol free, it sort of depends on how bad the cirrhosis is right now.

If it is BAD they may put him on a transplant list if/when he gets sick enough.

then he could do the treatment AFTER like David is doing. Meanwhile ONE DAY AT A TIME!

Good luck,

Carol

well he actually has 8 years sober. And no, he hasnt gone to a meeting in about 2 years. I used to take him every saturday. but he just stopped going.

I hate how they wont put a person on the transplant list until they are sick enough! We can't go see someone else for a second opinion unless the VA approves it. I will call his primary doctor and see what they can do. Thanks for the advice.

 

MamaLama said...
Marie,

WE also hear that in 2011 they are using a different dosage regime than in 2003. Lower dosages seem to be as effective for some folks. David says he is taking way less than last time and feeling well, working during his second round.


Carol

Dosages are still the same as in 2003.  It is still a weight based treatment.  David is on a lower dose, which is what his doctor's have prescribed for him but you are better off being on a FULL dose treatment for your best chance of reaching undetectable stage. I am not too sure if David has reached undetectable on his reduced meds @Mods, I can't get the quote function to work as it should, any pointers?