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New member with Hep C, May need treatment

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Posted 6/6/2014 1:59 PM (GMT 0)
Hi All. I'm new here. I first learned I had Hep C in 2004. My ALT levels were always in the normal range until several months ago. It was 46 so my Dr. had me take another blood test this week. Have an appt. next week to see the results. I fear it will not be good, have no idea as of now what Genotype I am or viral load. I am wondering if a liver biopsy will be prescribed. I also wonder if a hacking cough with watery eyes and runny nose is a symptom. I get these attacks several times a day and only last about 5 or 10 min.Also ED has become a problem, tho I am 66 yrs. old. My niece has given me info to contact Support Path for Sovaldi. I understand treatment cost for 12 weeks is $85,000.00. I have Medicare thru Hummana and will be contacting them also, even before I see the Dr. Any response would be appreciated. Thanks, Camelguy.
Posted 6/6/2014 2:39 PM (GMT 0)
Hello there Camel, Welcome to HW Hep. forum. I'm not experienced with Hep.C. I'm one of the support members for Alcoholic liver disease. We have quite a few people posting info about the treatments you mentioned and many show excellent results. Someone will be along soon and answer your questions. Don't get yourself to worked up. Whatever the outcome of testing there seems to be a lot of break through drugs now.


Ziff
Posted 6/6/2014 8:01 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Ziff
Posted 6/6/2014 9:01 PM (GMT 0)
camelguy, thanks for doing the new post.

I don't think cough is a symptom of liver disease, but there are some meds that DO. Mike was taking licinopril for hypertension and it had a nagging cough that he couldn't cure. The cardiologist heard it ans switched him around immediately.

Check out the alternatives for treatment, as the fee is so high. And check out the manufacturer also. They are helping a lot of people.

More and more insurance companies are adding the new drugs to their forumlary. Mike gots his Sovaldi and Olysio through Medicaid if you can believe THAT! NO COPAY. Some insruance companies require that you be sick with the symptoms before they will cover it...high viral load, cirrhosis, ascites, etc. Some think the opposite, if they cure the folks before they get ill, the medical costs will be LESS. Good thinking!

Mike finally got cleared after 44 years with the virus, a nice new liver, and Stage 3 fibrosis in that new liver! So, he already has liver disease 3 years post transplant.

I DO think they may want to a liver biopsy to see what is going on with your, though your center may have fibroscan available...it is a fancy kind of Ultrasound that can give pretty good images for grading damage.

Good luck,

Mama Lama
Posted 6/6/2014 11:59 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Mama.. I was on lisinopril 5 mg. for high blood pressure over a year. I found out that hacking cough is a possible side effect. Cough started several months ago. Stopped taking it about 10 days ago. Still have the cough. I am a smoker but would'nt think that a hacking cough with watery eyes and runny nose is from smoking. Lasts about 5-10 min. then is gone.Thought it might be the Hep C kicking in. Just another thing to ask my Dr. about. See him this coming Wed. and blood test results. Thanks, Camel
Posted 6/8/2014 12:57 AM (GMT 0)
hi camelguy, welcome!! sorry you had to find us, but your in a good group of caring patients and caretakers. i have a long history of hep c. i have treated the virus 3 times in the last decade. the txs then were barbaric, and 1 year long for most. i was cured the last time. yayy!!! your timing for tx is great. have you been referred to a gi dr or hepatologist? your dr will do a complete evaluation to assess your liver condition, and viral load and genotyping. treatment options are getting better all the time. shorter duration, mild side effects and amazing success rates are so welcome. let us know how your appt goes.
barry
Posted 6/8/2014 1:35 AM (GMT 0)
ppm guy got it right. You need to see a hepatologist, if you haven't already. A GI is not the answer. You need an expert to treat you. Also, you need to quit smoking. That's one more problem you don't need. Let us know how your doc visit goes.
Posted 6/8/2014 12:08 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks David and PPM..I will need to get a refferal to a Hep DR. from my primary. I have Medicare thru Humanna. How I contracted this virus is, i guess irelevant at this point except for when. I was however an IV drug user in 70's and 80's. Had accident in 1989 and had multiple blood transfusions. So it could be anywhere from 22 to 35 yrs. ago.Most likely from from my indiscretions as a younger person..I also see blood testing for Hep C did not start until 1992..I did use lots of tylonol, consumed alcohol until '03 when I found out I had Hep c. Smoking is an issue..Cutting back now.Been smoking since I was 18, am 66 now.Had a chest X Ray 4 months ago. Was OK.Except for this hacking cough, I feel OK. Amongst other things, I will ask for another chest X Ray. Will know more after Wed.. Thanks..Camelguy
Posted 6/8/2014 3:28 PM (GMT 0)
cg,

You are getting good advice. Two have mentioned the smoking thing.

Please know this. If IF IF, you were to progress in the liver disease in the next few years and you were in the same spot my partner was..transplant or die...they will exclude candidates for transplant for cancer tumors in liver over 5cm, alcohol use, drug use, and SMOKING.

Best,
Mama Lama
Posted 6/9/2014 6:11 PM (GMT 0)
wow I didn't know about the smoking thing... omg
Posted 6/10/2014 1:23 AM (GMT 0)
Hi cg, Hi, and welcome. Other's addressed treatment, so let me move to the cough. It can be so many things.

It could be allergies, adult onset asthma, chronic bronchitis, COPD, post nasal drip, or more. One thing to note...If you have traveled to Arizona area recently, be sure to tell your doc so you can get a cocci test to rule out Valley Fever. Mind you, I am just throwing everything out there. Let us know how it goes with the appointment. Big Hugs
Posted 6/10/2014 2:14 AM (GMT 0)
themiz, last time I was in AZ, I spent 6 days in ICU with some kind of fever that about killed me. I have crossed the state off my bucket list!!! I didn't get home for 3 weeks as I had to rent an apartment to recoup enough to get back to Connecticut. ML
Posted 6/10/2014 3:26 AM (GMT 0)
@Mama, it is actually a fungus ;) AZ is thick with it, but so is a lot of the southwest US, and northwest Mexico. Most have more mild symptoms. The person I know got it in So. CA and needed a lung resection. The doc's thought it was cancer, but it was a bouncing, baby fungus.

Here is a little blurb Mayo simplified, for enquiring minds.
www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/valley-fever/basics/definition/con-20027390
Big Hugs
Posted 6/10/2014 4:37 AM (GMT 0)
My fever was 105. With quick onset of almost complete inability to breathe in. I coul exhale. All my labs unclear? Never has a firm diagnosis. Right side of diaphragm frozen in place ever since. How odd. I'm like an old smoker who's never smoke a cig in her life.

So AZ remains crossed off the bucket list. I was so sick Mike got my sis and 3 kids out to AZ to say goodbye. Tricked the reaper that time.

ML
Posted 6/10/2014 9:17 PM (GMT 0)
Hi.. im mary and I also have hep c I have medicare and medicaid and my prescriptions are being paid in full doctor has to be sure there is enough documentation to cover reason to treat and they will aprove it .for it took 3cmonths to get mine threw and it is due to my house today will be starting treatment this week good luck and age is just a number dont worry your self sicker than you are im happy I found this group here to help me and they will you to ... stay strong .
Posted 6/12/2014 5:43 PM (GMT 0)
Saw Dr. and got blood test results yesterday. Actually improved. ALT 42 , stiill at hi end. AST 38, also hi end. Both lower than 2 months ago. .Not sure about these but in normal range. Bilirubin total .7.. Bilirubin direct .20.Alkaline phosphate 49, normal range. Albumin, serum 4.4..Asked about seeing a specialist but he said he can't and no reason with my blood work like this. Next blood test in 3 months. Since going off lisinpril did'nt help with my cough, back on it. He says it also helps kidney. Told me again to stop smoking. Been hearing this for many years. Gonna try. I like my Doc, spends alot of time with me. Talk about alot of stuff. Guess I'll wait till next blood test . As i mentioned, except for cough, I feel pretty good. That's it for now.. Thanks to all for the input..CG
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