Hep C new treatment for my son

Welcome to the Hep forum, gyrl. We are patients and loved ones of those with liver disease. My husband, themister, was diagnosed with Hep C, GT3 in 2005. He had a routine physical with no health problem other than some some odd fatigue. He treated twice with interferon/riba, relapsed after the first treatment, and obtained SVR (cure) the 2nd treatment.

Sadly, themister had liver disease for decades likely, and had cirrhosis stage 4 before he was dx. He is now 64. At this point, themister has been on the transplant list at Mayo AZ for over a year.

I noticed your son is in pain management, but you did not say what condition he is being treated for. I expect he does not drink alcohol, as he takes pain medication. Since Hep C is not painful and there are no symptoms until end stage liver disease, his pain is likely from something else. I have no idea if treatment will make that worse, or not...since this is not part of Hep C early stages. My husband has no pain and never has, from the Hep C virus. As I mentioned, he did have the virus and had zero symptoms for about 30 years before the first symptom....fatigue.

The treatment your son will take, Solvaldi/riba, is 24 weeks. He will want to drink half his body weight in oz of water, per day. (If he weighs 100 lbs, drink 50 oz. of water, per day). This helps with sides of riba. Also, eat something fatty with riba...some nut butter on a cracker or toast works. Some do get some heartburn or stomach problem, and something like omeprazole or Nexium seems to work well. Riba can cause some issue as it build in the system. Fatigue, breathlessness, loss of energy, anger issues. Some have few symptoms, others do have noticeable symptoms. If he knows in advance, it is easy to address this with his doctor going forward.

I am sorry to hear you both had a nasty bug last year. I do hope you are both recovered. Since Hep C takes years and years...decades, really...to damage a liver...your son is very lucky to have this chance to rid his body of the virus and live a liver healthy life moving forward. Check on the Hepatitis Resource sticky at the top of the forum. Much good info and links to help you there. Stop in if you want any support or info. Big Hugs!

gyrlemt

Welcome to the forum, a site for patients and loved ones with various liver diseases to seek information and support. We are here for you.

Like you, I am a loved one...my partner is doing well....post alcoholic liver disease and cirrhosis, hep c, liver cancer (heptocellular carcinoma), etc etc. Mike had a transplant in 2011 after nearly dying. But his Hep C came back and he started going down hill again.

Matthew likely has not had the disease long and with early treatment could avoid the very serious phases of this illness. It was explained to me once that Hep C is like HIV/Aids. One can contract HIV, but the full blown DISEASE process AIDS, takes a long time to develop. With early treatment the HCV (Hep C) late stages can be avoided.

However, Matther has lots of other issues. And I don't pretend to know one thing about those and what overlapping complications could be involved. It is important that you are working with a Hepatology department at a place that will coordinate his care wiht the other specialists. We are working with U Miami Med Center and they have been wonderful. As Mike had cancer, and has heart and kidney issues, we have been VERY satisfied with the coordination with oncology, cardiology, and nephrology.

I can tell you that our members taking Sovaldi and Ribavirin have done pretty well, side effect wise. We hear about headaches, some nausea with some on treatment, and others have complained of anxiety. Those already dealing with anxiety seem to find their level of anxiety increases on the meds.

However, we have also seen in recent months those who stay hydrated, (very hydrated) do best. And some find that a fatty snack with the meds help with stomach disturbance....I don't mean a half gallon of ice cream every time, but peanut butter and cracker or a couple of T of ice cream seems to do the trick.

Mike was on Olysio and Sovaldi instead of the Riba combo. He had no trouble to speak of though he did have some nasty rashes and was very very sensitive to the sun. I don't think the Riba folks are seeing that one.

Keep us posted. His unique combo of other issues may be of help to others....we wind up giving advice j be sharing our stories and what the docs have done to help...the next patient learns from our experience.

Hugs,
Mama Lama