Decompensated Cirrhosis ... after Hep C treatment

I finally got the good news this week that the Hep C treatment (Harvoni Ribavirin) worked and I'm undetectable. They explained it to me that unless I was to get re-infected, I should never have a problem with Hep C again. After 5 go rounds with treatments of varying kinds since 1995, this is wonderful news. Apparently a person will always test positive for the antibody ... and apparently in Canada, they give you a certificate of some kind to show should you need to. I obviously don't have mine yet or would share what that's about.

My hepatologist did reveal some interesting news, though, in terms of HE and decompensated cirrhosis. He says it can take up to two years before they see an improvement in those symptoms ... last time I asked he didn't know. WOW - he surprised me with this news (in a very good way) and it's given me something to hope for. Very happy right now. Just thought I'd share it in case anyone else was wondering about what happens after treatment. I'm on maximum dosage for controlling HE, have had an esophageal bleed which is controlled with nadolol, have edema ... and now a blood clot on the portal vein that they're controlling with blood thinners. Having new hope is absolutely fabulous. I'm so very thankful.

HepC&Cirrhosis...a huge congrats on your undetected status...awesome news! Sorry that your liver disease progressed so far, but you sound stable and upbeat...and now you have some solid hope towards what sounds at least like partial recovery.
Really happy for you.

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2013 / Diagnosed and successfully treated for hep c geno 1b with Telaprevir, Interferon and Ribavirin...treatment duration 24 weeks.
Retired CRNA (aka nurse anesthetist)...approx 35 years experience in the ER and anesthesia.
Exposure was likely a bloody needle stick from a known hep b patient in 1977. Hep B never progressed to the chronic phase...my own, healthy immune system crushed it.

Fantastic news!

Barry thank you for that ... it's what I need to hear!!!
Themiz ... I think the certificate is for medical
emergencies or perhaps for situations when working with the public. (If I could go back to work and it was in health care or working with elderly or children.) Definitely will let you know when I receive it.