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is treatment possible for hepatitis c?

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Posted Yesterday 2:01 PM (GMT 0)
If someone has hepatitis c (contracted between 13-20 years ago), and it was just discovered now, Is it possible to receive treatment and put the virus into "remission" or a dormant state? Or would it be too late to even consider treatment? Is treatment available without interferon (and all the terrible side effects) or is that still in the preapproval stages?

Post Edited (Worried daughter2) : 12/4/2013 7:06:56 AM (GMT-7)

Posted Yesterday 8:50 PM (GMT 0)
WD,

Hep C has various mutations. My Mike has genotype 1a. It is considered the hardest to treat. Current protocols have the new drugs administered WITH Interferon (which does have bad side effects). Genotypes 2 and 3, which are less common in the US, have drug protocols without Interferon coming on the market now and in the near future.

The treatments are often long...3, 6, 12 months of meds. The older treatments, with the worst side effects have the longest schedules! Wouldn't you just know. At one time, the goal was to have the virus "cleared." That means that there is no virus detected when they do the Viral Load blood test. However, some of those cleared have had the virus return, so the thought is that it may remain undetected...but there is always a chance...

Newer treatments are suggesting that the patients are CURED. There are no long term studies of these new meds, so we shall see if the cure is a cure or a period when the virus is non detected!

Mike's Interferon/Ribavirin treatment was in 2003, approximately 34 years AFTER he contracted the virus. He is going to try for another treatment in 2014, which will be 45 years after contracting the virus.

When Mike got the virus, they didn't know about it, like AIDS, it snuck up on the medical profession and was spreading like crazy in the gay and IV drug communities. Tattoos were not done with sterile needles or fresh paint...rough times were coming for many people.

Mike was trying to give blood, as he thought it his "duty" to donate at work. The Red Cross found out and notified him!!!!! He feels really bad that he may have been instrumental in spreading the disease through transfusions before anyone had any idea!!! How awful. A lot of hemophiliacs died of Aids and Hep C before this was discovered and the blood was tested routinely to screen out such things.

So, yes, you can be treated any time. The best time is before too much damage is done.

And definitely before transplant if at all possible. The longevity of patients with no virus at time of TP have longer survival rates than those who still have it!

Mama Lama
Posted Yesterday 9:03 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you MamaLama.

I have a few questions...you had mentioned that Mike first began treatment in 2003, 34 years after he contracted Hep C. However, is that when Mike first found out he had Hepatitis C or was it earlier? Why did he wait so long to have it treated, why wasn't it offered to him sooner? What symptoms did Mike have when he was first diagnosed? Upon being diagnosed, were his liver enzymes elevated as well?

Thanks :)
Posted Yesterday 9:37 PM (GMT 0)
WD,

They told Mike he had Non A-Non B Hepatitis in the mid 1990s...so 25 years after. They didn't even call it Hep C until later than that. He saw an infectious disease specialist who did not have much to say other than that we should use condoms. Now we know Hep C is rarely spread that way.

No treatments were available until the mid 2000s. When Mike took the Interferon and Ribavirin, he was in a TRIAL!!!! They were comparing the clearance %s where the Interferon doses were based on the weight of the patient and ones that were the same for everyone. Only about 50% of the patients wqith 1a cleared.

Mike had two episodes of active Hep C, but no one called them that. They said he had Mono in 1981 and 1984. His symptoms were fever, chills, grinding fatigue, vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, more fatigue. He had "spells" we called them, where he would about pass out, get really pale, and lie down a while, drink juices, and then he'd come back to normal for a while. I don't recall liver function tests at that time. They said his Epstein Barr and Mono tests were positive. They still are today! Sometimes his Epstein Bar load is so high they give him Valcyte NOW. There was a lot of confusion back then. He lost about 4-6 months of work each time....he was a MESS. Interestingly enough, we investigated his employer's use of the chemicals through his union, a large manufacturer who used degreasing chemicals in their process. Turns out those chemicals can cause liver damage and those using them should wear mask and gloves and not even breathe the fumes. Neither were provided to the employees in that department. We thought the chemicals made him sick...but eventually we found out he had other things at work....Hep C, too much alcohol, and liver cancer. Maybe the chemicals did their part in this, who will every know.

When he started with a new pcp in the mid 2000s, they tested his liver functions...ooops. That doc had a friend who was doing the trial and they set that up. It cost us a fortune as the drugs were not covered and neither were the neupogin or Procrit shots he needed to take to support his while and red cells plunging. He was SOOOO sick that time.

ML
Posted Yesterday 10:15 PM (GMT 0)
Wow...Mike has been through a lot and so have you as his caregiver. Thank you so much for sharing his story with me.

Recently, I found out that my liver enzymes were a bit elevated. My AST and Alk phosphate are in the normal range but the higher end of normal...this is unusal for me bc my AST and ALK phosphate are usually in the low end of normal. However my Alt is high...it was 47 and normal range is (6-40). Typically my Alt is in the normal range of 14-20. So...this makes me wonder...what the heck could be going on. I have been married for over 12 years, I have a beautiful child and an amazing husband. My last CT scan of abdomen I had in 2009 (due to some pains I was having in my lower left quadrant) was good...report says I have a fibroid in my uterus but other than that, the liver is normal. But that CT scan us from 4 years ago. If there is something going on with my liver, is that CT too old or taken to early for my liver to have been effected by anything?

When I was in my late teens to mid 20's I had a boyfriend. He cheated on me ALL the time...at least that's what I thought...of course, he denied it. Don't ask why I stayed with him...I was DUMB! I was with him between 21-13 years ago. Doesn't Hepatitis C begin showing symptoms within 20 years? If so...its now between 21-13 years if I was exposed,!!!

Also, with the elevated liver enzymes, I can't help but worry that he may of "caught something" and passed it on to me?

A few years after breaking up with him, I met my amazing husband. He is loving, caring and treats me fantastic! We have a beautiful child who fills our lives with so much happiness. When I was pregnant, I was tested for Hepatitis B and my Hep S Ag was negative.

When I got my blood test results in November, my endocrinologist never mentioned my elevated liver enzymes/Alt...I only discovered this when I asked for a copy of my bloodwork. That's when I reached out to a GI doctor, that my friend referred me to. Before setting up an appt, the GI wanted me to fax over a copy of the bloodwork. I did, then received a call from the receptionist saying, I need to see a liver specialist and not the GI...once I heard that, fear began to set in. My appt is at the end of December...they didn't have anything sooner...ugh!

Is it possible that liver enzymes can be elevated from things other than liver disease???

Do liver enzymes fluctuate in people who donot have liver disease/hepatitis???

From what I read, if AST or ALK Phosphate are elevated it could also mean other things not related to the liver. But, if the Alt is elevated, it is liver specific...did I understand this correctly?

A million things go through my mind...I can't focus, I am very anxious and constantly on edge. I am aware the only way to know is to get bloodwork done...but I am fearing the results!

Thank you for letting me get my worries out.

Post Edited (Worried daughter2) : 12/4/2013 3:24:44 PM (GMT-7)

Posted Yesterday 11:20 PM (GMT 0)
There's an easy test for Hep C that's fairly new. They prick your finger and can tell if you have the virus within a half hour. You need to find a clinic, don't have to visit a doc. Do that and put your mind at rest. I'm surprised your doc didn't call you back in to take the test when your enzymes were up. Having said that, there is a cure on the way, so you'll be fine either way.
Posted Yesterday 11:36 PM (GMT 0)
@ David...it was the endocrinologist who took my bloodwork. He takes it every 3 months bc I am insulin resistant and I take Metformin 1000mg 1 x daily. This is the first time it came back elevated. He said he was not concerned. Of course he's not concerned...its not his area of expertise. He's not a liver doctor...he is an endocrinologist. I always followup and advocate for myself, therefore, I don't want to want for things to go downhill...I took the next step, tried to arrange appt w GI Dr, but before I could set up an appt the GI Dr office referred me to see a liver specialist.

I am a bit weary of those clinic tests. How accurate can they be???
Posted Today 12:06 AM (GMT 0)
When Mikes lfts were bad they were way over 100. Way.

And his platelets were under 100.

I think it is too early to be nervous. If you were bad off, they would have met you at the ER.

The boyfriend thing is a rare transmission method unless both if you had open sores. R have been together 33 years and I'm fine.

I poked around on the internet and found that lfts an be slightly raised with other diseases including diabetes, thyroid, and obesity. Good they are going to check you out.

Carol
Posted Today 12:55 AM (GMT 0)
I'm by no means a chemist or a pharmacist but have you read the labeling on your Metformin prescription? I know you have a tendency to worry a bit, and I'm not trying to open a new can of worms for ya but you may at the minimum want to do a Wiki search on that stuff. Medications can cause bloodwork to be out of whack. Some can bring issue's you didn't know about previously to the surface. In a world of "fix me with a pill" you are your only line of defense when you pick up a prescription. The warning label we throw in the trash so often may hold the key to future problems.

Ziff
Posted Today 1:40 AM (GMT 0)
@ mamalama...when mike's lft's were over 100, was that in the beginning/when he was first diagnosed?

My endocrinologist said I need to loose some weight. I am 5'3" and weigh 138lbs but he wants me down to 120-125lbs...I need to loose 18-13lbs...I am working on that. My yearly physical happens to also be scheduled for later this month. I hope I will get answers, however, in the meantime, I will continue to worry and stress.

@ Ziffle...you are 100% correct...I am a HUGE worrier!!! My endocrinologist diagnosed me with insulin resistance last year. I am not diabetic, just insulin resistant. Therefore that's why I take the Metformin. I did quickly, look up Metformin but I don't find anything about it increasing liver enzymes. When you said "Some can bring issue's you didn't know about previously to the surface", what did you mean by that?
Posted Today 1:45 AM (GMT 0)
issues=side effects; as in every action has a reaction
Posted Today 5:04 AM (GMT 0)
Insulin resistance can be reversed by with a low gi diet and exercise. It is a precursor to diabetes. Insulin resistance itself can cause increased liver function enzymes.
Posted Today 5:20 AM (GMT 0)
@ hepmom...that must be why my endocrinologist constantly wants me to exercise and loose about 13-18lbs...so that I am closer to 120-125lbs. Right now I am 138lbs and I carry a lot of the weight in my belly and thighs. Since August I put on almost 10lbs...not good. I wasn't aware that insulin resistance can cause increased liver function.

However, I am still anxious and scared about my upcoming doctor appts and bloodwork results.
Posted Today 10:22 AM (GMT 0)
David and Hepmom answered your question perfectly as to what I meant. Wiki not being the greatest source of information but it does a great job of summing things up. I'm the type to ere on the side of caution regardless of the sources diploma. In this case your endocrinologist likely knows what effects the meds you take have on your blood work. He see's nothing disturbing.

By all means do what ever makes you feel at ease. Doesn't hurt to be thorough but don't be obsessive either. I hope/believe your just being worrisome for naught. You seem to be losing sight of what you do have and it's right in your face. A apparently wonderful life. Don't fritter your today's away with worries of what has been or might be. Find out what's wrong, Fix it and stop worrying. Worry hasn't fixed anything historically. Worried people tend to live a lot shorter lives (or at least their spouses do smilewinkgrin) and not to mention what it does to a woman's hair. Everything is relative. Just think how much more overtime your husband will have to work a year just to keep those hair salon appointments paid. Not a good thing in this guy's opinion. Life's too short.

Ziff
Posted 12/6/2013 4:19 AM (GMT 0)
@ Ziff...I have always been an anxious person but this last year, its gone beyond what its ever been. Hairloss...your 100% correct with that...been shedding so much hair, I am surprised I even have a few strands left on my head...ugh!!! And...you are 1,000% right...I do have a wonderful life...a fantastic husband and an amazing child.

about the endocrinologist...I was a bit disappointed and surprised that he didn't even mention the elevated liver enzymes...he brushed it off.

I did however notice that my B12 level was elevated.

Does hepatitis cause elevated B12 levels? I noticed that my b12 levels have increased over the years. Here are my results:

November 2013
Vitamin b12 - 1241 high (normal 211-911)

January 2013
Vitaminb12 - 1009 high (normal 211-911)

September 2012
Vitamin b12 - 689 (normal 211-911)

August 2012
Vitamin b12 - 900 (normal 211-946)

June 2012
Vitamin b12 - 844 (normal 211-946)

September 2010
Vitamin b12 - 746 (normal 207-964)

Post Edited (Worried daughter2) : 12/5/2013 9:22:04 PM (GMT-7)

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