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Originally Posted by hope34 I have had HepC for over 20 years, was diagnosed and tested many times, but every other time over the years I was told there was no sign of the disease. This test as I understand it has to do with the number of antibodies against the disease present in the blood.
Needless to say I wasn't too concerned until last year, when I was diagnosed with serious HepC and my liver was in stage 2 (fatty liver) which was determined by a biopsy. In the meantime I moved from the Northwest to the Southeast, to be near my family and had another test done. This one was only 2 months after the previous test and my liver specialist told me my liver was in stage 4 (chirrosis) which he determined with a catscan. This gave me a tremendous shock, but I want to get on with treatment.
I asked my doctor, who is a very highly rated specialist, if I could get on a transplant list. He told me not at this time, not until I lost weight, as body weight has to do with how much anesthetic I have to have, and the operation would last 6-8 hours, and I could not survive that long with that much anesthetic. I have lost 27 lbs and my next appointment is tomorrow (Monday, Apr 25).
If that was the only problem, everything would probably be on track, but my biggest problem is the HepC. I am also schitzophrenic, under medication most of my life, and he told me he could not give me interferon because it would cause extreme depression which I might not survive.
Are there other treatments for HepC out there? Are there alternative meds that can help? I will talk to my doctor tomorrow about that of course, but doubt that he will give me any hints of alternative medications.
Anyone out there with this problem????Please help.  VH |
Congratultions on the weight loss!
You know what? I am having trouble making sense of the information in your posting.
A highly rated specialist would rely on a ct scan vs a biopsy result? That isn't making much sense to me. A biopsy is far more reliable than a ct scan.
And, if you have no evidence of the virus in your blood ( I am assuming this is what you mean by no evidence of the disease) then even interferon treatment would not be indicated.
At
stage 4, if that is accurate, is STILL no indication for a liver transplant. Anesthesia is an irrelevant factor since you are no where near needing a transplant if you are
stage 4.
Stage 4 is not end
stage liver disease by any means
and no transplant center would even evaluate you at this point.
If you have a fatty liver, that is definitely where your energy needs to go. A fatty liver can cause cirrhosis, too. It may not be the hepC if you are undetectable for HCV virus.
Here are the strategies for a ghealthy liver. It is possible for a reversal of liver damage IF you continue to lose the weight
and you adopt a healthier lifestyle.
A complete lifestyle change
and a commitment to a healthier life is required.
1. Keep moving. Any exercise is better than none, but a true cardio program on a regular (
and frequent basis) is optimum. At work, take the stairs. At home, hop on a treadmill while watching TV. Begin by aiming at a total of not less than 30 minutes a day. Nothing increases energy
and reduces fatigue like regular exercise.
Never sit when you can stand, never stand when you can walk. Never ride if you can get there by walking or biking. Laying around does not improve fatigue, it makes it worse.
2. Lose weight. Even a 10 percent weight loss will make huge difference. Maintaining a normal weight is more than a temporary diet. It means avoiding liver unhealthy food choices. Limit red meat, if you can, but eat quality protein
and never, ever, fast. A half cup of yogurt before bed maintains stable enzyme levels, but any low fat, low calorie snack will do. Eat more fish, especially wild fish. Never save starving children by cleaning your plate. Don''''t eat just because it''''s in front of you (in restaurants in particular) Generally, a restaurant portion is twice or three times a healthy portion of food. So, take a friend
and split the meal or take a doggie bag. Because restaurant meals are notorious for high fat
and salt content, there is a proposal to require restaurants to provide nutrition information to patrons. Be aware that frequent restaurant meals are not like home cooking. High end restaurants are no safer in this regard than fast food outlets. Always ask for low fat/low salt options.
3 Eat better. Learn about fats
and carbohydrates
and commit to eating the good ones
and avoiding the toxic ones. Not all are created equal. This is critical for your liver. Forever.
4 Snack sensibly. If it makes your fingers greasy, do not eat it. Choose fruit or yogurt. Avoid "fake" foods, even the so called diet ones. Go for a handful of nuts or an apple.
Forage for fiber
and go with whole grain. Two thirds of anything you eat should be plants.
5. Learn to read food labels. 3 grams or less of fat. More than five ingredients? skip it.
6. No alcohol. Doctors often think that wine in moderation is good, but what is moderation? The answer often depends on what the doctor''''''''s drinking habits are.
Alcohol is a liver toxin.
And alcohol is alcohol, whether it is wine or beer or vodka. Avoid it totally. You can get the same good stuff that is touted in red wine from eating blueberries, raspberries or red grape juice. Seriously. The rest is marketing.
7. Check out the B vitamins (if you have a fatty liver, especially) There is some evidence, but not conclusive evidence, that B vitamins assist the liver in processing out the fat
and maintaining health. B-6
and B-12 have been specifically studied
and B-12 may have some protective value for those with hepatitis C.
8. Consider a support group (in person or online) Many companies now offer healthclub discounts or walking clubs to encourage employee health. What a great way to take a break during the day: a nice walk with your co-workers, a pick up basketball game or a yoga class. I recommend a couple of online support groups (healthboards,com [hepatitis]; *****)
9. Drink lots of water. Flushing toxins requires sufficient fluid intake. Also, get enough sleep. The liver
and GI system actually recover while you sleep. A liver needs its rest!
10.Do not smoke. There is nothing that mitigates or reduces the damage to your liver that
smoking causes. There is no doubt about this anymore:
smoking causes liver scarring called
fibrosis and is STRONGLY associated with liver cancer (as is alcohol intake) In combination with a fatty liver or viral hepatitis, you have two or more liver toxic processes going on. This includes exposure to second hand smoke. We know about the damage to heart
and lungs, now we have evidence that the liver is a serious risk, too. If you are going to treat, tackle
smoking first for your best chance to reduce side effects
and potentially increase your chance of responding.
11. Lastly, educate yourself. Fatty liver was once thought to be a benign condition. Now we know it can lead to cirrhosis of the liver
and liver failure if not managed properly. Currently, there are no prescription medications that can reduce the fat in the liver. In combination with hepatitis B/C, diabetes, obesity,
and poor lifestyle choices,
12. Monitor your condition regularly. It is important to have regular check-ups with your doctor
and to stay on top of any new information or new treatments that become available. In combination with proper care, these startegies can minimize progression to serious liver damage. Get vaccinated for heps A
and B.
Hepatitis is a serious disease that should be taken
and managed seriously, hether or not you are symptomatic. For this reason, watch your over the counter
and prescription medications. Try to take as few medications as possible. Reducing or preventing disease progression
and severity is possible.
thanbey
Have HepC but a problem with Interferon...what now? 
Re: Have HepC but a problem with Interferon...what now? 
David
