Help with Support

[mnash777]

In another post, I had said my husband has no insurance to get treated for HepC. We found out that he had HepC about 8 years ago. He is terribly afraid of Drs. He had a brain tumor when he was 5 and underwent very painful surgeries and treatments then. His mother went to the Dr one day, and found out she had a brain tumor and passed away within 4 months. Needless to say, since we have known about the HepC, he is scared to even try to listen to a Dr. A year ago, I took him to a Dr at a University that is 4 hours from our home. They confirmed the diagnosis and told us that he has Geno type 1. He had an ultrasound done. The next step was the liver Biopsy. My husband knows he needs treatment, but is scared to death of what is going to happen to him if he goes untreated. the Dr. that we went to see, has drained us of money. We are still trying to pay what we own just for the few times we went there. We cannot afford to go there anymore, plus until we pay  what we owe, he cant go back. I have looked into some clinical trials as suggested and will be calling about that tomorrow. There was also a suggestion of a certain insurance company that I could call as well. He does not drink, he eats fairly healthy. He had a drug addiction that put him in this position. We go to church, and he asks for forgiveness everyday for what he has done to himself. I need to know, how fast can this take someone over if they are not doing anything to hurt the liver anymore. He does not take any over the counter meds, because he is scared it will hurt his liver. We are trying to find a way to get him treated. I have also looked into calling the pharmacutical companies as well. What I would like to know is, how long can a person live with HepC and not be treated? Are there instances where it isnt as bad as one really thinks it is. The Ultrasound showed no cirrosis. I guess I just need some help in trying to soothe him until we figure out a way to get him into a dr and get treated. He freaks out sometimes, starts to cry and thinks he is going to die. What should I do??

[Diane12855]

I don't know if this will be any help but... I'm pretty sure I got infected in the 80s.... closer to the mid 80s, stopped drinking or taking any kids of chemicals, except what the doctor prescribed in the early 90s, and didn't get diagnosed with hep c until this past January. Biopsy results were grade 2 stage 2 which isn't too bad considering all the years I've had it. I can't say your husband will do the same, but I have read about a lot of people who have done the same or had even less damage. It is usually a slow progression.

Like Bill says, try to get your husband to read the posts on here... he won't feel so alone or scared if he does. You said you go to church now... remind him that God's timing can be trusted, and just do the best you can today...

[Bill1954]

“What I would like to know is, how long can a person live with HepC and not be treated? Are there instances where it isnt as bad as one really thinks it is.”

It’s impossible to answer this question with any degree of accuracy over the internet, unfortunately. As you probably know, biopsy together with lab results can yield invaluable information, but without these, we’re only guessing.

Yes, there are many instances where people have HCV and don’t progress into cirrhosis or end stage liver disease. In fact, only around 5% of HCV patients will eventually succumb to the disease, although a substantially higher number will develop serious complications as a result of their infection.

Comprehensive health insurance is unfortunately an important management tool for HCV. Short of that, the clinical trials might be a good source to investigate; let us know what you discover, and perhaps someone here can help guide you.

Routine lab results can reliably detect late stage liver disease. If he can somehow afford a CBC, comprehensive metabolic panel, and a liver function test (all blood tests), they should provide qualified doctor with a pretty good glimpse of your husband’s condition, and rule out End Stage Liver Disease.

He’s going to need to conquer his fear of doctors somehow; this disease is doctor/lab intensive; if he decides to undergo antiviral therapy at some point, he’ll need labs and medical contact monthly, if not more frequently.

He might benefit from reading through this forum himself, even if he doesn’t participate. Is that something he’d be interested in? We’ll try to provide him with enough support to alleviate his fears; there are hundreds of us that have already been through this in front of him and survived :o).

My best wishes to you both,

--Bill