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1750760 tn?1411482476

Stage 4 - To treat or not to treat - that is the question

Well hello all. I've only spent a brief time around here but have been moved by so many of your stories. Thank you all for sharing - (I do not say that lightly, as I've known I've had this for 10 years and have only just told a member of my family last week...)

I have stage 4 liver damage. A growth was discovered recently which a biopsy determined was benign, but also confirmed liver damage. Probably have had this for 25 or 30 years. I am supposed to go on treatment in about 6 weeks or so. I will have just  turned 59.

It will be pegasys, ribavarin and telaprevir. I was offered the chance to be in a trial for another new drug, but it sounded like the odds were better with the telaprevir.

I've known about treatment for a number years but the side effects did scare me enough to not try. But it now sounds like the only real option to doing nothing. I am feeling scared, but resigned to giving this a try.

However, after spending the last hour reading about all the side effects during treatment and then hearing so many say that they never go away and they are not the same person they were before treatment, I am wondering if it is better to not do the treatment, even knowing the likely ultimate outcome of that decision. At least I would still be "me" when I finally go.

Maybe I need to keep reading around here. Maybe the treatment can work without permanent side effects - I wish I had found some stories like that. Are there any ?

In the end, only I can make this decision, but I value your opinions and hope you will share them with me. I look forward to hearing from some of you - please.

Thank you in advance and take care all
Best regards,
Brian

28 Responses
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223152 tn?1346978371
If I am past the point of using traditional chinese medicine as the primary tool to fight the virus

Halfwat, There was a man who treated in 05/06 who had some radical liver enzyme spikes using chinese herbs.  There was quite a bit of discussion at that time and you might be able to search in the archives for some of those threads.  I believe it is recommended NOT to use Chinese herbs during treatment.

the 3 drug treatment. If this my best shot, then I want the best I can find

Yep - right now it is the best.   Incevik may be showing a slightly better SVR rate than Victrelies but I think either will be the best treatment you can get at the present time.
Helpful - 0
1431734 tn?1421011671
when u see your doc be sure to be tested for insulin resistance. this condition does not enhance chances for clearing virus. many of us lost weight on tx  and some gain. i was 64 years old when i began and ended tx and tend to be quite thin but i trained as if going to run a marathon as i knew i would be a couch potato for 6 months. this held me in good stead and i was virus free in 4 weeks and remain so about 5 mos post tx. i work out daily now and am back to before tx condition.  please dont take this wrong. i mean no offence. best, babs
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Avatar universal
if you are worried about the sx, you might be interested in my study: http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/study/NCT01309932.

It is testing two interferons, the standard Alpha, and a new one, Lambda.  I think I'm getting that because my sx have been very, very bearable.  I get a bit tired, a bit nauseous, and have lost some of my appetite.  But, shot 4 tomorrow, so, who knows, I may be crying the blues soon...

Anyway, I did not treat for years, but, with the new triple therapies increasing your chances of svr so much, I decided to do it.  It's a scary decision.

As to TCM, ask your Doc, but I would find a doc who is open minded about alternative therapies - so many aren't.  It would be a shame, however to have problems with tx because of what you are doing on the side.
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Avatar universal
Absolutely treat!  I have heard time and again from this forum and from my Drs that you do NOT want to go through end-stage liver disease.  It makes treatment sides look like fun!  Start your treatment as scheduled.  Only a very small percentage of patients have to get off treatment due to sides.  The overwhelming majority have manageable sides, and a healthy few have almost no sides.  And treatments times are consistently down across the board!  So don't wait!  Go for it!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I treated and was unfortunately unsuccessful (shift happens). I had very few side effects.....however I can"t wait for the day I am able to try again..and would trade some side effects for an UND and SVR in a second.
Try to focus on getting rid of the virus(and not the side effects...you may never get.)

Good luck ..
Will
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
If I can endure 48 weeks of TX, you can too.  :)  

This month I am exactly 2 years out from my 48 weeks of TX; I am SVR and I am feeling GREAT!  Treatment was hard, very hard, but I did it one day at a time and I got my mind wrapped around the 48 weeks before I started.  I knew that nothing was going to be fun for those 48 weeks and I trudged through it.  I worked full time though it also..not fun...but I did it.  Actually, I believe that continuing to work was part of what kept me sane...it helped me focus on something other than how bad I felt.  

You might be one of those who ends up having few or no side effects so keep that thought in mind.  Prepare for the worst and hope for the best and keep marching forward.

I was 53.5 years old when I started treatment in 2008 so I am one of those "elder stateswomen"...lol

Good luck with whatever you decide!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I treated for 48 weeks. Am 59. SVR April 2011. While on inf/riba i felt flu like a lot of the time. Tired, achy & feeling like i had a new virus with GI symptoms most days seemed to be what was going on. I countered this by getting up and  showering and getting busy and staying that way as much as possible. I took tylenol and exercised by walking nearly everyday. I tried to be up and about as much as possible and that helped a lot. Many a day that started with really feeling bad turned around with the effort of forcing myself up and out.
You can do this by psyching yourself up for the long haul and following through with maintaining a positive outlook, eating right, assessing for problems and being proactive when they come up and avoiding anything that will drag you down. Be extremely hygienic and try to avoid infections and anyone who is ill when you are at a low ebb yourself.
It is very helpful for your body to be vertical and many body systems rely on movement for things to work properly. Your circulation and GI tract etc. will benefit as well as your mental status which is the most important thing to take care of.
I did not really need this forum early on and through the middle, but, near the end when all sorts of things were coming up and I was really running out of steam, I got some really good insights and lots of information here that I feel wound up being crucial for me. I do not regret a minute of the tx and i am still very much me and very nearly back to how i felt before. I wish you luck and feel amazed again with reading everything written to you here.
You surely are not alone.
I do not know anything much about the new treatments but i hope you will benefit from them and perhaps have a shorter course of treatment .
Helpful - 0
971268 tn?1253200799
My husband treated with triple therapy and got SVR, and he did not have terrible side effects and has had no lingering side effects whatsoever, as far as we can tell. I think many people who have this experience leave the forum since they have nothing more they need help with. I myself am here only very infrequently. But wanted to let you know these people do exist.

I was super-scared about the side effects and treatment for him before he started... it is natural to be afraid.  I feel for you.  Best of luck in whatever you decide.
Helpful - 0
96938 tn?1189799858
The most stark decision point for a Stage 4 person to deal with the infection is the knowledge that there is no Stage 5
Helpful - 0
148588 tn?1465778809
Misha Cohen has been studying the use of TCM in treating HCV and the interaction of herbs with treatment drugs longer than anyone else I know. She would probably be your best resource for any questions you might have.
http://www.docmisha.com/applying/hepatitisc/hepatitisc.htm
I certainly wouldn't base any pre-tx, tx, or post-tx protocol on the advice of anyone less knowledgeable.
Helpful - 0
317787 tn?1473358451
Hello, Dr Melissa Palmer has a good book, also there are many other books, another that comes to mind and I did not pick the title is "Hep C for Dummies"  It was a basic book explaining everything.  I will try to check to find  others
You msg was really nice.  I am stage 4 as well, it is scary to start tx, that is true, and everyone has sx to varying degrees.  I was not prepared the first time however hope this time will work for me.  I wish you all the very best.  Let us know when you start tx, I hope to start by mid August, waiting for ins precertification and meds to get to pharmacy.
Take care and please know that you are not alone.  I felt that way as well until I found this wonderful forum
Dee
Helpful - 0
1750760 tn?1411482476
Hello again. Halfwatt here.

I want to sincerely thank each and everyone of you took who the time to reply to me with support and comments. I know now that whatever may happen, I am not alone - and that in itself is a priceless thing.

Thank you so much each and everyone, with special thanks to those who appear to be the "elder statesmen/stateswomen" around here, by popular acclamation, regardless of age.

A special thanks must be given to Hector, who put things in perspective with poignantly (thank you too trish77) chilling effectiveness - you are, of course, right to tell me to buck up.

The encouragement and support you all have shown is way beyond anything I could have expected and is humbling to say the least. I am beginning to realize now that my hesitation to act probably has less to do with fear and more to do with (a lack of) self worth. I see that more clearly now: ("To "do nothing" while you still have options is like saying I don't really care if I die"....). I will be working on that...

The point is also well taken about attitude and approach (thank you paen53) - I have in the past been able to achieve substantial goals when I have set my mind to it and realize that going into this "resignedly" will not cut it.

To those I have not acknowleged specifically (as yet!), your comments and support are no less important or inspiring. Thank you one and all, each and everyone ! I look forward to getting to know you all better, even though I am rather shy - but I'm working on that too....

Now, if I  may, I have a few (hundred!) specific questions:
Besides Matthew Dolan's book which I got yesterday are there any others you recommend ?

Is anyone familiar with hepatologists in Portland Oregon ? I am pretty confident in my current gastro guy, but have wanted a second opinion regarding the specifics and the administration of the 3 drug treatment. If this my best shot, then I want the best I can find. Any recommendations ?

If I am past the point of using traditional chinese medicine as the primary tool to fight the virus, restore liver health/function, and equally important (re)establishing "balance" to my body and life - do you feel it is still a useful thing to persue in addition to the 3 drug treatment ?

I hope you all are having a good week-end. I hope that some day I will be able to return just a fraction of the kindness and support you have shown to me. Once again, all of you have my thanks and gratitude.

Brian  

Helpful - 0
223152 tn?1346978371
59 is young.  There is a lot to live for.  To sacrifice one year of your life to have a chance at health for another  twenty -- what is the choice?  Treat.
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Avatar universal
I too am stage 4  well compensated cirrhosis.  I was 50 when i started tx, sides were tolerable, it took 4 yrs for me to feel good again after tx.  Its now been 6yrs post tx and I feel good.  Prior to tx i was always tired and all i could do was go to work, come home and go to bed, life is a whole lot better 6 years  post tx.  and i would not change anything. Treated with pegasys and copegasys for 96 weeks.
Helpful - 0
1118724 tn?1357010591
Stage 4 / cirrhosis here. Started tx at 58, and had mild side effects during and none after treatment. It happens. When told I was in the final stage of liver disease I flashed on the "whole 'death' thing" taking about 15 - 30 secs to ask if it could be treated. This is a no brainer, treat. Yes it is scary, yes it may be rough (or not), but the good people here will get you through it. All the Best.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I felt much worse before starting treatment. I'm early cirrhosis. I would wake up every morning feeling sick,fatigue, nausea, depressed. I'd look at people and just couldn't relate anymore. I felt like my body was dying. Not a good feeling.I refused to treat for a long time because I felt well but when you start to feel sick believe me you'll have a whole different outlook.

Start treatment I have very few side effects. I don't wake up sick, fatigue, nausea and depressed. I don't know if this treatment is going to clear or not but It sure isn't hard at all for me. Tired but I've been tired for two years now, so what's one more if it gives me my health back. Treating now with the new meds is a no brainier. Be thankful you have this opportunity.
Helpful - 0
1477908 tn?1349567710
treating, not eating- Geez! Must be time for supper........
Helpful - 0
1477908 tn?1349567710
It's normal to be anxious before starting treatment. I can't think of one person that hasn't had second thoughts about it, even those of us with cirrhosis. It's a huge leap into the unknown - how will we react and respond to treatment - and what will our lives be like once it's over.

Permanent side effects, yes, there's that chance but when you consider the very permanent side effect of NOT eating as a Stage 4, well, the decision is pretty well made for us whether we acknowledge it or not.

I did 72 weeks of high doses and reached SVR - I also have compensated cirrhosis. Post tx, yes, I've had issues - some such as the hypothyroid have been resolved, others still remain, but are diminishing - or maybe I'm adjusting to them, I don't know. But life is good, especially without that weight of liver failure at every turn.

The only other advice I can give is to not go into it resignedly (is that a word?). Hit it with a kick a$$ attitude and when you become UND, make a copy of the PCR results and hang it someplace where you can read it often - and remember that everyday hence is one less day your liver is being damaged. The healing starts today, HW. The choice is yours.

Pam
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Avatar universal
Hello
Please treat.  I did a yr of interferon and Riba in 2005, relapsed after 3 months and started 2 yrs of interferon maintenance. I just turned 60 and haven't felt so good in a long time which seems strange given I am Stage 4 compensated .  Think the exercise program I started 3 months ago is helping. Anyway just have pretreatment lab and was finally going to start treatment Friday. I made it through 1st time while working FT and  caring for 90 yr old mom . Lost hair so got a wig. Got rash, used cortisone and 25 bandages a day so I wouldnt scratch lesions. Got Riba rage, went on Welbutrin. Became SOB on exertion a/c anemia so I slowed down. In other words it ain't a picnic in the park but hey parks are full of mosquitos and you bring out the Cutter. You can deal esp if you have a good medical team. Spoke with nurse yesterday about lab results and guess what?  I cleared the virus.  We are repeating just to make sure.  Maybe the 2 yrs on 90 mg of Interferon worked.  No one ever did a viral load to see.  I could have started Telaprivir and at 4 wks we would have assumed I responded to treatment and continued for 26 weeks.  The RN I would have worked with left and fortunately the new PA did a full battery of tests . I could have been on meds I didnt need.  Please anyone reading this and about to start treatment, get a viral load done 1st esp if you were on interferon maintenance and didnt get tested when you stopped.
I still have stage 4 liver disease but no longer have the virus attacking me.  My husband died waiting for a transplant.  He was on top of list but all 3 livers that became available were too fatty to use. He had not wasted away but his legs were huge and oozing water like crazy.  Wrapped in paper towels which had to be changed several times daily. He had encephalopathy and hated the treatment which is intended to give one diarrhea. No ascites or esophageal varices. The treatment was not anywhere near what my husband went through. Treatment is available, just do it.  Take it a day at a time.  Make sure you have a med team who will help with your symptoms.
Hope we both will see our 70th
Helpful - 0
1477811 tn?1321386453
Brian,

It's a hard decision whether to treat or not, and the sides can be difficult. I finished tx two months ago.  I won't lie, I had a hard go of it. It's only been two months though since I stopped and I am back to normal! In fact, I'm on my way to being better than what used to be normal because I'm UND and hope to be SVR. I do not regret tx even though it was difficult. I feel I have a new lease on life and no longer have the heavy cloud of "hep C" over my head.
Helpful - 0
179856 tn?1333547362
I agree with all the valuable advice above.

Try to remember what if you dont treat and next time that growth is not benign - I bet treating would have seemed like a walk in the park once you have to face that fear. I have had three friends die of end stage liver disease. It is not a pretty thing and believe me the complications of ESLD WAY surpasse any potential side effects. Plus there is the whole 'death' thing at the end.

Please continue to learn about this disease and what is has done to you - stage 4 does not just mean liver damage it means cirrhosis and once you get much farther than you are you will be looking at transplant rather than treatment most likely.  Yeah the side effects of treatment are nothing compared to that.

I tx'd for 72 weeks and am a namby pamby crybaby - I had every side under the sun. The folks on the forum helped me to deal with each that came and made my life tolerable. I've been cured for five years now.........it was worth it.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
It would be wrong to give the impression that treatment is a cakewalk.  The other side of the coin is people coming in here who were inadequately prepared by their doctors/treatment team and thinking they'll have very little side effects and haven't adequately prepared for the impact on their life and then get blindsided by what they end up dealing with whereas those who have their eyes open more do much better.  I'd prefer to say you WILL have side effects and they can range from mild to debilitating however out of the years I've been participating in this forum, the great majority of people make it all the way through treatment and it's the much smaller number of people who have to stop treatment due to adverse effects.  I would say that applies to those who are left with serious permanent issues from treatment as well.

That's GREAT that you have the option to do Telaprevir.  As a treatment naive, you have a potential success rate in the high 70's.  There are many people here who have gone before you and will lend their support as you get through treatment.  There are monitors that doctors are aware of to look for as you go through treatment that will indicate that there are issues of concern - they'll watch your blood counts and track your side effects.   This treatment is certainly not new so there are strategies docs and patients are aware of to deal with the side effects.  It is definitely a serious undertaking and not one to take lightly.  However, many many people have gone before you and you will have the benefit of those experiences to guide and help you through as well, as we did.

As someone put it recently, it's a risk vs. benefit analysis.  A number of people do make it all the way through their lives without dying from Hep C.  In your case though you are already at Stage 4 and almost out of the option to treat at all.  Your risk to not treating has increased considerably, as Hector has so poignantly illustrated. You can decide not to gamble on treatment but please be very very very aware what your risks are of not treating at Stage 4 while you still have the option to do so....and I wouldn't take too much longer to make up your mind.  Good luck with this.

Trish

Trish

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1669790 tn?1333662595
You've received some wonderful advice from some very knowledgable forum members.  These responses are very moving and should be taken to heart.

As already mentioned, most undergoing trt have some side effects, but some very minimal.  Those that have minimal sides don't often come hear to report that, so if your reading the posts thinking that the majority are experiencing the serious sides, you would be incorrect.  Besides being a great resource for information, this is a support forum for those having a difficult time through trt.   It's only natural for those having problems to share that information and ask questions, and sometimes simply get the emotional support to help them through a rough day.  That itself can be very helpful.  

I'd encourage you to thoroughly research this while you still have the opportunity to trt and extend your life.   Discuss with a good GI or Hepatologist to allow you to make an informed decision.  Best wishes to you in your choice.
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Avatar universal
Thank you Hector.  This was a heartfelt and important post.  I, at least, will not forget it.  I have often said and truly believe what I have heard in the past from a doc; that anxiety and fear is the HepC patient's worst enemy.  You have re-directed the fear to where it ought to be placed.
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