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at the end perhaps?

hello just recently got out of emergency surg.had a liver bio done ..they say I,m stage four..no one will give me a window period..what do u think
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1961140 tn?1450738712
Hey, I jumped from Stage 1 to 5 in 10+ years, only some drinking in about 4 of those years. Two things to keep in mind, as I have travelled a similar road as yours, enough said on that: 1) Different hepatologists read the slides differently. One tech's Stage 4 is another's Stage 2. So, I would not let a Stage 4 Dx lead you to binging, figuring there is nothing that can be done. 2) Don't pick up - anything from here on out.  3) Get yourself to a caring, patient advocate type Hepatologist who can help guide you through the maze of getting financial assistance or perhaps finding a local clinical trial of this new class of of HCV drugs. One note- there is only so much help your MD's staff will do to secure you free/low cost meds. You have to do most of the tedious work yourself, and be persistent. If one says no, move onto another. 4) Your best bet would be a clinical trial in your area that is in Phase III, with one of four major "Big Pharma's" mfrs. drugs that are in the pipeline. Merck is one, AbbeVie and Gilead are 3, there is one other. You will have to jump through a lot of hoops in order to qualify, and your health has to be as good as possible, which means >6 months completely clean, hemoglobin and bilirubin counts within certain ranges,etc...  They will do a tox screen every time you have an appointment, so if you are lucky enough to be accepted into a trial, the only way you will get cured is by not picking up. It will be a tough road, but it can be done. Stay clean, get treated. Your liver, once freed of all the toxins and the HCV, will heal itself, to what degree varies from person to person.Stay stong and don't become a statistic, the road you are looking at has been successfully travelled before by a lot of folks, you can do it also. Please keep us updated, OK? Mac
Helpful - 0
1961140 tn?1450738712
Hey, I jumped from Stage 1 to 5 in 10+ years, only some drinking in about 4 of those years. Two things to keep in mind, as I have travelled a similar road as yours, enough said on that: 1) Different hepatologists read the slides differently. One man's Stage 4 is another's Stage 2. So, I would not let a Stage 4 Dx kead yiou to binging, figuring there is nothing that can be done. 2) Don't pick up - anything from here on out.  3) Get yourself to a caring, patient advocate type Hepatologist who can help guide you through the maze of getting financial assistance or perhaps finding a local clinical trial of these new class of of HCV drugs. One note- there is only so much help your MD's staff will do to secure you free/low cost meds. You have to do most of the tedious work yourself, and be perisitent. If one says no, move onto another. 4) Your best bet would be a clinical trial in your area of in Phase III, with one of four major "Big Pharma's" mfrs. drugs that are in the pipeline. Merck is one, AbbeVie andGilead are 3, there is one other. You have to jump through a lot of hoops in order to qualify, and you health has to be as good as possible, which means >6 months completely clean, hemoglobin and bilirubin counts within certain ranges, They will do a tox screen every time you have an appointment, so if you are lucky enough to be accepted into a trial, the only way you will get cured is by not picking up. It will be a tough road, but it can be done. Stay clean, get trated, your liver, once freed of all the toxins and virus, will heal itself, to what degree varies from person to person. I've  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi, I'm sorry I can't help you with encouraging words about dealing with cirrhosis, I don't know very much about it.  I did notice that you mentioned reality an the living Christ.  I'm just a simple woman an maybe my views are not shared by many, but I do know too much about addiction, hurt an pain from my past.  There is a book I'm suggesting called " Club Meth To Christ" by Rodney Williams.  It's worth the read an could change your life by the message of "Hope"   Take care an know there are people on this forum that can give you information about your Hep-C status, an encouragement dealing with this.   Mary
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi Mike
Think you need help to get thru this.  Your mom needs you in her life, and you need to want to live for yourself.  I believe you wrote to us because you want to live and get better.  I also had Hepatitis C, was treated, and now I feel great.  Like you, I am also stage 4 and have cirrhosis.
There are many of us in this group that have stage 4, and are living wonderful productive lives.  The only way you can get better tho, is you have to stop drinking and doing drugs.  When you have Hep C and drink, your liver destroys itself quickly, and the only way to stop this is to quit alcohol.  You are at a point in your life where you can turn this around.  If you continue this pattern you may not make it.  We all want you to live and get better.
Do you have a friend or family member that you can trust, that will help you?
Have you ever thought about going to AA or drug counseling?
I'm so sorry that your life is in turmoil, but you can change it.  It's not to late.
Many of us have reached out to you.  We know how wonderful life can be without drinking and drugs.
The same can happen for you.
...Kim
Helpful - 0
683231 tn?1467323017
found this from the OP in the cirrhosis group

I,m mike from fort worth TX cell ###-###-### years ago my father and I were fighting over a shot of heroin- hence I now have been having hep c and stage four four for some time .just got out of emergency surg.still drinking ond occasional slip...meth...I know I,m dying..and I don,t ask Him for a miracle because it,s not his fault.I know about addiction-hurt and painbut I also know jesus and reality...call me..whoever..anytime..stay clean and well..don't turn yellow..(jaund)...I haven,t yet..God bless .

and also

Mom bailed me out jail.---doc wouldn't give me an absolute window period..moms scared...me.. not really.... my family-----hahahaha they,re in some weird form of denial saying I,m faking it..hahahahahah my father Americo Garcia died in a texas prison-buried in a prison uniform-now resting in a grave with a marker giving him the name#424275..cause of death..cirosis of the liver....heed my words sportsfans.it,s all very true..mike from fort worth Tx .

Mike it doesnt have to be like this you can stop drinking and drugging. You can be treated for Hep C you can recover and live a longer live.

The choice is yours you don't need a miracle you just need to get up make a decision and do something about your situation.

Best wishes to you
Lynn
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Ditto that - 10 years here. Get on a good diet, no drugs, not a sip of alcohol, no Acetaminophen, check everything in your life to see if it is liver toxic. Hepatologist is your friend and GI nutritionist.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I know how frightening hearing those words (stage four) must be for you. However, depending on your overall medical condition having stage 4 cirrhosis does not have to be a death sentence.  Can-do and Lynn have asked you some important questions that will help us to help you. We are not doctors but have plenty of personal experience which may help us guide you.
Know that you have come to the right place.

Nan
Helpful - 0
683231 tn?1467323017
Hi and welcome to the community
First up it is not the end. But some more information would be helpful to get an idea whee you stand.

For myself I diagnosed with cirrhosis in January 2008 and I am still here living a full life.

Do you know the reason you have cirrhosis? Do you have hepatitis c? This is the hep c community but there is also the cirrhosis community but many here also have cirrhosis from hep c.

Do you have symptoms of decompensation like swollen lower legs, ankles and feet (edema)? Do you have fluid retention in your abdomen from very little to looking like you are pregnant? This is called ascities.
Do you have enlarged blood vessels in your throat called esophageal varicies that are found on endoscopy. Have you had a complete blood count CBC and blood chemistries done? What were the results especially platelet count, bilirubin and creatinine?

Was the emergency surgery related to the cirrhosis.

Sorry so many questions but that information can help us to help you know where to look for answers a best questions to ask your doctor. I hope you are seeing a hepatologist at a liver transplant center they are best equipped to help you with dealing with your cirrhosis symptoms.

Good luck hope to hear back from you soon
Lynn
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
My answer has nothing to do with your surgery but your biopsy saying your stage four. I had a biopsy done almost 10 years ago and was and still am stage four. Unless there's other health problems and your able to get to the cause of being stage four there really is no "window period". Do you have Hep C? If so See a Hepatologist ASAP and get started riding yourself.

Best to you, been there done that.
Helpful - 0
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