helitologist March/15

[smethurstn]

I was recently diagnosed with hepc and end stage liver failure.  No known reason why or how I got infected.  My hepologist appt is March/15 and would like to prepare myself with a few questions.  End stage, is that also stage 4?  What is meant by reactive hepc?  Is there medicatiion for stage 4?  

Thanks for any facts you can provide

[AWorriedMom]

Stage 4 does mean you have cirrhosis. However, it does NOT mean you have end stage liver disease. Cirrhosis is broken down in to classes. There is Child's class A, B and C. In Child's Class A, your liver is still working reasonably well. It is called "compensated" liver disease. In Child's Class B you start to feel the effects of a liver not able to do it's job. You will bleed easily. You may have ascites (a build up of fluid in your abdomen). Your albumin levels will drop. You may have varicies in your esophagus or Gastrointestinal system. You may be jaundiced. You can live a long time with Child's Class A. I had it for over 20 years before I found a treatment that cured me.

I wonder who diagnosed you with end stage? Some primary care physicians are not up to speed about hep C and will call all cirrhotic patients end stage. But that is not true. Your hepatologist will likely send you for a transplant evaluation if he believes you are close to, or have, end stage liver disease.

Wishing you the best of luck.

[flyinlynn]

Here are some links you can read

American Liver Foundation The Progression of Liver Disease

http://www.liverfoundation.org/abouttheliver/info/progression/

American Liver Foundation Cirrhosis Pamphlet

http://www.liverfoundation.org/downloads/alf_download_133.pdf

Hepatitis C information

http://hepc.liverfoundation.org/

This should give you a start.

[flyinlynn]

I guess you mean hepatologist that is a doctor who specializes in the liver.Hepa latin for liver.

Did you have the antibody test? It sound like that maybe what you had. Reactive means that you had a positive result of the antibody. That only shows you have been exposed to hepatitis C.

The next test would be the HCV RNA by PCR (HCV= hepatitis C (RNA= testing for the virus RNA) This test will also provide your viral load. Then another test to find out your genotype so they will know what is the best treatment for you.

I have cirrhosis F4. I am being treated with Harvoni for 24 weeks. Results from clinical trials say my odds of geting rid of hep c are about 99%.

But my liver is still damaged with cirrhosis but with getting rid of hep c my liver may improve over time.

One word of advice if you drink stop now people with cirrhosis can not drink.

Good luck
Lynn