It seems like your fiancé is getting good medical care which is the most important concern right now. There are several available Hep C treatments that have very good track records in eliminating the virus. The type and duration of medications prescribed will depend on the progression of liver disease and whether cancer is diagnosed.
Even for people with advanced liver related problems, beating Hep C can result in significant health improvement and may slow or halt the progression of cirrhosis.
Everyone on the forum understands your fears and concerns, but know there are better answers today than we had even 2 years ago. There is every reason to keep the faith.
We are here for you anytime. Keep us posted and good luck!
KeepingTheFaith said
Mar 27, 2015
no not yet,
maybe on the 15th when we go back
mallani said
Mar 26, 2015
Hi Sue,
Good to hear. Have you got a HCV genotype and Viral Load.?
Obviously a cancer is possible, but it sounds like ascites secondary to cirrhosis.
Best of luck.
KeepingTheFaith said
Mar 26, 2015
gastroscopy on the 6th and mri on the 8th then back to dr on 15, I figure they will order colonoscopy as well, he has never had one.
Still reading and trying to understand more of what we are up against.
When we first took him to ER to be drained and also second visit, all we heard was cancer so am sure they will be looking for that as well.
Still scared but am KEEPING THE FAITH! or at least trying to!
mallani said
Mar 26, 2015
Hi Sue,
We are assuming his ascites is due to cirrhosis from chronic HepC. Many of us were not IV drug users- transfusions are a likely cause in his case. Really, we don't care how we got it, we just want it gone. If he acquired HepC in the 70's, it has been chewing up his liver for a long time.
I probably was infected in 1969, and was diagnosed as cirrhotic in 2008.
His workup should include a gastroscopy, abdomen Ultrasound ( although CT or MRI would be better) and full blood panels.
Let us know the results and ask any questions. Cheers.
KeepingTheFaith said
Mar 26, 2015
Thank you both for your replies.
How long can you carry the HC virus and it not be active?
I ask because he was not a drug user but had a couple of transfusions back in the 70s but then in the 80s his gf at the time had diabetes and other health problems with blood transfusions as well. Is it possible he has had this in his system since then?
Thankfully he was not addicted to alcohol just was a heavy drinker at times, he suffered no DTs or anything when he stopped drinking. It was about 5 weeks later his symptoms started with ascites , fatigue etc.
Going to keep reading........thanks again!
mallani said
Mar 25, 2015
Hi Sue,
Welcome.
Firstly, stopping drinking doesn't trigger anything- apart from the DT's in very heavy drinkers.
If your fiance has fluid in the abdomen, that is ascites and is probably due to liver failure, secondary to cirrhosis.
He needs to be seen by a specialist Hepatologist for a full work-up. Could you find out more details, like genotype and viral load?
Even late stage liver disease can be treated these days. Above all, he must a void ALL alcohol. Best of luck.
Fireman Rob said
Mar 25, 2015
KTF,
I'm sorry to hear about your situation. It's only been a year since my diagnosis and I can remember the shock and horror like it was yesterday. Just know everything will work out in the coming weeks/months. There are some excellent and well tolerated treatment options for your fiancé.
I doubt you have the virus as my wife of 10 years tested negative for the antibody and we had no idea I was carrying the virus for our entire relationship. Good on you for getting tested anyway just for reassurance and to put it behind you.
There's some great folks on this forum that can help answer your questions and provide you with solid info. Try not to lose all of your sleep over this. It's definitely a huge life challenge but things will get better. Pursue your fiance's treatment hard and get your him clear of the virus. He will feel much better during and after treatment with the new options available.
Best Regards,
-Rob
KeepingTheFaith said
Mar 25, 2015
Today we found out that my fiancé has Hep C, going for more tests for cirrhosis/cancer.
I am trying to learn all I possibly can....
He is 63, was a heavy drinker for many many years, just stopped drinking at New Years, doctor told him today his stopping drinking is what triggered everything. IDK?
He looks like has aged 20 yrs since he stopped drinking, loss of muscle etc.
He has fluid building up, been drained 3x in a month.
Doctor told him very unlikely that he has passed it on to me but I worry and will have myself tested Monday when I go for my monthly appointment with my doctor.
What can we expect in the future?
I know I am not making much sense, am still in shock.
Hi Sue,
It seems like your fiancé is getting good medical care which is the most important concern right now. There are several available Hep C treatments that have very good track records in eliminating the virus. The type and duration of medications prescribed will depend on the progression of liver disease and whether cancer is diagnosed.
Even for people with advanced liver related problems, beating Hep C can result in significant health improvement and may slow or halt the progression of cirrhosis.
Everyone on the forum understands your fears and concerns, but know there are better answers today than we had even 2 years ago. There is every reason to keep the faith.
We are here for you anytime. Keep us posted and good luck!
no not yet,
maybe on the 15th when we go back
Hi Sue,
Good to hear. Have you got a HCV genotype and Viral Load.?
Obviously a cancer is possible, but it sounds like ascites secondary to cirrhosis.
Best of luck.
gastroscopy on the 6th and mri on the 8th then back to dr on 15, I figure they will order colonoscopy as well, he has never had one.
Still reading and trying to understand more of what we are up against.
When we first took him to ER to be drained and also second visit, all we heard was cancer so am sure they will be looking for that as well.
Still scared but am KEEPING THE FAITH! or at least trying to!
Hi Sue,
We are assuming his ascites is due to cirrhosis from chronic HepC. Many of us were not IV drug users- transfusions are a likely cause in his case. Really, we don't care how we got it, we just want it gone. If he acquired HepC in the 70's, it has been chewing up his liver for a long time.
I probably was infected in 1969, and was diagnosed as cirrhotic in 2008.
His workup should include a gastroscopy, abdomen Ultrasound ( although CT or MRI would be better) and full blood panels.
Let us know the results and ask any questions. Cheers.
How long can you carry the HC virus and it not be active?
I ask because he was not a drug user but had a couple of transfusions back in the 70s but then in the 80s his gf at the time had diabetes and other health problems with blood transfusions as well. Is it possible he has had this in his system since then?
Thankfully he was not addicted to alcohol just was a heavy drinker at times, he suffered no DTs or anything when he stopped drinking. It was about 5 weeks later his symptoms started with ascites , fatigue etc.
Going to keep reading........thanks again!
Hi Sue,
Welcome.
Firstly, stopping drinking doesn't trigger anything- apart from the DT's in very heavy drinkers.
If your fiance has fluid in the abdomen, that is ascites and is probably due to liver failure, secondary to cirrhosis.
He needs to be seen by a specialist Hepatologist for a full work-up. Could you find out more details, like genotype and viral load?
Even late stage liver disease can be treated these days. Above all, he must a void ALL alcohol. Best of luck.
KTF,
I'm sorry to hear about your situation. It's only been a year since my diagnosis and I can remember the shock and horror like it was yesterday. Just know everything will work out in the coming weeks/months. There are some excellent and well tolerated treatment options for your fiancé.
I doubt you have the virus as my wife of 10 years tested negative for the antibody and we had no idea I was carrying the virus for our entire relationship. Good on you for getting tested anyway just for reassurance and to put it behind you.
There's some great folks on this forum that can help answer your questions and provide you with solid info. Try not to lose all of your sleep over this. It's definitely a huge life challenge but things will get better. Pursue your fiance's treatment hard and get your him clear of the virus. He will feel much better during and after treatment with the new options available.
Best Regards,
-Rob
Today we found out that my fiancé has Hep C, going for more tests for cirrhosis/cancer.
I am trying to learn all I possibly can....
He is 63, was a heavy drinker for many many years, just stopped drinking at New Years, doctor told him today his stopping drinking is what triggered everything. IDK?
He looks like has aged 20 yrs since he stopped drinking, loss of muscle etc.
He has fluid building up, been drained 3x in a month.
Doctor told him very unlikely that he has passed it on to me but I worry and will have myself tested Monday when I go for my monthly appointment with my doctor.
What can we expect in the future?
I know I am not making much sense, am still in shock.