Thank gawd your Insurance/Provider approved the transplant. I am afraid mine would say something like "Are you kidding? You'll be lucky to last another 3 years with your history."
Canuck said
Mar 27, 2018
Some where between old and ancient eh, if we are looking for elixers? - I heard of a really weird one the other day, pay aprox 7000.00 (I think that's the price) and you too can buy your way into a "study" - ever heard of a study where YOU have to pay to get in?, (well ... in cash I mean)? There is one.
For your money you get a quart or so, of "young blood" 17 year olds to 23 year olds blood (or rather blood product - plasma) - they are purporting the "TEP-2" or something like that in the young blood plasma is "rejuvenating" in various ways. Look it up, I'm not kidding - "trial" called Ambrosia"! It's got all the traditionlist trial people (and others) in an uproar, suits and claims and cures, oh dear! (Discount - if you belly up to the bar and sign on for 2 quarts - only 12,000.00) heehee
WELL - I never!
We'll see what happens, or not, to these folk.
Hasn't "medicine", all through the ages, just been fascinating!
Remember way back when, when they thought it a good idea to pool hundreds of thousands of peoples' blood to derive products like gamma globulins, etc. to give to folk, uh, before they knew about some important things like "screening"?
Some folk around here would need a little more convincing about just what is it they are getting for $7000! Be interesting to know how extensive the screening is for creating Ambrosia!
My jury is still out on Ambrosia I'm afraid, for me, for now ... bartender, give me another AFP straight up. C.
Tig said
Mar 26, 2018
Hey SS,
Hello, it's good to hear from you. Isn't this aging thing fun? Nah, you don't have to answer that, I know the answer already. I just went in today for scores of tests and told the lab tech they needed to have donuts and OJ available! It was like donating instead of testing, lol! They took 9 large red tops, one purple top, Urine, Poo and my first born grandson... Geez, what in the world do they need all that blood for, practice? Good grief! What's next, the rubber glove? I was telling Lamont that no matter how long it has been, having these tests done, leave you with that nagging anxiety. At least until you get the results and know one way or the other...
Other than that, I spend a moment each morning, looking in the mirror and remembering that 25 year old that use to look at himself and think he was bullet proof. Where did that guy go? This age thing crept up on me slowly, until it didn't. Seems all of a sudden those years started flying by. I came to this forum 5 years ago, it hardly seems possible that much time has gone by. I'm grateful to have beaten this disease, but realize some of us have paid a high price for that along the way.
I hope the transplant is behaving. How has that been coming along? Our moderator, RC, is doing well following his TP and has just been told he is SVR12. Good times for many, but we need to find some of that Fountain of Youth elixir. I guess I need to head up there and grab a glass. I'll let you know how that goes, ha, ha! Don't hold yer breath
sailing shoes said
Mar 26, 2018
Two years after SVR, my cirrhotic liver developed HCC. I was transplanted at 70 years old. That's somewhere between "old" and "ancient". At least it feels like it.
I would not have found the HCC if I didn't continue having blood tests every six months after SVR, making sure to check for AFP.
And life goes on ....
Canuck said
Mar 26, 2018
Saw a curing study once, where they were categorizing 3 levels of "seniors", with cute demographic cut-off descriptors, went something like ... "old, older and ancient "!... hahahaha. Kinda rude eh? C.
LamontCranston said
Mar 25, 2018
I am always a little surprised to see how many providers/insurers are reluctant to authorize immediate treatment and resolution. My guess is that in the USA, most all HMOs are eager to resolve HCV infections, since the prospect of longterm treatment or transplants and other costs greatly exceed the cost of simply getting the patient through treatment with the new drugs.
It's a sad state of affairs when you think that your life expectancy is based on someone's business model, for profit, not care.
Kaiser Northern California was eager to get me cleaned up, polished and ready to live on, despite my history of dreadfully expensive treatment for MS, and other minor problems.
Let's hear it for Union Membership! (always organizing)
Tig said
Mar 25, 2018
No joke, Lamont! I get to go in this coming week to have my 5 year Hep C SVR reconfirmed and a multiple system check to find out why I feel like an 80 year old. I can tell you, we never get that tick of nervousness out of our gut when going in for these exams and tests.
It’s always advised to seek treatment as soon as HCV is diagnosed, regardless of fibrosis and/or longevity. Sadly, many of us were put on a back burner because we had either a low fibrosis score, enzymes or showed no “symptoms”. Phooey! I’m glad that kind of thinking has been proven wrong.
The sooner the virus is eradicated, the better. We don’t want to feel older than our years unnecessarily and that applies to Warriors of any age. Get tested and get treated if CHC is diagnosed.
LamontCranston said
Mar 25, 2018
Nice to know someone doesn't think people are old until they are 80.
Canuck said
Feb 22, 2018
Just another (recent) study about treating 80 year olds (and older) for HCV - but it just happens to lend support to the thought about the importance of earlier treatment.
Objectives - To determine whether older adults with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) achieve a sustained viral response (SVR) after treatment with direct-acting antiviral therapy.
Participants - Individuals aged 80 and older with chronic HCV infection (N = 253; n = 213 with cirrhosis, n = 40 with advanced fibrosis).
Measurements - We investigated the efficacy, safety, and global clinical effect of treatment with different combinations of direct antiviral agents (DAAs). Participants with cirrhosis were staged according to Child-Pugh-Turcotte class, Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score, and the D'Amico staging system. The type and number of comorbidities at baseline and hepatic and nonhepatic events during follow-up were registered.
Results - Ninety-five percent of participants with cirrhosis and 95% of those with advanced fibrosis attained SVR. The rate was independent of sex, HCV genotype, and treatment schedule. During a mean follow-up of 14 ± 4 months (range 5 - 23 months), 34 events occurred in 27 participants: 10 hepatocellular carcinomas, 12 hepatic decompensations, 9 nonhepatic events, 3 deaths. Multivariate analysis of risk factors for experiencing adverse events during follow up showed that participants in D'Amico Stages 4 and 5, with a baseline serum albumin level of 3.5 mg/dL or less, and 3 or more comorbidities were the most at risk.
Conclusion - In a real-world setting, DAAs are safe and effective in older adults with HCV-related advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis. Individuals with preserved albumin synthesis and fewer than 3 comorbidities at baseline have the most to gain from long-term DAA therapy ...
Thank gawd your Insurance/Provider approved the transplant. I am afraid mine would say something like "Are you kidding? You'll be lucky to last another 3 years with your history."
Some where between old and ancient eh, if we are looking for elixers? - I heard of a really weird one the other day, pay aprox 7000.00 (I think that's the price) and you too can buy your way into a "study" - ever heard of a study where YOU have to pay to get in?, (well ... in cash I mean)? There is one.
For your money you get a quart or so, of "young blood" 17 year olds to 23 year olds blood (or rather blood product - plasma) - they are purporting the "TEP-2" or something like that in the young blood plasma is "rejuvenating" in various ways. Look it up, I'm not kidding - "trial" called Ambrosia"! It's got all the traditionlist trial people (and others) in an uproar, suits and claims and cures, oh dear! (Discount - if you belly up to the bar and sign on for 2 quarts - only 12,000.00) heehee
WELL - I never!
We'll see what happens, or not, to these folk.
Hasn't "medicine", all through the ages, just been fascinating!
Remember way back when, when they thought it a good idea to pool hundreds of thousands of peoples' blood to derive products like gamma globulins, etc. to give to folk, uh, before they knew about some important things like "screening"?
Some folk around here would need a little more convincing about just what is it they are getting for $7000! Be interesting to know how extensive the screening is for creating Ambrosia!
My jury is still out on Ambrosia I'm afraid, for me, for now ... bartender, give me another AFP straight up.
C.
Hey SS,
Hello, it's good to hear from you. Isn't this aging thing fun? Nah, you don't have to answer that, I know the answer already. I just went in today for scores of tests and told the lab tech they needed to have donuts and OJ available! It was like donating instead of testing, lol! They took 9 large red tops, one purple top, Urine, Poo and my first born grandson... Geez, what in the world do they need all that blood for, practice? Good grief! What's next, the rubber glove? I was telling Lamont that no matter how long it has been, having these tests done, leave you with that nagging anxiety. At least until you get the results and know one way or the other...
Other than that, I spend a moment each morning, looking in the mirror and remembering that 25 year old that use to look at himself and think he was bullet proof. Where did that guy go? This age thing crept up on me slowly, until it didn't. Seems all of a sudden those years started flying by. I came to this forum 5 years ago, it hardly seems possible that much time has gone by. I'm grateful to have beaten this disease, but realize some of us have paid a high price for that along the way.
I hope the transplant is behaving. How has that been coming along? Our moderator, RC, is doing well following his TP and has just been told he is SVR12. Good times for many, but we need to find some of that Fountain of Youth elixir. I guess I need to head up there and grab a glass. I'll let you know how that goes, ha, ha! Don't hold yer breath
I would not have found the HCC if I didn't continue having blood tests every six months after SVR, making sure to check for AFP.
And life goes on ....
Saw a curing study once, where they were categorizing 3 levels of "seniors", with cute demographic cut-off descriptors, went something like ... "old, older and ancient "!... hahahaha. Kinda rude eh?
C.
It's a sad state of affairs when you think that your life expectancy is based on someone's business model, for profit, not care.
Kaiser Northern California was eager to get me cleaned up, polished and ready to live on, despite my history of dreadfully expensive treatment for MS, and other minor problems.
Let's hear it for Union Membership! (always organizing)
No joke, Lamont! I get to go in this coming week to have my 5 year Hep C SVR reconfirmed and a multiple system check to find out why I feel like an 80 year old. I can tell you, we never get that tick of nervousness out of our gut when going in for these exams and tests.
It’s always advised to seek treatment as soon as HCV is diagnosed, regardless of fibrosis and/or longevity. Sadly, many of us were put on a back burner because we had either a low fibrosis score, enzymes or showed no “symptoms”. Phooey! I’m glad that kind of thinking has been proven wrong.
The sooner the virus is eradicated, the better. We don’t want to feel older than our years unnecessarily and that applies to Warriors of any age. Get tested and get treated if CHC is diagnosed.
Just another (recent) study about treating 80 year olds (and older) for HCV - but it just happens to lend support to the thought about the importance of earlier treatment.
Excerpt only (see entire article) from:
Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
Hepatitis C Virus Clearance in Older Adults
Antonio Massimo Ippolito, MD; Angelo Iacobellis, MD; Michele Milella, MD; Fabio Conti, MD; Vincenzo Messina, MD; Maria Rosa Valvano, PhD; Grazia Anna Niro, MD; Filomena Morisco, MD; Michele Barone, MD; Antonio Patrizio Termite, MD; Giuseppina Brancaccio, MD; Angelo Andriulli, MD
DISCLOSURES
J Am Geriatr Soc. 2018;66(1):85-91.
Abstract
Objectives - To determine whether older adults with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) achieve a sustained viral response (SVR) after treatment with direct-acting antiviral therapy.
Participants - Individuals aged 80 and older with chronic HCV infection (N = 253; n = 213 with cirrhosis, n = 40 with advanced fibrosis).
Measurements - We investigated the efficacy, safety, and global clinical effect of treatment with different combinations of direct antiviral agents (DAAs). Participants with cirrhosis were staged according to Child-Pugh-Turcotte class, Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score, and the D'Amico staging system. The type and number of comorbidities at baseline and hepatic and nonhepatic events during follow-up were registered.
Results - Ninety-five percent of participants with cirrhosis and 95% of those with advanced fibrosis attained SVR. The rate was independent of sex, HCV genotype, and treatment schedule. During a mean follow-up of 14 ± 4 months (range 5 - 23 months), 34 events occurred in 27 participants: 10 hepatocellular carcinomas, 12 hepatic decompensations, 9 nonhepatic events, 3 deaths. Multivariate analysis of risk factors for experiencing adverse events during follow up showed that participants in D'Amico Stages 4 and 5, with a baseline serum albumin level of 3.5 mg/dL or less, and 3 or more comorbidities were the most at risk.
Conclusion - In a real-world setting, DAAs are safe and effective in older adults with HCV-related advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis. Individuals with preserved albumin synthesis and fewer than 3 comorbidities at baseline have the most to gain from long-term DAA therapy ...