Hep C Discussion Forum

Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
Chatbox
Please log in to join the chat!
Hep C Discussion Forum -> Post Treatment -> Looking good for me!
Post Info TOPIC: Looking good for me!
Ari-anna


Veteran Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 78
Date:
RE: Looking good for me!
Permalink  
 

Hi Malcolm and wmlj1960 - thanks for the further explanation, it's always good to know more. There is always a lot to take in when seeing a specialist. I am fortunate that one of my sons often comes along and fills in the gaps after, however there are still bits I don't understand.

The lesion can be seen on MRI and I have been having them 6 mthly since it first became an issue. Apparently an ablation needs to be guided by ultrasound, so that is the next step. The health professional who will do the ablation will attend the scan. 

The latest MRI was reviewed by the liver transplant team in Auckland and my local specialist here in Christchurch basically said that they cannot just watch it grow. 

My liver decompensated in 2012 after 3 abdominal operations in three months, causing a 4th operation which I am very lucky to have survived. This has made my situation more complex than it would have been.

Malcolm - enjoy your time in the North island. Your son has good taste marrying a Mainlander! 

Stormybc - all the best for your treatment - I hope it goes smoothly for you.

Linux - my fingers are crossed for you to get on treatment.

Everyone - what has blown me away the most about maybe being virus free is how much more positive my outlook on life in general has become!



__________________

Genotype 1a diagnosed 2005, Cirrhosis.

Pyglated Interferon/Ribavirin 2006, non-responder 

Viekira Pak/Ribavirin 24 weeks, virus undetected EOT 12 weeks SVR Feb 2016

New Zealand 64 yo
mallani


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 3398
Date:
Permalink  
 

Ari,

In cirrhotics, any liver 'lesion' should be assumed to be an HCC until proven otherwise. The best way to image any lesion is with high resolution contrast MRI. Ultrasound is fairly useless.

In cirrhotics, regenerative nodules or haemangiomas can look like HCC's. The differentiating features all rely on arterial uptake of contrast, washout of contrast and how the lesion fills in.

Only 50% of HCC's secrete AFP, so don't go on this.

Small HCC's can be ablated or removed depending on the position in the liver. Lesions as small as 5mm can be seen on a good MRI machine.

Sorry about your problems in Christchurch. It must have been a nightmare.

We're off to Auckland in March for 2 weeks touring North Island with my son and family ( the D-I-L is from Invercargill). Cheers.



__________________

Geno 1b, IL28B CT,  x3 prior relapser,  ex-cirrhotic, 75 yo, did 48 weeks with Victrelis/Peg./Riba.  VL 1.28m at start, UNDET. at 8 ,12 ,16 ,24 ,30  and 48 weeks.  EOT 15 Feb 2013 , UNDET. at EOT + 28 weeks. SVR!  Still Undet. at EOT +5 years

Malcolm
wmlj1960


Moderator

Status: Offline
Posts: 1559
Date:
Permalink  
 

Stormybc wrote:

 I am at a stage 4 liver fibrosis cirrhosis which mean the worst scarring there is.  I haven't had any Drs say I csn have lazer to cure the scarring and I haven't had any Drs say I need a transplant yet

 Hi Stormy.

 The "lazer" that Ari is referring to is used for removing a lesion, which is an abnormal spot on the liver which is not uncommon in cirrhotics. The "scarring" you mentioned is scarred liver tissue which is present with all cirrhotics and cannot be cured via laser.

You, Ari, me and Malcolm (mallani) are all 4 classed as cirrhotics but that does not mean we all 4 have this issue with lesions. Ari and I do and mine has shown lately to be of less concern so I only have an MRI done every 6 months now (as opposed to every 3 months last year) to keep it under observation. Ari, however (it sounds to me like), is in the process of having more test done and will possibly have hers removed.

 This is an elementary explanation and Malcolm can explain in much better detail if needed. I just want to make sure you know the difference between a "lazer" for a ''lesion'' and ''scarred liver tissue''. smile

Ari, you are right, everyone's story's "are more complex than they appear in a few posts on a forum". As such, I assume you are aware that there is more than size to consider with your lesion. They look at washout and some things Malcolm can explain. Based on some of my past MRI 'final reports' my lesion was reported as 18mm at one point last year and is now (10-24-15) reported as 9mm, so obviously 18mm was not sufficient reason to treat mine. Based on this I hope you too will be able to continue with MRI monitoring and the lesion will not cause any problem for you. Good luck!



__________________

60 yo, geno 1a, Dx 1994 HCV-HIV co-inf, Dx 2013 decompensated cirrhosis
Tx #1 - 24wks Sov+Riba /SOT 7-24-2014/UND@EOT/DETECTED@EOT+16 wks
Tx #2 - 24wks Harvoni /SOT 7-25-2015/UND@EOT,+12,+24,+52 = SVR

Mike

How To Create Your Signature / Forum Abbreviation Definitions

Support This Forum
Stormybc


Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 10
Date:
Permalink  
 

I am just about to embark on treatment for Hep C. I am at a stage 4 liver fibrosis cirrhosis which mean the worst scarring there is.  I haven't had any Drs say I csn have lazer to cure the scarring and I haven't had any Drs say I need a transplant yet, but then there not very communicative with us here in BC.  They won't even test the viral load until week 12 of completed Harvoni as the BC gov won't pay for it.  They can't tell me what it would cost if I offer to pay for it myself either. So it seems the systems are far from perfect in every country.  I think if you only have one scar and you just started to have elevated enzyme levels you don't have much to worry about as far as your liver functioning.  Huge organ can take quite a beating. I have had this virus ravaging mine for 35 years.  Still walking around. Liver is only organ in body that can grow itself back from just a piece of it, if there is no longer the virus attacking it.  So I have been told.  So good luck in your journey and if your enzymes are slightly elevated it just means  it's  starting to be affecteD but has a long way to go yet.    



__________________
Ari-anna


Veteran Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 78
Date:
Permalink  
 

Thanks for the positive and encouraging comments. I will be very happy to clear this virus, not least because in New Zealand treatment is currently not funded in the free public system. If the Viekira Pak I got through the compassionate programme does not work there are very limited other options until the generic versions become available.

The lesion mallani referred to was first picked up on MRI late 2014 ordered after my alpha fatal protein levels spiked. It could not be seen on ultra-sound scan which meant it could not be zapped via laser and a liver transplant was considered. This put stress levels at peak load as I was in the midst of a lengthy and distressing insurance battle post major earthquakes that had damaged my house and devastated my region 4 years previously.

My son and I went on an adventure to a larger centre for transplant assessments etc; eventually they decided the lesion did not warrant a transplant. As the alpha fatal protein levels went up and down it was assumed this was just part of having cirrhosis. Whew, then my only worries were living with Hep C, living in damaged house in a post disaster city and the insurance claim.

The insurance claim has now been settled (nearly 5 yrs post event) and I am in the midst of managing rebuilding my home.

In the meantime the lesion has grown (9mm to 14mm) as found on a recent MRI. I am now in line for an ultrasound scan to make sure it can be zapped in the local hospital. My alpha fatal protein levels are normal, however, I am assuming it is important that the lesion is treated as in New Zealand you don't get treatment under the free hospital system unless you really need it.

Bit of a lengthy story, I imagine most peoples stories are more complex than they appear in a few posts on a forum.

Aroha to all,

Ari



__________________

Genotype 1a diagnosed 2005, Cirrhosis.

Pyglated Interferon/Ribavirin 2006, non-responder 

Viekira Pak/Ribavirin 24 weeks, virus undetected EOT 12 weeks SVR Feb 2016

New Zealand 64 yo
wmlj1960


Moderator

Status: Offline
Posts: 1559
Date:
Permalink  
 

That's great news Ari! EOT+4 undetected is an excellent indication that you'll see SVR-12, even with us cirrhotics. It's been a tough 10 year battle for you but this time you will succeed and you can look forward to your liver making more improvement in time. Keep doing what your doing and keep us up to date on your progress! smile



__________________

60 yo, geno 1a, Dx 1994 HCV-HIV co-inf, Dx 2013 decompensated cirrhosis
Tx #1 - 24wks Sov+Riba /SOT 7-24-2014/UND@EOT/DETECTED@EOT+16 wks
Tx #2 - 24wks Harvoni /SOT 7-25-2015/UND@EOT,+12,+24,+52 = SVR

Mike

How To Create Your Signature / Forum Abbreviation Definitions

Support This Forum
mallani


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 3398
Date:
Permalink  
 

Hi Ari-anna,

Looking good. Best of luck for the SVR-12.

How's your liver lesion doing? Are you having an MRI? Cheers.



__________________

Geno 1b, IL28B CT,  x3 prior relapser,  ex-cirrhotic, 75 yo, did 48 weeks with Victrelis/Peg./Riba.  VL 1.28m at start, UNDET. at 8 ,12 ,16 ,24 ,30  and 48 weeks.  EOT 15 Feb 2013 , UNDET. at EOT + 28 weeks. SVR!  Still Undet. at EOT +5 years

Malcolm
Linuxter


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 1515
Date:
Permalink  
 

Nice Numbers Ari-anna I'll cross my fingers and toes ... wishin' ya well!

 

Be Well,

Linux



__________________

63yy,HCV,2b,F3-A1, Sof/Riba,12wks Tx   SOT: 1/20/16, HCV-RNA 9,816,581, ALT 56, Hb 14.6

4wk: HCV-RNA <15 Detected, ALT 15, AST 17, Hb 13.6 EOT: 4/12/16, ALT 18 , Hb 12.9176a2f85d05d9c965eafe199f2ba9ba5.jpg SVR Achieved 7/8/16

 
Ari-anna


Veteran Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 78
Date:
Permalink  
 

Just seen my doctor - very happy to say that my liver stats for the first time in many a year are within normal range, and, viral load at 4 weeks post treatment is undetected!

Viral load start of treatment HCV RNA 191810 IU/ml

4 weeks into treatment - undetected

end of 24 weeks Viekira Pak plus Ribavirin - undetected

4 weeks post treatment - undetected

One more blood test to go (12 weeks post treatment) 

Fingers crossed!!!!



__________________

Genotype 1a diagnosed 2005, Cirrhosis.

Pyglated Interferon/Ribavirin 2006, non-responder 

Viekira Pak/Ribavirin 24 weeks, virus undetected EOT 12 weeks SVR Feb 2016

New Zealand 64 yo
Page 1 of 1  sorted by
 
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.
Hep C Discussion Forum -> Post Treatment -> Looking good for me!
Legal Disclaimer:

THIS FORUM, IT'S OWNERS, ADMINISTRATORS, MODERATORS AND MEMBERS DO NOT AT ANY TIME GIVE MEDICAL ADVICE AND IN ALL CASES REFER ANYONE HERE TO SEEK APPROPRIATE MEDICAL ADVICE FROM THEIR DOCTOR.