Starting treatment soon.

[keith_kar]

First of all, I'm hep c positive, diagnosed decades ago. Everything has been 'good' until recently. I had some bloodwork done about a month ago. My liver enzymes spiked (they've always been good), so my GI doctor ordered a fibroscan. The result was a 13, so I was diagnosed as F3 via the scan. Since I got the news of the the spiked enzymes, I've been experiencing lower abdominal discomfort and digestive issues. I went to see my general doctor, and he is treating this as a separate issue, and not as a symptom of hep c.

I want to get going on the treatment, but the concern is the abdominal issues might delay the start, until they figure out the cause. I'm thinking it's all related to symptoms of the virus, and the treatment might clear that up.

Great informative board, by the way. Any thoughts on this?

[Ruby1960]

can I ask why you have not been treated for the virus having a diagnosis for so long? I was told that the longer you have the virus the more damage will be done to your liver. I got hep c from contaminated blood in the 80,s and it wasn’t picked up for over 30 years. I have now been treated but sadly have developed cirrhosis.

[keith_kar in reply to Ruby1960]

Thank you, Ruby. I always had perfect scans and numbers, but you're right, I should have jumped at the chance for treatment a couple of years ago. But this is where I'm at today, so I can't look back. I'm still very treatable.

[majorda]

Hi Keith, you must ask your doctor to prescribe you Maviret. When I had a blood test (first one ever at the age of 71)they picked up that I had Hep C and said it must have been in me for decades. The doctor prescribed me Maviret which cleared the Hep C in 6 weeks , INSIST ON IT. Unfortunately the Hep C was now active and I was diagnosed with liver cancer which had progressed to the stage that it was stage 3 or 4 and surgery, embolization and other treatments were out of the question.

[keith_kar in reply to majorda]

Hi Majorda, My doctor will start me on Epclusa, hopefully this week. I'm still at the point where my condition is very treatable, my doctor ensures me. The med is supposedly able to clear the virus in 4 weeks, as well. I'm sorry to hear about all you went through. Apparently my latest UC didn't reveal any cancer, fortunately.

[AthenaJason]

I had undiagnosed Hep C for 40 years. Was only diagnosed when doctors scanned and found a 7mm HCC. I had treatment for the virus and a liver resection but unfortunately the HCC has returned. I’m doing well on immunotherapy. I’m no medic but I cannot think of a single more important thing for you to do than to get the treatment asap. Every good wish to you.

[keith_kar in reply to AthenaJason]

Agree 100%, treatment asap, and thanks