This topic gives me hope! So glad for members who have knowledge and take time to Share with others. Thank you so much
mallani said
Jun 18, 2012
Phil is correct- I was trying to keep it simple. My Child-Pugh score is 5, which is why I say I am well-compensated at the moment. If I can obtain SVR, my hepatologist thinks I can stay at this level for 15-20 years, but obviously need regular monitoring for HCC. Progression of cirrhosis is very uncertain, and as HCV has only been around for 22 years, not a lot is known about cirrhosis after SVR.
52baddog said
Jun 18, 2012
Thank you Phil and Mallani. I am learning so much from this forum. God Bless you all.
Phil G said
Jun 18, 2012
Those parameters that Mallini described are collectively referred to as the Child-Pugh score. My insurance did not require a biopsy, but did require a Child-Pugh score indicating compensated and not decompensated liver disease.
52baddog said
Jun 18, 2012
Mallani:
what do you mean by well compensated?
mallani said
Jun 17, 2012
Well compensated means the liver is still doing it's job. Some blood tests that prove this are: bilirubin, APT, albumin, bleeding time (prothrombin time). If these are all normal, you are compensated. The liver enzymes ( ALT, AST and GGT) are not included. There are slightly elevated in my case, but they vary a lot and indicate hepatocyte damage. Interferon can cause a raised ALT by itself. Liver imaging by ultrasound, CT or MRI is essentially normal in my case.
You can live with compensated cirrhosis for a long time. If you can eradicate the HCV, there will not be any further cell death, fibrosis will stabilise, and it is possible for the liver to "mend" itself to some extent. The risk of HCC drops dramatically once the virus is removed.
Decompensated cirrhosis will cause end- stage liver disease. Patients may become jaundiced as bilirubin levels rise, there may be ascites due to low albumin, there may be bleeding from varices associated with portal hypertension and encephalopathy due to toxic compounds that the liver can no longer process.
-- Edited by mallani on Monday 18th of June 2012 07:14:49 AM
greenqueen said
Jun 17, 2012
Moved to General Discussion
Love Steff xx
mallani said
Jun 17, 2012
I have had cirrhosis for at least 10 years. Diagnosed by liver Bx and Fibroscan. I am still well compensated, and am now at week 14 of triple Rx with Victrelis. If the Rx is successful, my chance of developing HCC drop remarkably, and the degree of cirrhosis can be reduced. The Sx are pretty bad, particularly fatigue, and I think cirrhotics do not handle Rx as well. Will need 48 weeks of Rx.
krowdog said
Jun 17, 2012
Sure, lots of people are doing it.
As far as I know, the only contraindication for tx is uncompensated liver disease (basically liver failure).
Brad
52baddog said
Jun 16, 2012
If you have cirrohsis, can you still take the triple therapy without damaging your liver.
So glad for members who have
knowledge and take time to
Share with others.
Thank you so much
Phil is correct- I was trying to keep it simple. My Child-Pugh score is 5, which is why I say I am well-compensated at the moment. If I can obtain SVR, my hepatologist thinks I can stay at this level for 15-20 years, but obviously need regular monitoring for HCC. Progression of cirrhosis is very uncertain, and as HCV has only been around for 22 years, not a lot is known about cirrhosis after SVR.
Thank you Phil and Mallani. I am learning so much from this forum. God Bless you all.
Those parameters that Mallini described are collectively referred to as the Child-Pugh score. My insurance did not require a biopsy, but did require a Child-Pugh score indicating compensated and not decompensated liver disease.
Mallani:
what do you mean by well compensated?
Well compensated means the liver is still doing it's job. Some blood tests that prove this are: bilirubin, APT, albumin, bleeding time (prothrombin time). If these are all normal, you are compensated. The liver enzymes ( ALT, AST and GGT) are not included. There are slightly elevated in my case, but they vary a lot and indicate hepatocyte damage. Interferon can cause a raised ALT by itself. Liver imaging by ultrasound, CT or MRI is essentially normal in my case.
You can live with compensated cirrhosis for a long time. If you can eradicate the HCV, there will not be any further cell death, fibrosis will stabilise, and it is possible for the liver to "mend" itself to some extent. The risk of HCC drops dramatically once the virus is removed.
Decompensated cirrhosis will cause end- stage liver disease. Patients may become jaundiced as bilirubin levels rise, there may be ascites due to low albumin, there may be bleeding from varices associated with portal hypertension and encephalopathy due to toxic compounds that the liver can no longer process.
-- Edited by mallani on Monday 18th of June 2012 07:14:49 AM
Moved to General Discussion
Love Steff xx
I have had cirrhosis for at least 10 years. Diagnosed by liver Bx and Fibroscan. I am still well compensated, and am now at week 14 of triple Rx with Victrelis. If the Rx is successful, my chance of developing HCC drop remarkably, and the degree of cirrhosis can be reduced. The Sx are pretty bad, particularly fatigue, and I think cirrhotics do not handle Rx as well. Will need 48 weeks of Rx.
Sure, lots of people are doing it.
As far as I know, the only contraindication for tx is uncompensated liver disease (basically liver failure).
Brad
If you have cirrohsis, can you still take the triple therapy without damaging your liver.