Transplant with Hep C ?

[Jenna2007]

Hello All

Does anyone  had a transplant along with Hep C infection ?

Please share you experience about this

Thanks

[paris]

Read "Amanda got the call day before my wedding"  Could be helpful.

[frankieb]

  Hi Jenna,
Yes,  Hep C positive a long time.  First diagnosed in '85 was told I had non-A/non-B,  later it was renamed(hep C).  I had my first transplant in '91 lasted until this past July.  No problems with the virus(still dormant).      Treatment as you may know is "interferon", a strong drug with wicked side-effects.  I was told that  it would be worse for me being immuno-suppressed and there was a small chance that the treatment could damage my kidney. Thats ALL I needed to hear, I decided against treatment and my doctor agreed.  Let sleeping dogs lie I say.   
In the meanwhile 
My beautiful sister is donating a kidney to me next week, so I hope my hep c stays dormant for at least another 20 years.
 
peace, Frankie

[Jenna2007]

thank you paris & Frankieb!

Frankieb .. hope everything went well today for both of you !

[Sluff]

Good luck Frankie B.

[Jenna2007]

Any news about Frankieb and Donna?

[okarol]

Any news about Frankieb and Donna?

Their surgery was scheduled for yesterday, so hopefully we will know more in the next few days!

[Jenna2007]

Hello Frankie ...
Hope u r doing well ..

You said your virus is "dormant", does this means the virul load is zero ? (PCR Quantitative = 0 )

Thanks

  Hi Jenna,
Yes,  Hep C positive a long time.  First diagnosed in '85 was told I had non-A/non-B,  later it was renamed(hep C).  I had my first transplant in '91 lasted until this past July.  No problems with the virus(still dormant).      Treatment as you may know is "interferon", a strong drug with wicked side-effects.  I was told that  it would be worse for me being immuno-suppressed and there was a small chance that the treatment could damage my kidney. Thats ALL I needed to hear, I decided against treatment and my doctor agreed.  Let sleeping dogs lie I say.   
In the meanwhile 
My beautiful sister is donating a kidney to me next week, so I hope my hep c stays dormant for at least another 20 years.
 
peace, Frankie

[Amanda From OZ]

Jenna, dormant does not mean your viral load is 0.

If your viral load goes down to 0, it's safe to start to think you are either in remission or have fully recovered from hepatitis c. (depending on the time frame you are on remission for).

You would consider the disease "dormant" if you show no signs of symptoms and if your liver enzymes are all stable and okay.

Amanda
xxoo

[frankieb]

these are my lab results are from last month

HCV RNA IU/ml     ---    605000    (291000 back in 2001) ..............   Normal is  <50 IU/ml

HCV RNA,QN,PCR     ---    5.78      ..............    Normal is   < 1.70   1og  IU/ml

And what Amanda said... TRUE,  but sadly there still is no cure for Hep C.   Alot of people on the hep c forum swear by milk thissle(sp?) but I've never tried it. 

Just got your PM,   Sorry about your friend, glad she got another transplant.  Do you know her PCR? / Genotype,subtype?  I think the genotyping determines the severity of the Hep c

you have,  mine is genotype 1 subtype 1a.      for you and your friend

peace,  Frankieb

[Jenna2007]

Do you know her PCR? / Genotype,subtype? 

Thank  you Frankie & Amanda ..

PCR = 7.431
Normal Liver Function & no symptoms
Don't know Genotype !

Have you had a biopsy before ?

 

[st789]

How to keep the virus in dormant for such a long time?

[annabanana]

st789...I think the best way to keep HepC at bay is to have a very healthy lifestyle. Take extra-good care of your liver. My husband has not done that, and now he has all kinds of problems related to HepC. But everyone is different. Some people never even have one problem with it.   

[kidney4traci]

I don't have much to add, have not had transplant yet, but through the work  up they saw elvated liver enzymes.  I never knew I even had Hep C.  I have been lucky in keeping my numbers low too, and still on the transplant list post treatment with the interferon. 

[annabanana]

Here's info I got on MedHelp HepC site: a HepC positive on the transplant list can take either a healthy kidney or one that has been infected with HepC, so really you have more "choices".

[Jenna2007]

Here's info I got on MedHelp HepC site: a HepC positive on the transplant list can take either a healthy kidney or one that has been infected with HepC, so really you have more "choices".

annabanana , can you post the MedHelp link ? I'd like to email it to someone ..

Thanks 

[Jenna2007]

I don't have much to add, have not had transplant yet, but through the work  up they saw elvated liver enzymes.  I never knew I even had Hep C.  I have been lucky in keeping my numbers low too, and still on the transplant list post treatment with the interferon. 

kidney4traci,
For how long did you get the treatment ? 48 weeks ?
what is your viral load post treatment?

Thank you 

[annabanana]

Jenna, here is the forum I go to:

http://www.medhelp.org/forums/show/75

MedHelp also has a transplant forum that's great. This one might suit your needs better. Go to the MedHelp home page and you'll find a list of forums to join.