Re: Biopsy or not biopsy, that is the question

[Guest guest]

Don,

I haven't had one yet. My Dr doesn't want to do it till after I am done with treatment. Regardless of what the results would be, I would still be doing treatment so she wanted to spare me one more needle poke till absolutely necessary. I could have pushed to have it b4 treatment but trust her judgement.

Ally

On 10/19/06, Don Hoskin <eust2be@...> wrote:

There has been a question lately, and other times previously, about biopsy and the need for one. Someone responded that they thought that most everyone in this group has had one, and perhaps that is true. I haven't, and here's why. I'm a haemophiliac, and didn't want to risk the invasive procedure. I realise that it can be done safely in haemophiliacs, but there is still an increased risk that I didn't want to take. My BCLD accepted that without question, and I began treatment. (I'm now 10 months post, and acheived SVR.) If one has HepC, knows their viral load, and is ready to treat, why is it important to know the extent of liver damage? Perhaps one can stall if there isn't much damage, but if you're ready to go for whatever reasons, does one really need one?

For example, on 10/19/06, someone wrote:

" Oops forgot to add that if your having issues with your ammonia already then it sounds like your disease is advanced so the viral load shouldnt matter at this point . What more inportant to go on is the biopsy . ESLD= end stage liver disease , so your doc is making a mistake in not treating you now. "

OK, if this person's disease is advanced and they should treat, why is the biopsy important? I am not trying to start a controversy, or disregard the opinions or feelings of others, but I want to present another view and find out if I am missing the point.

Good health,Don

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[Guest guest]

Because it gives a baseline . Also a biopsy can tell the doctor is there is abnormal amounts of iron stored in the liver . The biopsy is a key to telling the doctors a number of things not just what stage and grade they are at . Now... you are a hemophilliac so I can understand you not wanting to have one , the risk is great . But for those that aren't there is just no reason not to ...

Biopsy or not biopsy, that is the question

There has been a question lately, and other times previously, about biopsy and the need for one. Someone responded that they thought that most everyone in this group has had one, and perhaps that is true. I haven't, and here's why. I'm a haemophiliac, and didn't want to risk the invasive procedure. I realise that it can be done safely in haemophiliacs, but there is still an increased risk that I didn't want to take. My BCLD accepted that without question, and I began treatment. (I'm now 10 months post, and acheived SVR.) If one has HepC, knows their viral load, and is ready to treat, why is it important to know the extent of liver damage? Perhaps one can stall if there isn't much damage, but if you're ready to go for whatever reasons, does one really need one?For example, on 10/19/06, someone wrote:

"Oops forgot to add that if your having issues with your ammonia already then it sounds like your disease is advanced so the viral load shouldnt matter at this point . What more inportant to go on is the biopsy . ESLD= end stage liver disease , so your doc is making a mistake in not treating you now."OK, if this person's disease is advanced and they should treat, why is the biopsy important? I am not trying to start a controversy, or disregard the opinions or feelings of others, but I want to present another view and find out if I am missing the point.Good health,Don

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[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/19/2006 5:13:50 PM Central Daylight Time, elizabethnv1@... writes:

But for those that aren't there is just no reason not to ..

My doctor said there was no point in me taking Interferon again since it didnt work the first time--about 10 years ago. They did take a biopsy before the interferon, and I saw how scarred my liver really was. I asked my current doctor if I could have another biopsy, but he said that there wasn't any point to it. ly, I just wanted to know how bad it is, but it seems that so many of you are feeling so bad, I quit worrying about myself. I continue to be amazed at the strength and courage of so many of you. Because of my age I don't have to do anything I don't feel like doing--and my husband is fine with that. I am a very lucky person, I think, and maybe just a little ashamed of myself, too.

Dar

[Guest guest]

I am far from being a medical expert, just new and learning, and was

very scared of the biopsy because it just SOUNDED scary. Well, I have

to say that I am so glad that I had it done, and I actually feel very

proud that I conquered my fear for the good of my health. How

wonderful it is not to wonder and imagine what the situation is " in

there " - we know what our imaginations can do!- but to actually know

and then be ready to take the next step.

For those for whom no risk is present, my (uneducated) opinion is

that is wise to get the biopsy done, and as soon after diagnosis as

possible!

And, as Liz mentioned, it's a baseline: if you don't have a baseline,

how can you accurately measure the degree of improvement or decline

in your liver's condition?

>

> " Oops forgot to add that if your having issues with your ammonia

already then it sounds like your disease is advanced so the viral

load shouldnt matter at this point . What more inportant to go on is

the biopsy . ESLD= end stage liver disease , so your doc is making a

mistake in not treating you now. "

>

> OK, if this person's disease is advanced and they should treat,

why is the biopsy important? I am not trying to start a controversy,

or disregard the opinions or feelings of others, but I want to

present another view and find out if I am missing the point.

>

> Good health,

>

> Don

>

> Send instant messages to your online friends

http://uk.messenger.

>

[Guest guest]

Dar,, the interferon 10 years ago was not pegged and this kind is MUCH more effective,, are you sure you dont want to treat again? I dont know how old you are and that does play a part in things..but I know many who failed the monotherapy years ago and have successfully treated with the newer INF and cleared... just an idea jaxharlequinade3315@... wrote: In a message dated 10/19/2006 5:13:50 PM Central Daylight

Time, elizabethnv1earthlink (DOT) net writes: But for those that aren't there is just no reason not to ..My doctor said there was no point in me taking Interferon again since it didnt work the first time--about 10 years ago. They did take a biopsy before the interferon, and I saw how scarred my liver really was. I asked my current doctor if I could have another biopsy, but he said that there wasn't any point to it. ly, I just wanted to know how bad it is, but it seems that so many of you are feeling so bad, I quit worrying about myself. I continue to be amazed at the strength and courage of so many of you.

Because of my age I don't have to do anything I don't feel like doing--and my husband is fine with that. I am a very lucky person, I think, and maybe just a little ashamed of myself, too.Dar Jackie

[Guest guest]

YOU are so right and IM glad you did it and NOW YOU KNOW...marvindamartian05 <marvindamartian05@...> wrote: I am far from being a medical expert, just new and learning, and was very scared of the biopsy because it just SOUNDED scary. Well, I have to say that I am so glad that I had it done, and I actually feel very proud that I conquered my fear for the good of my health. How wonderful it is not to wonder and imagine what the situation is "in there" - we know what our imaginations can do!- but to

actually know and then be ready to take the next step.For those for whom no risk is present, my (uneducated) opinion is that is wise to get the biopsy done, and as soon after diagnosis as possible!And, as Liz mentioned, it's a baseline: if you don't have a baseline, how can you accurately measure the degree of improvement or decline in your liver's condition? > > "Oops forgot to add that if your having issues with your ammonia already then it sounds like your disease is advanced so the viral load shouldnt matter at this point . What more inportant to go on is the biopsy . ESLD= end stage liver disease , so your doc is making a mistake in not treating you now."> > OK, if this person's disease is advanced and they should treat, why is the biopsy important? I am not trying to start a controversy, or disregard the opinions or feelings of others, but I want to present another view and find out if I am missing the point.> > Good health,> > Don> > Send instant messages to your online

friends http://uk.messenger.>Jackie

[Guest guest]

Don, I agree with you IF ONE IS GOING TO treat FOR SURE,, but lots of people predicate the treatment on the outcome of the biopsy.. and some ppl really DONT want to do tx so they must know how much damage they have ,, does that make sense?Ally <4thMoon@...> wrote: Don, I haven't had one yet. My Dr doesn't want to do it till after I am done with treatment. Regardless of what the results would be, I would still be doing treatment so she wanted to spare me one more

needle poke till absolutely necessary. I could have pushed to have it b4 treatment but trust her judgement. Ally On 10/19/06, Don Hoskin <eust2be (DOT) co.uk> wrote: There has been a question lately, and other times previously, about biopsy and the need for one. Someone responded that they thought that most everyone in this group has had one, and perhaps that is true. I haven't, and here's why. I'm a haemophiliac, and didn't want to risk the invasive procedure. I realise that it can be done safely in haemophiliacs, but there is still an increased risk that I didn't want to take. My BCLD accepted that without question,

and I began treatment. (I'm now 10 months post, and acheived SVR.) If one has HepC, knows their viral load, and is ready to treat, why is it important to know the extent of liver damage? Perhaps one can stall if there isn't much damage, but if you're ready to go for whatever reasons, does one really need one? For example, on 10/19/06, someone wrote: "Oops forgot to add that if your having issues with your ammonia already then it sounds like your disease is advanced so the viral load shouldnt matter at this point . What more inportant to go on is the biopsy . ESLD= end stage liver disease , so your doc is making a mistake in not treating you now." OK, if this person's disease is advanced and they should treat, why is the biopsy important? I am not trying to start a controversy, or disregard the opinions or feelings of others, but I want to present another view and find out if I am

missing the point. Good health,Don Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger. Jackie

[Guest guest]

No reason to feel ashamed of yourself Dar , you are a very lucky person . You have lived many yrs with hep and so far your still here to tell the tale , and I admire you for that .

Re: Biopsy or not biopsy, that is the question

In a message dated 10/19/2006 5:13:50 PM Central Daylight Time, elizabethnv1earthlink (DOT) net writes:

But for those that aren't there is just no reason not to ..My doctor said there was no point in me taking Interferon again since it didnt work the first time--about 10 years ago. They did take a biopsy before the interferon, and I saw how scarred my liver really was. I asked my current doctor if I could have another biopsy, but he said that there wasn't any point to it. ly, I just wanted to know how bad it is, but it seems that so many of you are feeling so bad, I quit worrying about myself. I continue to be amazed at the strength and courage of so many of you. Because of my age I don't have to do anything I don't feel like doing--and my husband is fine with that. I am a very lucky person, I think, and maybe just a little ashamed of myself, too.Dar

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/19/2006 10:42:50 PM Central Daylight Time, redjaxjm@... writes:

Dar,, the interferon 10 years ago was not pegged and this kind is MUCH more effective,, are you sure you dont want to treat again? I dont know how old you are and that does play a part in things..but I know many who failed the monotherapy years ago and have successfully treated with the newer INF and cleared... just an idea

jax

Well, I'm 75, and my doctor said because it failed the first time, there was only a 10% chance of it working again, and he is a doggone good doctor. The Hep C is rearing its ugly head again, but so far it has just made me tired, my stomach hurts occasionally, and I'm getting red spots in various places. That's not too bad considering everything else. I know that many people on this list feel MUCH worse than I do. Fortunately for me, I have a very high pain threshold, too. What would put some people in bed just irritates me. Also, I have a terrific husband who never questions me about doing any work around the house. He is such a sweetie, and doesn't mind me not working or cooking. He is just happy I'm still around.I figure I'm one of the luckiest people in the world. I sure do put these nice people in my prayers, though.

Love

Dar

[Guest guest]

well Im not sure if his percentages are correct now with the newer pegged inf with riba,, maybe Liz can find out for us. but I agree that at 75 it might be hard to tx,, but I do know of one lady who was 93 who successfully treated.. You also might have other medical problems that tx could exacerbate that we here on this forum dont know about,, so following your doc is a good idea.. jaxharlequinade3315@... wrote: In a

message dated 10/19/2006 10:42:50 PM Central Daylight Time, redjaxjm writes: Dar,, the interferon 10 years ago was not pegged and this kind is MUCH more effective,, are you sure you dont want to treat again? I dont know how old you are and that does play a part in things..but I know many who failed the monotherapy years ago and have successfully treated with the newer INF and cleared... just an ideajaxWell, I'm 75, and my doctor said because it failed the first time, there was only a 10% chance of it working again, and he is a doggone good doctor. The Hep C is rearing its ugly head again, but so far it has just made me tired, my stomach hurts occasionally, and I'm getting red spots in various places. That's not too bad considering everything else. I know that many people on this list feel MUCH worse than I do. Fortunately for me, I have

a very high pain threshold, too. What would put some people in bed just irritates me. Also, I have a terrific husband who never questions me about doing any work around the house. He is such a sweetie, and doesn't mind me not working or cooking. He is just happy I'm still around.I figure I'm one of the luckiest people in the world. I sure do put these nice people in my prayers, though. LoveDar Jackie

[Guest guest]

With the newer meds like Infergen the odds of clearing are much higher for previous nonresponders . I don't know the exact numbers off hand ( cause right now my brain is mush ) but I will do the research on it tomorrow .

Re: Biopsy or not biopsy, that is the question

well Im not sure if his percentages are correct now with the newer pegged inf with riba,, maybe Liz can find out for us. but I agree that at 75 it might be hard to tx,, but I do know of one lady who was 93 who successfully treated.. You also might have other medical problems that tx could exacerbate that we here on this forum dont know about,, so following your doc is a good idea..

jaxharlequinade3315cs wrote:

In a message dated 10/19/2006 10:42:50 PM Central Daylight Time, redjaxjm writes:

Dar,, the interferon 10 years ago was not pegged and this kind is MUCH more effective,, are you sure you dont want to treat again? I dont know how old you are and that does play a part in things..but I know many who failed the monotherapy years ago and have successfully treated with the newer INF and cleared... just an ideajaxWell, I'm 75, and my doctor said because it failed the first time, there was only a 10% chance of it working again, and he is a doggone good doctor. The Hep C is rearing its ugly head again, but so far it has just made me tired, my stomach hurts occasionally, and I'm getting red spots in various places. That's not too bad considering everything else. I know that many people on this list feel MUCH worse than I do. Fortunately for me, I have a very high pain threshold, too. What would put some people in bed just irritates me. Also, I have a terrific husband who never questions me about doing any work around the house. He is such a sweetie, and doesn't mind me not working or cooking. He is just happy I'm still around.I figure I'm one of the luckiest people in the world. I sure do put these nice people in my prayers, though. LoveDar

Jackie