Tracey's friend

[Guest guest]

Tracey wrote,

> I have a best friend of 20 years that has been diagnosised with Hep C, &

> liver damage, it was suggested that he get interferon about two

> years ago.

> I have been doing research here and there to get any knowledge I

> can to try

> and keep him healthy as he doesn't want and part of 'chemo'.

>

> He has spider angioma's, white/pale finger nails, fever, pain in

> his liver

> area (he did have a biopsy about two years ago), flu feelings

> often, feverish,

> headaches, nosebleeds, and enlarged stomach which has happened

> within the

> past 5 months or so (not sure if it is fat or ascities, it's hard

> not squishy

> like fat can be)

If your friend had a biopsy two years ago that was negative for cirrhosis,

but he has spider angiomas and ascites, I advise him to talk to his doctor

about a new biopsy. I'm not a doctor -- don't even play one on TV -- but

three of 's hepatologists have told me that spider angiomas are

(especially for men -- women can get them during pregnancy) almost always a

sign of serious liver trouble, likely to be cirrhosis.

The enlarged stomach with no weight gain elsewhere (possibly even muscle

wasting) is, indeed, symptomatic of ascites. Again, other things than liver

diseases can cause ascites, but with the range of symptoms you describe it

sounds like your friend's liver is seriously compromised.

Interestingly, there is no 'chemo' for cirrhosis. The protocol is to treat

the cause (Hep C in your friend's case?), refrain from drinking, eat a

healthy, low sodium diet, get the ascites under control and generally live a

healthy, temperate life. Right now doesn't take any meds regularly

excepting for a pain medication (timed-release morphine -- those with liver

disease should generally refrain from taking any OTC pain meds) for pain in

his leg that developed when he had ascites and has not gone away. The

doctor's suspect a damaged nerve. He did have nosebleeds when his ascites

was very bad.

Some people will advise that your friend get on the transplant list. That is

helpful for many, but not indicated for all. He should definitely talk to

his doctor about his eligibility for a transplant.

Again, those of us here are not doctors. We can share our own experience

(or, as in my case, that of a loved one).

Hope you find this helpful.

Dorothy