Any theory on how to reverse fibrosos

[amberegg]

Hey when I started tx my liver biopsy revealed gd 1 stg 2. Does anyone know anthing about  ways to reverse fibrosis? Also Dr decreased my riba to 800 from 1000 when my ANC hit 504. Now on neuprogen waiting test results from Monday. If the neuts go up  should I try to increase riba back to 1000. Whats the function of riba exactly?

[NYgirl]

See below.

Also, The liver can regenerate as long as it's not cirhhotic you can go down a stage in treatment.

[Kalio1]

Actually the liver can regenerate even if it is cirrhotic, or so it appears. Interferon can improve liver histology in some. there are also some new avenues being developed that show reversal of fibrosis even at the cirrhotic level. Here is a link to some new developments on this subject.
http://www.wellcome.ac.uk/doc_WTX033662.html

[NYgirl]

I love to be wrong on information like that I truly do!  :)

[amberegg]

but does anyone know of an herb or vitamin that help to reverse?

[Kalio1]

If you look online, practically all plaes ay it is not reversable. Goofy mentioned when I as dx with it that yes, it could be reversed and that started me on my journey to find out what I could about it. Believe me, plenty of doctors still say it isn't reversible too. The miracle of medicine is that things change quickly. You don't have to be cirrhotic to benefit from the new reversal avenues, you can still have  pre cirrhotic fibrosis you might want to try to reverse too. It looks like it will be a pill we take. So on top of all the IFN that must be making our livers better, we have things on the horizon that have great potential to reverse our damage.

PS. I am so glad you were able to resolve the med. issues somewhat. I hope in the long run, maybe with a letter from Dr. J your insurance will reimburse you and your Mom for the supply you had to purchase. I heard you say you might stop in 3 more months... oh dear, if you do that I am going to want to stop too!!
You can be sure I will be cheering you on saying it's only 3 more months! My top date is Feb. 28th and I can't WAIT!
I plan to come consult with Dr. J if this round doesn't do the trick.

[APKhaos]

My TX is under the Liver Diseases Center of a large teaching hospital. When I asked this question before tx, they said that they had observed regeneration [reduction in fibrosis] of one to two grades in 12 months of SVR. They also said that the conventional wisdom was that this was not possible, but they are now convinced that it is.

AFAIK, no additional drug therapy was involved in these cases.

[NYgirl]

Be leery of people selling you "supplements" and "cures" and "fix alls".

If it's not something you'd find in a pharmacy...and you hear about it online...be careful.

[kyum1971]

eat healthy,exercise and foods rich in protein and fibre.its all you can do.

[GoofyDad]

Another experimental therapy involves harvesting stem cells, cultivating more, and then reintroducing the crop of cloned cells back into the patient, possibly directly into the portal vein.

[Kalio1]

I saw that! Pretty trippy isn't it? Now if they could do that with brain cells..

these options are in pre trial stages, so I guess more wait and see.

[jboyhk]

This is a promising drug to reverse fibrosis (and maybe early cirrhosis).

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/5382172.stm

[Kalio1]

That is the same one I posted about at the top of the page. Pretty exciting stuff. I think using our own stem cells is incredible medicine too. I agree with what you said in the other thread, that it has the potential to eliminate lots of drugs and procedures and be a more cost effective solution to some medical issues someday, not to mention the benefit of using your own stem cells rather than from a donor.