Germanium supplement dropping viral load

[medicmommy]

Hello!
I was wondering if anyone else has worked with a Naturopath that offers Elemental Germanium infusions to boost natural interferon? It has been proven to kill cancerous tumors in animals, but so far, no money for people studies...Since cancer is caused by viruses, I thought I'd try it for hep c... I had one dose of 2 grams, and my viral load went from 163,000 to 16,000 the week following the dose..Pretty cool, huh? Interestingly enough, I had similar side effects as you would from injected interferon...This is not the same as Germanium dioxide..

[GrandmaA]

That's very interesting. Thanks for sharing. How do you take it when they infuse it?

[medicmommy]

The dose I had was IV, but it does come in oral supplements too...

[gauf]

Having a huge drop in VL like you had would be a real plus prior to toxing, HOWEVER, from what I have read on this, Germanium (even organic) sounds very dangerous. Can cause kidney failure and death in some. 1 dose of 2 grams is a low dose though and if the results you got are typical, it deserves some more study.

[medicmommy]

The studies published on people had the germanium formula changed to germanium dioxide...And it did have renal toxicity...The elemental germanium I used comes from a reliable source with quality control in place so it is not contaminated. It has been used successfully to cure cancerous tumors in animals, and has been used experimentally in people...The research was stopped when the formula was changed...And yes, this is a typical response in viral load...

[gauf]

I have studied this now at length and am getting intrigued. Germanium 1-23 seems to be relatively safe. I have asked HR to comment when he gets time. Hope it is soon. Thanks for this.

[medicmommy]

If you'd like more information (possibly, as I don't know your sources), you can e-mail my Naturopath   ...***@**** name is Thomas Griffith, located in Olympia, WA

[kimmypoo2]

DID YOU HAVE ANY SIDE EFFECTS?

[Upbeat]

I received a reply to my email from Thomas Griffith.  

Hi Ron, I can send you some review information.  It largely focuses on the
treatment of cancer, but the important part is the mechanism of action which
is the potent stimulation of Interferon.  I believe the articles clearly
establish safety and mechanism of germanium sesquioxide.  The inherent
confusion about the safety of Germanium sesquioxide is also clarified, as
there has been much published in error.  I firmly believe in the safety and
low side effect profile of this compound and think it may extremely helpful
as an alternative to interferon.  Anyone considering this treatment will
monitored closely with standard conventional labs to quantify effectiveness
and verify the lack of toxic effects.  Please look the articles over and
pass them on to any interested parties.

Thanks for your interest,

Tom Griffith ND

He emailed a couple of artictles in PDF but I don't know how to put it here. If any one would like them I will email them to you.
                                                                                                                       Ron

[medicmommy]

I had mild interferon stimulus type sides...chills, ugh feeling, low energy, dull headache and mild nausea...That was it...that lasted about 5 days, then I suddenly felt better! -As if a switch were flipped! Then I had my labs drawn, along with my pcr...Which had dropped a full log value...Pretty wild, huh?

[Aim1]

I wonder if it's worth a shot for non-responders? I am guessing no, but since it stimulates your own body to produce more interferon, maybe the results would be different.
Terry

[gauf]

Did you take this because you were a non-responder? Have you tried it on tox? Will it interfere with the interferon we take on tox?  Wonder if taking this with Alinia is a good idea also.

[incharge08]

hi - I am interested in alternative tx. I have two questions. How do you find someone qualified to administer the tx and is it expensive? thanks for any info

[medicmommy]

I tried this in attempts to avoid or delay conventional tx...I'm still considering one more dose even though I'm scheduled to start the interferon on Monday...I would delay the tx start rather than doing both at the same time just because I'm not sure the effect on me of both together...I had done a 3 month trial (just to see the effect would be good enough to buy a lot more time) of the Japanese hepatitis tx Sho-saiko-to just prior to this...It worked well in keeping my liver enzymes normal and keeping my viral load lower...It is designed to repair fibrosis, but not cure hepatitis...My Naturopath had suggested the Germanium originally, but I wanted to see the effects of the well-known SST first...The IV dose of germanium was $110...And the SST was $60/ month, not too bad in comparison to the $ of the Pegasys and Copegus...I am wishing now I'd done the Germanium first..I'm not sure what the $ of the oral Germanium is, and if the oral works as rapidly as the IV...Because of the precautions of not using SST with synthetic interferon, I'd elected to do the SST first...If I turn out to be a nonresponder, I will happily do the SST and doses of germanium again...Perhaps it will work as a nontoxic cure...In the mean time, and for a long list of personal reasons, I've elected to go ahead with the conventional tx now...

[medicmommy]

Hello! In response...I am using a Naturopath that has experience in treating cancer as well as systemic disease...I'm not sure all Naturopaths are qualified in this area...I don't think all those who call themselves Naturopaths have the same amount of education...Before you settle with one, ask their experience in liver health and cancer treatment (a lot of similarities to txing hepatitis) and if they are familiar with this treatment...Verify they have gone to an accredited school for 4 or more years and have obtained a degree...Even better is if you can find a PHD that is a Naturopath...Make sure, if you do this kind of treatment, that they follow your blood levels closely...I have had no problems at all, but would still want the assurance of looking for any adverse stuff like anemia or renal problems...does this help? If you'd like, my naturopath welcomes questions and may be able to give you more accurate info...He is Thomas Griffith of Olympia, WA...I noticed email addresses don't come through on this site...

[incharge08]

Wow - good information - helps me to continue my research. I must admit I'm fearful of the effectivenss of alternative tx for hcv  - although that's due to lack of knowledge of the various treatments available and not knowing anyone who tried this vs conventional treatment - until now ... I'll try to find T. Griffith via the net if possible.

Out of pocket cost is a major concern - any conventional medication or needed tests to treat my hcv will be covered by my insurance. Despite this I'll continue my research and see what happens. thanks!

[medicmommy]

Something else you may find interesting...Hyperbaric chambers are being used to hyperoxygenate body tissues and to aid the body in killing infections...There was a prestudy (once again, funding issues have stalled further research) that indicated antiviral medications were significantly more effective when the patient was exposed to an atmosphere (?) or more for 20 minutes...I have some friends who have hep c and dive, and swear by this...Have you heard anything that would support this?

[gauf]

Wouldn't the sudden stop at the end of the dive counteract the positive effect on the immune system?

[gauf]

Are you talking "skydiving"?  or one of those deprivation tanks that Michael Jackson uses to talk to the devil. (kidding of course)

[medicmommy]

LOL...I did mean a chamber...I don't think skydiving would last long enough to work...LOL...Especially that "sudden stop"LOL...Seriously, I meant "sustained" pressure...:)

[Aim1]

Hi medicmommy.  I wanted to know if you could update us on your situation.  Did you go for another germanium dose, or have you started SOC? Have you had your labs done again?
Also, what is your reaction to what HR posted to gauf on a different thread?

"To Gauf: Best to not touch Germanium. As a transition type metal element it will have numerous prooxidative toxic effects - that might in some cell types, like macrophages - result in NFKappaB activation with subsequent Interferon production in response to this damage signal. This is not worth the ill defined risk of broad toxicity."

Thanks for your time.  
Terry

[evangelin]

HR is the ultimate authority in my book.  He is incredibly knowledgable on so many fronts, I wouldn't take something he had nixed unless the loud and unmistakable voice of God told me different. Only my opinion.  
Ev