Aa
Is shorter treatment possible in geno 1's
I have a question that I haven't heard anybody comment on. Has any geno 1's that have gone undetected at week 4 stop tx early and remained undetectable. I'm considering tx and the thought of 48 weeks of tx just doesn't seem possible. I read this article
http://www.hivandhepatitis.com/2005icr/aasld/docs/111405_h.html
It suggust that if you're a "super-responder" you may only need to tx for 24 weeks. Now I don't know if I will be a "super-responder" but it appears that 20% of the patients were. I think I would try it for the 4 weeks to determine weather I was in that catigory, I don't know what makes somebody a super-responder, but I am female,low vl, and not a heavy drinker so I figure I have as much of a chance as anybody. I do see that the pcr that was used wasn't the most sensitive( which of course I would request)but I would like anybody else's insight on the topic
http://www.hivandhepatitis.com/2005icr/aasld/docs/111405_h.html
It suggust that if you're a "super-responder" you may only need to tx for 24 weeks. Now I don't know if I will be a "super-responder" but it appears that 20% of the patients were. I think I would try it for the 4 weeks to determine weather I was in that catigory, I don't know what makes somebody a super-responder, but I am female,low vl, and not a heavy drinker so I figure I have as much of a chance as anybody. I do see that the pcr that was used wasn't the most sensitive( which of course I would request)but I would like anybody else's insight on the topic
All the best luck and keep us posted. Can I ask what exactly was your pre-tx viral load, what biopsy stage you're at and what treatment drugs you're on at what doses? Hopefully your eye problems and thyroid issues will get better soon.
-- Jim
-- Jim
Jim's "bad reaction" to herbs is a good example of why research is so critical. I don't know what he took, but you should try not make the same mistake Jim made of underestimating the importance of investigating things very carefully. It gets you into trouble every time.
THAT SAID, it's also worth mentioning that his "bad reaction" to herbs is highly unusual. I've never seen any other poster make a similar claim about "mainstream" herbs and supplements (i.e. Milk Thistle, Schizandra, Alpha Lipoic Acid, etc.)
At worst, they say that there was no result or no clear benefit from taking them. Since Jim continues to make ominous statements about the "harm" done to him by herbs, perhaps he should share his exact regimen with us so we can get a better understanding of:
1)What specific herbs did so much "harm" to him?
2)What form did the "harm" take?
3)How does he knows that it was the herbs that caused the "harm?"
Susan
THAT SAID, it's also worth mentioning that his "bad reaction" to herbs is highly unusual. I've never seen any other poster make a similar claim about "mainstream" herbs and supplements (i.e. Milk Thistle, Schizandra, Alpha Lipoic Acid, etc.)
At worst, they say that there was no result or no clear benefit from taking them. Since Jim continues to make ominous statements about the "harm" done to him by herbs, perhaps he should share his exact regimen with us so we can get a better understanding of:
1)What specific herbs did so much "harm" to him?
2)What form did the "harm" take?
3)How does he knows that it was the herbs that caused the "harm?"
Susan
I hope it happens for you, SVR!
Will they do an early PCR post tx?
Will they do an early PCR post tx?
Carpedi - I was just thinking about you yesterday! I wish going off tx was more your own decision -- we feel better when we feel we're driving the bus, I think. On the other hand, I'm glad to see the data is coming out when it may be beneficial to you. Will you seek a second opinion before stopping? I'm weighing the same sort of decision myself - somewhat different circumstances - but generally the same. With the emerging variable tx cycles comes additional difficult decision making, I'm afraid. Best wishes to you - and I mean that with all sincerity.
Veggie - I've hired a gardener from the neighborhood to go in and do my weekly CBC's now. I give him 40 bucks and a 6 pack on Friday afternoons. Works out great for both of us. Doc saw my latest numbers and said whatever I'm doing I should just keep at it. So I guess I will.
Veggie - I've hired a gardener from the neighborhood to go in and do my weekly CBC's now. I give him 40 bucks and a 6 pack on Friday afternoons. Works out great for both of us. Doc saw my latest numbers and said whatever I'm doing I should just keep at it. So I guess I will.
TallBlonde's previous post has some good points and also gives me the opportunity to clarify a few things.
My reaction may indeed have been unusual, and I've often specified that the the herbs I took were a chinese mixture of unknown origin. That said, while maybe unusual, not unique. I've read on boards here and elsewhere where herbs haven't worked or raised enzyme levels. Currently, there's a thread running here "News Stories and Other Posts"
http://www.medhelp.org/perl6/hepatitis/messages/39713.html
where "Couldn't Think of A Nickname" shares his experience with herbs supplied by Dr. Zhang, who I believe is also a medical doctor:
http://www.medhelp.org/perl6/hepatitis/messages/39713.html
As far as "maintream" herbs such as Milk Thistle, my position has always been kind of neutral based on conversations with a couple of hepatologists who said it was fine to take milk thistle. In fact, depending on how treatment goes I may take it myself in the future. The only "controversy" if you want to call it that is that some doctors don't recommend taking milk thistle while on treatment, while others don't seem to care.
Regarding three specific questions addressed to me:
1)What specific herbs did so much "harm" to him?
As I have often said, it was a mixture of Chinese Herbs given to me by a well-known acupunturist/herbologist. It was in "leaf" form and taken as a brewed tea twice a day. Knowing what I know now, I would not have taken the concoction without knowing exactly what was in it, which hopefully is one of the points I've been trying to get accross by using this as an anecdotal cautionary tale -- know what you're taking, check and double check everything you put in your mouth with multiple sources including your doctor.
2)What form did the "harm" take?
In addition to feeling fatigued after about week on the herbs...
Week before starting take the herbs my ALT was 109, ALT was 86.
One week after starting the herbal regimen ALT was 269, AST 195. One month later my ALT was 649, AST 592 plus my GGT was also highly elevated. I've had my enzymes periodically monitored for the past 38 years and these values are off the chart compared to anything except when I had my acute attack of Hep C in the early 70's. Based on the enzyme activity, my hepatologist was quite concerned, called it an "acute" reaction, and suggested I not treat until the enzymes normalized which took about 11 months.
3)How does he knows that it was the herbs that caused the "harm?"
Of course I can't be 100 per cent positive and have pointed that out frequently but the date of herbal therapy, my fatigue and dramatic rise in enzymes certainly point that way. I did take a Hep B vaccine during that period and thought that may have contibuted to the rising enzymes but two hepatolgist I spoke to were skeptical of that theory, as they said they never saw such a severe reaction to the Hep B vaccine.
In summary, I am not against vitamins, minerals and herbs. I currently take a multi-vitamin and vitamin b-12 shots every other weeks. Yes, I had a bad experience with herbs that is probably not the norm, but I feel remiss if I didn't share it with folks. That said, I don't suggest people avoid herbs, just do you research and double-check things with your doctor. In fact, I may indeed use an herbal regimen in the future.
I feel I keep repeating myself but I hope this last stab at explaining things will clarify.
-- Jim
My reaction may indeed have been unusual, and I've often specified that the the herbs I took were a chinese mixture of unknown origin. That said, while maybe unusual, not unique. I've read on boards here and elsewhere where herbs haven't worked or raised enzyme levels. Currently, there's a thread running here "News Stories and Other Posts"
http://www.medhelp.org/perl6/hepatitis/messages/39713.html
where "Couldn't Think of A Nickname" shares his experience with herbs supplied by Dr. Zhang, who I believe is also a medical doctor:
http://www.medhelp.org/perl6/hepatitis/messages/39713.html
As far as "maintream" herbs such as Milk Thistle, my position has always been kind of neutral based on conversations with a couple of hepatologists who said it was fine to take milk thistle. In fact, depending on how treatment goes I may take it myself in the future. The only "controversy" if you want to call it that is that some doctors don't recommend taking milk thistle while on treatment, while others don't seem to care.
Regarding three specific questions addressed to me:
1)What specific herbs did so much "harm" to him?
As I have often said, it was a mixture of Chinese Herbs given to me by a well-known acupunturist/herbologist. It was in "leaf" form and taken as a brewed tea twice a day. Knowing what I know now, I would not have taken the concoction without knowing exactly what was in it, which hopefully is one of the points I've been trying to get accross by using this as an anecdotal cautionary tale -- know what you're taking, check and double check everything you put in your mouth with multiple sources including your doctor.
2)What form did the "harm" take?
In addition to feeling fatigued after about week on the herbs...
Week before starting take the herbs my ALT was 109, ALT was 86.
One week after starting the herbal regimen ALT was 269, AST 195. One month later my ALT was 649, AST 592 plus my GGT was also highly elevated. I've had my enzymes periodically monitored for the past 38 years and these values are off the chart compared to anything except when I had my acute attack of Hep C in the early 70's. Based on the enzyme activity, my hepatologist was quite concerned, called it an "acute" reaction, and suggested I not treat until the enzymes normalized which took about 11 months.
3)How does he knows that it was the herbs that caused the "harm?"
Of course I can't be 100 per cent positive and have pointed that out frequently but the date of herbal therapy, my fatigue and dramatic rise in enzymes certainly point that way. I did take a Hep B vaccine during that period and thought that may have contibuted to the rising enzymes but two hepatolgist I spoke to were skeptical of that theory, as they said they never saw such a severe reaction to the Hep B vaccine.
In summary, I am not against vitamins, minerals and herbs. I currently take a multi-vitamin and vitamin b-12 shots every other weeks. Yes, I had a bad experience with herbs that is probably not the norm, but I feel remiss if I didn't share it with folks. That said, I don't suggest people avoid herbs, just do you research and double-check things with your doctor. In fact, I may indeed use an herbal regimen in the future.
I feel I keep repeating myself but I hope this last stab at explaining things will clarify.
-- Jim
Hi Jim:
I read an article in one of the local Toronto papers recently about a Chinese woman that was arrested for selling loose leaves and claiming they had weight loss benefit..Well after an extensive investigation into her, upon her arrest it was announced she had a "mixed bag" in her loose leafs...One of the things they found at the forensic lab was phen something or other, it is a drug that was been banned due to it's contributing factor to premature heart failure...I wonder if any of the herbs you used were "mixed bags" and maybe that was why you had such a bad reaction...I buy mine from my ND, all sealed in capsule form and cannot be sold by anyone other than a medical professional...Because of the expensive of the herbs some people have suggested I buy it myself from health food stores, but I think I will stick with what I have, grin and bare the cost and hope like heck they are safe...I haven't had a liver panel drawn since I started them, will wait till it is 3 months post and see how the AST/ALT look...Prior to taking the herbs I was very slightly elevated so anything above that will force me to discontinue...My ND did quite a bit of research on that Nu-Liver that is sold online (because i asked her to) and advised to stay away from it, she said it has one thing it in it (even though it is such a small amount) that should not be taken by compensated liver disease patients, I forget the name of the herb, it has a base latin name...So, you see even the Herbalists that seem to be "leading in their field" sometimes can by mis guiding people...
Just my expeience with it so far...
*dippers*
I read an article in one of the local Toronto papers recently about a Chinese woman that was arrested for selling loose leaves and claiming they had weight loss benefit..Well after an extensive investigation into her, upon her arrest it was announced she had a "mixed bag" in her loose leafs...One of the things they found at the forensic lab was phen something or other, it is a drug that was been banned due to it's contributing factor to premature heart failure...I wonder if any of the herbs you used were "mixed bags" and maybe that was why you had such a bad reaction...I buy mine from my ND, all sealed in capsule form and cannot be sold by anyone other than a medical professional...Because of the expensive of the herbs some people have suggested I buy it myself from health food stores, but I think I will stick with what I have, grin and bare the cost and hope like heck they are safe...I haven't had a liver panel drawn since I started them, will wait till it is 3 months post and see how the AST/ALT look...Prior to taking the herbs I was very slightly elevated so anything above that will force me to discontinue...My ND did quite a bit of research on that Nu-Liver that is sold online (because i asked her to) and advised to stay away from it, she said it has one thing it in it (even though it is such a small amount) that should not be taken by compensated liver disease patients, I forget the name of the herb, it has a base latin name...So, you see even the Herbalists that seem to be "leading in their field" sometimes can by mis guiding people...
Just my expeience with it so far...
*dippers*
You are reading content posted in the Hepatitis C Community
Learn about this treatable virus.
Getting tested for this viral infection.
3 key steps to getting on treatment.
4 steps to getting on therapy.
What you need to know about Hep C drugs.
How the drugs might affect you.
These tips may up your chances of a cure.
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV and STDs.
PrEP is used by people with high risk to prevent HIV infection.
