Newly diagnosed, taking naturopathic/homeopathic treatment ???

[kstar]

Since July I have been exploring all options.  Here is what I know about my diagnoses...My liver enzymes are AST 75/Alt 76, genotype I, HCV RNA of 2.3 million and one small liver cyst w/no splenomegaly.  After researching the side affects and the response rate of peg interferon and ribavirin I decided to try other options.  Since taking supplements and homeopathic meds my viral load has dropped from 2 million to 5 hundred thousand.  MY QUESTION, IS IT NORMAL TO SEE VIRAL LOADS DROP WITHOUT ANY TREATMENT AT ALL.  My doc told me not to get to excited that I still have a treatable virus.  SECOND QUESTION, WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT MY DOC TO BE DOING?  ANY SUGGESTIONS FOR THE BEST HOSPITALS, DOCTORS IN THE STATES...PREFERABLY IN THE MICHIGAN AREA.  My first visit was at U of M Ann Arbor which will continue seeing me if I opt for treatment.  Thanks for any/all help or suggestions.

[niceguy2007]

kstar u might want to get a hold of dr. dewey's homeopathic book or borack's materia medica on homeopathy.

[kstar]

Thank you for your response.  I am sure thankful I found this forum...what an amazing group!!

[doglover28]

Dr. Mchutchinson is very kind, too.  When I had my biopsy done, he had another doc actually put the needle in, and Dr. McHutchinson held my hand.

[Liv]

Sorry, I meant "world-wide" not world-side.  Need to proof read a little better.  Let us know what you decide.  God Bless.

[Liv]

Hi:

Dr. McHutchinson is a world reknowned (sp?) researcher in Hep C and has conducted numerous studies world-side.  You can try calling the Gastroenterology clinic at Duke Univ. (Durham, N.C.) 919-684-6437 to make an app't. to see him specifically.  I'm sure he treats people from all over the globe, he's pretty famous in his circles.  You could probably also google him and get more info.  Keep us posted!

[cuteus]

whatever you do, colloidal silver and thymus gland are a waste of money. Viral loads fluctuate significantly up and down and means nothing if you are not on tx.

[Kalio1]

I sure hope you breeze through tx! It takes 3 or 4 weeks for the Riba to build up in your system, I didn't feel the Riba effects at first either. Took about a month.
That is great our shot was easy, mine kick my arse every week for 2 days, last week's shot ws the first "easy" shot I've had and I am on week 54 or there abouts so consider yourself lucky!

[doglover28]

Liv,

Best of luck.  I go back to see him in Feb.  Please keep in touch and let me know how it goes.

Kstar,
He is great.  He's at Duke in North Carolina.  When I was diagnosed, my primary suggested getting in to see a Doc. at a University because they tend to be more "cutting edge."  Dr. McHutchen does a lot of research on Hep C and does conduct trials.  

Pam

[kstar]

Sounds like the kind of doctor i am looking for...do you have info on him.  issurance would not pick this up for me...and i would be coming from mi...any thoughts

[Liv]

Hi:

I've been seeing Dr. McHutchinson for about a year.  Saw his name in an article that was posted (ironically) on a "herb" site and it was mentioned in the article that he was at Duke so I did a little internet research on him and made an app't. since I live a little over an hour away.  I wanted to see him because I didn't have a Hepatologist following me, only a local Internist and felt I needed a liver specialist.  I also asked him about 950 (this was last year) and he told me that he would be coordinating the trials which were to begin the following winter.  As it turned out it was more like late spring/summer.  I found him to be very easy to talk to and he doesn't push tx. which is what I liked and as I said he was open to the herbs. I have another app't. with him in Nov. at which time we'll re-evaluate.  Best of luck to you.

[Mister beagle bailey]

Thanks, will try to call Nelson.  I'm a stage 0.

Beagle

[Mister beagle bailey]

Any idea if the trials (VX 950) is for geno 2's also?

Beagle

[FlGuy]

From what they said at UM, VX for geno 1 relapsers will start around early 2007.  For other geno relapsers a little later but still in the first quarter of 07.  Since they did not have their full instructions for the next phase yet, that was a guess but they've been around the block with many trials so they are educated guesses.  So, your Feb appt with Schiff could be very good timing.  That's why you should check in with Amy every couple of months.  And, as the other folks who are in current vx trials have indicated, the first several weeks of vx trials require attendance at the trial site for meds, testing and evaluation.  So, the sooner you can move farther south the easier it would be for you.  Assuming, of course, that your condition and specifics make you eligible.

[Mister beagle bailey]

Thanks, I have my house on the market now and hoping it sells soon.  As you know, this is not a good market to be selling.  I plan to call Amy again today.  I don't care if I have to live at UM for a month as long as they take me.  LOL  How are you doing?

Beagle

[Mister beagle bailey]

Well, I just got off the phone with Amy and she still has my name on the list for up coming trials.  However, she said there are no trials down the pike for 2's and 3's any where in the country as of yet. Because they say 2 and 3 are easy to treat, sure right. It seem's to be a losing battle, maybe I should go to Europe for their trials as 2's and3's are common there.  LOL

She also said that they may not take me because of my thalassemia' can you believe this, I'm screwed either way.

Any ideas???????

Beagle

[doglover_forgot password]

Hi Liv,

Nice to meet you.  Dr. McHutchinson is great! He has the best bedside manner of any Doc that I've been  to. I couldn't believe how young he looks. He has no problem with me taking SAMe and the other one that I take is Milk Thistle. Maybe they aren't cures, but they do help the liver. He has the best bedside manner of any Doc that I've been  to.
I worked in Pharmaceutical Development, and scientist would synthesis herbs to make medicine.  
How long have you been going to Duke?
Pam

Beagle,
I'm not sure about the studys there on 2s since I am a 1.

[doglover_forgot password]

Thanks for sharing that with me.  That's probably my problem. Reading all the horror stories about the treatment.  I am going to watch the video tonight about treatment.

[GrandmaA]

You cannot take homeopathic remedies because they contain alcohol. ANY amount of alcohol further damages our livers. This is what Dr. Zhang says on the subject and he's an expert in livers and herbs.

I lowered my viral load a great deal with colloidal silver in 6 months, but I got stiff fingers. It's just getting better now after two years. BE CAREFUL.

My doctor said the only permanent damage from the side effects will be to the thyroid.

[NYgirl]

Side effects to the thyroid are NOT necessarily permanent. They can regenerate when you go off treatment.  I don't think mine will personally cause it's really dead from the IFN but - not everyone has to stay on the Synthroid for the rest of their lives and I am seriously hoping to get off it after treatment.

So that's some good news :)

[NYgirl]

"I lowered my viral load a great deal with colloidal silver in 6 months, but I got stiff fingers. It's just getting better now after two years. BE CAREFUL."

Viral loads go up and down and up and down and up and down and aren't that important at all.

Please don't spend time worrying about lowering your viral load and taking things that cause you pain or injury or whatever - the whole myth that viral load is that big a deal is just that.

[FlGuy]

Well, at least you know what long distance tx is like.  Try calling that Dr. Nelson in Gainesville, he did viradimine trials - maybe he's got an idea.  And, there's always Doc J. Although, I'd wait out Schiff and enjoy no tx for a while.  Are you stage 1 or 2 - I forgot.

[worrywartwife]

My husband was VERY nevous about the side effects of riba/peg-intron treatment. He is now 5 weeks into treatment, and his side effects are minimal-a little tired, a little emotional. I think many, many people have mild side effects, and so do not post here, as they don't feel such a need for support.The unlucky with severe sides post here in greater numbers, as they need more support, and so it begins to seem EVERYONE has a bad,bad time, which is not accurate. My husband read so many scary postings, he almost chickened out of treatment, but then decided to give it a try. We are both very glad he did. Best Wishes, JoAnn

[Liv]

Hi:

I also see Dr. McHutchinson at Duke every 6 mos.  He's a very respected and well known researcher in this field.  I was also eliminated from the current 950 trials based on a very occasional heart arrythmia.  I've been on herbs for 4 yrs. and he has no problem with that fact whatsoever.  I personally know of a doc in Texas who believes certain herbs definitely have certain benefits such as reducing liver inflammation and he's written articles on such.  He even suggests particular herbs for patients not ready, able or willing to tx. with the current meds.  We all know they're not a cure and don't take them with that expectation, however many diseases and conditions have been helped with herbs and many cultures have been treating with herbs for thousands of years and I believe that the Western medical community is starting to open their thinking to this fact.

[NYgirl]

Wow I didn't remember that you were a zero.  What FANTASTIC news.  Absolutely WONDERFUL!  I know you want to get rid of this disease BAD but...wow.....I just felt such RELIEF I can't tell you.

Thank GOD you are only a ZERO!

A zero! Wowowowow.  If all I get out of this tx is back down to a 2 I'd be happy LOL.

You just made my DAY.

It doesn't take away from the fact how much you want to get rid of HCV but..I FEEL BETTER!  ;0