genotype 3a findings

some background info:

i'm 2 months post tx without a PCR and dunno how i'm faring so far. just coming out of a major flu and feel really ****. was fine earlier for the 2 months.

i treated for genotype 3a with pegasys and rebetol, VL 50,000 IU/ML infected less than 4 years. age mid 20s. UND at 4, 7 and 13 weeks.

post tx i'm trying to take up non-homeopathic, non-alcohol based dried milk thistle plant compound that also includes dandilion root and artichokes (all non homeopathic) but today it really messed up my stomach.  

i'd given up the homeopathic one because of its alcohol content. (otherwise the homeopathic extract really boosted my energy levels pre treatment)

in case you're wondering about the difference between homeopathic and non homeopathic milk thistle, the non-homeopahtic one is the plant in its raw form,

while the homeopathic one is the milk thistle liquid extract combined with diluted versions of chemicals and minerals as well as other herbs.
===========================================================


now for the real stuff.

i've interviewed a couple of people with genotype 3a, and they all shared the same story as mine pre treatment:  

- work causes low grade fever
- exertion causes fatigue and low grade fever
- indigestion / stomach burn complaints
- general shitty feeling that comes and goes randomly

i actually got diagnosed by reading symptoms of low grade fever on the Web and getting MYSELF tested for anti HCV antibody.  

i think mine is probably THE ONLY case of diagnosis with symptomatic chronic HCV with minimal liver damage on this forum.  (my platelets were in the 300s last year pre tx)

i often think and wonder why other genotype 3a people on this forum don't get such complaints?

Some people have suggested on this forum that genotype 3a progresses most rapidly.  We know that at least one study found that 3a also has the highest fatty liver tendency, which in turn speeds up fibrosis.

i'm wondering if genotype 3a should have a separate treatment protocol, which should encouage treatment regardless of liver damange, even for people who have little or no liver damage?

i know people who died in the mid 30s due to hcv type 3a.

[zazza]

I think genotype 3 is not as good as hiding in the liver cells as genotype 1. Therefore the immune system attacks the infected liver cells more fiercely, and the liver becomes more damaged. This would also account for treatment being more effective with genotype 3. With the help of interferon the immune system often manages to get geno 3:s to UND already at week 4, thus making them rapid responders with high SVR rate.

Genotype 1 however is much better at hiding in the liver cells. Maybe the geno 1:s have to wait for the liver cells to regenerate without the virus before they become cured.

I see no reason why geno 3:s should hesitate to treat. However a viral load test at week 4 to check that one is really among the 80% of geno 3:s with RVR is to be recommended. Without UND at week 4 I think one should consider extending treatment.

The above ideas are my personal thoughts based on what I have read and learnt so far about HCV.

[Cindy10]

I too am 3A did tx with you (I believe we started together). I had all those symptoms for years prior to tx and I am a stage 0.

[ladybug52]

Why are you treating so long as a geno 3? I guess I always assumed you were a geno 1. How can anyone tell what's hep symptoms and what's not? I have low grade fever, (did before tx) but I wouldn't think it was the hep c because I had such minimal damage. Not as minimal as you, stage 1 for me but I'm in my fifties, so I probably had it longer. Hope you're doing good, hubby too. Is he geno 3 also?
Hugs,
Bug

[illo]

I wish you luck.  Can you make milk thistle & dandelion tea infusions?
Make your own reishi infusion to boost interferon?  I know about the alcohol, I didn't take it for the same reasons.  You might find tablets?  Did you ever call Dr Zhang?

[jboyhk]

"in case you're wondering about the difference between homeopathic and non homeopathic milk thistle, the non-homeopahtic one is the plant in its raw form, "

I don't think that is right and is the most common misperception of what homeopathetic medicine is.

If it is really Homeopathetic, then it should chemically contain NO milk thistle at all. Homeopathy believes in that having one substance touch another it leaves a 'memory' of the first substance on the other. Absolutely no scientific data has ever been provided for this 'memory' phenomenon.

[Tallahassee]

How are you doing, Niceguy?
How is your post treatment mild fever?

I'm now a few days post treatment too and have a mild fever (37.3 - 37.5 C) during the day. I can't help, but worry like you were worrying...
Oh well, we have to go through a lot of stuff and "worry" becomes our second nature.

P.S. I did not measure my temperature during my previous relapses.  I usually measure it when I feel hot, so I assume that I did not have fever after stopping treatment before.

All the best!!

[Tallahassee]

Do you take vit E. Vitamin E may antagonize vitamin K, resulting in deficiency of vit K.

Be well

[Tallahassee]

Did you check your thyroid panel (for hair) and platelets & vit K (for bleeding problem)??

Be well

[niceguy2007]

i got my thyroid checked at week 19..it was perfect.

docs only check thyroid about twice in 48 weeks tx and once in 24 weeks tx i reckon... so i didnt check it again.

platelets were 202 at week 20.  

i had what seemed like or may be a vitamin k problem last year but never did much about it.

in japan the PIVKA II test came out abnormal, indicating either risk for HCC or a vitamin k deficiency.  never looked into it after that when my doctor gave me the all clear for HCC since i didnt have cirrhosis.

[Tallahassee]

Due to stimulation of the immune system by interferon, your thyroid function may change post treatment, so it needs to be checked.  In the US the thyroid function checked (usually) pre-treatment, then every three months during the treatment and a few months (?) post treatment.

If you used a lot of antibiotics, you are probably low on vitamin K producing bacteria.  So eat more broccoli & green stuff & may take a small amount of vit K (only 40-50 mg).

I wish you the best.
But you made it, completed the treatment!  Congratulations!  Hopefully, the rest of the problems will resolve with time.

[niceguy2007]

my post-tx fever disappeared on the 6th day after treatment.

in the above post i was referring to my pre-tx fever.  this was usually from 99.5 to 101.5 F, which was clearly a viral infection fever, and very different from the post-tx interferon withdrawal one.


-----------
now my hair is falling rapidly, in the 2nd month post tx! it never fell on tx, and now this is happening...i cannot help but feel confused and scared at the same time.  

my gums are also bleeding somewhat profusely, although i like to think this is because of a mild case of gingivitis and not relapse.

[Cindy10]

Just saw your post sorry for the delay. I was <615 at week 4 but still detected so I have to extend, dr wanted 48 weeks but I decided 36 weeks and he agreed. I also got 2nd opinion. Hubby 3 as well but he has cirrhosis so he has to extend even though he was RVR.

[scubadiver30]

Hi Niceguy
Hope you're doing well. Congrats on finishing tx
So you mean if I have fever post tx that would be a sign of a relapse?? My gums don't bleed but they feel tender and mouth extremely dry.
I'm 2 weeks post Tx and I still feel crappy. Don't know about fever thou...Pain in shoulder and wrist and still fatigued..But I'm taking meds for HYPO so that could be it also..My sleeping pattern has improved though
I'm getting my PCR eot results..I do hope I'm still und....
About the steatosis on G3 let me tell ya, I'm 2b in I went from F1 to F3 in 8 months..(something I thought was biologically impossible) I thought the damn machine was broken or something, so I stayed at the doctor's chit chatting & peeking at the fibroscans of other patients (and they went from 4.3 to 6.7)
And mine were always 10 kpa..So the machine worked alrite..
It was my liver
So talk about fast steatosis & fibrosis progression on geno 2s (even with tx) :-( It seems worse than 3s.

regards
scuba