milk thistle anyone here use it

I use vitamins etc. just wonderig what everyone thinks ???

[NYgirl]

It's ok before treatment but not during treatment. That is what my doctor advised.

Since nothing is going to get rid of the virus except Interferon - I figure it really isn't worth taking a chance and taking it DURING treatment you know?  So I just stopped when I started tx.

Just take vitamins and things for general over all health = not to try and combat the hep - it wont.

[NYgirl]

I finally got a CBC - hep panel done after like two months (LOL yes but I sort of got belligerent about it again for some reason).

All my numbers are cool (hgb 11 wowowow), neuts 1.0, ast 27 alt 29.  Nothing big and exciting.

I DID notice that my Alkaline Phosphatase went up from like 70 - 91.  It's never varied before and I am wondering the significance of the jump if anybody knows. (normal is 35 - 125).

I'm really mad though they didn't test my TSH or T3 or T4 and now I have the endo on Thursday and have no clue how he's going to judge if my Synthroid is working enough of not.

[Kalio1]

Great numbers NY. Way to go! How are you feeling? Did you seem to get more energy at some point? I know the procrit helped you, do you still take it? Do you know when your last week is? I think mine is March 2. I have heard that the later part of tx can be better than the first and then I have also heard it can be worse. I hope we fall in the first category!
I didn't do rescue meds and the hgb has slowly gone up on it's own. I swear I can feel that 1.5 increase, my energy is good enough I can do a task, rest, do a task now and before I couldn't stand without getting out of breath and dizzy, it was so frustrating.

The NP called just now to say my Hgb is 11.5. No wonder I am feeling somewhat better lately.
My platelets went UP and are 125 now, up 11 points! Not bad when I started tx with 76.
LFT's normal, all other values normal. Not bad for 1600 riba a day and 180IFN.

[lilmoma]

The only vitamin I take is a multivitamin w/o the iron in it.
I do not subscribe to any of the "miracle herbs".

[Snookmiester]

Well, I will have no agree that you should not take Milk Thistle while undergoing tx, but not to theory of discontinuing supplements all together. In fact, I was advised to take a few specific supplements while on tx, vitamin E and C in particular.
There is a great link you should read over,
<a href="http://hepcchallenge.org/choices/supplements.htm">Choices link</a>
This is a book created by a few Dr's, and goes over supplements, nutrition, treatments, etc.. Great read. Another book I highly recommend, is "The Hepatitis C Help Book".. By Misha Cohen and Dr Robert Gish. They have compiled a Grounbreaking Treatment program combining western and eastern medicine for MAXIMUM wellness and healing.

It is VERY important to take certain supplements in particlar while undergoing tx, as the body is depleted of certain substances, and it begins cannibolizing itself. Look into a quality Multi vitamin, w/o Iron.

[Alady1620]

The milk thistle issue is controversial in this community.  Personally, I feel like treatment should be a persons first mode to rid themselves of the virus.

For those that don't clear or cannot treat bc of other health reasons, I think the milk thistle couldn't hurt.

It is NOT a cure no matter what some of the ads say but it is helpful for the liver.

As the others said, it should not be taken during treatment.

[Pdilly]

Supplements is one topic people differ.  It is kind of a personal thing.  I take supplements right now but that may change with my doctors advise next week.

[roaming]

Why should milk thistle not be taken during tx. I think they are running a trial to see if it will enhance tx.

[Kalio1]

I was told by the doctor not to take milk thistle or any other supplement during tx. His attitude jtowards supplements is "when in doubt, don't"
He is referring to the fact that there are no completed studies showing it either does nothing, enhances or inhibits tx.
I figure best to use them if you can't tx for some reason or after you tx. rather than risking complicating or limiting the tx. It would seem to be fine, but I know nothing about the metabolic processes of each supplement and it's affect on tx so why risk it.

[bnowik]

GENO 1 OVER 2 MILLION COUNT WHEN STARTED TX
JUST FINISHED FOURTH MONTH. AND AT 3RD UNDETECTABLE PEG-INTRON/CO-PEGUS WITH MILK THISTLE AND A GUP OF COFFEE EACH MORNING. MY DOCTOR ADVISED TO STAY ON MILK THISTLE DURING TREATMENT.  THE COFFEE BECAUSE I LIKE IT BUT, RECENTLY HEARD REPORT ON THE NEWS THAT A CUP OF COFFEE HELPS LIVER PATIENTS.

[roaming]

My hubby's dr didn't seem to care one way or another. If fact his attitude was that if it made you feel better than go ahead. He didn't think it did anything. He normally takes one at night before bed with his vitamins.