milk thistle

[heene]

I have just read an article on milk thistle being helpful in cleansing/healing/regenerating the liver.  My husband has autoimmune hepatitis and is on Prednisone 20mg. and Lactulose.  Do you know anything about this herb and its compatibility with these drugs?  He is also on Cipro once a week to prevent infection of ascities fluid in the abdomin.

[MichaelT]

Claims for svr from any non-interferon based treatment is just pure B.S. I'm sorry, but that is the truth. Dr. Weil is inexplicably uncritical and should be stripped of his license to practice medicine. He has a great beard.

Some (well, one) herbal extracts can help the body by, say, reducing inflammation, but do NOT affect the virus.

There is too much quack medicine - it is successful at taking people's money and, tragically, harming them either directly or indirectly.

I don't like Penn & Teller, but their show on "alternative" medicine/treatments was accurate and is recommended viewing for "believers."

[snook_man]

I remember that you placed info on white tea.. Besides that, what else are you taking?? Very interested, as my vl at start was 5460..

[Tallblonde]

The most persistent (and distressing) symptom I have (in spite of my "mild case" of HCV), is the numbness and tingling in my extremities.  And it's getting worse as time goes on, which really has me concerned.  It happens almost on a nightly basis.  I'll wake up and both of my hands will be completely numb.  Sometimes it's my feet.  I tested postive cryo six months ago, but the test I had last week came back negative.  I'm not sure I believe that.  

Susan

[Sioux]

I forgot to mention. My PCP took be off ambien he gave me an rx for trazadone to take instead. it is suposes to be not addicitve.

[Tallblonde]

Do you mind telling us the specific regimin of vitamins/supplements that you're taking, along with the quanitities?   I've had some interesting improvements in my condition during the past six months (VL droped by more than 90%; liver enzymes improved by 50%), but I can't say with cerrtainty that the vitamins/supplements are the reason.  I'm alway interested in the experiences of other people who are postponing treatment.  Thanks, in advance, for whatever insight you can offer.

Susan

[Sioux]

I am about 4 months post tx. Yesterday I saw my 2nd Rheumatologist. My dx was FIBROMYALGIA!!! I felt like a big weight was lifed off me. I now know what I'm dealing with. If you have any questions please ask. I still have some brain fog.
And I just got up. So I'm very slow this morning.
Hang in there!!!

[CARUU]

Hey, OHC...good to hear from you.  I didn't know you were dealing with FMS.  Can you point me to any good sites, tips, how it's diagnosed, causes, etc.  Seems most of the sites are the type that are trying to sell something.  As I said, I don't want to talk myself into anything, but I'm pretty sick of always feeling bad and not knowing why.  Thanks, caruu

[CARUU]

Best wishes on the bx.  I'll be watching to see how it goes.  The numbness and pain I have is elbow to wrist on right arm and into right side of hand (palm, ring and pinky fingers).  They don't look red.  I also have the elbow pain on the left, but not the arm and hand stuff.  Years of typing at work probably doesn't help the right side.  My boss says try using your left hand for the mouse (she's a big help)-:  Actually my entire right side has nerve damage and has for many years before I was dx with HCV.  I have a damaged spinal accessory nerve that has caused atrophy in my right trapezus.  Any info on fibromyalgia experience would also be helpful.  Thanks! caruu

[snook_man]

I would be greatly interested in the link you are talking about.. I know that Chinese medicine tx for hep c is combination of 19 herbs and mushrooms, and they have like 20% svr, and significant reductions in viral loads and liver damage.. Andrew Weil is in Boston, right?? I would be very interested in what you are taking, as I have researched alot.. My family believes in herbs, as they are old hippies, that eat organic, do not like Dr.'s with stock options in meds!! My wife and her family are exact opposite, being nurses that trust in meds and Dr.'s.. I had a rough time, and only did one week of tx, and was pulled by Dr.. All my sides where supposed common ones too.. I really want to try natural for awhile till my mind is confident enough to tx again.. I read this site almost everyday, and people are getting all kinds of new permenant sx's of tx.. I am exploring every possible option, as like others have stated above, it is your mind set and confidence that will get you through tx.. Seems like I'm still doing searches for mine!!

[cuteus]

CTS=carpal tunnel syndrome (pre TX stuff).

SAm...that sounds like some scary stuff, darn.  I hope it stays away for good.
Neurological problems seem to be why they don't want us on this tx for too long, especially the riba.
I tend to think like Chev...these things were here before Tx, latent or masked, and the Tx brings it to light.
Frisco...like I stated before...I believe that route will be beneficial to your general health, no doubt, but I don't think it will kill an organism that has been present in us for decades and has fooled our immune systems all that time. it is a cleverly mutating organism and no herb is going to kill every mutation, plus our bodies have failed to do so also.  
As I said, if you are not close to 50, experiment. If you are approaching that age...precious time is ticking away that can be use to kill the bug.  I would try both the proven bug killing meds and the holistic approach(that will strengthen the body), seems like the best combo.

[cindee]

Hey, I have had red palms, and the redness continues up into my pinky and into my ring finger on my left hand. I have numbness from between my elbow and wrist and 2 fingers. My pinky is the worst. The tip looks like it has been chemically burned...all of the above NEVER goes away. I was so delighted in my new doctor that i did show him my RED palms, but forgot to mention the numbness and the red tip of my pinky. I will ask him Tues when I go for a bx. I will TRY to remember to let you know....brain fog!!!! Ya know? I've mentioned this many X's on the forum, but never have gotten an answer that I can remember. If ya hear something before me...let me know. I will be posting after my bx Tues, probably on Thurs. nite. My doctor wants me to take it easy and stay in bed until then...because of my bx. Best wishes on an answer....I'll keep checking back. I am putting a note on my calendar now, so I won't forget ya!!!! Love @ prayers, Cindee

[Sam Hall]

The numbness stuff sounds very like the early part of perio' neurop' that i developed. It eventually became like walking through a full on hail storm and i had little or no fine motor control. I was informed by the medics it was the result of my refusal to drop my Riba from 1200. It passed but then returned with avengence. As its neuro-nerve damage general pain killers and even opiates have no effect. At one point and this was six weeks post tx i thought that i had had a stroke. I'm tellin ya that third eye of mine opened up the size of a silver dollar. I sat it out(or rather lay) keeping still seemed the only relief and gradually it became phasic and then my youngist had a fibrile siezure in the heat so it was up up and away! Since then nothing. One thing i believe is that for me it's also directly related to stress. Some people have to live with this **it for live. Prayers for them.
PS It can also be very very mild jurst tingling in extremities. Also some old ADs can help but that's another chemical path with it's owm pitfalls.

[cheriums]

Yes, talk with your doctor about Milk Thistle.  If, then, you decide to buy it, Nature's Way imports a pharmaceutical grade from Germany (much studied and Rx'd there), sold as "THISILYN."  Having taken a number of supplements & herbs during the years I waited for my "better drug" to start treatment with, I've studied them pretty carefully.  I wouldn't waste $$ buying just any herb product.  Some of the less well-known and less well-policed from within the industry will sell you a product which is not all it claims to be.  cheri

[CARUU]

I don't have the hot/cold sensitivity you describe.  What is CTS?
I've got a huge list of symptoms I'm taking to the neurologist next week (includes the tingling and numbness).  It's there most all of the time and worse at the end of the work day (as is the muscle soreness).  The only thing that gets better by evening is that I feel more awake (seems backwards to me).  Mornings are bad.  I'm trying to wean off of ambien but my schedule is so mixed up that I haven't achieved that.  Thanks for any info. caruu

[friscosue]

I WOULD like to sound like a cheerleader for vitamins and supplements.  I, too, am postponing tx; there is a good deal of literature on the mushrooms (reishi, maitake, and shitake) as well as on milk thistle.  I have worked as a cook in a holisitic healing institution, where folks ("uncurable" cancer patients) who have been given a "death sentence" by their doctors have not only healed but are thriving b/c of correct diet.  The institute is founded on macrobiotic principles.  The institute has done studies funded by Harvard, and have found the shitake to contain healing properties.  If I'm allowed to name the place in this website, I would be happy to do so.  A search for any of the mushrooms on the net will come up with tons of information.  Andrew Weil, a more mainstream type of guy, is also a proponent of these. Thank you.

[cuteus]

This is great input, i.e. Raynud's, neuropathy, etc.
What got me thinking about not been Raynud's is that this weekend I touched very hot metal and in a fraction of seconds it felt like a blistering burn. an hour later the soreness was still present but there was no redness in my hand.  with the feet and cold, there was some residual redness.  I am already going to the neurologist for the CTS, so numbness and tingling is part of my life.  But I do feel the pain of the slits and openings in my fingers in the winter. so i guess as long as the pain is present, there is feeling.  
I thought raynud's until the hot episode, now I'm not sure.

[ked13]

I have Raynauds and went to a rheumatologist who looked into some research and said I have "Interferon induced Raynauds" except in my case it's "Interferon EXACERBATED Raynauds."
I was in bad shape over the winter. tips of my fingers were ulcerated.  It got better in spring but it happens in warm weather too and especially when I get out of the shower.
He put me on Norvasc.
I also got really bad mouth cracks that turned into raw chapped rashes from my nose to my chin. Skin was falling off.
Went to a dermatologist who said there was nothing he could do and I should keep putting vitamin E on it. WRONG! Found out later that made it worse!
Another dermatologist gave me steroid ointment that really helped. I wish I'd gone to him sooner.

[Tallblonde]

If you do a Google search, you'll find that there have been quite a few research studies on Milk Thistle.  Some are ongoing.  I don't want to sound like a cheerleader for all these supplements and vitamins, but I really do think milk thistle is one of the products worth considering, particularly for those who are postponing treatment.

Susan

[derail]

you are probably experiencing nueropathy similar to that from diabetes where the glcogen encapsulates the nerve ending of the extremities .sounds worse than really is and for diabetics is a great concern  (loss of feeling) so watch feet and fingers for
cuts etc. infection can occur without knowing .It was one  sx.
of diabetes i suffer and it revved up on HVC tx.

[oldhippiechick67]

cuteus it sounds like Raynaulds, but usually the skin will darken, turn bluish or purplish, while the exposure or sensations are going on, then return to normal color. And I think but not sure it only happens with exposure to cold.
Caruu - I was diagnosed (well not officially) with fibro prior to tx, I have an old whiplash injury so my neck muscles and shoulder areas are always tight and sore.  I have headaches all the time now, I am sure my spine needs adjustment, but the last chiropractor I went to did something that made it worse, so I am hesitant to go back.

[cuteus]

let me ask you something that has been in the back of my mind to ask.  Have you noticed an extreme sensitivity in your hands and feet to cold and heat? It almost feel like you're experiencing frostbite when exposed to cold, or a 2nd degree burn when exposed to heat. The soreness remains even though the skin shows no damage from the exposure.
Two tells, don't tell me is cryoglobulinemia, ;-}\
I might not be ready to hear it.

[Amerabrit]

Hi,  My doctor told me there had been no scientific studies conducted on Milk Thistle.  He advised me to take Vitamin E and C only and to eat a healthy diet.
Always read the small print when considering vitamin supplements, they are usually NOT FDA regulated so you have no idea what actualy goes into these pills?  And, always talk to your doctor before you take any supplements.
Very best of luck to you:)

[derail]

I remember reading from one of the sites thru google that it certainly can hepcvets.com has also other maladies presenting in those with hepc. if a definitive answer is available I'm sure someone will know or endeavour to find out.

[CARUU]

Is anyone aware of/experiencing a link between HCV and Fibromyalgia?  Since finishing tx on 4-1-04 I've had ongoing problems with muscle stiffness and pain in neck, back, elbows, hips, and knees.  I'm also having digestive problems (gastroparesis, GERD) that I'm taking protonix and domperidone for and brainfog.  My endocrinologist suggested it could be fibromyalgia and that I should work with my PCP on it.  I have a meeting with my neurologist next week and will also speak with him.  I don't want to talk myself into anything, but there is something WRONG and I'm wondering if any of you have similar things going.  Thanks, caruu