why would my dr. say I have Hep C if I don't?

[Mightyme]

I don't know what is so difficult to understand.  My GP and a specialist told me I had Hepatitis C and needed to start the shots.  Now my doctor says I am well.

I am not young, ladybug52.  I am a very youthful,58 year old grandmother.

My skin is neither blue as threatened in Quackery.com nor is it ashy grey.  My skin is a heathy glowing rosey gold.

I'm not selling any thing.  I have no connection with the company that sold me the Mesosilver.  

I don't understand the hostility I seem to be getting from most of the people who have responded to my postings.  I have had a remarkable recovery because I was open minded enough to try an alternate solution.  I did not decide to forego the traditional treatment altogether, I just postponed it while I explored other options.  Now, according to my doctor, not according to me or to the silver colloid company, but according to my doctor, the same one who told me I had Hep C in the first place, I don't need to do any thing at all.

I only wrote because I hoped that others who were facing this serious illness could benefit from my experience.

[mremeet]

You only "wrote" because you want to sell or otherwise direct vulnerable hepatitis patients' attention to "Mesosilver" in hopes they will buy both it and your bogus story. And that's also why you misleadingly labeled your last post as "leafy greens" - when in fact its content had absolutely nothing to do with leafy greens and everything to do with putting the sell on your colloidal quackery.

This is no place to sell your wares, and you're probably going to be banned real soon for doing so. Can't you find another way to make a living other than feasting on the hardship of others?

[jmjm530]

I've read some of your recent posts, and for the sake of diversity I'll answer your question giving you the benefit of the doubt.

The problem is you're confusing two different things.

Thing one is Hepatitis C, which means you are virus positive. You're either virus positive or you're not, i.e you either have  Hepatitis C or you don't. Nothing subjective here. And from everthing you have posted, there is no indication that you are virus free, therefore you have Hepatitis C.

Thing two is the condition of your liver (and overall health) which now is characterized by your doctor as "well". This is subjective and has nothing to do with having Hepatitis C or not having Hepatitis C.

You state you are better than before and speculate that it may be from the Colloidal Silver, Leafy Greens, or general lifestyle improvement. Without getting into a detailed discussion on Colloidal Silver -- which has no reputable medical backing -- I'll just say again that you either have Hepatitis C or you don't. Therefore the subject of your post is problematic.

If you're really interested in whether you have Hepatitis C -- forget your liver enzymes, forget how you feel -- just ask your doctor(s) for a copy of your latest PCR (viral load) test. If the test shows you're positive, then you have it. If it shows you're negative then you don't.

-- Jim

[spcecst2]

Try this and let us know?

"yellow flowers of the cowslip, fluxwort, hedgeberry, vervain, the berries of the mistletoe, and the foam of the ocean. Warmed by the breath of nine maidens, and brewed for a year and a day"

[Kit07]

For anyone interested in this extreme approach,  here are two summaries from medical journals.  Search www.pubmed.gov   with keyword "colloidal silver toxicity"

I'll try the collard greens...

Kit


Myoclonic status epilepticus following repeated oral ingestion of colloidal silver.
Neurology. 2004 Apr 27;62(8):1408-10.

The authors report a case of a 71-year-old man who developed myoclonic status epilepticus and coma after daily ingestion of colloidal silver for 4 months resulting in high levels of silver in plasma, erythrocytes, and CSF. Despite plasmapheresis, he remained in a persistent vegetative state until his death 5.5 months later. Silver products can cause irreversible neurologic toxicity associated with poor outcome.

Silver products for medical indications: risk-benefit assessment.J Toxicol Clin Toxicol. 1996;34(1):119-26.
Center of Drug Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Rockville, Maryland, USA.

BACKGROUND: Legitimate medicinal use of silver-containing products has dramatically diminished over the last several decades. Recently, however, some manufacturers have begun to enthusiastically promote oral colloidal silver proteins as mineral supplements and for prevention and treatment of many diseases. Indiscriminate use of silver products can lead to toxicity such as argyria. OBJECTIVE: To assist health care professionals in a risk versus benefit assessment of over-the-counter silver-containing products, we herein examine the following issues: historical uses, chemistry, pharmacology, clinical toxicology, case reports of adverse events in the literature, and the recent promotion of over-the-counter silver products. Other sources of silver exposure (including environmental and dietary) and EPA exposure standards are discussed. A list of currently available silver products is provided for easy reference and screening. CONCLUSIONS: We emphasize the lack of established effectiveness and potential toxicity of these products.

[FlGuy]

In another thread you wrote 'according to my doctor my "liver functions are normal" and no further treatment is necessary'.  There is a distinction between liver functions and the presence/absence of HCV.  You can have within range liver enzymes (which you appear to have) and still have HCV.  The important question to ask is 'do I have a detectable viral load?'.  The answer to that question can be answered with a blood test which is commonly known as an HCV PCR.

[l-horn]

"yellow flowers of the cowslip, fluxwort, hedgeberry, vervain, the berries of the mistletoe, and the foam of the ocean. Warmed by the breath of nine maidens, and brewed for a year and a day"

Babies breath cures everything. Honest.

[Forseegood]

that I tried that stuff once when I was first diagnosed...I could feel it going down the entire length of my gullet, and it really felt like I had eaten a couple of silver dollars, it was horrible!.....I threw it right out....but what came out the other side was nothing less then extrodinary....I'll leave it at that...

[pigeonca]

That was funny!

[meki]

I don't want to step on anyone's toes...

But I do have to say that it "might" have worked for this individual.

I mean - check how each of us responds differently to the combo treatment.

So with that in mind, each person may, indeed, react differently to different types of medicines.

Or perhaps this person was misdiagnosed - or something caused a false positive or the test was inadequate or the doctor was a quack.

While I doubt that the colloidal silver or whatever it is actually helped with HEPC - there could have been other mitigating factors that it contributed assistance for.

So I won't be quick to judge anyone for saying it worked for them.

And I'm not stupid enough to believe that there are any miracle cures out there, either. I'm not gulliable enough to do any type of treatment or medical/herbal "cure" until I've done enough research to gather all of the facts.

But - on the same token... There are some people with this disease who have NOT had the response to the combo treatment I had. And IF... IF... IF... I was a non-responder, 1a with massive damage ---- I might be willing to grasp at miracle cures and snake oils if someone even implied it worked for them.

So - it is the responsibility of each poster to try to be extremely factual. Because the people who are here ARE looking for help... and understanding... and cures... and a community of people who are going - or have gone through the same thing.

Anyway - I guess the entire concept of what I was trying to say was...

It may have worked for this person ---- research it --- talk to your doctors about it... If that alternative works for you... Don't jump up and just buy something because one poster said it worked for them. Find out about it.

And don't cut the person down... Because maybe --- through a different set of circumstances, that could be you.

And yeah - sometimes that means let a goof or a jerk --- or a sales person roll through here...

But it stops the "KILL THEM ALL - BURN THE WITCHES" mentality often found on community boards - which in the end, turns to stagnation.

It took me months to post here - after reading through almost every day.

It took one day of being sick and scared and not knowing if anyone else was going through the same thing.

And I'm glad my posts was met with kindness and thoughtfulness.

Meki

PS. But I am dying to know what "came out on the other end" - *GRIN*

[Forseegood]

hey, good reasoning! like your style...remember those big chucky silver bracelets from the 50's 60s? I'll say no more....maybe worth another go at it just to take a pic...okay, I'm done...but I will say that some people I know swear that that stuff works for burns...so it might have some value, but I ain't taking it again...

[copyman]

i have heard that mercury makes you feel very relaxed if you ingest it. so relaxed in fact that you feel like you are dead!  :-)

don't try this unless under the care of a good quack!

[bobbyullc]

the anger comes from people here who need to treat but do not due to pie in the sky daydreams like you gave that are totally unproven and a bit absurd. to give false hope to some is cruel and maybe dangerous if they delay tx and get sicker.

[Forseegood]

I understand your viewpoint, but I also think as long as many sides of the issue are presented, (and they usually are with posts like this) then it's "hey, youre an adult" and people are going to do, or not do, whatever they feel like in the end...I know a guy who wouldn't take treatment, though he was in advanced stages, and he died...(he was also boozing) as frustrating as that is to all that knew him, finally, it was his call to make, it wasn't like he didn't know any better...respectfully...

[meki]

ROFLMAO!

Oooh - I think those bracelets were from the 70s... But I always wanted one.

Think you could... nah... Nebbermind.

[cruelworld]

it will take more creative warfare to stop these posts.
i really dont even see how we can, this is america.
any ideas gang?

[bobbyullc]

your correct, but for some to see this on a site like med help, some people who may tx will be driven by their fears to try this garbage and suffer serious results.
i am a staunch advocate of wait for new tx IF YOU CAN.
IT REMINDS ME OF RATIONAL RECOVERY. many people tried it and died from alcoholism when aa may have save their lives. this is my opinion and i only place it besides the others to be considered.
i like the new attitude of nonconfrontational opinions that are being posted here. no offence taken.
bobby

[Forseegood]

gotta say I agree with many of your posts...and I've seen you take a lickin and keep on tickin, ha ha! I also think it's healthy to voice your opinions, though they aren't always in the majority view...

[meki]

Oh hey... Just curious - I'm wondering if there is a connection to the colloids for life ad and the posting?

I mean - the ad is here, (google ad) and someone with HepC (real or imagined)  may have wanted to testimony it.

Just a thought.

[BThompson4]

I don't know of any reputable g.i.'s or hepatologists that would use the term "dormant" in relation to somebody's hep c.  Any statement of that sort, just based on lab tests, would be ludicrous.  I had completely normal liver tests for a year  and a half after transplant, but there was little doubt that the hep c would eventually get a strong foothold again.  Normal liver tests can mean almost nothing in terms of determining how much liver damage you actually have.

Did you have a liver biopsy?  If so, was there damage?  I think most reputable g.i.'s or hepatologists would not urge you to start treatment without a biopsy.  It doesn't work that way; you assess the liver damage and other factors before attempting to treat with such potent drugs.  Yet your family practitioner and a specialist from a liver transplanting institution both told you to treat, immediately, without a biopsy?  Lots of your story does not add up, and I don't think it is because you are not knowledgeable about hep c.

Your family physician urged you to start treatment?  Wow, 99% of family practitioners would not touch that issue with a ten foot pole.  Lots of g.i. specialists won't even oversee treatment.

Lots of people clear the hep c virus without the aid of any medication whatsoever.  Just because you were told you no longer have the virus does not mean that anything that you have injested in the last thirty years had any affect on getting rid of your hep c.

I think it is interesting that you claim to have done what most would consider a rash and reckless plan to rid yourself of hep c with a quack product when you had not the most basic understanding (a total ignorance, as you tell it) or knowledge of your hcv genotype, viral load, and amount of liver damage that a biopsy would have shown.

[Mightyme]

i contacted this site to share my experience with others who had been given the frightening diagnosis of Hepatitis C.  I was given this diagnosis by both my primary care physician and a specialist at George Washington University Hospital.  I don't think either of these doctors are quacks.  As I said in a earlier posting I don't know as much as most of you about Hep C.  I only posted so that I could share what I believed to be a very positive experience.

When my doctor and the specialist urged me to start the interferon treatment asap, I was terrified, Partly because of the disease and partly because of the treatment.  I was afraid that the side effects would make it hard for me to go to work.  I don't make a lot of money and while I own my own home I don't have any real savings.  I don't get sick leave or paid vacations.  The place where I work is small and the four employees that work each shift have their own tasks and if I couldn't do mine because of nausea, flu symptoms or headache for instance, it would make it hard on everyone and it would damage our performance.  I don't know how long they would be able to put up with it.  If I lost my job I wouldn't have the insurance or the treatment.

Even though both of the doctors were urging me to start the treatment IMMEDIATELY and both stressed that I would never be any stronger than I was then,  a phrase I thought might have come directly from the drug maker brochure, I decided that I couldn't start the treatment at that time.  I also looked on the internet for other options.

One web site had a lot of information that sounded very helpful.  Lots of letters from people who had had little benefit from the inteferon combo and then had great benefit from an alternate treatment.  As I read these letters, I thought, how do I know that these aren't just written by people who work there.  So I can understand how some of you felt when you read my attempts to share my experience.  But since I couldn't really afford to start any major treatment until I coluld improve my finances; as I said in an earlier posting I was going to try to rent out my house and move to a small apartment so that I could survive.

That is when I started the other treatment.  I said what I took because I felt that my experience had been so positive and I wanted to help others.  I said what I paid because, while my insurance would have paid thousands of dollars for the shots, as long as I could afford the insurance, I had to pay for the alternate treatment myself.  While I wouldn't call it inexpensive I felt I could afford to give it a try.

Contrary to what one of your rspondants claimed, the product was virtually flavorless.  I took three 1/2 teaspoon doses a day and could hardly notice it going down and since it cause no change in my urine or bowel movements I don't know what he was talking about.  

I've chronicalled my experiences pretty thoroughly in the first two postings yesterday so I'm not going back over all of it,  If anybody has any interest please read those.

My only interest in writing was to help those of you who might be willing to try what I tried and hopefully to benefit the way I did.

Since posting I have been called everything, in so many words, from a gullible idiot to a criminal fraud.  I am neither.

I don't have any connection to the company that sold me the product or any company that sells any medical or alternative product.  I have nothing to gain by sharing my experience.

As I said in an earlier posting, I don't have the level of knowledge of Hep C that many of you have acquired.  I only kinow what I was told by two reputable physicians.  They said I had Hep C.  They gave me all kinds of brochure and paperwork about it.  They told me I needed to start the interferon combo asap.

After a year of the treatment I chose, my doctor seems surprised by the results of my bloodwork, writes "lifestyle modification working, liver functions normal"  and tells me to come back for a checkup in a year.  I don't know about the viral load or the genotype.  I just know that last year they told me to START TREATMENT NOW and now it's just come back nest year.  And while he wrote lifestyle modification on my chart, as I've stressed in previous postings, there was no significant lifestyle change.  He wrote down all the information I gave him about my treatment, he just didn't write it on my chart.

A few of you responded to my postings with open minds and kindness and I really appreciate that.  

For the one fellow who attacked me so venomously,  I have never posted on any forum before, I have hardly ever even e mailed before.  I just wated to respond to the barrage of comments that my first posting had generated and I didn't know how to post on the same board? or whatever it is.  I just wanted people to go back and read the first posting which I felt summed up my experiences pretty completely.  My reference to the leafy greens was only refering back to the fact that in spite of what my doctor wrote, there were no lifestyle changes.  Except for the treatment I took the only other thing I did was add more dark leafy greens to my already healty diet.  And I don't think the collard had anything to do with what I had taken to be my recovery.  It was never my intention to trick anyone.  I just had to keep thinking up questions so that I could post.

I am going to make an appointment with my doctor to find out more specifically what my status is.  Since the only source we could think of for my Hep C was a small tatoo I had gotten 30 years ago, the doctor said that I must have carried it in a dormant state for all these years.  As I said previously the disease had not been detected in a liver function test I had four years ago.  So I just thought that if the disease hasn't gone away altogether, it has just become dormant again.  And if it stays dormant for another 30 years I will be almost 90 when it recurrs, if I'm even still alive.  

All I know is when I went back to my dr last week he said everything looks fine.  Come back for a checkup in a year.

I doubt that I will post again  .  The abuse that I have taken from you people for sharing my experience with Hepatitis C in as clear and straightforward manner as I could has been very hurtful.  Again, I hope for the best for all of you.  But I will continue to rejoice in what I still belive is my recovery in spite of all your naysaying.

And thank again to meki, I think it was, and those few others of you who spoke up for me when I was being stomped on for just saying what I truly believe to have happened.

[cruelworld]

even though your story doesnt add up, ill give you the benefit of the doubt
with this qualifier. if this really happened to you then the chances of it happening to one of us would be about ten million to one (or something like that)
in this light your post is for all practical purposes meaningless. anecdotally interesting but meaningless. i was personally thinking about seeing a tv evangelist for a miracle cure for my hep c, i called them and they said it was possible. please dont take this as a religious insult, its a blanket assualt on all snake oil salesmen promising the impossible. i do believe miracles happen,
just never for me or anyone ive ever known.

[bobbyullc]

i should have stopped hanging around here when i was svr BUT i still have strong feelings on who should tx and who has absolutely no reason to start now. i hate to see people go through this he#l when they can wait a year or two for tx that will be so  much better and will not louse up their lives for a year or more.
i would love to have that year back even though i am svr. if i were a stage 2 now i would still wait for new tx even though i am svr. keep the svr and give me my year back and my energy level.