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322064 tn?1233257028

Milk Thistle during Treatment??

Someone I respect relayed to me that their GI Doc said to not take Milk Thistlte during Interferon and Ribaviun treatment.

Can taking Ultra Milk Thistle interfer with my treatments?

What are your thoughts?

Ryan
14 Responses
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315996 tn?1429054229
I'm not on treatment. . .yet. But I did notice 2 things happened at the same time: taking Milk Thistle and itching and rashes. This is just my experience which doesn't amount to much except to raise an eyebrow and beg further attention of those concerned.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hey,
I took Maximum Milk thistle during my Tx years ago and all the docs said it was ok.Although i had to be taken off my combo therapy after 6 months due to a horific rash from the meds, too bad for they said i almost kicked it.
Milk thistle protects the healthy cells. In my opinion i would give those good cells all the chance they need to keep fighting.What does your heart tell you?
Natrual wellness ( Maximum Milk thistle ) is amazing and i lowered my count by 30 some %. I have been on it for over 8 years.  It is not the same as regular milk thistle well read for your self if you want to much to write. Not trying to sell it just they are the only ones who make it and offer it to hep patients specifically. They have all the research there about using it with hep c.
Good luck on your tx
Dan
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Uhmm maybe not  a puppy, but a semi trained dog?  Do you want a big one, or one you can cuddle? Puppies are a lot of work and need loads of attention!  

I wanted one before I started txing this time.  Never did get one,  kind of glad, but I have a fat lazy cat!

Best wishes!
Helpful - 0
443974 tn?1224589328
Thank you ALL for your time and information and just for being here!!!

I am going for it this summer!!  Everything crossed! Milk Thistle and all!

Sending you all Energy, Strength,  Light and Love!
Dragon Tamer

P.S My partner thought getting a puppy/dog would help through the tough times and  encourage me to heal faster!  Now my big question what kind of puppy/dog??? :)
Helpful - 0
144210 tn?1273088782
UND means undetectible virus in the blood according to the test. There are different tests though, so UND does not necessarily mean you are virus free. SOC (standard of care) for a geno 2b is 12 weeks on interferon and ribaviron. Many think 24 weeks should be the duration for 2b though. To start or wait to treat depends on many variables. the most important is the extent of the current damage to your liver. Biopsies rate the damage. Stage and grade. Here is a link to get up to snuff: http://www.janis7hepc.com/
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
DragonTamer - I have decided not to have a liver Biopsy. I know I have it....I want to erradicate the virus first then tackle whatever is going on with the fibrosis

I am a G3 non responder. I had exactly the same attitude. Tx failed now I want a Biopsy.

G2s have excellent SVR odds so in that sense you are lucky. But its not 100%. Some G2s find it quite difficult to cure.

Make sure you get a 4 week pcr test done.

CS
Helpful - 0
443974 tn?1224589328
My Doc pretty much said the same thing, it could not hurt but there had been no (scientific) proof except in rats that it actually helps. I choose to be more positive!

Please fogive my ignorance in all this but what does UND mean. And are you FREE???
Were you 2b? You mentioned 12 weeks that is why I asked.  I am so damn new to all this and just trying to find out as much as I can before IF I start treatment!
Thanks
Helpful - 0
100019 tn?1335919717
My dr said there was enough research to show that milk thistle would NOT hurt during TX.  Wasn't enough research to show whether it would help.  He told me to definitely take 800 mg of vitamin e during TX and for the rest of my life.

I took milk thistle and E during my entire TX and I was UND from week 12 through end of TX.
Helpful - 0
443974 tn?1224589328
Hello to all...I want to say thank the universe this site is here for us!  I have been recently diagnosed with Hep C geno 2b.   Seems everyone I talk to says, "thank God it's only 2b"....I don't tend to share that emotion at the moment. And  I am sure many of you can tell me some not so positive stories about 2b, as well as all the other a's and  b's and cdefgs....!!!     I am just trying to get some solid practical information.  I am taking the Ultra Milk Thistle, always have because I am an alternative practitioner. vegetarian, no meat in a very long time...(go figure) I also take Tumeric, a fantastic antiinflamatory....probably better than Milk Thistle. Since being diagnosed I am taking Schisandra berry  tea....or ready mixed T.M Eveyday Detox tea.... has Dandilion and other good liver cleansing herbs. (though licorice is in it and when I start tx I will begin to brew my own again berries only) Licorice can affect high blood pressure.

There is so much bloody information out there one can go mad...but it is important to reseach...someone here said had he not had this forum he might go mad.....one could feel so all alone.  As do I ...only a few friends know and I have not told my family yet.
  
I have not started treatment yet. I was planing on starting this summer.
I have decided not to have a liver Biopsy....instead I had the new non invasive Fibrospect II blood test, which showed I have mild to moderate fibrosis. But only a Liver autopsy can give you those almighty 1000% details. Well I told my doctor I was not willing to risk the biopsy too many "can go wrongs" for me...and to know what???   I know I have it....I want to erradicate the virus first then tacckle whatever is going on with the fibrosis. One bout of anxiety is enough thankyou! ;)    

He was not pushy about me not having it..he said the TX would not be different, I would just be in a better possition to know the condition of my liver. The ultrasound showed no major pockets or unusual enlargment just a bit of a fatty liver. ( I hate the way that sounds!)
any way my dilema... I put out to you brave folk....   to treat or not to treat???  That is the question????  Of course I will have to treat it some time...  but can I wait...my doc says I should just do it now.. Why wait???
My levels are not off the scale...ALT a tad high, others pretty good....
I am just so confused about all of this. It came like a tornado in the night... a routine blood test...and then    " I HAVE WHAT ????????

I lived in Europe for many years... I have been told 2b is more common in Northern Europe...I was seeing an Acupuncturists...who (though I can never prove it) was not the most hygenic of doctors now that I look back upon it.    But as everyone says....  doesn't matter when or how....the dragon is here and now what to do about it!!!  I love dragons,) this one is just as nasty as they get though...I'm sure once this is over we will go back to being good friends again!! ;)   In any case I know you all have sooooo much on your own plates right now....but if anyone could give me some advice..I am a month old to all of this... I just found out what tx means for Gods sake! I am trying to get it all together and make the right decisions.  I am 48...look 38 and I plan on living to 98!  

Thanks for being here sorry this is so long just needed to get this all OUT!
Dragon Tamer
Helpful - 0
163305 tn?1333668571
http://www.hivandhepatitis.com/hep_c/news/2008/020508_a.html

Silymarin (Milk Thistle) Does Not Affect Hepatitis C Virus Activity or ALT Levels in HCV Patients, but Users Report Fewer Symptoms and Better Quality of Life than Non Users

…Conclusions
In comparing the clinical data of silymarin users and non-users, the researchers found that "the levels of HCV RNA were not significantly different between silymarin users and non-users," indicating no effect on virus activity. Similarly, the product did not alter serum ALT levels, indicating no effect on hepatic inflammation. However, after adjusting for covariates, the data showed that silymarin users reported less fatigue, nausea, liver pain, anorexia, muscle and joint pain and better general health than non-users.
Helpful - 0
144210 tn?1273088782
Well, anti inflammatories will suppress the immune system in varying degrees. Off tx this is good as it will slow fibrosis; on tx we need our immune system ramped so I am of the school of no anti inflammatories on tox.
Helpful - 0
250084 tn?1303307435
Mine liver Dr, said NOT also! Took before, will take after. There is some back post on this if you want to read them.

LL
Helpful - 0
410850 tn?1229178711
my doc also told me absolutely not because there is not enough research to support that it will NOT interfere w/  tx.  I would say- don't chance it!  But that is just my opinion.  (believe me, I followed only natural, herbal, or homeopathic treatments for years for everything under the sun, but if your going through the considerable journey, angst, and pain of Peg & Riba, why risk ANYTHING that could get in the way of SVR???)
Helpful - 0
362971 tn?1201987034
   Some Drs tell you it is ok and others advise against just about anything during treatment. They just don't know for sure.

Bobby
Helpful - 0
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