Aa
One Happy Zero
Hi All,
Just got back my biopsy results and I'm Stage Zero, Portal Grade 1, Lobular Grade 1 (using the Scheuer histologic score). I'm totally shocked! I figure I've had this disease nearly forty years so I'm doing really well!
Even my doctor felt uncomfortable recommending TX at this time (which is a big change of tune from six months ago when he strongly advised me NOT to have a biopsy and start TX immediately!)
Going to get a second opinion and take it from there.
Very happy,
Anna.
Just got back my biopsy results and I'm Stage Zero, Portal Grade 1, Lobular Grade 1 (using the Scheuer histologic score). I'm totally shocked! I figure I've had this disease nearly forty years so I'm doing really well!
Even my doctor felt uncomfortable recommending TX at this time (which is a big change of tune from six months ago when he strongly advised me NOT to have a biopsy and start TX immediately!)
Going to get a second opinion and take it from there.
Very happy,
Anna.
Hi, just wanted to say that I am so pleased about your results...as far as the diet, I think it's great that youre eating so well...
just in my own case? I'm pretty sure that I started getting a little progression (even though I still have low liver damage at 54) in terms of symptoms, and maybe jumping from a 0 to a 1, once the estrogen started getting low in my system (due to menopause) because there have been many studies pointing to this, and once I was in menopause, is when this started for me (symptoms, etc).
Estrogen has been shown to have a protective effect from the virus in some women. And I wish I absorbed estrogen better then I do as far as re-placement. This is shown statistically in women with hep c, to a certain extent. This is why, statistically speaking, women seem to do better against this virus then men. Particularly before menopause. I can post some studies if anyone wants.
Course I can't say what's going on with you, or what will happen, but I don't see you going though the change for years away no? I just think, by that time, the better drugs will be available to all.
And I'd also bet my Lionel Train-set that; since youre taking really good care of yourself, your enzymes will tend to go down after months of giving up the grape. Just seen that happen so often....so I bet they do go down now, but just a guess. Let us know though, these cases are interesting...course it's up to you and your doc what you ultimately decide to do, as you can see, we prob all have different opinions about it, taking in your particular circumstances. Best of luck.
just in my own case? I'm pretty sure that I started getting a little progression (even though I still have low liver damage at 54) in terms of symptoms, and maybe jumping from a 0 to a 1, once the estrogen started getting low in my system (due to menopause) because there have been many studies pointing to this, and once I was in menopause, is when this started for me (symptoms, etc).
Estrogen has been shown to have a protective effect from the virus in some women. And I wish I absorbed estrogen better then I do as far as re-placement. This is shown statistically in women with hep c, to a certain extent. This is why, statistically speaking, women seem to do better against this virus then men. Particularly before menopause. I can post some studies if anyone wants.
Course I can't say what's going on with you, or what will happen, but I don't see you going though the change for years away no? I just think, by that time, the better drugs will be available to all.
And I'd also bet my Lionel Train-set that; since youre taking really good care of yourself, your enzymes will tend to go down after months of giving up the grape. Just seen that happen so often....so I bet they do go down now, but just a guess. Let us know though, these cases are interesting...course it's up to you and your doc what you ultimately decide to do, as you can see, we prob all have different opinions about it, taking in your particular circumstances. Best of luck.
I wish you the best of luck with getting on the transplant list. It sounds like you are doing everything right but your liver is not cooperating. Sometimes there is no rhyme or reason to illness (not that we understand anyway). I believe you're in good hands at the Mayo Clinic and I wish you smooth recovery.
Best wishes, Anna.
Best wishes, Anna.
Thanks you guys. I will consider TXing now although it's a tough because I'm asymptomatic and my liver is in good shape. (I've bascially achieved what SVR promises.) Of course, I'd love to be done with it but knowing myself pretty well, I'm not sure SVR (if I could achieve it) would bring so much comfort because I'd worry about relapse. Neurotic, I guess. But I will discuss it again with my second opinion Dr. Thanks again for you posts.
I'm not sure why but when I read your question I flashed back to that Dannon yogurt commercial from the 70's that was shot in a rural part of the USSR and interviewed really old people asking them what they ate to stay so healthy. (I looked for it on youtube but only found this one that spoofs the original: http://youtube.com/watch?v=2Xf3bG4vMs8 ).
Anyway, to answer your question, I have always tried to eat "healthy" and have been on every diet there is but not the diet-to-lose-weight-diet (for example, macrobiotic, blood type diet, body ecology, vegan, vegetarian). Unfortunately, its tough to stick on these and I don't think I've ever been on any of these for more than six months. Currently, I'm trying to follow a basic TCM diet which is grains and vegetables at every meal and small amounts of protein only at breakfast and lunch. I was drinking red wine up until 4 months ago which (before anyone starts throwing rotten fruit at me, I am NOT recommending) I just never had a doctor tell me I shouldn't (even after my LFTs came back pretty high). God's honest truth. I wish I had some secret to share, but I don't. I will continue to eat and live healthfully but I can't be sure how much influence it has had on my HCV. Email me if you want more diet detail (don't want to take up space with my diet pontifications).
Good luck to you.
Anyway, to answer your question, I have always tried to eat "healthy" and have been on every diet there is but not the diet-to-lose-weight-diet (for example, macrobiotic, blood type diet, body ecology, vegan, vegetarian). Unfortunately, its tough to stick on these and I don't think I've ever been on any of these for more than six months. Currently, I'm trying to follow a basic TCM diet which is grains and vegetables at every meal and small amounts of protein only at breakfast and lunch. I was drinking red wine up until 4 months ago which (before anyone starts throwing rotten fruit at me, I am NOT recommending) I just never had a doctor tell me I shouldn't (even after my LFTs came back pretty high). God's honest truth. I wish I had some secret to share, but I don't. I will continue to eat and live healthfully but I can't be sure how much influence it has had on my HCV. Email me if you want more diet detail (don't want to take up space with my diet pontifications).
Good luck to you.
That's fantastic news. The only thing I could add is that as you get older, tx can be more difficult. (I don't know what the statistics on this are, but it seems to me that the older people in this forum do have a harder time with the sides.) So definitely keep up with the doctor appointments, fibroscans, etc., and probably, if and when you decide to treat, newer and better meds will be available. A votre sante for many, many years to come.
WOW!!!!! was just checking this site not because I have Hepatitis.Did have A when I was little. Anyway I too would like your diet. You see about a year ago they found out on a blood test that I had very high levels of ammonia causing me to have memmory lapses etc. I don't drink or smoke or do drugs other than the prescribed ones for my hypertension. They put me on meds to lower my ammonia levels. Then after a year decided to do a biopsy and found out I was at stage 4, 4-4. So I am trying to get on the transplant list. One thing is I have since a year ago ,when they said possibility of hepititis. Changed my diet. The Dr."s where I live and the ones doing the eveluation at Mayo Clinic. Can't figure out the cause.So their calling it Cryptogenic. Anyone that far along and feeling good. Hoping for a mirical like verdugo . Best of Luck to all. cat33
I just saw your post. This is incredible Anna. How fortunate for you. You are a lucky, lucky lady.
Thanks all.
Nygirl, I hope I can take your advice (if my second opinion confirms the first) and relax and enjoy but it's weird once you open Pandora's box and HCV pops out - pretty hard to get it back in. I think I'm changed forever as a result of becoming aware of my disease. But I'm going to try.
4c, I think you make a good point. Taking care of yourself can only help but unfortunately for some it just isn't enough. I'm very lucky, plain and simple. You ever hear that saying that God only doles out how much a person can take? Well, He must know me pretty well! LOL. Anyway, I'm grateful all the same.
Frijole, I believe I was infected when I was 7, so not quite 40 years. But I wonder these days if I was infected later. I fit into no other high risk group but it seems like there are many people out there that have no idea how they were infected so who really knows. I will continue to consider your advice about treating now. Would love to knock that gorilla on my back!
Elaine, I was scaring you? Maybe because it took me over three weeks to call my doctor to get my BX results. Well, some old dogs can't learn new tricks. If you look at another way, I'm moving at lighting speed since my DX. I wish Nick had my options too. When I wrote the above to 4c, I was thinking of Nick. He seems like someone who did it all right but still the disease progresses. It really isn't fair. But I will continue to send you positive thoughts for his recovery.
Willy50, This virus is crazy! I don't know of a more insidious disease where the only diagnosis is sticking a skewer into a vital organ to figure out how you are doing. I'm thinking about a fibrosure and/or fibroscan as I understand it tells you different stuff about your liver.
GrandmaA, Thanks. We haven't posted to one another but I always read your posts because you have an open mind to alternatives (and so do I). You always inform me on something that I end up researching more.
Thanks again,
Anna.
Nygirl, I hope I can take your advice (if my second opinion confirms the first) and relax and enjoy but it's weird once you open Pandora's box and HCV pops out - pretty hard to get it back in. I think I'm changed forever as a result of becoming aware of my disease. But I'm going to try.
4c, I think you make a good point. Taking care of yourself can only help but unfortunately for some it just isn't enough. I'm very lucky, plain and simple. You ever hear that saying that God only doles out how much a person can take? Well, He must know me pretty well! LOL. Anyway, I'm grateful all the same.
Frijole, I believe I was infected when I was 7, so not quite 40 years. But I wonder these days if I was infected later. I fit into no other high risk group but it seems like there are many people out there that have no idea how they were infected so who really knows. I will continue to consider your advice about treating now. Would love to knock that gorilla on my back!
Elaine, I was scaring you? Maybe because it took me over three weeks to call my doctor to get my BX results. Well, some old dogs can't learn new tricks. If you look at another way, I'm moving at lighting speed since my DX. I wish Nick had my options too. When I wrote the above to 4c, I was thinking of Nick. He seems like someone who did it all right but still the disease progresses. It really isn't fair. But I will continue to send you positive thoughts for his recovery.
Willy50, This virus is crazy! I don't know of a more insidious disease where the only diagnosis is sticking a skewer into a vital organ to figure out how you are doing. I'm thinking about a fibrosure and/or fibroscan as I understand it tells you different stuff about your liver.
GrandmaA, Thanks. We haven't posted to one another but I always read your posts because you have an open mind to alternatives (and so do I). You always inform me on something that I end up researching more.
Thanks again,
Anna.
That is wonderful news. You have plenty of time and wait for the new meds. Congrats.
Wow!! Pretty amazing. It's a crazy thing about this virus. Some folks it just skips over and others it nails. Some people it gives no symptoms but damage, others no damage and lots of symptoms. I hope you are getting the best of both worlds. It certainly bodes well for your chances on waiting.
I'd also suggest a fibrosure every so often (whch will include your AST/ALT scores but with damage like that (I mean the lack of it) you should be able to coast comfortably for a spell.
Great news,
best,
Willy
I'd also suggest a fibrosure every so often (whch will include your AST/ALT scores but with damage like that (I mean the lack of it) you should be able to coast comfortably for a spell.
Great news,
best,
Willy
You got this disease when you were 4? (reading your profile)
Good news for you. It is still easier to treat when you are younger and damage is not great -- just a thought.
frijole
Good news for you. It is still easier to treat when you are younger and damage is not great -- just a thought.
frijole
I second NYgirls remarks and I'm soooo glad for you...I will add, I've been around for awhile, and I see and hear and study this stuff to a certain extent...not in all cases but in many cases...
the people who do well enough to wait for treatment are the one's who take excellent care of themselves....and abstain from drugs and alcohol (course, not talking about an occasional pain pill for a headache, etc)...
I've seen this over and over again to where I think there is something to it...course, some will bring up people who seem to progress even though they do take great care of themselves...or bring up the few who don't seem to progress even though they take horrible care of themselves (seen this situation but I don't think this happens too often).
But my advice is if you are going to wait for the better drugs to be widely available, and it seems that you are in that position to do so if you want to...just take great care of yourself and enjoy your life...good diet with lots of fruits, nuts and veggies (like our own Los Angeles, ha ha) good and plentiful water, exercise...and a good attitude if you can manage it, lol...be well and prosper!
the people who do well enough to wait for treatment are the one's who take excellent care of themselves....and abstain from drugs and alcohol (course, not talking about an occasional pain pill for a headache, etc)...
I've seen this over and over again to where I think there is something to it...course, some will bring up people who seem to progress even though they do take great care of themselves...or bring up the few who don't seem to progress even though they take horrible care of themselves (seen this situation but I don't think this happens too often).
But my advice is if you are going to wait for the better drugs to be widely available, and it seems that you are in that position to do so if you want to...just take great care of yourself and enjoy your life...good diet with lots of fruits, nuts and veggies (like our own Los Angeles, ha ha) good and plentiful water, exercise...and a good attitude if you can manage it, lol...be well and prosper!
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