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What about Herbals?
In 1993, I was rejected by the Blood Bank for donations due to Hep C antibodies. I discussed this with my doctor who said that meant I had been exposed to Hep C but my body was taking care of it (dunce). I told every doctor I ever saw about this but only one doctor did a liver panel workup that showed my liver functions as normal - so I was put on Lipitor for high cholesterol. Finally, this year I got the proper blood work done by my GI doctor and it showed that I do have Hep C. My VL is 6,000,000. I am genotype 2. I will get the rest of the info on my first office visit on Wed. (9/3) to discuss treatment.
I may have had this for at least 25 years but at least 15. Everything I've read, including posts here, tell the nightmare of the side effects of interferon treatments (which, I've also read, don't work for genotypes 1x)
I am leaning towards the herbal approach of milk thistle, licorace, dandylion root, Liv.52, and NAC (to name some) I can't take time off work since I am the breadwinner in the family.
The posts here about the medical approach don't look real promising (side effects, time off work, 24/48/56 weeks of treatment, relapse, etc.) Has anyone tried the herbal approach? I'm told that there are NO side effects. Reading the posts here scare me even more about the medical approach.
I am trying to gather as much info as possible prior to my Wednesday appointment. Any input would be greatly appreciated.
I may have had this for at least 25 years but at least 15. Everything I've read, including posts here, tell the nightmare of the side effects of interferon treatments (which, I've also read, don't work for genotypes 1x)
I am leaning towards the herbal approach of milk thistle, licorace, dandylion root, Liv.52, and NAC (to name some) I can't take time off work since I am the breadwinner in the family.
The posts here about the medical approach don't look real promising (side effects, time off work, 24/48/56 weeks of treatment, relapse, etc.) Has anyone tried the herbal approach? I'm told that there are NO side effects. Reading the posts here scare me even more about the medical approach.
I am trying to gather as much info as possible prior to my Wednesday appointment. Any input would be greatly appreciated.
I just got back from my GI doctor. He said since I am genotype 2 that there is an 80% success cure rate, shorter treatment time, and less side effects. He ordered more blood work (full liver panel) and an ultrasound (yea! no needles) He said that since I am currently on anti-depressants, this would not be a good time to start treatment due to suicidal reactions when mixing interferon and anti-depressants. He wants me to hold off for a year and see if they come up any new/better treatments. He does not feel that I am in iminant danger.
I am showing no symptoms and a palpitation of my liver didn't turn up anything that concerned the doctor. So... I am going to go the herbal route for 6 months and have my blood work done again to see if it has improved my numbers.
I see this as very good news. I'll let you know what happens.
I am showing no symptoms and a palpitation of my liver didn't turn up anything that concerned the doctor. So... I am going to go the herbal route for 6 months and have my blood work done again to see if it has improved my numbers.
I see this as very good news. I'll let you know what happens.
Thanks Walrus. Like I said before, I'm new and scared - really scared.
The doctors who ignored my antibody info were all GPs - at least 6 since 1993. It wasn't until I hit 50 and had to go for that lovely baseline that someone heard me. My GI doctor told me that he treats Hep patients and immediately ordered me a set of blood work. That's what got this ball rolling. Today's the day I get all of the info on my blood test results.
I just found out yesterday that my hubby's brother has just completed a 6 month treatment for Hep C. He said that he was so sick that he couldn't even get out of bed. He got really upset when his hair started to fall out (he's an old hippy with really long, beautiful hair) His hemoglobin numbers dropped dramatically and the doctor perscribed yet another injection that he had to give himself 3 times a week. He said that he was taking a total of 6 shots a week. (I'm not sure what all they were, but at least one was interferon) He also took Ribavirin daily. After his 6 months of hell, his blood work showed no sign of the disease. He's cured - or so he hopes. The doctor wants him to come back in 6 months for another workup. He said if he has a relapse, he's not going to redo the treatment due to the horrible side effects. He said that he preferred quality over quantity. His choice...
Like you said, Walrus, I need to find out where I'm at with this killer and determine a course of treatment that I can live with. If the doctor says to wait for treatment, I'm still going to take the herbals. If he says to start treatment immediately, well, then I have some hard thinking to do. I believe an ultrasound and/or biopsy will come first, though.
I've given support (both emotional and physical) to a number of friends and family who have gone through chemo for cancer - some survived, some didn't. It tore me up to watch my loved ones go through such an ordeal and it scares the **** out of me to think that I may have to be in a similar position.
Thanks for your advise. I really appreciate your input.
The doctors who ignored my antibody info were all GPs - at least 6 since 1993. It wasn't until I hit 50 and had to go for that lovely baseline that someone heard me. My GI doctor told me that he treats Hep patients and immediately ordered me a set of blood work. That's what got this ball rolling. Today's the day I get all of the info on my blood test results.
I just found out yesterday that my hubby's brother has just completed a 6 month treatment for Hep C. He said that he was so sick that he couldn't even get out of bed. He got really upset when his hair started to fall out (he's an old hippy with really long, beautiful hair) His hemoglobin numbers dropped dramatically and the doctor perscribed yet another injection that he had to give himself 3 times a week. He said that he was taking a total of 6 shots a week. (I'm not sure what all they were, but at least one was interferon) He also took Ribavirin daily. After his 6 months of hell, his blood work showed no sign of the disease. He's cured - or so he hopes. The doctor wants him to come back in 6 months for another workup. He said if he has a relapse, he's not going to redo the treatment due to the horrible side effects. He said that he preferred quality over quantity. His choice...
Like you said, Walrus, I need to find out where I'm at with this killer and determine a course of treatment that I can live with. If the doctor says to wait for treatment, I'm still going to take the herbals. If he says to start treatment immediately, well, then I have some hard thinking to do. I believe an ultrasound and/or biopsy will come first, though.
I've given support (both emotional and physical) to a number of friends and family who have gone through chemo for cancer - some survived, some didn't. It tore me up to watch my loved ones go through such an ordeal and it scares the **** out of me to think that I may have to be in a similar position.
Thanks for your advise. I really appreciate your input.
I can only wonder what kind of doctor would see that a patient has tested positive to hep c antibodies and would not then follow with a test to determine if there is an active infection. Was this a veterinary doctor? Anyway, you should be seeing a different doctor, preferably a hepatologist or GI doctor.
Viral load will fluctuate pretty widely on its own. Remember, it it logarythmic, which means that the differences that are significant are drops of an order of magnitude from the original. Your VL is 6,000,000. If you drop to 600,000, that would be a 1-Log drop. Each Log, or "order of magnitude" is represented by a multiple of 10 (or 1/10th).
Nothing has been clinically shown to eradicate the virus except interferon. Herbal remedies may or may not be healthy for the liver, but they will not result in viral eradication. That means you will still have the virus and it will continue to damage your liver.
On the plus side, you are a genotype 2, so treatment could be only 6 months with a very likely successful outcome with standard treatment.
On the other hand, it might be advisable to wait and see how the disease progresses before deciding to treat. Often the disease progresses slowly. During the time you wait, newer, safer and more effective treatments may become available. It is true that some people live with HCV for a long time and die of something else. For others, this is not the case (I personally testify to this).
I wouldn't rely on herbal remedies as an alternative to treatment if that is what you need. This disease does kill people.
Best luck
Viral load will fluctuate pretty widely on its own. Remember, it it logarythmic, which means that the differences that are significant are drops of an order of magnitude from the original. Your VL is 6,000,000. If you drop to 600,000, that would be a 1-Log drop. Each Log, or "order of magnitude" is represented by a multiple of 10 (or 1/10th).
Nothing has been clinically shown to eradicate the virus except interferon. Herbal remedies may or may not be healthy for the liver, but they will not result in viral eradication. That means you will still have the virus and it will continue to damage your liver.
On the plus side, you are a genotype 2, so treatment could be only 6 months with a very likely successful outcome with standard treatment.
On the other hand, it might be advisable to wait and see how the disease progresses before deciding to treat. Often the disease progresses slowly. During the time you wait, newer, safer and more effective treatments may become available. It is true that some people live with HCV for a long time and die of something else. For others, this is not the case (I personally testify to this).
I wouldn't rely on herbal remedies as an alternative to treatment if that is what you need. This disease does kill people.
Best luck
Thank you so much for the acronym list. I feel like I've been swimming in alphabet soup while trying to do research on this! I believe the GI doctor is probably going to order a biopsy - which I have no problem doing. I have read some very good reports on herbals (much more than I've read here and other sites about the medical treatments)
I figure I've had HCV for at least 15 years without symptoms so 6 months of an alternative treatment (herbals) and then a retest of my numbers (which I don't even know what all they are except my viral load - I'm really new to this and should learn on Wed). If no change or if things get worse, then I would consider injecting myself with poison. I just can't see debilitating myself for months on a treatment that 'may' work.
I'll report back on any outcome - positive or negative - to an alternative approach.
I figure I've had HCV for at least 15 years without symptoms so 6 months of an alternative treatment (herbals) and then a retest of my numbers (which I don't even know what all they are except my viral load - I'm really new to this and should learn on Wed). If no change or if things get worse, then I would consider injecting myself with poison. I just can't see debilitating myself for months on a treatment that 'may' work.
I'll report back on any outcome - positive or negative - to an alternative approach.
HCV Acronyms
HCV Hepatitis C Virus
AHC Acute Hepatitis C
CHC Chronic Hepatitis C
G or GT Genotype
RNA RiboNucleic Acid
DNA DeoxyriboNucleic Acid
Tx Treatment, Therapy (can also mean Transplant)
Bx Biopsy
Dx Diagnosis
Sx Symptoms, Side Effects
Rx Prescription
Hx History
SOC Standard of Care
ITT Intent to Treat
RVR Rapid Virological Response (4 Week PCR - UND
EVR Early Virological Response (12 Week PCR - >2 Log Drop)
EVC Early Virological Clearance (Aviremic - HCV RNA Negative at Week 12)
PVR Partial Virological Response (Viremic Response – >2 Log Drop still HCV+ at Week 12
EOT End of Treatment
SVR Sustained Virological Response (UND 6 Months post EOT)
VR Virological Response
PCR Polymerase Chain Reaction
RT-PCR Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction.
TMA Transcription Mediated Amplification
VL Viral Load
HVL High Viral Load (≥400,000 IU) (≥600,000 IU) (≥800,000 IU)
LVL Low Viral Load (<400,000 IU)
UND Undetectable Viral Load
IU International Unit 1 IU = 2.5 VL Copies apx
BMI Body Mass Index
WHR Waist to Hip Ratio
Drug Acronyms
IFN Interferon (Alpha 2a / Alpha 2b)
NPIA Non-Pegylated Interferon Alpha
PegIFN Pegylated Interferon (Alpha 2a / Alpha 2b)
CIFN Consensus Interferon (Infergen/alphacon)
RBV Ribavirin
RVN Ribavirin
Riba Ribavirin
WBR Weight Based Ribavirin
WBD Weight Based Dose
FDR Fixed Dose Ribavirin
LDR Low Dose Ribavirin (Same as FDR)
EPO Erythropoietin Epoetin alfa (Epogen/Procrit), Darbepoetin alfa (Aranesp)
Neup Neupogen
TIW Three Injections Weekly (Tri Weekly, Three Times a Week, Thrice Weekly)
SC Subcutaneous (Beneath or Under the skin)
QW Once a Week (from Latin quaque
Blood Test Acronyms
LFT Liver Function Test
ALT Alanine Aminotransferase
AST Aspartate Aminotransferase
SGPT ALT was called Serum Glutamic Pyruvic Transaminase.
SGOT AST was called Serum Glutamic Oxaloacetic Transaminase.
ALP Alkaline Phosphatase (Alk Phos)
AFP Alpha-FetoProtein
GGT Gamma Glutamyl Transpeptidase
LDH Lactate Dehydrogenase
FBC Full Blood Count
CBC Complete Blood Count (almost the same as FBC)
RCC Red Cell Count
HGB Hemoglobin
WCC White Cell Count
MCV Mean Corpuscular Volume
TSH Thyroid stimulating hormone (Also called: Thyrotropin)
ULN Upper Limit of Normal
LLN Lower Limit of Normal
Cholesterol
VLDL Very Low Density Lipoproteins
LDL Low Density Lipoproteins
HDL High Density Lipoproteins
CS
HCV Hepatitis C Virus
AHC Acute Hepatitis C
CHC Chronic Hepatitis C
G or GT Genotype
RNA RiboNucleic Acid
DNA DeoxyriboNucleic Acid
Tx Treatment, Therapy (can also mean Transplant)
Bx Biopsy
Dx Diagnosis
Sx Symptoms, Side Effects
Rx Prescription
Hx History
SOC Standard of Care
ITT Intent to Treat
RVR Rapid Virological Response (4 Week PCR - UND
EVR Early Virological Response (12 Week PCR - >2 Log Drop)
EVC Early Virological Clearance (Aviremic - HCV RNA Negative at Week 12)
PVR Partial Virological Response (Viremic Response – >2 Log Drop still HCV+ at Week 12
EOT End of Treatment
SVR Sustained Virological Response (UND 6 Months post EOT)
VR Virological Response
PCR Polymerase Chain Reaction
RT-PCR Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction.
TMA Transcription Mediated Amplification
VL Viral Load
HVL High Viral Load (≥400,000 IU) (≥600,000 IU) (≥800,000 IU)
LVL Low Viral Load (<400,000 IU)
UND Undetectable Viral Load
IU International Unit 1 IU = 2.5 VL Copies apx
BMI Body Mass Index
WHR Waist to Hip Ratio
Drug Acronyms
IFN Interferon (Alpha 2a / Alpha 2b)
NPIA Non-Pegylated Interferon Alpha
PegIFN Pegylated Interferon (Alpha 2a / Alpha 2b)
CIFN Consensus Interferon (Infergen/alphacon)
RBV Ribavirin
RVN Ribavirin
Riba Ribavirin
WBR Weight Based Ribavirin
WBD Weight Based Dose
FDR Fixed Dose Ribavirin
LDR Low Dose Ribavirin (Same as FDR)
EPO Erythropoietin Epoetin alfa (Epogen/Procrit), Darbepoetin alfa (Aranesp)
Neup Neupogen
TIW Three Injections Weekly (Tri Weekly, Three Times a Week, Thrice Weekly)
SC Subcutaneous (Beneath or Under the skin)
QW Once a Week (from Latin quaque
Blood Test Acronyms
LFT Liver Function Test
ALT Alanine Aminotransferase
AST Aspartate Aminotransferase
SGPT ALT was called Serum Glutamic Pyruvic Transaminase.
SGOT AST was called Serum Glutamic Oxaloacetic Transaminase.
ALP Alkaline Phosphatase (Alk Phos)
AFP Alpha-FetoProtein
GGT Gamma Glutamyl Transpeptidase
LDH Lactate Dehydrogenase
FBC Full Blood Count
CBC Complete Blood Count (almost the same as FBC)
RCC Red Cell Count
HGB Hemoglobin
WCC White Cell Count
MCV Mean Corpuscular Volume
TSH Thyroid stimulating hormone (Also called: Thyrotropin)
ULN Upper Limit of Normal
LLN Lower Limit of Normal
Cholesterol
VLDL Very Low Density Lipoproteins
LDL Low Density Lipoproteins
HDL High Density Lipoproteins
CS
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