HELP Recently diagnosed...high viral count

[eyehavegr8life]

3 weeks ago I had some blood work done and found out I am positive with Hep C.  I just got the results today on my viral load and its 2,250,000 (copies?) I understand this is high. I'm also Genotype 1 (no a or b?)and already on medication for depression.  My Dr feels I wouldn't respond to treatment well, being Genotype 1. I've decided I will have a biopsy done to see what kind of damage might be going on in the liver.  
My question is:  I need hope and something I can be doing to help myself. I'm at the point of trying Homiopathic (spelling?)products.  I've been reading as much as I can about Hep C and I'm having the hardest time understanding what all the numbers mean! I hope my insurance has a good liver specialist. If anyone can try to help me understand the meaning of the numbers and what I want to be looking for in them, I'd appreciate it.  Also, my local health food store owner suggested these products to help the Liver. Has anyone used these or heard about them? Milk Thistle, Articoke capsules, Lysine 1000mg 3x a day, Grapefruit Seed Extract 6 drops in 8oz water 3x a day, vitamin c 1000mg 3x a day and MSM 2000mg 2x a day. Thank You, Please respond

[eyehavegr8life]

Once again, thank you for your info and insight. I will wait to see the Liver Specialist and feel him/her out. I will have the biopsy for sure...I need to know, so I can take the right steps to being here for my planned out LONG LIFE!  :0)
Thanks for your SUPPORT

[cindee]

Well, I can't believe a dr. that has known you all your life (or any dr.) would tell someone they don't think treatment would help. My viral load was wayyyyyyyyyyyy up there!!! I did riba/pegasys for 48 wks. Finished on Nov 6th. I was geno type 1a the hardest to treat. I was SVR thru out treatment. As for the herbs and alternative meds. I agree they don't kill the virus. This is a tough disease we are all fighting. Go ahead and start drinking lots of water and get on treatment ASAP!!! the sooner you do, the faster you can kill the nasty ole' DRAGON. BTW stay away from alcohol COMPLETELY!!!!!!!!! And stay w/ this forum...this Hep C family is the greatest. We will celebrate w/ you and we will cry w/ you. Prayers to you and all, Cindee

[eyehavegr8life]

This is a site I really needed. It's got all the explanations I will probably need to know! I really appreciate this!  I'm a control freak, well not really but, I do like to know whats going on when it pertains to my life ya know? And I was feeling pretty out of control with my own life not understanding what numbers and tests mean. Thanks again, Annette

[eyehavegr8life]

Thanks for your support and info.  I will definately stay in touch on this board.  You guys are the "Greatest". I'm going to bed now, gotta get up for work real early.  
See ya real soon. Annette

[Sioux]

Im a 1a v/l pre treatment was 10million..... I was not detectable at 12 weeks........ I am now on week 39 of 48. If you have any questions please ask.

[oldhippiechick67]

welcome to our happy lil forum.  I dont believe in the holistic herbal approach either. There is no proven case that herbs can irradicate the virus...maybe lowered it some but never cured.
Also some herbs can be toxic to the liver.  the janis7hepc.com site is a goodie for all kindsa info and so is this one:

http://www.geocities.com/1leighann/index.html

and I have one about the folks here and how they are doing on tx (treatment)  its:

www.geocities.com/auggieaz/index.html

Also you can go to the  Pegasys.com  website it is a drug that is commonly used and has some basic info there.

Good luck and hang in there, your ol family doctor probably isnt up on the success rates, and treatment can cause depression or make an existing condition worse, that's maybe part of why he didnt think you would do well, but a positive attitude is REAL helpful with success as you probly already know!
OHC