I made a mistake on the vl

[bahamasnut]

Hello again his vl was 19 million the 5weeks later after taking the supplements. His vl was 8.8 million what do you think about that ??? sorry I made that mistake

[rivll]

Regarding my comments about the supplements I was taking, I have deliberately not named them or the research because I don't want to be advertising for any supplements. Like I said, check in with Stefano if you are serious. He will tell you as I have that it is not a cure nor will it stop the virus. It is to help the liver heal later.
I am finished with this thread, I just feel while it is important to follow your Dr. first and foremost and it is absolutely crucial that he takes nothing (w/o docs ok) while in treatment, that there is a place for particular supplements by a reputable company that is research based. I tend to cringe at blanket generalizations on either end.
G'night folks

[BoceprevirGal]

Hmmm, I noticed I seemed to get alot worse, after taking tonsof milk-thistle. I wish I had gotten my biopsy in 2008, when my GI told me to, instead of trying to "cure" myself, with stuff I read about on the internet.
   It is sad that people are willing to exploit sick people, by giving them false hope for an 'alternative cure" The other day, I read that bilberry could do this. Well, I tried it all, and spent tons of $$ doing so. I ended up rly sick. With the new meds, it's a better idea to go by the biopsy, in my opinion. It didn't hurt me at all, and they gave me an Ativan IV drip, for my nerves. It was apiece of cake, I dont know why I put it off for so long~

[rivll]

Thanks Bill. That was a very reasoned and respectful response.

[Bill1954]

I believe most knowledgeable physicians don’t feel changes in viral load are significant unless they exceed a 1 log-10 change.

For your husband to achieve a 1 log-10 reduction in viral load of 19,000,000 IU  he would probably need to drop to 1,900,000 IU to even suggest this was due to something other than random change.

And more importantly, even then it’s probably a ‘so what’ event, unfortunately. If it doesn’t continue to drop, eventually to undetectable status, then what’s gained?

Viral load isn’t necessarily representative of disease severity or progression of fibrosis. When a person *does* respond to antiviral therapy the drugs affect the virus drastically; it’s not uncommon to see a viral load of ten million drop to say, ten thousand in a matter of days. Unfortunately, there’s probably very little utility to cutting an initial viral load by half, or even more.

It’s one thing to use supplements if you:

a) can readily afford them
b) are aware of their limitations and relative benefits.
c) have disclosed them to your doctor; they may cause more harm than good.

Frustration is understandable, especially after someone has tried and failed previous therapy. Still, allopathic (traditional/western) medicine is the only venue that offers documented evidence of long term viral response.

Talk with a qualified liver specialist and see what they have to offer. A good one won’t immediately discount herbal supplements, but rather explain if they’re harmful and if there’s any reasonable benefit to come of them.

Does this help or make things more confusing :o)?

Good luck to you both,

--Bill

[nygirl7]

Lowering the VL really doesn't matter anyway.

[bahamasnut]

Thank you

[hrsepwrguy]

It is still not a 1 log drop as bill explained

[bahamasnut]

I don't understand

[hrsepwrguy]

19,000,000 vl
7.278 log 10