Aa
Viral Load and Low Dose Naltrexone
Back in 2008 I had a doctor that put me on Low Dose Naltrexone for my HCV viral load. When I started the drug I had a viral load of 1.6 million. Three months later it was 58,000.
Ever since then I have been cycling on and off LDN for six months on and six months off, but even after six months off LDN my VL is still around 50,000. No side effects! At one point it was 7 million and rising!
When I do take LDN I always take it with schizandra because that herb normalizes your liver enzymes.
LDN has been an FDA approved pharmaceutical drug for over 25 years. It was only in the ten years or so that the low dose form (3mg-4.5mg) was studied (the high dose form is 5,000mg) for its immune-modulating activities.
The way it works is that naltrexone is an endorphin antagonist and so it has been traditionally used for morphine addiction. But then studies began to illustrate the role that endorphin plays in directing the immune system.The surface of all of our white blood cells are packed with endorphin receptors. However, with old age our production of endorphin decreases. Studies show that all people with autoimmune diseases suffer from chronically low endorphin levels. LDN has been shown to boost endorphin levels, making it the most effective immune-modulating drug ever invented.
Go to pubmed and look at the the FDA-approved phase 1 and 2 clinical trial studies for LDN and Crohn's disease (between 25-67% total remission with no side effects), as well as for Multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, etc. LDN helps all autoimmune diseases, as well as a lot of cancers.
You might wonder why, with this FDA-approved drug on the market and these FDA-approved clinical trials published in peer-reviewed journals, that this would be the obvious first choice option of the doctors for treating Crohn's and other autoimmune diseases.
Sadly, gastros around the country and the world have not heard of this drug, and therefore they still treat Crohn's with bowl resection and steroids. The drug is now in the public domain because the patent expired and no drug company owns it, so the drug companies have no desire to tell the doctors, and so the doctors remain ignorant of one of the best tools at their disposal.
I know a fellow that has fifteen separate bowl resection operations for Crohn's. His GI tract must now be a straight line from his mouth to his anus.
Own your own program! Your doctor wants the authority, but responsibility and authority cannot be separated. The consequences always stay with you, so don't give authority to someone who does not share in the responsibility for the actions that he walks you into. Do your research and study your options!
Best regards,
Mike
Ever since then I have been cycling on and off LDN for six months on and six months off, but even after six months off LDN my VL is still around 50,000. No side effects! At one point it was 7 million and rising!
When I do take LDN I always take it with schizandra because that herb normalizes your liver enzymes.
LDN has been an FDA approved pharmaceutical drug for over 25 years. It was only in the ten years or so that the low dose form (3mg-4.5mg) was studied (the high dose form is 5,000mg) for its immune-modulating activities.
The way it works is that naltrexone is an endorphin antagonist and so it has been traditionally used for morphine addiction. But then studies began to illustrate the role that endorphin plays in directing the immune system.The surface of all of our white blood cells are packed with endorphin receptors. However, with old age our production of endorphin decreases. Studies show that all people with autoimmune diseases suffer from chronically low endorphin levels. LDN has been shown to boost endorphin levels, making it the most effective immune-modulating drug ever invented.
Go to pubmed and look at the the FDA-approved phase 1 and 2 clinical trial studies for LDN and Crohn's disease (between 25-67% total remission with no side effects), as well as for Multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, etc. LDN helps all autoimmune diseases, as well as a lot of cancers.
You might wonder why, with this FDA-approved drug on the market and these FDA-approved clinical trials published in peer-reviewed journals, that this would be the obvious first choice option of the doctors for treating Crohn's and other autoimmune diseases.
Sadly, gastros around the country and the world have not heard of this drug, and therefore they still treat Crohn's with bowl resection and steroids. The drug is now in the public domain because the patent expired and no drug company owns it, so the drug companies have no desire to tell the doctors, and so the doctors remain ignorant of one of the best tools at their disposal.
I know a fellow that has fifteen separate bowl resection operations for Crohn's. His GI tract must now be a straight line from his mouth to his anus.
Own your own program! Your doctor wants the authority, but responsibility and authority cannot be separated. The consequences always stay with you, so don't give authority to someone who does not share in the responsibility for the actions that he walks you into. Do your research and study your options!
Best regards,
Mike
Hi laurielpl
I treated for 12 weeks with Sovaldi/Olysio from March to June 2014. When I was tested 12 weeks post treatment in September 2014 I was found to have relapsed.
I treated again starting in Nov 2014 to May 2015 with Harvoni for 24 weeks and we later added ribavirin so I was also taking riba for 15 of those 24 weeks.
I was tested in June at 4 weeks post treatment, August 12 weeks post and in October 2015 at 24 weeks post and I remain not detected for the Hep c virus and am considered cured.
I was approved for Sovaldi and Olysio in 2014 and HarvonI plus Ribavirin in 2014 to 2015 through my BCBS insurance and Express scripts prescription drug coverage I get through my employer. I did have to appeal for both of those treatments but only one time for each treatment regimen and was approved.
It does help getting approval if you have had cirrhosis for 8 years.
Thanks for asking and good luck to you
Lynn
I treated for 12 weeks with Sovaldi/Olysio from March to June 2014. When I was tested 12 weeks post treatment in September 2014 I was found to have relapsed.
I treated again starting in Nov 2014 to May 2015 with Harvoni for 24 weeks and we later added ribavirin so I was also taking riba for 15 of those 24 weeks.
I was tested in June at 4 weeks post treatment, August 12 weeks post and in October 2015 at 24 weeks post and I remain not detected for the Hep c virus and am considered cured.
I was approved for Sovaldi and Olysio in 2014 and HarvonI plus Ribavirin in 2014 to 2015 through my BCBS insurance and Express scripts prescription drug coverage I get through my employer. I did have to appeal for both of those treatments but only one time for each treatment regimen and was approved.
It does help getting approval if you have had cirrhosis for 8 years.
Thanks for asking and good luck to you
Lynn
Hi,
I saw this post and wondered if you were successful. Did you use the New Pill to treat your Hep C and if so how did you get it approved?
Thanks,
Laurie
I saw this post and wondered if you were successful. Did you use the New Pill to treat your Hep C and if so how did you get it approved?
Thanks,
Laurie
Also, studies have shown that it is oxidative stress and not inflammation that is the trigger for fibrogenesis. Inflammation and oxidative stress often go hand-in-hand but they are two completely different processes.
The test is called the FibroScan and it is approved by the FDA and endorsed by the 2014 AASLD liver meeting.
It is non-invasive, safe, no risks, reproducible and inexpensive ($350), but all insurance companies will cover two fibroScans a year.
Its a great thing because our fibrosis stage is the ONLY information that is relevant to our conditions - VL, liver enzymes, LFTs tell us nothing about where our fibrosis has progressed to.
It is non-invasive, safe, no risks, reproducible and inexpensive ($350), but all insurance companies will cover two fibroScans a year.
Its a great thing because our fibrosis stage is the ONLY information that is relevant to our conditions - VL, liver enzymes, LFTs tell us nothing about where our fibrosis has progressed to.
Sorry, I missed two of your comments to Lynn. I did bring up the study you are referring to to my liver doc because the drug works on several diseases where fibrosis is an issue. My liver doc said, no funding or off-label prescribing has been done for HCV, but it has been discussed. I found it when I read the COSMOS study and then related reps on new studies.
Re the people who have relapsed. That's a wide range of drug combinations and treatments... Sadly, while I did a 12 week program, the docs already know 24 weeks for 1a is best...that's kind of negotiable due to so many variables that have not even been accounted for! The study for S&O was a cohort with about 70 people, so statistically insignificant. Then, because it was so cheap for me, that's why I decided to do it. I refuse to die in debt or uneducated about my disease. My main issue was not finding this forum...so many others were so bad!
Anyhow, I'm still interested to know the name of the test and what equipment is being used? Lol. I have been typing non-stop, so I'll look to see if you already answered.
Thanks and best and to each his own, but own it. : )
Dbz
Re the people who have relapsed. That's a wide range of drug combinations and treatments... Sadly, while I did a 12 week program, the docs already know 24 weeks for 1a is best...that's kind of negotiable due to so many variables that have not even been accounted for! The study for S&O was a cohort with about 70 people, so statistically insignificant. Then, because it was so cheap for me, that's why I decided to do it. I refuse to die in debt or uneducated about my disease. My main issue was not finding this forum...so many others were so bad!
Anyhow, I'm still interested to know the name of the test and what equipment is being used? Lol. I have been typing non-stop, so I'll look to see if you already answered.
Thanks and best and to each his own, but own it. : )
Dbz
I agree Mike. However, the virus at an RNA level is a host to fibrinogen. I think this is also why stress is such a huge issue for HCV. Stress affects the immune system which does set up for inflammation which in turn activates fibrosis. Then, of course, toxins!
I've had the virus since about 1979-80. Then tested 1989. I am a former tissue-typing tech and then organ recovery coordinator. I teach now, but it is not the stress-free lifestyle I had hoped for. Argh! Stress! So I turn to meditation practice to help--it has. Now, after 12 weeks of S&O I will be back at meditation. I have ten weeks to go for my SVR test. I had a two week test done and do not want any more stress-full tests!
Re the cost, Medicare has approved the therapy and most insurance companies after a coordinated appeal and funding from the drug companies have done so too. I only paid $90. for the entire 12 weeks. It's all very subjective! There are actually places that have had no drugs made available.
I've also heard the new drugs will be available around Nov and vary from harsh to no side effects. Nice, but I think a bit too competitive instead of a focus on what works best without destroying ones life. (E.g. Interferon!)
I'm the one who asked about the fibrogen scan... Sorry, I forgot what you called it?
Best, dbz
I've had the virus since about 1979-80. Then tested 1989. I am a former tissue-typing tech and then organ recovery coordinator. I teach now, but it is not the stress-free lifestyle I had hoped for. Argh! Stress! So I turn to meditation practice to help--it has. Now, after 12 weeks of S&O I will be back at meditation. I have ten weeks to go for my SVR test. I had a two week test done and do not want any more stress-full tests!
Re the cost, Medicare has approved the therapy and most insurance companies after a coordinated appeal and funding from the drug companies have done so too. I only paid $90. for the entire 12 weeks. It's all very subjective! There are actually places that have had no drugs made available.
I've also heard the new drugs will be available around Nov and vary from harsh to no side effects. Nice, but I think a bit too competitive instead of a focus on what works best without destroying ones life. (E.g. Interferon!)
I'm the one who asked about the fibrogen scan... Sorry, I forgot what you called it?
Best, dbz
And, I hope you do eradicate the virus, but I also noticed that of the seven recent posts on the forum this morning four of them were relapsers.
I pray that doesn't happen to you, but if it does give me a call!
Mike
I pray that doesn't happen to you, but if it does give me a call!
Mike
I agree that it is desirable to rid the virus and I would encourage everyone to do the new drugs if they can afford it or if your insurance pays for it. But I disagree about your conclusions. My fibrosis stage is currently F0 by FibroScan. My viral load is 50,000 and all my labs are normal.
Ten years ago I was F3-F4 by biopsy and F3-F4 four years ago by FibroScan.
It is fibrosis/cirrhosis that kills HCV patients. No HCV patient ever died of fibrosis stage 3 or less. It is the lack space in the liver, with blood vessels, bile ducts and lymph vessels choked off by scar tissue that creates problems, not diseased hepatocytes. Remember, not all of your liver cells are infected. If the collagen resorbs, then your liver fills quickly back up with hepatocytes. There a few extra hepatic conditions spawned by the virus but they are relatively minor.
So, I have done the research and the fact is that fibrosis generation is a separate process from any direct action of the virus. Fibrogenesis is triggered by extreme oxidative stress, and that condition is created by HCV, HBV, cholestasis, alcohol abuse, pharmaceutical drugs and steatosis. None of those conditions are related, but they all trigger the identical process - fibrogenesis. And that process can be controlled without eradicating the virus.
If you achieve redox homeostasis and turn off the trigger (extreme oxidative stress) then fibrogenesis stops and fibrosis resorption begins.
But that is a very controversial statement I realize. It worked for me though!
I still plan on doing the drugs, but I think I will wait for the price to come down and for them to make the drugs better first. If it doesn't happen I will do it when I decide to, but I am in no hurry at the moment.
I understand your message, and I appreciate it, and I don't mean to be argumentative. But fibrosis is the threat and HCV infection per se is not in my opinion.
Mike
Ten years ago I was F3-F4 by biopsy and F3-F4 four years ago by FibroScan.
It is fibrosis/cirrhosis that kills HCV patients. No HCV patient ever died of fibrosis stage 3 or less. It is the lack space in the liver, with blood vessels, bile ducts and lymph vessels choked off by scar tissue that creates problems, not diseased hepatocytes. Remember, not all of your liver cells are infected. If the collagen resorbs, then your liver fills quickly back up with hepatocytes. There a few extra hepatic conditions spawned by the virus but they are relatively minor.
So, I have done the research and the fact is that fibrosis generation is a separate process from any direct action of the virus. Fibrogenesis is triggered by extreme oxidative stress, and that condition is created by HCV, HBV, cholestasis, alcohol abuse, pharmaceutical drugs and steatosis. None of those conditions are related, but they all trigger the identical process - fibrogenesis. And that process can be controlled without eradicating the virus.
If you achieve redox homeostasis and turn off the trigger (extreme oxidative stress) then fibrogenesis stops and fibrosis resorption begins.
But that is a very controversial statement I realize. It worked for me though!
I still plan on doing the drugs, but I think I will wait for the price to come down and for them to make the drugs better first. If it doesn't happen I will do it when I decide to, but I am in no hurry at the moment.
I understand your message, and I appreciate it, and I don't mean to be argumentative. But fibrosis is the threat and HCV infection per se is not in my opinion.
Mike
1 Comments
Mike, I know how Naltrexone works. Read what I wrote on TLRs causing post treatment side effects. It's on my profile page. Also look on the sources, there's a paper on Naltrexone helping neuro sides.
Will explain more later.
Co
Will explain more later.
Co
Hi Mike
From what you have said you still carry the hepatitic virus and therefore th evirus is still harming you liver every single day.
If you would like to rid yourself of this viral infection you should get in contact with a liver specialist and get a prescription for the new medicines that have been recently approved Sovaldi with Olysio.
Also hopefully to be approved soon a single pill of Sovaldi with Ledipasvir the results have been fantastic with 90-100 % success in treating genotype 1
Are you being monitored by a hepatologist or gastroenterologist? Even with a low viral load your liver could have extensive damage including cirrhosis.
I have studies my options I chose to try to eridicate hepatitis c from my body. Hopefully I have been successful this time I will know in September if I am cured of the virus.
While you are still trying to "manage" your virus mine will be no more.
Do your research you decide
Lynn
From what you have said you still carry the hepatitic virus and therefore th evirus is still harming you liver every single day.
If you would like to rid yourself of this viral infection you should get in contact with a liver specialist and get a prescription for the new medicines that have been recently approved Sovaldi with Olysio.
Also hopefully to be approved soon a single pill of Sovaldi with Ledipasvir the results have been fantastic with 90-100 % success in treating genotype 1
Are you being monitored by a hepatologist or gastroenterologist? Even with a low viral load your liver could have extensive damage including cirrhosis.
I have studies my options I chose to try to eridicate hepatitis c from my body. Hopefully I have been successful this time I will know in September if I am cured of the virus.
While you are still trying to "manage" your virus mine will be no more.
Do your research you decide
Lynn
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