Aa
Hep C is back. Now what?
After 6 mos. of treatment, my Hep C came back in less than 3 mos. Count was 156,000. I am 75 years old and think I was infected in 1958 when I received a blood transfusion. It did not show up until I was in my 70's. The meds just about killed me with all the side effects so I don't want to do that again. My Dr. says we should do nothing but keep an eye on the viral count from time to time. I know I'm up in years but I still have a lot of pep left in me. I have been babysitting my infant granddaughter for over 2 years now and just want to be as healthy as I can be. My neighbor has suggested Beta Glucan which is made from plants and supports the immune system. She also suggested the use of the Avalon light which provides the body with Nitric Oxide which the body needs. (I hope I used the right name.) Just wondered if you have any suggestions. I also enjoy a beer after working in the yard or a glass of red wine on occasion. Thanks for your support.
Age.
Age at onset of infection has consistently been found to be a major factor influencing the rate of progression of fibrosis in hepatitis C. Thus, studies of posttransfusion hepatitis in which most patients are over the age of
40 at the time of onset of infection have indicated that at least 20% of patients develop cirrhosis during the first 15 to 20 years of HCV infection. In contrast, in studies of young women infected as a result of exposure to HCVcontamined Rh immune globulin, less than 5% develop cirrhosis within the first 15 to 20 years of infection. In the analyses of fibrosis progression by Poynard et al. The rate of progression of fibrosis was correlated directly with age of onset of infection. In univariate analyses,
cirrhosis developed within 20 years in only 2% of patients infected before the age of 20, in 6% infected between 21 and 30 years, 10% infected between 31 and 40 years, 37% infected between 41 and 50 years, and 63% infected over the age of 50 years. In the hazard function model, virtually all patients infected after 40 years of age develop cirrhosis within 16 years.
Interestingly, in this model, the rate of progression of fibrosis accelerates
after 50 years of age, regardless of the duration of infection up to that time.
The mechanisms responsible for the influence of age on fibrosis progression are not known, but might include immune factors, increased fibrogenesis, or decreased fibrolysis.
http://www.hawaii.edu/hivandaids/Fibrosis%20And%20Disease%20Progression%20In%20Hepatitis%20C.pdf
I would advise to avoid alcohol all together and consult with your doc about all meds or suppliments before taking
Age at onset of infection has consistently been found to be a major factor influencing the rate of progression of fibrosis in hepatitis C. Thus, studies of posttransfusion hepatitis in which most patients are over the age of
40 at the time of onset of infection have indicated that at least 20% of patients develop cirrhosis during the first 15 to 20 years of HCV infection. In contrast, in studies of young women infected as a result of exposure to HCVcontamined Rh immune globulin, less than 5% develop cirrhosis within the first 15 to 20 years of infection. In the analyses of fibrosis progression by Poynard et al. The rate of progression of fibrosis was correlated directly with age of onset of infection. In univariate analyses,
cirrhosis developed within 20 years in only 2% of patients infected before the age of 20, in 6% infected between 21 and 30 years, 10% infected between 31 and 40 years, 37% infected between 41 and 50 years, and 63% infected over the age of 50 years. In the hazard function model, virtually all patients infected after 40 years of age develop cirrhosis within 16 years.
Interestingly, in this model, the rate of progression of fibrosis accelerates
after 50 years of age, regardless of the duration of infection up to that time.
The mechanisms responsible for the influence of age on fibrosis progression are not known, but might include immune factors, increased fibrogenesis, or decreased fibrolysis.
http://www.hawaii.edu/hivandaids/Fibrosis%20And%20Disease%20Progression%20In%20Hepatitis%20C.pdf
I would advise to avoid alcohol all together and consult with your doc about all meds or suppliments before taking
Living with Chronic Hepatitis C
To protect your liver, you can:
•Ask your doctor before taking any prescription, over-the-counter medications, supplements or vitamins. For instance, some drugs, such as certain pain medications, can potentially damage the liver
•Avoid alcohol since it can increase the speed of liver damage
•Talk to your doctor about getting vaccinated against Hepatitis A and B
http://www.cdc.gov/knowmorehepatitis/LearnMore.htm
What else can I do to protect my liver?
You can:
■■Ask your doctor before taking any prescription, over-the-counter medications, supplements or vitamins. For instance, some drugs, such as certain pain medications, can potentially damage the liver
■■Avoid alcohol since it can increase the speed of liver damage
■■Talk to your doctor about getting vaccinated against Hepatitis A
and B
You may also want to consider joining a support group for people living with Hepatitis C. Talking with others may help you cope with your feelings and the challenges of living with Hepatitis C.
http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/HCV/PDFs/HepCLivingWithChronic.pdf
To protect your liver, you can:
•Ask your doctor before taking any prescription, over-the-counter medications, supplements or vitamins. For instance, some drugs, such as certain pain medications, can potentially damage the liver
•Avoid alcohol since it can increase the speed of liver damage
•Talk to your doctor about getting vaccinated against Hepatitis A and B
http://www.cdc.gov/knowmorehepatitis/LearnMore.htm
What else can I do to protect my liver?
You can:
■■Ask your doctor before taking any prescription, over-the-counter medications, supplements or vitamins. For instance, some drugs, such as certain pain medications, can potentially damage the liver
■■Avoid alcohol since it can increase the speed of liver damage
■■Talk to your doctor about getting vaccinated against Hepatitis A
and B
You may also want to consider joining a support group for people living with Hepatitis C. Talking with others may help you cope with your feelings and the challenges of living with Hepatitis C.
http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/HCV/PDFs/HepCLivingWithChronic.pdf
Alcohol, which by itself can cause liver disease and fibrosis, may worsen fibrosis in hepatitis C at amounts that are not injurious in non-infected persons, but the amount of alcohol beyond which the progression of fibrosis
is increased in hepatitis C is unknown.
http://www.hawaii.edu/hivandaids/Fibrosis%20And%20Disease%20Progression%20In%20Hepatitis%20C.pdf
is increased in hepatitis C is unknown.
http://www.hawaii.edu/hivandaids/Fibrosis%20And%20Disease%20Progression%20In%20Hepatitis%20C.pdf
I am sorry for your disappointing news. What I have learned to do, since I have Hep C, is to substitute the cold beer, or wine, with a nice icy cold Kombucha tea. It comes in a glass bottle, in many flavors, and it does have a trace of alcohol in it, because of the ferment, so it gives one a relaxing buzz.
Kombucha tea is made from green tea, and all forms of green tea are healthy for the liver, and may help protect it, and prevent the Hep C form replicating. The article I read about it, was referring to people who have had liver transplants, but I should think it would apply to all Hep C sufferers.
I do all kinds of green tea: Macha tea, loose leaf tea, etc.
I have also read that coffee helps protect the liver, So I try to make a ritual of that, also.
I dont know if you have had a biopsy, but I think a helathy diet, with plenty of vegatables, can help us all. If a person does have cirrhosis, then I have read that red meat is hard to digest. But I have never had a problem with it, so I still eat meat, but not with every meal.
Meals like brown rice with green beans, black mushrooms, and tofu, are supposed to be very healthy, so I include meals like that,in my week.
We are all waiting for a new treatment, that will be Interferon free, and hopefully it will be here, within 3~5 yrs. I bet you will be a great candidate for it. The one called GS-7977 has shown very good results, so never give up, and enjoy your life, and have fun with your grand-baby.
Kombucha tea is made from green tea, and all forms of green tea are healthy for the liver, and may help protect it, and prevent the Hep C form replicating. The article I read about it, was referring to people who have had liver transplants, but I should think it would apply to all Hep C sufferers.
I do all kinds of green tea: Macha tea, loose leaf tea, etc.
I have also read that coffee helps protect the liver, So I try to make a ritual of that, also.
I dont know if you have had a biopsy, but I think a helathy diet, with plenty of vegatables, can help us all. If a person does have cirrhosis, then I have read that red meat is hard to digest. But I have never had a problem with it, so I still eat meat, but not with every meal.
Meals like brown rice with green beans, black mushrooms, and tofu, are supposed to be very healthy, so I include meals like that,in my week.
We are all waiting for a new treatment, that will be Interferon free, and hopefully it will be here, within 3~5 yrs. I bet you will be a great candidate for it. The one called GS-7977 has shown very good results, so never give up, and enjoy your life, and have fun with your grand-baby.
Def Agree with Idyllic, the stage of your liver is the most important. Just stay as healthy as possible by eating right and getting some exercise. There are various supplements that you can take as well, but as always need to be discussed with your Dr.
I am really sorry about your relapse.
I am not sure what keeping track of one's viral load is supposed to mean for those who are not actively treating the virus. What stage of fibrosis are you? That might be a better indicator of any kind of long term prognosis. I would love an icy cold beer after working in the yard. That is one thing I miss but I cannot drink anyway so that's that.
I would say stay healthy, eat healthy and enjoy life until less harsh treatment options come along. Who knows when that will be? There is a possibility that in the future treating HCV will not nearly be as traumatic on the body as it is now.
I think there are a few threads that have liver healthy tips if you use the search function.
Hang in there and stay strong!!
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Hepatitis C Community
Learn about this treatable virus.
Getting tested for this viral infection.
3 key steps to getting on treatment.
4 steps to getting on therapy.
What you need to know about Hep C drugs.
How the drugs might affect you.
These tips may up your chances of a cure.
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV and STDs.
PrEP is used by people with high risk to prevent HIV infection.
