High vreses low viral load in Hep c patients

[litecloud]

I was dignosed with hep c 1 yr ago. My viral load at that time was 18 million with normal alt levels. I have not been treated but I have changed my diet to a nutritional one and I do not drink anymore, my hole life has changed. I live one day at a time. I recently went to the doctor and my viral load was at 1 million with an alt count of 57, high normal being 40 on their scale. How could this be. Is this normal, could I really beat this desease with the right choices I have taken. Please advice thank you, litecloud

[britgirl]

Interferon boosts our immune systems, not weakens them .That is what kills off the virus.
What we are more prone to on tx is infection from low blood cells (white, I think). Basically, we are prone to bacteria but not to viruses (like flu...or hepatitis!)

[FlaWife]

Milkthistle really seemed to help my husband before he began treatment, but when his itching & dry skin got worse he decided to back off of it for awhile. Not sure if it was the cause, but try it & see if it helps your fatigue.

[Showboat]

Yes.  I am now 42/48, and am still experiencing the same sinus and bronchial problems.  Last September, I started feeling alot of "allergy" sx and my riba rash was really bad.  I was prescribed Zyrtec for the itch and other "allergy" sx.  Well, that worked "okay" for awhile, but I was getting sicker and more "zapped out"......my left ear, throat, glands in neck down to left shoulder (front and back) and the back of my neck were sore and tender...........well, one day I just "passed out" in public (very scarey and embarassing)...went to my doc and found out that the allergy meds stopped the natural drainage of my sinus, etc and started to "pocket" an infection....I was put on two rounds of anitbiotics....it helped a lot.  I am feeling much better, but still have the ear ache (not as bad now) and my throat started getting sore again last night......I know that this will probably be "my thing".....so I am paying attention to my body...I am just glad I never got the mouth sores that people talk about......that seems really painful.  I am so grateful for this forum, I know I am not alone in many of my sx and sufferings.  It seems that I have more "bad" days now as I get closer to ending tx, but by reading past posts in this forum, many people have gone thru this too.......once again, this forum makes me feel better about my "fears".

Berlynn:  Hi...I have not been on site lately....too tired, and feeling sick (this darn sinus/bronchial ****)......I did see your pictures on the Hothep site....what a beautiful family...(You are a hothep....tee hee) Your daughter made a beautiful bride.  Thank you for sharing.  If I would ever take time to hook up my printer and scanner, I would post too...I have only had my printer/scanner for a year just sitting in the boxes...I can always use tx as my excuse...hahah.  I give you alot of credit for gathering your energy and focus to be able to make such a wonderful day for your daughter, your family and friends. My respect and admiration to you.  I think you are great.   I will email you this weekend.......
Peace and Love

[tina b]

Ferritin is the iron storage. To much causes bad stuff. The iron has to be ruduced with phlebotomy to get it to normal BEFORE tx or the tx won't work. Learned this from experience. High iron causes liver scaring, brain fog, fatigue, brown or bronze color to the skin, typically the chins, diabeties, hair loss, bad temper,elevated ast/ast and all sorts of other bad stuff. It is a genetic thing and is called hemochromotosis. Look it up on Google. When/if they do a liver bx, they should do a iron stain....if they know what they are doing..it is typical with bx to do the stain.....unless they forget. Learned that from experience too. You can be anemic and still have elevated ferritin. I know it sounds crazy, but it is a very real and very common condition, especially in hepc pts. After my hubby got rid of all the extra iron in his system (10 pints in 10 weeks) he felt like a billion bucks, even with the hepc. That iron is wicked. Of course he isn't feeling very spry right now, just did 7/48 tonight. The meds increase the ferritin level to. The test to check for hemochromotosis is called HFE gene type...most docs don't even know that. Anyway, just my 2 cents worth.


Everyone------I'm sorry to keep repeating this ferritin stuff.....but had I known then what I know now about the hemochromotosis....my hubby geno 3A would maybe not have to do the 2nd round of tx.


GODS SPEED ALL

[mumsie]

No redness on the eyes as of yet,but they were watering something bad for acouple of days while I had some sort of head cold that was going around, that's the trouble with working with the public and their money and their dirty glasses and plates you pick up what ever they give you and it's not always that fat tip you are expecting.But I said to my S.O. this morning I'm tired of being sick 'n tired....and then you hear yourself and say get over it winer,  go outsiide , do something grab the kid and go shopping!!!!!Sue

[honey1616]

It sounds like you went from one extreme dr to another. The first one sounds like a real jerk and the 2nd is definitely on top of things, however I'm afraid it sounds all a bit hasty in my opinion.  I guess you told him about your mom passing away right?  What is your alt/ast?  And yes,,,,you definitely need a pcr to see if meds are working.  You have voiced that you are concerned about being overweight and thinking that this might be contributing to the liver damage.  Have you started watching your diet more?  I feel really bad for you as knowing about your mom and then this...is kinda scary what he told you and you are pretty much just left trying to mull it over. We are here to help and listen!