Newbie Julia here

[Julia C]

Hello everyone! I just found your site - My husband was diagnosed with HCV in 1996- he's a FDNY paramedic and highly symptomatic, gone to Chronic and refuses any medication. He's been doing pretty well but his bone loss is getting worse, he's losing his teeth and he's only 48! Any suggestions on how to prevent that would be greatly appreciated! He eats well, of course no alcohol but periodic cigars (I know, I know!) I just wanted to say hey and thanks, I need the support!! Best
Julia

[ringading]

OKAY I'M STILL SEARCHING FOR YOU, THE SITE I WAS COUNTING ON IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION......but in the meantime, perhaps you could do a search in new york of hep doctors.....

[Sambone Martian Ambassador To the moon]

I had type 1b and there is not a tougher strain working. The interferon knocked mine down so it can knock down anybody's. Teeth and bone loss!?!? HUH?!? I aint never heard of that one before.

[Steve']

Hi Julia I'd just like to say that his doctor has no right to say that (if he did) because there is no Hep-c that a doctor can simply say wont respond to interferon while sitting in his surgery after having no biopsy etc ... thats absolute fiction Julia .... I would read through this forum a few peoples stories of being "Cured" will change anyone's ideas on interferon .... I'm on week 23 today & believe me I wouldn't of done all this if the expected results were just a shot in the dark ... Hope you can find some good stories ... comme on guys a quick post to this thread anyone who is "Cured" please write in ....</font>
<br><hr><P><marquee behavior="alternate"><Font face="Comic Sans MS"size=+3<b>Steve</b></font></marquee><br>

[ringading]

i'm sorry sweetie...but his doctor IS FULL OF ****!!!!....there is absolutely NO DATA anywhere to support that...it is total ****!!!!!!......GET A NEW DOCTOR....ONE THAT SPECIALISES IN HEP C...where are you, oh...in new york...i will find a web page for you that has listed the hep docs there.....hang on...

[Julia C]

We've had 2 doctors and 2 dentists confirm the bone loss being related to his hcv and I never thought to question it, he's always taken great care of his teeth, it is just hard to watch. He takes calcium and vitamins, I just attributed it all to hcv. Hmmm. Now I wonder. As for his stubborness in not going for treatment, his medical knowledge prevents him from believing that interferon will do any good. Also, his doctors told him his "type" wouldn't respond to interferon so he just ran with that. PLUS he's a stubborn irishman, so there's no telling them what to do. It certainly puts ME in a difficult position but I try to read as much as possible about what needs to be done and steer him in the right direction. That's why I'm here, to keep learning. Thank you so much!! Julia

[ringading]

hey there...sorry to hear that....welcome to the site....
i have never heard of 'bone loss' and losing teeth as a result of hep......there may be other things at play there, is he getting enough calcium, or suppliments etc....the odd cigar won't hurt at all....its far less toxic then walking down Fifth Ave for 5 minutes in rush hour....anyway, the state of his teeth sounds like a dental crisis, as bone loss in the jaw is associated with gum desease and poor, or inadegate hygiene and cleanings...the plak that builds around the bottom of the tooth, if not removed regularily, is what will eventually lead to bone loss and  down the road, tooth loss.....i would get him to a dentist to deal with these issues fast...there are treatments...laser...that they can now use to help heal the gum tissue and prevent further bone deterioration....as for the hep....any idea WHY he would decline treatment, espeacially being in the health care field...maybe direct him to this site so that he can have 'TREATMENT' de-mystified for him...good luck
kimmy