Newly diagnosed, taking naturopathic/homeopathic treatment ???

[kstar]

Since July I have been exploring all options.  Here is what I know about my diagnoses...My liver enzymes are AST 75/Alt 76, genotype I, HCV RNA of 2.3 million and one small liver cyst w/no splenomegaly.  After researching the side affects and the response rate of peg interferon and ribavirin I decided to try other options.  Since taking supplements and homeopathic meds my viral load has dropped from 2 million to 5 hundred thousand.  MY QUESTION, IS IT NORMAL TO SEE VIRAL LOADS DROP WITHOUT ANY TREATMENT AT ALL.  My doc told me not to get to excited that I still have a treatable virus.  SECOND QUESTION, WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT MY DOC TO BE DOING?  ANY SUGGESTIONS FOR THE BEST HOSPITALS, DOCTORS IN THE STATES...PREFERABLY IN THE MICHIGAN AREA.  My first visit was at U of M Ann Arbor which will continue seeing me if I opt for treatment.  Thanks for any/all help or suggestions.

[Kalio1]

I sure hope you breeze through tx! It takes 3 or 4 weeks for the Riba to build up in your system, I didn't feel the Riba effects at first either. Took about a month.
That is great our shot was easy, mine kick my arse every week for 2 days, last week's shot ws the first "easy" shot I've had and I am on week 54 or there abouts so consider yourself lucky!

[doglover28]

Liv,

Best of luck.  I go back to see him in Feb.  Please keep in touch and let me know how it goes.

Kstar,
He is great.  He's at Duke in North Carolina.  When I was diagnosed, my primary suggested getting in to see a Doc. at a University because they tend to be more "cutting edge."  Dr. McHutchen does a lot of research on Hep C and does conduct trials.  

Pam

[kstar]

Sounds like the kind of doctor i am looking for...do you have info on him.  issurance would not pick this up for me...and i would be coming from mi...any thoughts

[Liv]

Hi:

I've been seeing Dr. McHutchinson for about a year.  Saw his name in an article that was posted (ironically) on a "herb" site and it was mentioned in the article that he was at Duke so I did a little internet research on him and made an app't. since I live a little over an hour away.  I wanted to see him because I didn't have a Hepatologist following me, only a local Internist and felt I needed a liver specialist.  I also asked him about 950 (this was last year) and he told me that he would be coordinating the trials which were to begin the following winter.  As it turned out it was more like late spring/summer.  I found him to be very easy to talk to and he doesn't push tx. which is what I liked and as I said he was open to the herbs. I have another app't. with him in Nov. at which time we'll re-evaluate.  Best of luck to you.

[Mister beagle bailey]

Thanks, will try to call Nelson.  I'm a stage 0.

Beagle

[Mister beagle bailey]

Any idea if the trials (VX 950) is for geno 2's also?

Beagle