SST

[SnoWav]

I see they are running Clinical Trials for SST a herb they use in Japan.I know it will not kill the virus just wondered if anyone has used it.

[Snookmiester]

Here is an interesting article on Milk Thistle..Funny how the Pharm companies and the medical community here in the US refuses to run trials and studies on herbal supplementation, but who wants to mess with the prescription drug cash cow?

<a href="http://hepatitis-central.com/mt/archives/2006/04/milk_thistle_ex.html"milk thistle link</a>

[Snookmiester]

Sorry, link did not post, let me try again!!

<a href="http://hepatitis-central.com/mt/archives/2006/04/milk_thistle_ex.html"> milk thistle link</a>

[Snookmiester]

Isn't the whole reasoning behind individuals treating to improve health? Isn't it to halt progression, and improve liver functions?
People say combo tx is the only thing available for a "cure"..Well, now, the medical community is stating we might just be in remission. So basically, nothing is offering a cure.. But bottomline, we all are trying to IMPROVE liver health.. Supplements offer that. Do the research, and closley monitor your progress via labs, biopsy, etc..

Here's another link I found intersting..
<a href="http://hepatitis-central.com/mt/archives/2006/03/herbal_componen.html">Liv 52</a>

[Snookmiester]

Yeah, he used the word "cure" with me too. Looked me and my wife in the eye, and said, "cured"... 6 months post tx undetectable PCR, 98% cured.. 2 years post tx undetectable PCR, 100% "cured"..

[sailinlady]

Hi Kathy

CONGRATS on your 48 wk, I'm so happy for you.  How long are you going? I forgot, brain fog still there.

Treatment really was too hard for my husband, emotionally and physically or he would have continued as well.  The doc advised strongly against it.  He has an appointment today so we will see.  Personally, I don't think he needs any other form of tx right now.  He needs to heal and get strong again.  If herbs are able to keep him at bay I'm certainly willing to try it for awhile.

I quit at 47 wks because I was so sick.  It's been 5 wks or so for me.  Although I'm afriad for the results I do have better odds.  I was clear at 12, I am 9 yrs younger and have very little liver damage where he has severe fibrous. I'm 1A, he's 1B, not that it means anything at this point.

Thanks for your thoughts.

Karen

[GoofyDad]

Jim says: "If one can keep inflammation/fibrosis progression at bay by genetics, herbs, supplements, whatever, then IMO that's a safer way to go."

This brings up an interesting topic. In HCV pts, higher levels of ALT are released due to increased death of liver cells -- cells which are killed by our immune system as it attacks the virus. When Milk Thistle lowers ALT, is it suppressing the killing of the liver cells by the immune response, and presumeably lowering the effectiveness of the response? Or is the Milk Thistle triggering another mechanism to clean up the ALT after the fact?

Are there advantages to taking Milk Thistle after SVR? With normal ALT? With raised ALT?