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I read that Pamala Anderson stated she has the Hep C virus but would fight it using holistic healing. I wonder if the virus believes in it, I hope that celibrities like her do not sway people from getting the tx they need by listening to that kind of garbage. Does anyone out there belive she hasnt got a high priced private Dr. for tx in between her "holistic healing" sessions. If she hadnt come out and stated it in the paper I wouldnt mention it, but there is a lot of scared people out there that take these celebrities too seriously.
Hey there, I am one of those people that listened to that ****. I found out 2 yrs ago and have been dabbling with herbs to try and contain this disease. I have to admit it seems to have kept my enzymes in check but my VL went from 450,000 to 2.8 million. So, let's watch what she does and then more than likely, go on tx later. I hope for her sake it works for her!
I think that anyone who would redirect their life (and especially treatment) based on what Pam Anderson says or does needs psychological counseling...and some sort of organized religion in their lives.
Personally - (and I am new to this - so don't shoot me for speaking about something I have not experienced yet) I might "combine" various holistic methods with the traditional medicine - but would not use holistic medicine in exchange for it.
Just my opinion.
Personally - (and I am new to this - so don't shoot me for speaking about something I have not experienced yet) I might "combine" various holistic methods with the traditional medicine - but would not use holistic medicine in exchange for it.
Just my opinion.
maybe pamela anderson doesn't have any liver damage and doesn't need to go on tx now. I've had hepc c for 30 years and my liver emzymes have been normal the whole time. I was always told to come back in 6 months and get another blood test. I had a biopsy 1 1/2 yrs ago and am stage 2 fibrosis 11,000,000 vl and normal emzymes and everything else looked normal.
Is there a set viral level that indicates treatment is necessary? I am getting my results this Friday - and the way I am looking at it right now - if I am not absolutely undetectable and if my liver enzymes are not absolutely in the "ok" zone :: I am going to insist on treatment.
Is there a reason for waiting until you do have damage to your liver or letting the viral load rise? I would want to take the meds when the viral load is as low as possible and before "any" (if possible) liver damage occurs.
Please don't think I am interogating you - I am just curious. I too more than likely have had this virus for 3 decades.
Is there a reason for waiting until you do have damage to your liver or letting the viral load rise? I would want to take the meds when the viral load is as low as possible and before "any" (if possible) liver damage occurs.
Please don't think I am interogating you - I am just curious. I too more than likely have had this virus for 3 decades.
The consensus at this site is pretty much the same, we have to take our health in our own hands. My doc told me just last Thursday that w/2.8ml VL he didnt think I needed treatment yet, at least not without another biopsy. Well, the guys at this site said to me (and it made sense) am I going to wait till there "IS" damage? I just tried the herbal stuff the past 2 yrs in hopes that I could contain the disease. My VL jumped at large rates since then. So, who knows! As for holistic, I spoke to one recently and they SEEM to go on the same premise that herbals do. They ask a million questions about your situation and health and family history, then (here's where they get you) YOU administer the treatment yourself. I guess that makes them not liable then. So far the conventional tx seems to be the most promising, to me.
Scroll down to my questions re: treating early on in the game (3rd Aug) and also about pro-treatment (2nd Aug). Lots of people gave differing advice.
I guess I have more of an understanding as to why someone would wait...If treatments are improving that quickly - why suffer with the current drugs when something could come along and irradicate it in one shot (wouldn't that be nice?).
Still - personally I feel the need to "get it the **** of me - NOW!" (sorry...that wasn't very Christian of me). I know I wouldn't be able to wait - I am not that patient...and I need to feel like I am doing something.
Not that I want to go through all the sides...I am not looking forward to that.
Still - personally I feel the need to "get it the **** of me - NOW!" (sorry...that wasn't very Christian of me). I know I wouldn't be able to wait - I am not that patient...and I need to feel like I am doing something.
Not that I want to go through all the sides...I am not looking forward to that.
It seems to me Pamela Anderson reported having this quit awhile back. Maybe she 's done tx and wasn't able to attain SVR and now is trying this. Whether I like or approve of her doesn't matter, it has to be rough to come out puclicly and acknowledge this disease. I wouldn't. It seems most people got it from needles anyway. (I know not all)
Hell Yeah it has to be tough! I was thinking about that the other day when I was reading about the ZZ TOP guy. People in the "infamous" or "famous" categories really don't have the choice whether to share information like this or not. And in their case - it isn't even a question of sharing it with friends/family/co-workers...their news is shared with the entire civilized world. Even if they try - I am sure their doctors or friends (when shown some green-backs) would give up the info - look what happened with her sex tape that was supposedly locked in a safe!!
A while back I read an article that stated that Pam was being treated on an outpatient basis - I thought at the time that meant traditional meds - maybe not - cause just today I searched and found an article that says she decided to treat the virus herbally, not drinking alcohol and by eating "liver safe" foods.
I just think that if taking the holistic/herbal way really worked - more people would be doing it cause it is definatly easier than than the sides most are reporting about here - and I am sure much cheaper.
A while back I read an article that stated that Pam was being treated on an outpatient basis - I thought at the time that meant traditional meds - maybe not - cause just today I searched and found an article that says she decided to treat the virus herbally, not drinking alcohol and by eating "liver safe" foods.
I just think that if taking the holistic/herbal way really worked - more people would be doing it cause it is definatly easier than than the sides most are reporting about here - and I am sure much cheaper.
Look out, strong personal opinion follows. No offense meant.
Well, there are needles and there are needles. Tattoos use needles, "recreational" drugs use needles, blood transfusions use needles; medical workers get accidental needle sticks, second and third world doctors go from house to house saving lives with Pennicillin and needles; etc.
But there ARE other HCV vectors.
I want to stop spreading the preconception about all of us, that each one of us got HepC - or any other unfortunate infection - through "bad" or self destructive behavior. The more people in general believe this is the source of HCV, the more we'll continue to be stigmatized. Remember how the public viewed AIDS at first.
Ultimately, it doesn't matter how you got HCV (or _____________, Fill in your disease.) If you have the disease, go forward from there: get tested, get treatment, etc. Shame and blame only cloud the issues and keep people scared, uneducated, and afraid to come forward and seek treatment. They keep ignorant "friends"
and relatives and coworkers from being there for people who are diagnosed. They allow insurance companies to balk at covering treatments.
Best wishes to all who are dealing with HepC and other severe, chronic diseases.
Maj Neni
Well, there are needles and there are needles. Tattoos use needles, "recreational" drugs use needles, blood transfusions use needles; medical workers get accidental needle sticks, second and third world doctors go from house to house saving lives with Pennicillin and needles; etc.
But there ARE other HCV vectors.
I want to stop spreading the preconception about all of us, that each one of us got HepC - or any other unfortunate infection - through "bad" or self destructive behavior. The more people in general believe this is the source of HCV, the more we'll continue to be stigmatized. Remember how the public viewed AIDS at first.
Ultimately, it doesn't matter how you got HCV (or _____________, Fill in your disease.) If you have the disease, go forward from there: get tested, get treatment, etc. Shame and blame only cloud the issues and keep people scared, uneducated, and afraid to come forward and seek treatment. They keep ignorant "friends"
and relatives and coworkers from being there for people who are diagnosed. They allow insurance companies to balk at covering treatments.
Best wishes to all who are dealing with HepC and other severe, chronic diseases.
Maj Neni
Well said...the virus does not only effect those doing "questionable things".
Getting rid of the "Shame and Blame" is one of those things that is easier said than done though (at least for me). One day I hope to be able to educate others about it (I thought about writing a book about my specific journey) - but right now I am terrified to tell anyone...I need my job...I need the benefits...and I need to get used to the fact that as of 3 weeks or so ago - my life has changed dramatically and more changes are ahead.
I wonder if we could get someone to do a "reality" show about a couple of the "girls" or "boys" next door that contracted the virus through transfusions or accidental needle pricks in the emergency room and follow that person through the year long journey of TX. And during that show they could do the education thing and let people know how many thousands of people are walking around with the dragon and don't know it, that it isn't just a drug/sex related thing?
That would be nice wouldn't it? Wonder who we can start yelling at...lets get this de-stigmation going! Anyone have connections?
Getting rid of the "Shame and Blame" is one of those things that is easier said than done though (at least for me). One day I hope to be able to educate others about it (I thought about writing a book about my specific journey) - but right now I am terrified to tell anyone...I need my job...I need the benefits...and I need to get used to the fact that as of 3 weeks or so ago - my life has changed dramatically and more changes are ahead.
I wonder if we could get someone to do a "reality" show about a couple of the "girls" or "boys" next door that contracted the virus through transfusions or accidental needle pricks in the emergency room and follow that person through the year long journey of TX. And during that show they could do the education thing and let people know how many thousands of people are walking around with the dragon and don't know it, that it isn't just a drug/sex related thing?
That would be nice wouldn't it? Wonder who we can start yelling at...lets get this de-stigmation going! Anyone have connections?
You know I have heard it all! The only way to get HepC is with a needle. I personally had never touched a needle and I got it from sexual contact. Doctors can scream all they want to but, it still can be transmitted by sexual contact. I was very sick and it was 1979. I went into the hospital and the doctor told me it was Hepatitis, but it was not A or B, so the diagnosis was non-A, non-B hepatitis. I had been dating a guy that had had hep and I didn't know that he was still contagious. Whether it was kissing or sexual, that's the way I got it. And I was blessed with two boys that were born C-section and they are HCV negative. I think that they were born C-section helped.
Don't rake anyone in any pile because of the way they got it. The preacher at the local church can have just as sure as the junkie down the street. It knows no social class. Remember that.
Don't rake anyone in any pile because of the way they got it. The preacher at the local church can have just as sure as the junkie down the street. It knows no social class. Remember that.
One realistic way would be to write to the producers of ER, Law & Order, and other responsible dramas on TV and get them to use this in story lines.
Perhaps we can get to some of those tv-magazines (60 Minutes, 20/20, Dateline...) or some of the more responsible talk shows. But these won't happen without someone being willing to expose themselves while things are going on in real time for the person. (Maybe someone would be willing to do this if they can get all of tx paid for and they don't have insurance?)
Perhaps we can get to some of those tv-magazines (60 Minutes, 20/20, Dateline...) or some of the more responsible talk shows. But these won't happen without someone being willing to expose themselves while things are going on in real time for the person. (Maybe someone would be willing to do this if they can get all of tx paid for and they don't have insurance?)
One realistic way would be to write to the producers of ER, Law & Order, and other responsible dramas on TV and get them to use this in story lines.
Perhaps we can get to some of those tv-magazines (60 Minutes, 20/20, Dateline...) or some of the more responsible talk shows. But these won't happen without someone being willing to expose themselves while things are going on in real time for the person. (Maybe someone would be willing to do this if they can get all of tx paid for and they don't have insurance?)
Perhaps we can get to some of those tv-magazines (60 Minutes, 20/20, Dateline...) or some of the more responsible talk shows. But these won't happen without someone being willing to expose themselves while things are going on in real time for the person. (Maybe someone would be willing to do this if they can get all of tx paid for and they don't have insurance?)
That would be an excellent deal for someone huh? If the deal was that I get the treatments and my mortgage was paid - I would do it. I mean, in reality, my only concern for not "coming out" is the fact that I would lose insurance and my salary.
Stigma is an issue right now - but if I didn't have to worry about losing my job at this point - I would want to do it.
Maybe we could start writing people - sending e-mails...giving the forum address to people in high places so they can see what people with HCV are dealing with - from all walks of life - and how we are bonding together to get through it.
If anyone has any connections - I am willing to let my fingers do the walking and fire off some e-mails.
Stigma is an issue right now - but if I didn't have to worry about losing my job at this point - I would want to do it.
Maybe we could start writing people - sending e-mails...giving the forum address to people in high places so they can see what people with HCV are dealing with - from all walks of life - and how we are bonding together to get through it.
If anyone has any connections - I am willing to let my fingers do the walking and fire off some e-mails.
Do you remember where you read that item re: Pam Anderson. I would be curious to look it up. When she was interviewed last year on Larry King she said she was going to start txt in Dec. of 2002 but based on all the public appearances she's made this year I knew she prob. didn't follow thru. I think the holistic approach is a waste of time but I at least give her credit for coming forward with news of her illness. I read somewhere that after Pam announced her Hep status that testing for Hep C increased.
Well, if you could make a deal with a production company, the "show" could be a single hour culmination of your year or whatever shown at the end, rather than as a real-time expose as you go through it. Seriously, approach John Stossel or some such figures (not a Heraldo...) and I'll bet they might take the project. But I'd never do an "Osbornes" type thing... that would be too invasive. You'd be our hero, star, poster child!
p.s. when I first got diagnosed with HepC (1991), I was sent to the Hemophilia Association for more information. A very large percentage of Hemophilia patients had gotten HepC through their blood products. Thank G. this is rare now.
p.s. when I first got diagnosed with HepC (1991), I was sent to the Hemophilia Association for more information. A very large percentage of Hemophilia patients had gotten HepC through their blood products. Thank G. this is rare now.
I have had "relations" with two men in my life. My husband being one of them and he is testing negative. I will find out about my first boyfriend once I know where I am at with my viral load - right now I am in shock. I had open heart surgery in 1976 at the age of 5 and received a blood transfusion - this is where the doctor is thinking I might have gotten the virus.
I am 32 now - that's pushing 3 decades...I am hoping the tests come back ok tomorrow.
Anyway - back to the show...I am willing to do it (I think) - but I don't think my life and battle will be enough - I need some "side-kicks" or something....hint hint...
Ok - gotta head home - time to finish up work and get the heck home.
I am 32 now - that's pushing 3 decades...I am hoping the tests come back ok tomorrow.
Anyway - back to the show...I am willing to do it (I think) - but I don't think my life and battle will be enough - I need some "side-kicks" or something....hint hint...
Ok - gotta head home - time to finish up work and get the heck home.
Here is the one that I read found today...
http://www.flare.com/health/article.jsp%3Fcontent%3D20030407_093702_3808
http://www.flare.com/health/article.jsp%3Fcontent%3D20030407_093702_3808
Well if this isn't a happy irony, Im writing this a little misty eyed. I've been waiting for a week for my tests to come back after 20 wks of tx I'm Hep C geno 1 and the nurse just called me to say my viral load is <50 which as you all know is great news, I know I'm not out of the woodsand still have 28 wks of tx to go but thank yall that held their breath with me. but in one of the threads about what I wrote about Pam Anderson he asked where I read it this Sundays Parade magazine in the paper, and she stated she opted against the interferon tx after extensive research. but anyway thanks to yall and I'll be writing again.
The reason I waited to get treated? I found out I had hepc in 1995. The Dr. told me not to worry about it just get blood work every 6 mos.and every 6mos I got the blood work and was told all looked good. ff to 2001 dr. tells me all looks good not to worry, all blood tests normal except one that came back inconclusive (I don't know what that was). He resubmitted the blood work and the next thing I know I'm having a biopsy. type 1a stage 2 fibrosis. So here I am on tx. It took awhile because I had a change in insurance companies and I got on the waiting list for pegysas. If I was told I needed to be on tx earlier, I would have been on it. Also, I didn't know anything about hepc until after the biopsy and found these websites. I was only doing what my dr. said to do.
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