Aa
treatment
I'm 44. Three years ago I found out I have Hep C 1A during a routine type screening for a new job.
I probably contracted this 25 years ago from a boyfriend who I recently found out also has it. His body managed to get rid of it on its own, so he says. I am syptom free mostly. Over the past 10 years, every now and then I have had slight cramps in what I thought was galbladder so went to the doctor, and had all normal liver functions the few times I was tested. Nothing showed on the ultrasounds. After I found out I had HepC, I got tested again, had the liver biopsy and was offered to start treatment. But, my viral load is only 160,000, and my liver showed only slight cell inflamation. The nurse said I should start while I feel good. I wonder if the viral load was low becasue before having the biopsy and viral load count, I spent a year taking high doses of milk thistle and basil, and plenty of vitamins. I think my viral load count is relatively low. I feel great and don't suffer from fatigue, or brain fog. I was suffering from that before the milk thistle and basil. Anyway, my question is, has anyone had any success just trying to go naturally? I also, take SAM-e, and that REALLY cleared up ALL the brain fog and restored energy completly.
I probably contracted this 25 years ago from a boyfriend who I recently found out also has it. His body managed to get rid of it on its own, so he says. I am syptom free mostly. Over the past 10 years, every now and then I have had slight cramps in what I thought was galbladder so went to the doctor, and had all normal liver functions the few times I was tested. Nothing showed on the ultrasounds. After I found out I had HepC, I got tested again, had the liver biopsy and was offered to start treatment. But, my viral load is only 160,000, and my liver showed only slight cell inflamation. The nurse said I should start while I feel good. I wonder if the viral load was low becasue before having the biopsy and viral load count, I spent a year taking high doses of milk thistle and basil, and plenty of vitamins. I think my viral load count is relatively low. I feel great and don't suffer from fatigue, or brain fog. I was suffering from that before the milk thistle and basil. Anyway, my question is, has anyone had any success just trying to go naturally? I also, take SAM-e, and that REALLY cleared up ALL the brain fog and restored energy completly.
Hi Krissy,
The most difficult part of anything that you try is taking the first step, I don't think of my treatment in terms of 48 weeks. I think of making it to the end of the 12th week (5 days from now). At that point, when I get my VL, I'll decide whether to continue for 4 more weeks. I'm doing OK so far but I have chronic fatigue.
Vik
The most difficult part of anything that you try is taking the first step, I don't think of my treatment in terms of 48 weeks. I think of making it to the end of the 12th week (5 days from now). At that point, when I get my VL, I'll decide whether to continue for 4 more weeks. I'm doing OK so far but I have chronic fatigue.
Vik
Hi Vik,
Good luck with the treatment. It takes a lot of courage to start it. I am not ready to face it yet. How are you doing so far?
Krissy
Good luck with the treatment. It takes a lot of courage to start it. I am not ready to face it yet. How are you doing so far?
Krissy
Hi Krissy,
I was diagnosed with Hep C, 1A, 2-1/2 years ago when my VL was 24,500,000 and my liver enzymes were moderately high. I had no physical symtoms and so I went to a Chinese herbologist and acupuncturist that specializes in Hep C for one year or so. During that time my ALT and AST normalized and my VL went down to about 8,000,000. Of course I cannot prove that his treatment caused the changes or was it the lifestyle changes I made, For example, he told me I had to lose weight and I lost 20 lbs. Anyway, he told me he could lessen the inflammation of the liver but he could not clear the virus. On 11/01/07, I started treatment with Pegasys and ribavirin. The answer to your question is that I believe I had some success going naturally, but I don't know how much.
Vik
I was diagnosed with Hep C, 1A, 2-1/2 years ago when my VL was 24,500,000 and my liver enzymes were moderately high. I had no physical symtoms and so I went to a Chinese herbologist and acupuncturist that specializes in Hep C for one year or so. During that time my ALT and AST normalized and my VL went down to about 8,000,000. Of course I cannot prove that his treatment caused the changes or was it the lifestyle changes I made, For example, he told me I had to lose weight and I lost 20 lbs. Anyway, he told me he could lessen the inflammation of the liver but he could not clear the virus. On 11/01/07, I started treatment with Pegasys and ribavirin. The answer to your question is that I believe I had some success going naturally, but I don't know how much.
Vik
Thank you. Please, forgive me if I don't express all of this very well. I'm not really used to talking about this. My family doesn't really respond if I bring it up. It's hard for them. But, I guess i should have said that I was taking the milk thistle and other supplements because I was not doing very well a few months after finding out that I had HepC, and my memory was so bad that one day I didn't know which side of the road to drive on. I knew I had to do something, but was too scared to go to the doctor because I thought it was just a death sentence. The herbs and change in diet got me to where I feel so much better. The nurse who manages the treatment program said that my viral load had nothing to do with treatment, and having a 160,000 viral load is no different than having a 60,000,000. And, she said it doesn't count until it is at zero. I know she's probably right, but I'm hoping someone else has had good luck with herbs because the side effects of the treatment sound very scarey.
Do most people have to take off from work while undergoing the treatment. And, do you know if it is common to go through the chemo treatment with it. I've seen a lot of talk about that.
Do most people have to take off from work while undergoing the treatment. And, do you know if it is common to go through the chemo treatment with it. I've seen a lot of talk about that.
If you feel great and only have slight inflammation after 25 years you may never need to treat. Keep an eye on things, don't drink, and enjoy life. The supplements have no effect on your viral load (probably just genetics - strong on your part and weak for the virus) but anything you can do to maintain your overall health certainly won't hurt.
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