http://hepatitisc.tribe.net/thread/00ac9735-fa89-40db-b59b-80f17f8f0bb8?format=rss Tribe.net. Local Connections http://hepatitisc.tribe.net/thread/00ac9735-fa89-40db-b59b-80f17f8f0bb8#fee1cd8c-10c4-414c-bbb7-0b9c71f28658 that would be a big yes brock. it was worth it and i'd do it again despite the consequences. Thu, 29 Nov 2007 03:16:17 GMT http://hepatitisc.tribe.net/thread/00ac9735-fa89-40db-b59b-80f17f8f0bb8#fee1cd8c-10c4-414c-bbb7-0b9c71f28658 Marie 2007-11-29T03:16:17Z http://hepatitisc.tribe.net/thread/00ac9735-fa89-40db-b59b-80f17f8f0bb8#9f3ac01c-e166-411c-9fae-ce4c57d4bcb6 Guess that answers my question about whether you are still clear Bev. Are those consequences health related? Thu, 29 Nov 2007 01:53:32 GMT http://hepatitisc.tribe.net/thread/00ac9735-fa89-40db-b59b-80f17f8f0bb8#9f3ac01c-e166-411c-9fae-ce4c57d4bcb6 Cosmic Love 2007-11-29T01:53:32Z http://hepatitisc.tribe.net/thread/00ac9735-fa89-40db-b59b-80f17f8f0bb8#61ea641d-1be6-448a-86e6-3a9e14ae4693 I'm delighted that you are clear T. I know it was a big decision to go off the interferon and switch to the herbs and it sounds like you made the right decision for you. "Life is a much bigger dragon to fight." I don't know if that works for me. That dragon kicked my bazooka and I wonder if I will ever recover. Even though treatment worked, the consequences I still have the thrill of experiencing are way harder than anything I've ever done in 'life', and my life has been a pretty tragic one. Mon, 19 Nov 2007 02:42:55 GMT http://hepatitisc.tribe.net/thread/00ac9735-fa89-40db-b59b-80f17f8f0bb8#61ea641d-1be6-448a-86e6-3a9e14ae4693 Marie 2007-11-19T02:42:55Z http://hepatitisc.tribe.net/thread/00ac9735-fa89-40db-b59b-80f17f8f0bb8#37fd564e-9637-4fad-a8b9-9fb8ea631302 I just think that this virus and treatment act differently with each person, and there is no boxed answer. At the end of the day we all have to do (or try) whatever allows us to feel we did the best we could do. For me that was a combo approach using herbs and std treatment. Even though I'm clear of the virus, I still live as if it is active within me... so, even though I believe my choices worked for me, I would never claim that it is THE WAY to slay this dragon. Sure I will tell everyone I know ,who is in this battle ,about what I did... but ,for all I know I was just lucky or blessed. The truth is, there are no easy answers or choices with this damn thing!!!! However, LIFE is a much bigger dragon to fight... and we all make choices everyday that we are comfortable to live with, and we all have to decide what is BS in life... no matter if we have Hep-C or not. SMILES, T Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:22:25 GMT http://hepatitisc.tribe.net/thread/00ac9735-fa89-40db-b59b-80f17f8f0bb8#37fd564e-9637-4fad-a8b9-9fb8ea631302 Dove Goddess 2007-11-16T19:22:25Z http://hepatitisc.tribe.net/thread/00ac9735-fa89-40db-b59b-80f17f8f0bb8#b2d096fa-dbf4-4b1e-9e3f-e4481cde1c84 I know a lot of people are helped by herbs. It just makes me mad when they come on and say it's a cure. Fri, 16 Nov 2007 17:42:28 GMT http://hepatitisc.tribe.net/thread/00ac9735-fa89-40db-b59b-80f17f8f0bb8#b2d096fa-dbf4-4b1e-9e3f-e4481cde1c84 Tracey 2007-11-16T17:42:28Z http://hepatitisc.tribe.net/thread/00ac9735-fa89-40db-b59b-80f17f8f0bb8#63d45227-a76e-41ca-b354-0b7a38d4e42d Well said Tonjha. 75% reduction in viral load, that's amazing. Now I know why you look so vibrant in your picture. Good for you! Fri, 16 Nov 2007 00:57:13 GMT http://hepatitisc.tribe.net/thread/00ac9735-fa89-40db-b59b-80f17f8f0bb8#63d45227-a76e-41ca-b354-0b7a38d4e42d Marie 2007-11-16T00:57:13Z http://hepatitisc.tribe.net/thread/00ac9735-fa89-40db-b59b-80f17f8f0bb8#8a8300f4-2eef-485f-89f7-9131171623c0 I have to agree... this is not a place to play on a person despiration and risk health! Even with the herbal treatment that I used to assist in clearing this virus, I was very careful to research in order to find the risks and how it helped. However, I always knew that NONE of the herbs would cure me... Sure I was able to reduce my viral load by 75% and reverse the minor liver damage prior to treatment, but I knew the herbs would be a lifetime thing... and would only helped me to live with the virus... not CURE it. This is a place for those of us who battle this dragon to get REAL information and support.... NOT a place for Snake Oil Cures. Thu, 15 Nov 2007 13:10:28 GMT http://hepatitisc.tribe.net/thread/00ac9735-fa89-40db-b59b-80f17f8f0bb8#8a8300f4-2eef-485f-89f7-9131171623c0 Dove Goddess 2007-11-15T13:10:28Z http://hepatitisc.tribe.net/thread/00ac9735-fa89-40db-b59b-80f17f8f0bb8#ea65d9ce-17d6-4994-9b88-172f293d99b9 Thank you Tracey....this is not a place for the promotion of any products and I for one take a very dim eye to those who would peddle these so called "cures". Sun, 11 Nov 2007 00:22:16 GMT http://hepatitisc.tribe.net/thread/00ac9735-fa89-40db-b59b-80f17f8f0bb8#ea65d9ce-17d6-4994-9b88-172f293d99b9 Mike 2007-11-11T00:22:16Z http://hepatitisc.tribe.net/thread/00ac9735-fa89-40db-b59b-80f17f8f0bb8#fe82dd85-0360-4f94-b961-661917c75a2b If only it were true that something natural, without side effects would kill the dragon.. It's a well known fact that nothing does at present apart from the combo therapy. There are many snake oil salesmen trying to push their wares on vulnerable people, the only thing they'll get rid of is their cash. Some of these products are also very harmful and some just interfere with the blood tests making it look like you have a log drop, when in fact that is not true. People have been through hell with this treatment, please don't try and rip them off and promise something you cannot deliver. People's lives are at stake here. Sat, 10 Nov 2007 20:36:22 GMT http://hepatitisc.tribe.net/thread/00ac9735-fa89-40db-b59b-80f17f8f0bb8#fe82dd85-0360-4f94-b961-661917c75a2b Tracey 2007-11-10T20:36:22Z http://hepatitisc.tribe.net/thread/00ac9735-fa89-40db-b59b-80f17f8f0bb8#55886509-0f8b-4c88-be07-fa2d5e755b59 Hi Have you try "Polypodium XP" . It is the product that cure me from HCV. and my liver is like new. you can find it on www.polypodiumxp.com Sat, 10 Nov 2007 19:00:40 GMT http://hepatitisc.tribe.net/thread/00ac9735-fa89-40db-b59b-80f17f8f0bb8#55886509-0f8b-4c88-be07-fa2d5e755b59 Ruben D 2007-11-10T19:00:40Z http://hepatitisc.tribe.net/thread/00ac9735-fa89-40db-b59b-80f17f8f0bb8#8031cf10-6322-4098-92d7-5e91437ee119 aaah...such good news about the 1a strain. I am really looking forward to a time when I can feel comfortable in "going for it" because I know it's ganna kick my behind. I still have 17 year old twins that I am hands on with and don't feel that the time to try to clear is now. Someday I will though. I will definitely stay in touch. BFN Diann Mon, 29 Oct 2007 03:57:25 GMT http://hepatitisc.tribe.net/thread/00ac9735-fa89-40db-b59b-80f17f8f0bb8#8031cf10-6322-4098-92d7-5e91437ee119 $item.owner.firstName 2007-10-29T03:57:25Z http://hepatitisc.tribe.net/thread/00ac9735-fa89-40db-b59b-80f17f8f0bb8#c9e56feb-993e-486f-a01d-414c7da3b0ff Yeah, I knew nothing about hep c before I knew I had it....Funny how quick you learn? Being geno 2 was a blessing. I know of three geno 1s and they all cleared and are still clear 2 years down the line. With the virus being kind to you, you can afford to wait for the better treatments. yes, keep in touch, be good to hear from you. Sat, 13 Oct 2007 20:20:47 GMT http://hepatitisc.tribe.net/thread/00ac9735-fa89-40db-b59b-80f17f8f0bb8#c9e56feb-993e-486f-a01d-414c7da3b0ff Tracey 2007-10-13T20:20:47Z http://hepatitisc.tribe.net/thread/00ac9735-fa89-40db-b59b-80f17f8f0bb8#0ed754a6-8161-488f-b25d-c2bea691440d Hi Tracey, Thanks for writing. First of all congratulations on being the GOLDEN genotype ~(;0) and secondly a big HOOT HOOT, HOORAY FOR YOU for clearing this dragon. What a dream come true! Yes, I will be waiting for at least two years to treat, and from what I have read we will be a bit further ahead in the clinical trials with all of the new approaches and meds for us dreaded genotype 1a....AAARGH! Looking forward to staying in touch. DD Thu, 11 Oct 2007 23:37:14 GMT http://hepatitisc.tribe.net/thread/00ac9735-fa89-40db-b59b-80f17f8f0bb8#0ed754a6-8161-488f-b25d-c2bea691440d $item.owner.firstName 2007-10-11T23:37:14Z http://hepatitisc.tribe.net/thread/00ac9735-fa89-40db-b59b-80f17f8f0bb8#9e5778d7-d1c4-4311-948c-b60f0da63ab3 Thanks ~T~ Hope all is well...I had a rough week! Trying to recoup from from doing too much, too fast, lol... Love ya sister, Peace, Love and all the Hippie Shit! Thu, 11 Oct 2007 23:27:55 GMT http://hepatitisc.tribe.net/thread/00ac9735-fa89-40db-b59b-80f17f8f0bb8#9e5778d7-d1c4-4311-948c-b60f0da63ab3 $item.owner.firstName 2007-10-11T23:27:55Z http://hepatitisc.tribe.net/thread/00ac9735-fa89-40db-b59b-80f17f8f0bb8#aeef3202-de37-40ce-9b93-a05c0ca24ad6 Hi Diann Good to read your history. It seems the virus is being kind to your liver. Strange what you say about women of Irish descent being more resistant to the effects of the virus. I am half Irish and a geno 2 . I had six months of treatment two years ago (which was not pleasant) I cleared the virus and they tell me the chance of it returning are 1%. I think there is something about estrogen protecting the liver from the harmful effects of the virus. I had a fair bit of damage, not cirrhosis, but enough damage to show that the virus had the potential to attack my liver. I had a hysterectomy at 37 and went straight into early menopause. I had no symptoms of hep c before that (had it since I was 19) then suddenly I get the fatigue and aches and flu feelings. Maybe that's why I had liver damage? I go back and forth to doc, nothing found. I decide to give blood one day, that's when I discovered it. I contracted it the same way as you. I was in the modeling trade in my twenties and the cocaine/ smack lifestyle caught up with me in my late thirties. Just when I thought it was all in my past. Your biopsy sounds horrific. I had an easy one, but I know sometimes it can be painful. I've heard there are new, easier, safer and less toxic treatments coming on in the next few years. You may never need to worry about any treatment the way your going. Good to hear from you Tracey Wed, 03 Oct 2007 22:56:42 GMT http://hepatitisc.tribe.net/thread/00ac9735-fa89-40db-b59b-80f17f8f0bb8#aeef3202-de37-40ce-9b93-a05c0ca24ad6 Tracey 2007-10-03T22:56:42Z http://hepatitisc.tribe.net/thread/00ac9735-fa89-40db-b59b-80f17f8f0bb8#64ddccde-6825-494a-ae55-e38362d06a0a Hi Diann... I'm glad you found your way here. I hope the world is treating you well. Hugs, T Wed, 03 Oct 2007 15:06:59 GMT http://hepatitisc.tribe.net/thread/00ac9735-fa89-40db-b59b-80f17f8f0bb8#64ddccde-6825-494a-ae55-e38362d06a0a Dove Goddess 2007-10-03T15:06:59Z http://hepatitisc.tribe.net/thread/00ac9735-fa89-40db-b59b-80f17f8f0bb8#ee01ca37-5aa0-4831-961f-7e18ac073fbd Hi Everyone, My name is Diann, I live in Southern California, will turn 53 years old in November, Hep C + for approximately 27 years, diagnosed 6 years ago, initial and only VL count was high at 4,670,000 genotype 1a (of course )0;) and biopsy was a grade zero on all counts. My liver function tests have always been within the normal range. My original Gastroenterologist stated that he would not recommend treating, and he mentioned protease inhibitors that were in clinical trials and stated that he believed this was their greatest hope for achieving an SVR and for me to wait. I might also add that last year I had the slides re-read and have confirmed that the biopsy had not been misread. I suppose my greatest joy wasn't when my biopsy results came in so good considering length of time, high viral load, my age at time of diagnosis etc... but when all three of my children tested negative. That was the most horrible month of my entire life! Getting my 11 year old identical twin daughter's into see the doctor, trying to stay calm when I was more fearful than I had ever been in my entire life, then getting the blood drawn & waiting for the results. I remember going into the pediatrician's office with so many tears of joy pouring down my face so I could barely read the results. I went out to my car and wept, and wept and wept wiping away the tears and looking at the negative over and over. I thanked GOD for answering my prayer's and consider that to be the greatest gift I have ever received, other than the gift of having three daughters in the first place. At that time I thought that all of my prayers had been answered, and that I required no more grace, and that even if my biopsy was going to turn out badly I knew that I was going to be okay because I had not passed this dreadful virus on to my innocent babies. My oldest daughter was 25 and she also tested negative so I was in a great place. Now, something I have always considered a bit ironic about all this was that one of my longest and dearest friends was a Certified Nurse Practitioner, and coincidentally enough also a surgical nurse who worked side by side with liver transplant surgeons. She had tested positive the year prior and knew a lot about this dragon. She had a low viral load at under 100 but already had beginning states of portal hypertension. When she (I'll call her "C") began college to become a nurse I was a back office medical assistant. She had to work on her first thesis, and had asked my opinion since I was extremely interested in all things related to medicine. I ran and got my newest copy of newsweek because on the cover was a needle (lumen) with a drop of liquid dropping out and in huge letters "Interferon" the newest, greatest treatment on the horizen. So, I helped her on that level, she received a B+ I believe, and here we were almost thirty years later with hep C, and she working for a transplant doctor. She has been a great source of information and support for me, as well as just a good friend. It just so happens that she and I were injecting drugs for a year together and so we had both contacted it in that manner. I know...baaaad. We both stopped the same night when we were sitting under a street light "doing our thang" me in the driver seat, her looking on and I looked into her beautiful blue eyes and said, "You know "C" I don't want to do this anymore." She replied that she did not either. The irony of it all, eh? My first boyfriend at age 13 who would a few years later become my first lover, and remained my best friend for 37 years passed away 7 years ago from complications of Hep C. I miss him dearly ,and there isn't a day that something doesn't remind me of this most loving soul. I have another friend who was a genotype 2 and was put on treatment for two solid years and cleared many years ago. She says if it returns she will not re-treat as it darn near killed her. Today I still show no side effects of the virus, but also know that with age fibrosis does occur. The experts do believe that estrogen is a liver protectant and that once you go into menopause the virus will probably progress. Two months after my 52nd birthday I had the first sign that I might be going into menopause so I'm beginning to think about my options again, and also getting another biopsy. EEEEK! Mine didn't go well. I was not one of those that sailed through it and was able to say it was a piece of cake. The second the Doc stuck the biopsy needle into my liver it literally turned into a hard bowling ball! It felt like it was trying to jump out of my body to get away from that needle. The doctor immediately knew that I was not going to be one of those that didn't have pain and he mumbled something to the anesthesiologist and "lights out." I awoke in recovery in the worst pain I have ever experienced which lasted for two hours and then suddenly stopped. I asked the nurses where the baby was (0; So you see I am not looking forward to another biopsy and am considering the fibrosure test along with an ultrasound for liver cancer as well. I was seen by one gastroenterologist since then and once I told him I was not planning on going through the current protocol's just yet, he tuned me out, turned me off and sent me packin' lol! One thing he did do was to order a blood test to check for liver cancer markers and mine was well below the limit. So there ya have it. Me, 53, need to move forward but a bit too anxious at the moment. I will get the nerve up again to address this dragon, I do stay up on current trials, etc. have used the Maximum Milkthistle and Liv-tone and drink plenty of water and stay at a healthy weight which is under 103 lbs. I am only 5'2" so that's okay. There has been one study on women of Irish descent who have been infected with the virus and after 30 years still show no signs of progression. I have a lot of Irish blood in me and am wondering if somewhere in my DNA this might have something to do with my current lack of progression? If anyone can relate to anything I've said, or has experiences to share with me I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you all for reading my story, and thank you "T" for directing me to this lovely site. As you say, all paths cross for a reason! BFN, DD Sun, 30 Sep 2007 21:53:18 GMT http://hepatitisc.tribe.net/thread/00ac9735-fa89-40db-b59b-80f17f8f0bb8#ee01ca37-5aa0-4831-961f-7e18ac073fbd $item.owner.firstName 2007-09-30T21:53:18Z