herbs

[jody13]

Well I had a viral ct. taken the other day and it didn't come out like I thought it would. Instead of going down it is still going up, not much but still going up. The doctors don't seem to be worried about it though, They leave that part up to me I guess. Every other test came back perfect, It has got me wondering if it is time to try the treatment. The Doc says I will die of some other cause before hepititus gets me. That is supose  to make me feel beter? Jody 13

[robin]

Hi Jody...I don't know your age or the stage of your liver. I was a Stage 3 just 5 years ago. Why mine decided to progress so quickly isn't understood...no drinking, eating relatively healty, no drug mis-use and I was also told I would probably die of old age (I was 48 when diagnosed) before I died of the side effects of hepatitis.

Viral counts go up and down so small fluctuations aren't worrisome. So far as treatment, you are the only one who can make that decision as to when you want or choose to treat. I was ready upon diagnosis as I thought it would not be fun for a year but I could deal with it. Nature intervened and now they won't treat until after I get TP'd.

This is only my opinion and as I said...it needs to come from your heart and I believe when the time is right...you will recognize it and go for it.

Good luck and keep your spirits high...robin

[Tom_K]

Everyone's body reacts differently to the virus, so it's hard to tell how fast and how far the disease will progress. Then treatment is unpleasant at best to life threatening. What to do?

I'm in the same boat as you and wish I had the answer.

The Doc says I will die of some other cause before hepititus gets me. That is supose to make me feel beter? Jody 13

They tell me the same thing all the time Jody and like you I wonder, "is that supose to make me feel better?"

Keep it simple,
Tom

[19Dragon52]

Oh sure!  We can die from other conditions but given that most doctors don't know squat about Hep C how are we to know if the condition itself was not brought on by the Hep C Virus?  Right before it was suggested to me to start TX by an unusually smart "ER" doctor I had a bad bout of Pneumonia that kept me in the hospital for 5 days getting IV interjections of steroids, more than once daily.  They don't even keep folks in the hospital for 5 days for some serious stuff, anymore.  Then another time I ended up in 'ER" 3 days straight with excrutiating pain and many diagnosises.  After putting me through about every test they could...they found nothing wrong with me.  They had to knock me out on day 2 so I could get some refief and rest.  It was on the third day I spent in "ER" and after more bloodwork the Dr. on duty told me I might want to consider Treatment for the Hep C as he thought it was time.  I lucked out but do most people?  These are only 2 of the conditions I ran into prior to finally going on TX.  I would never have known that it was the Virus rearing it's ugly head with me.  I guess all I can say is to know your body and any out of the unordinary symptoms you may start experiencing.

My Best To You Jody.....

[Tom_K]

Point well taken Joyce.  Hep C does create a host of other problems, that's when you hear of someone dying from complications of Hepatitis C.

Tom

[jody13]

herbs were better than I thought. I was thinkoing the last test was 5.5 mil and the doctor told me about 10 minutes ago  that it was 6.7 mil and now is 6.4 mil. Which is a minor drop but a drop any way. It doesn't sound like much but it is actually 10 x that figure  he says. So maybe the herbs are helping??? I'll stay with them a while longer. They won't cure me but  maybe get the viral ct. down . I am some what relieved because of the drop, even a small drop beats it going the other way. By the way I wrote a novel. The name of it is "My Life and Times Of Harve Bodine" It is on Amazon and Barnes and Noble. It is a past life of mine in the 1800 era  Jody 13

PS. thanks for the feed back to all of you.

[19Dragon52]

(((Jody)))

I know you've been on the board long enough to have read some in this Alternative TX Forum.  There's certainly nothing wrong with using herbs for this condition.  I spent my first couple years after diagnosis in this Forum.  There's lot's of good stuff.  When I began to treat I was 5.5 million and had a Liver Biopsy which showed grade 2 stage 2.  For me that was a solid middle ground to consider TX with the possibilities of a good outcome even being a 1a.  I just had a good attitude about the whole thing.  I was clear at 6 months post tx and don't ask me why I'm killing time going for my 1 year pcr...I am making that appt. with the lab this week, though.  I'm a little figgidy about it, I must confess.  Since TX I contimue on a vitamin & herbal regiment that I feel is the best follow-through for me.  I take suggestions and read a lot of what others have had a maximum success rate with and include some of it into what I know works well with & for me...also what my lifestyle demands.  I've used some, continue with some, added some and have removed some...all in relation to my situation and what I feel works.

Has your doctor discussed a Liver Biopsy with you, yet?  That at least helps you get a grip on where your Liver is at with this Virus.  Sometimes that will help in deciding on what type of herbals you want to use medicinally or continue to use and at the most helps you decide whether tx is yet, viable.  Everyone is different as I'm sure you have come to realize.  We have many on the board that feel at this time they can do with their own regiment in regards to what their Liver Biopsies tell and also as they wait for a tx that hopefully offers more and in a better time frame.  You can read on current studies here on the board also.

The Best To You My Friend...We Are All Here To Love & Support.....
Congrats on Having Your Book Published...Great Acheivement!

[jody13]

Dragon, Yes I had the biopsy and it showed no cancer and not much of any thing else. I don't know what all it did show, I slep since then . They also did that Ultra sound thing. showing a couple small dried up ttumor like spots , even one on my kidneys , all dried up he said. I was one an herb that dried up tumor type deals  at the time. think it was Graviola from Amazon herbs. I think I was grade 2 and stage 2 also. . They say memory is the first to go, I'm not sure about that.  I'm still tryin g tio figure out what herbs to take. if I do change part of them. Got any ideas? Jody

[Helen]

jody,
 I think you worry about your viral load to much and you really shouldnt. Its not a predictor on whether any damage is going on. I know there are some specialists who dont even think we should get them checked as it just stresses us out and dosent really tell us anything unless we are on treatment. You would be better off to keep and eye on your bloodwork and even that isnt a predictor but at least  if theres any significant change in the numbers it could give you a heads up that something could be going on.
 I believe you told me that you are 75 years old ( correct me if Im wrong )  and personally if you feel good and everything looks good I would leave it alone. I think you might be worrying yourself to much about that viral load.

 Take care, Helen 

[jody13]

Helen , You are probably 100% right, I just want natural herbs to come out on top, I am against all these fancy meds with all the side effects. , Even saying that I do take one of them for prostate problems, just started. But it seems every thing that should fix us has many side effects. I guess you have to take it as it comes. Jody

[jody13]

Helen, I have listened to you and the group but I have one more question. Probably two. I get more from you guys than from the docs.  My viral count for the last 16 months has been very erratic, up and down.   oct, 06 it was 2,260,000   Dec 06 it was 5,260,000  June 07 it was 653,000, way down then in oct 07 it was back to 2.460,000. This is rather confusing to an old coot like me. I feel good and seem to have only one side effect and that is a skin flare uo every so often which I use a skin cream on I feel it is connected with Hep C, but not sure. I trhink Helen has it right, Quit worrying about it. I go back to the specialist next week. He will probably tell me the same thing. . You all have a wonderfull Xmas season. and a happy new year. Jody13

[Helen]

Hi Jody, 

 Good to see you posting. I wouldnt worry to much about the viral load, it can fluctuate for any old reason, if your sick or taking any kind of medicine, etc. and it really has no bearing on anything unless your treating. Sounds like your doing pretty good, I would just keep doing what your doing. 

 You and your wife have a wonderful Christmas and dont be such a stranger. 

 Take care, Helen

[Hank's mom]

Hey Jody - Long time!

Glad to see you popping for a visit. I don't know if you saw where i posted this, I cant remember myself, but i just learned that there a lot of variables in how the viral load is counted, and unless it is a major fluctuation not to worry too much. You could 2 blood tests in one day and they could give, seemingly to our fearful eyes, very different results by as much as 1 mil or more! It's only when the increase or decrease is 5 - 10 mil, that you and your docs should pay attention. Not to make light of it because i have been alarmed myself, but even the case of 5 - 10 mil, they would probably order another test to corroborate. I can see why some docs don't think we should see the numbers.

As far as the herbals go, my hubby has a friend who has hep and has known for the past 5 years, also cirrhosis, but has only used herbals and works like a dog all year, excavating, stone walls, patios, snow plowing, etc., is always cheerful and sure doesn't seem sick. Though the herbs haven't fixed him, he has at least held steady and gets to enjoy himself. I tried them too, but they were too rough on my system so I had to stop. often the problems come from not knowing how to dose for size and weight - so maybe this guy being twice my size threw the whole thing off - who knows.

A woman I know also cleared with herbals. Then again her body was used to them because she has always included them in her diet.

I figure they are worth a try and to have completed your novel means that you seem to be wading through hepper gulch pretty well.

Let us know if you're doing anymore books so we can be on the lookout.

momxfive

[jody13]

Momxfive, Been thinking about another book soon. Did you get the other one? and if you did , was it worth reading? That is the big question. . I write short stories all the time for a couple of local papers, one weekly and one monthly. My document file is crammed full of stories. Jody 13

[JustBlue]

Viral load is just a number and not much else. It's really of no use at all except to judge whether one is responding to tx or not.
Herbs may be quite fine and good for you. Some may even assist in lowering your viral load, but you will still have the virus, and that's a fact.
The virus will still be present and doing its increasing damage on your liver. A stage/grade of 2/2 can't be really called not much of anything IMHO; rather it's more of an indication that your liver has some signicant damage and is being made to work pretty hard to keep its head above water.
I guess you can tell I am pro tx.
Yes, it's your decision; I hope you do well on your herbal approach.