On Going Info on Hepatitis

7/30/2019 On Going Info on Hepatitis

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Page 1 of 12Hepatitis Cnet.mind details other rsum contacthome > details > Hepatitis CHepatitis C : Ongoing information on my disease.In late 1993, while a sophomore at Duke University, I went to a blood drive to donate Backgroundblood. I was at the end of having a cold at the time but I ignored that (and lied to the Pre Treatmentnurse asking if I was feeling fine) because I really liked giving blood.TreatmentA month or so later I received a letter from the Red Cross saying that my bloodshowed that I had Hepatitis C, and that I could no longer donate blood. I figured that Various Linksmy cold had messed up some test and, because I didn't know what Hepatitis was (andmy brief net.research failed to turn up any bad effects of Hepatitis) I decidedto ignoreit.Some months later I was at the doctor's office with my mother and in response to

some question I mentioned the letter. Quite a lot of activity ensued, me thinking thatmy mother was over-reacting and at the same time realizing I probably shouldn'thave ignored the letter. Blood tests were ordered and confirmed that I indeed wasinfected with the Hepatitis C virus.We don't know how or when I contracted the disease, but our best guess is that it wasfrom a series of blood transfusions I had as an infant in 1973 (long before theyhad atest for the virus). Having recently been convinced (more information in thebackground section) that I should attempt the treatment to eradicate the virus,this

hepatitis site exists both to keep friends and family updated as I make journalentries,and as a resource for others infected by this virus. Please use the navigation links atleft (or at the bottom of the page) to choose a section to visit.If you have hepatitis and would like to send me email, please don't hesitate tocontactme.kim robinson Hi,11:02AM ET I'm doing peg-intron with ribivirin,I'm totally having some2001-Nov-17 mood swings.Do you have any ideas that may help.If soplease write me back.I hate this treatment.I have 4 and ahalf months left.My cpc levels are not good and my white

blood count is really low.Needless to say,I have noenergy.Please write back.Thanks,KimGavin Kistner Hey, so with 4 and a half months down, does that mean12:17PM ET you've done 7 and a half months, or are they now2001-Nov-17 recommending 6 months total? If you're past the halfwaypoint, does that mean that you've had a viral load test at 6months and it was found to be working? Are congratulationsin order on that front?To answer your question, I personally had mood swings too.A lot of it was alternating waves of strong, purposeful


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optimism which would degenerate into frustration anddepression about my current state. As I noted in Entry 13, Iwas taking St. John's Wort for a long while, not really certainif it was helping. And then I stopped taking it, and I realizedhow much it *was* helping. It kept me in a much bettermood in general, without feeling drugged or anything. Itsimply helped me feel calm. (The only thing negative I'veheard about taking it is that for women it can decrease theeffectiveness of The Pill.)One other thing I'd suggest, if you're not already, is toexercise to keep yourself feeling good. It's horrific (or at leastwas for me) to try and get up and move, let alone do somewalk or exercise, but as much as I hated to admit it eachtime my fiancee tried to cajole me into taking even a shortwalk down the street, I did really feel much better after eachone (no matter how I was feeling going into it). Of course, recenteven armed with that knowledge during the treatment (as indexadvised by others, and then experiencing it myself) I didn't site mapexercise as much as I should have. The very tiredness and10/1/2011http://phrogz.net/hepatitis

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Page 2 of 12Hepatitis Cdepression which the exercise helps fight kept convincing me net.mind details other rsum contactthat I wasn't up for doing it.I'd love to give you some sage words of advice which make itall better, but (having been there, albeit only for 6 months) Iknow that it just sucks. I was fortunate enough to have mynow-wife, then-fiancee to take care of me, a company thatwas very understanding (I was much harder on myself,feeling guilty about not working, than they were) and anincome which allowed me the lattitude to do what I needed in Backgroundorder to feel as optimal as possible. The only thing I can Pre Treatment

really suggest for the long haul is to hang tough, and lookforward to the future. In the long-term, having the disease Treatmentkept at bay will be so nice, to not have it nagging you (or notas much). And for the short term, as I experienced when I Various Linksstopped the treatment, you are in for an AMAZING time whenthe treatment ends. Life is going to be the most precious giftyou can imagine. It's like suggesting "keep hitting yourself inthe head with the baseball bat, because it will feel SOOOOgood when you stop", but hey...since you've gotta hityourself in the head anyway... :)Best of luck to you!Chris Gavin: I found your writings, of all the ones I have read up to08:22PM ET this point, to be the ones I remembered most. They were so

2001-Nov-24 real, and took me through step by step. I am now on my 23dweek of peg-intron with ribaviron. I have had a lot of otherblows during this time--an impending divorce, for one--butIhave kept going! Thanks for helping to inspire me!!Anonymous I just had my 10th shot of peg-intron and, of course, am03:05PM ET taking ribavirin. As an active mountain climber I am2002-Jan-12 frustrated because I feel too winded to maintain my usuallevel of activity. I appreciate reminders on this web page toconcentrate on the future and to exercise even when I don'tfeel like it. It's all true!


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I have found that unless I drink MORE than 4 quarts of watera day, esp. the first couple days after my shot, I feel horrible.I'm working just three days a week right now. The weather'snot too good so I'm not missing being out too terribly muchyet, but it's hard when my husband goes out with our friendsand I can't go along. Most people don't know I have hep cand am under treatment; we just say I have a cold orsomething else to do.Yep! Look to the future, and try to build upon something elsewhile this lasts. I was beginning to feel sorry for myself. Ugh.Thanks for listening. p.s. Does anyone know if red countsever go back UP during treatment?ALLISON WELL...I JUST FOUND OUT THAT I HAVE HEP-C AND AM09:14PM ET VERY SCARED.I AM VERY BUSY WORKING 60 HOURS A2002-Jan-31 WEEK AS A MANAGER OF A CAR DEALERSHIP AND AMAFRAID THAT WHEN I BEGIN TREATMENT I WON'T BE ABLETO WORK.SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME THAT I'LL BE ABLE TOMAINTAIN MY LIFE, MY HUSBAND IS IN THE MILITARY ANDIS GONE AND I HAVE TWO KIDS AND A LIFE TO LEAD..WAHWAH WAH.O.K. NOW THAT I GOT MY SOB STORY OUT OFTHE WAY,I FELL MUCH BETTER.HAVE A GOOD WKEND TOALL!RAVENWOLF I'VE BEEN ON THE COMBO SINCE DEC OF 2OO1 AND IT IS01:48PM ET HORRIBLE FOR ME AND FAMILY/ FRIENDS WHO ARE ALSO

2002-May-02 AFFECTED. IT IS SCARY TO KNOW THAT THESE DRUGS CANDO SERIOUS PERMANENT DAMAGE EVEN THOUGH IMAY BEONE OF THE FORTUNATE WHERE THE HCV BECOMES UNDETECTABLE BUT REMEMBER THE TEST IS NOT SENSITIVEENOUGH. PRAYERS WERE ANSWERED WHEN A HEALER THATWE'VE BEEN LOOKING FOR 2 YEARS CONTACTED USRECENTLY. NATIVE AMERICAN AS THIS IS PART OF MYHERITAGE AND WHERE I FEEL VERY CONNECTED. THERE ISNO GUARANTEE BUT I FEEL GOOD ABOUT THIS PERSON. recentNOT FAKE OR " SHAKE AND BAKE SHAMAN ". I FEEL indexBLESSED REGARDLESS OF THE OUTCOME BECAUSE OF site mapWHAT I'M LEARNING AND BECOMING FROM THIS AND WHAT10/1/2011http://phrogz.net/hepatitis

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Page 3 of 12Hepatitis CMORE WILL BE WHEN I GO TO GET DOCTORED - AND FROM net.mind details other rsum contactTHIS DISEASE THAT HAS LED ME TO AMUCH DEEPER PLACEAND POSITIVE CHANGES. I PRAY FOR YOU ALL AND FORALL. DISEASE IS DIS-EASE LOVE TO YOU. RAVENWOLFNancy G. I am a RN who has been positive with Hep C for 10 years04:30PM ET with no problems. I have decided to try the Peg-Intron this

2002-May-19 summer. No one I work with or in my family knows of this. Istreatment ALL THAT AWFUL that I read about. Anyone on itPLEASE respond!!! Thanx!!BackgroundNancy G. I am a RN who has been positive with Hep C for 10 years Pre Treatment04:30PM ET with no problems. I have decided to try the Peg-Intron this2002-May-19 summer. No one I work with or in my family knows of this. Is Treatmenttreatment ALL THAT AWFUL that I read about. Anyone on itPLEASE respond!!! Thanx!!Various LinksNancy G. I am a RN who has been positive with Hep C for 10 years


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04:30PM ET with no problems. I have decided to try the Peg-Intron this2002-May-19 summer. No one I work with or in my family knows of this. Istreatment ALL THAT AWFUL that I read about. Anyone on itPLEASE respond!!! Thanx!!Lisa Thompson This is the most helpful "real experience" site I have come11:45PM ET across. I would like advice. I have a friend doing peg-intron2002-Jul-15 with rebetol. She's in her 4th month and is not doing well atall. Her side effects are getting worse rather than better. Shehas flu-like symptoms that escalate to burning pain in herjoints, significant depression that hasn't let up, bronchitisthat won't go away (she's been on antibiotics for 30 days),and she seems to be sleeping most of the time. Her bloodcount is very low and she's having it checked weekly. She'salso borderline anemic now. Beyond taking iron, St. John'sWort, and multi-vitamins - does anyone have additionalsuggestions to get her through this? Before she startedtreatment, she had more energy than anyone else I knewand was very strong. Now she can't work (her job involvedphysical labor)and is only out of bed for an hour or two at atime. She doesn't have the internet, but I am hoping thatsomeone out there can give her advice (I'll pass it on) forany herbal suppliments or recommended reading. Her doctoris monitoring and she has been informed that she may bepulled off treatment due to her blood count getting

dangerously low and her borderline anemia.Keri Taggart Please someone help, My boyfriend has just started his 602:35PM ET month of the combo, his depression started about 2 months,2002-Jul-17 now have gone into rages about once a week, he hasdestoyed his personal things etc. I know the man he wasbefore this, he is on Celexa 40mg a day, but its not helping.He is considering getting off the combo. So far his blood testshow that the Virus is not in his blood anymore (for now),but doesnt mean it will come back (this is what he told mewhen he went to the doctor) I adore him, and will continue tostand by him, but can someone please help with maybe a Rxhe can take to stop the rages. He was an avid runner, about10 miles a day, now cant hardly run one mile. Thanks so

much.Nora Emerson I am 50 years old and found out I had Hep C back in 1996. I02:18PM ET tried the interferon treatment three times a week back then2002-Aug-16 and did not respond plus had severe weight loss. I startedback on this new 12 month treatment of peg-intron andribavirin on July 26. Today is my fourth injection. I amdefinetely having side effects, the cough, fatigue, flu-likesymtoms, loss of appetite, etc. I am determined to follow thisthrough and hopefully be rid of this virus. Does it get betteras time goes on? I can use all the encouragement and adviceon how to deal with this depression.VW I have a friend with Hepatitis C. I am a retired RN. I was12:19AM ET searching on the Internet,

2003-Jul-14 and found information on Colloidal Silver and Hep. C. Iordered the Robey Unit tomake Colloidal Silver. I gave the Colloidal Silver to my friend.Her first dose was recentJune of 2002. By September 2002 her blood tests came back indexHepatitis C Non Detectable. We were so happy about this. site mapHer doctor could hardly believe it, and10/1/2011http://phrogz.net/hepatitis


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Page 4 of 12Hepatitis Ccircled the "Non Detectable" in red...My friend still has the net.mind details other rsum contactHep. C. markers, butnow the virus is Non Detectable. You may want to putColloidal Silver in your "finder" and read some of thetestimonials regarding Hep. C. Click on this "link" anddownload the information about Colloidal Silver. I think youwill be facinated. Testimonials from Robey--Internetaddress: http://robeysilver.com/Testimonials.htmBe sure and check with your own doctor before trying this,just to be sure it is OK for you to try it.BackgroundPre TreatmentBest Wishes,Retired RNTreatmentGavin Kistner I personally don't find the Colloidal Silver information VariousLinks01:22PM ET convincing, considering some of the sites out there which are2003-Oct-31 very much against it.A different, somehwat promising-looking treatment isZadaxin. I haven't tried it, nor do I endorse it, but I have

spoken to someone who had amazing success with it, afterfailing to respond to Rebetron.Andrew Mattock I came across this site a few minutes ago whilst looking at06:40PM ET something totally unrelated and am both interested and2004-Feb-01 troubled by the experiences of those with hep c. I wasdiagnosed as having been exposed to Hep C in 1997. Therewas talk of treatment with interferon and even livertransplantation. A subsequent liver biopsy (there was nosensitive test in 1997 - not in the UK anyway) indicated thatI was totally clear of the virus because a percentage ofindividuals had this 'anti Hep C' response. My mild relief uponbeing told this was tempered last April (2003) when I washospitalised for liver failure because, apparently, alcohol use

had exacerbated liver damage caused by Hep C and resultedin cirrhosis. I've still had no feedback as to whether or notthe virus has 'resurrected' itself but think this may well be sowhen reading some of the above experiences. I've neverheard of some of the above referred to treatment, but if itcan result in negative tests, without having eradicated thevirus and when today's tests are so much more sensitive,then that puts me back to square one. The one positive thingI can add to other sufferers who're suffering side effects fromtreatment, is that if it prevents the usually inevitableprogression to cirrhosis then it's preferable anyday. ThesymptomsI,ve just been reading are something I can relateto readily - and then some. If the treatment works, and it

sounds like it does, then it's worth the 'hassle' if it preentswhat's waiting further down the line if you don't take themedicine. I don't have a choice - you do.Ronald Schlamp I founf out I had hep c in 1996 and 2 years ago I was treated04:10PM ET with Rebetron ( interferon/ribavirin ) unsuccessfully. I am2004-Mar-14 over 50 and have genotype 1 so my chances are not the bestfor beating it, although I do not know my viral load. My docdidn't find it necessary to know that in order to treat me sohe decided to save the medical some money. I think I willask for this test though as I would like to know my chances


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of success at treatment. I have read that viral load is one ofthe factors that can determine resonse. I am trying thatcolloidal silver treatment while I wait to get onto thepegylated interferon/ribavirin or the maintenance dose ofinterferon, so I will let you know if it has any effect on myenzyme levels. I like to stay p[ositive until something isabsolutely proven not to work for me. What have I got tolose?My father has hep c and i was wondering if anyone knows if it04:34AM ET is safe for him to take st john wart for depression and mood2004-Jul-24 swings he also suffers from altimers which i have heard alsoadds moodiness thanks jeanGavin Kistner I'm not a doctor, but I asked my doctor explicitly about St.01:37PM ET John's Wort and was told that it would be fine for me to take recent2004-Jul-24 it if I felt it was a good idea.indexsite map10/1/2011http://phrogz.net/hepatitis

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Page 5 of 12Hepatitis CI have been on treatment for 13 weekes, and hate it. I have net.mind details ot

her rsum contact03:55AM ET no energy and sleep all the time, and have all kinds of2004-Sep-27 sideeffects. Now I am getting dizy, I almost hpe it does notwork so I can stop it.Andrew Mattock Regarding the use of St. John's Wort, it would seem that it04:12PM ET should be used with caution as it has been implicated in2004-Oct-02 various cases of liver damage -as to how statisticallysignificant this is I don't know as I'm unaware of the ratio ofusers to those who've suffered liver damage. BackgroundI would like to see more input into this sight but am well Pre Treatmentaware of the apathy and lack of physical energy liver diseasecan cause.TreatmentDawn Doctor wants me to do treatment. I have had HCV symptoms Various Links

06:26PM ET for 14 years and probably contracted Hep when I was 172004-Oct-19 years old and doing iv drugs. I stopped drinking 18 years agoso my liver (and me) are in pretty good shape. I do have alot of joint and muscular symptoms with my Hep C and feel100 years old some days instead of 52. I am on permanentdisability because of my Hep C and could remain on it as myhusband works, but feel like I'm being held hostage by myillness! I have recently been told about a drug in phase IIItrials called Zadaxin that is heping people with genotype 1clear at a 70% rate over the now aprox. 50%. This drug hasbeen approved for use in Canada and Mexico and a otherplaces. I'm not sure when the FDA will approve it for usehere, but it sounds like it's really working well with no added

side effects! Should I wait to be treated until this drug isapproved? I have been told that some insurance companieswon't treat you when you get "older". What is "older"? Iwould think we would have access to zadaxin in another twoyears or so, does anyone have any comment about me beingtreated now or not, or know about this new drug? Thanks,DawnKaryl My daughter received her viril load numbers today, 800,000.07:35PM ET I am searching for ways to bring it down without the2004-Oct-20 treatment usually undertaken. Has anyone had results from


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colloidal silver or Dr. Beck's Zapper? Thank you.Karyl My daughter received her viral load numbers today, 800,000.07:37PM ET I am searching for ways to bring it down without the2004-Oct-20 treatment usually undertaken. Has anyone had results fromcolloidal silver or Dr. Beck's Zapper? Thank you.Gail Last December my viral load came back at 3,740,000 I tried09:55AM ET the colloidal silver and now in October 2004 my viral load is2004-Oct-28 8,0010,000 so for me that did not work. I still do NOT wantto do the interferon as it CAUSES liver cirrhosis. I am on aregimen and have been since 1995 of milk thistle, dandelion,b vitamins, high doses of vitamin c, potassium. My liverenzymes come back normal however the Hep C has causedmy thyroid to not function properly and I have rheumatoidarthritis. I still work over 9 hours a day as a mail carrier (thatmeans a lot of walking) plus come home cook and clean andcare for a 1 year old grandchild. Somedays I am more tiredthan usual. I am going to try cutting out meat, sugars, friedfoods. I am going to add the Maitake and Shitake mushroomsto my herbals as well as the Raspberry flour and drink freshcarrot juice daily and will see as to whether this brings myviral count down.Dave I was diagnosed with Hep C right after the WTC attack when11:01AM ET I went to give blood for the survivor effort. In August of 20032004-Dec-15 my viral load was 2,580,000. I started taking colloidal silver

that I purchased online from Utopia Silver of Utopia Texas. Istarted taking this product in June or July of 2004, threeteaspoons a day of 20 p/m of the advanced colloidal silver. Ihave been quite religous about taking it, and when I had mymost recent viral load test on 11/16/04 my viral load wasdown to 910,000. Hey, that's almost a two thirds reduction.My doctor was so surprised that she said to keep it up andsee what happens in June of 05 when I go back. I am notmaking a plug for Utopia but something has brought my viral recentload down and the Utopia Silver is the only action I have indextaken, as I refuse to take the Peg-Tnterferon treatment. It site map10/1/2011http://phrogz.net/hepatitis

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Page 6 of 12Hepatitis Cmight be well worth looking into. Any and all questions are net.mind details other rsum contactwelcome. I will answer any and all as honestly as I canI had hcv diagnosed in 96. I am geno-type one with a high01:06AM ET viral load. My biopsy showed my liver was at stage four, and2005-Feb-04 I had been told by doctors that there was no point in mygoing through the treatments. I insisted and went throughthe treatments in 03 and have been viral load undetectable

since the fifteenth week now 05 I can feel my energy levelsreturning and have been asymptomatic for the HCV since late Background04. My liver is healing and I have even enjoyed a beer orthree without abdominal pain. I'm not going to kid you the Pre Treatment48 week treatment was hell on earth for me. I had pain in Treatmentmy joints that even the oxycontin I took for my hema-arthrosis coulden't touch. The burning in my chest and face Various Linkswould get unbareable, but it was worth it to feel this helthyagain. just keep that in mind when you feel like giving up onit. Also I learned through trial and error that some of the


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painfull burning in my chest, face, and joints were reactive tosimple things such as the foods I ate. Half way through thetreatments when the ribraviron started to reach its peakconcentrations smoaking a cigarette would make me violentlyill. Even the oxy would increase the burning in my chest. Sokeep in mind if you take something trying to find a quick fixfor your symptoms. You may make them worse. Same withfoods If you feel your symptoms are worse today thanyesterday, they may be. I wish I could tell you of somethingthat makes it all better but I can't. By the time I had finishedthe only things I could tolerate were milk and air. And I hadto force myself to drink the milk. I'll do it again one day if Ihave to. Keep the faith, the lord heals those who healthemselves. doctors don't know everything don't let themstop you!Catsgoing Hello, I surfed on to this site. I have had Hep C for almost 3507:53PM ET years. A stupid teen with my boyfriend I am sure you know2005-Feb-05 the rest.I have been on treatment 3 times and failed them all. 19941999 2003 It is tough. Now I am alone divorced after 29years of marriage and live alone with my two dogs Venice,Florida. My liver is pretty sick now. My biggest problem hasalways been fatigue. I keep on doing but my blood work isshowing I am stressing out my body. I am not ready to sit in

an easy chair kniting. I love to hike travel kayak and do allthis with my dogs. My stomach is growing and my body is thesame I won't go to places that people know me they think Iam pregnant. I Wish Ever Hepper The Best In What Ever WayYou Want To Fight This Virus. I Also Believe In DoingNothing. The Biggest Thing That Bothers Me Is Us WithHepatitis C Are To D---M QUIET WE NEED TO MAKE NOISEWEAR OUR COLORS THAT IS BROWN AND YELLOWRIBBIONS AND GET AWARENESS OUT THERE SO THEGOVERMENT WILL DO MORE FOR US! PEOPLE WITH HIV /AIDES HAVE MORE STIGMA THAN WE DO AND THEY GOTOUT THERE AND RAISED H--LL. PLEASE THE WALK ONWASHINGTON ISN'T ENOUGH EVERY STATE NEEDS TO

RALLY EVERY CITY NEEDS TO HAVE POSTERS PRINTED WEARE THE BABY BOOMERS OUR CHILDREN OUR THE NEXTGENERATION>>> I WANT TO SEE MY GRANDSON RUN TOBE PRESIDENT OF THE USA>>>>>>>> HELP ME HELPUS......... Cathy Venice Florida [email protected] Just started treatment for the 3rd time and have taken 305:44PM ET shots so far and have experienced many side effects. I am2005-Feb-28 nauseated, tired all the time, dizzy and have headaches. Iwas wondering if anyone out there has had any sucess withweakness and nausea getting better with time.I just found out on Wdnesday that I have Hep C. I had a11:08PM ET blood transfusion in Dec. 2004, and I think that's where it2005-Jun-25 came from. I haven't been in any other situations to have

contracted it. My appt with a specialist isn't for anothermonth.....I'll go nuts in the meantime. I have so manyquestions- yet I don't know what they are!! I'm 31 with a recenthusband and 5 children, I don't want to leave my babies indexearly! I'm scared. No liver damage as of yet. What can I site mapexpect next? I haven't felt good since my hysterectomy in10/1/2011http://phrogz.net/hepatitis


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Page 7 of 12Hepatitis CDec., even had jaundice symptoms a week after getting the net.mind details otherrsum contactblood (yellow eyes and skin). Can I sue someone!?!?!?!?!?Gloria I found out I have Hep C by chance. I watched Discovery10:52PM ET Health and they recommended to have a blood test for hep c2005-Jul-09 for tranfusers before 1986. I went to my GP, she assured methat based on my previous test in Jan, Feb and March and Ishould be fine, besides I looked good. To our horror I cameback positive. I had my two daughters post bloodtransfusion, tested immediately, they were negative. Then I Backgroundlearned that my husband had 4 family members with Hep C.These people lived to use my things especially cuticile Pre Treatmentscissors. I have been on Ribavirin and Pegasus since TreatmentSeptember of 2004 and didi exoerience nausea, headachesand sleeping. After three months with a viral load of 88.300, Various Links0 - 1% liver damage I am now virus free for the past 10months and have only 2 months left on my treatment, thanksto our Lord Jesus Christ. I sleep almost all day, but countdown has begun for me for no more treatment. THeinjections are killing me. As for Null, sue, you could havecontracted Hep C in the operation table, my own doctor told

me this.Cindy My husband was diagnosed with Hep C last Oct 2004 after we09:48AM ET had been married for just 4 months. He started interferon2005-Jul-10 and Ribaviron treatment in Dec, just finished last week with azero viral load. The treatment was hell, and although myhusband was given antidepressants, Zanaz for anxiety, andsleeping pills for insommnia it has been a very trying time forour marriage. My husband doesn't even admit to having apersonality change-- anger, rages, mood swings, depression.We are at the point now of separating. I am very happy thatthe treatment worked for my husband but I wish we hadarranged for some counseling or gone to a support groupbefore starting treatment. Now I feel it is too late because

my husband can't even see that he has a problem and he'sdetermined to alienate evey person in his life who caresabout him.Lisa (wife of Phrogz) Null, I believe they started screening blood for HepC in1992,11:45AM ET which is why so many people have found out they have the2005-Jul-10 virus. So, I think the likelyhood of you contracting it from a2004 transfusion is slim. When I first tested for it, being thepartner of someone who has it, the doctor threw out that thethere is a higher percentage that I have it just being in theUS population than getting it from my husband. Meaning--there are a bunch of ways you could have contracted itearlier. Don't go nuts yet. Phrogz has been able to lead a

pretty normal life since diagnosis, and there has not beenmuch damage to his liver. This varies from patient to patient,but please, it is not a death sentence. You just have to bevigilant and do your blood tests and biopsies to see how thevirus is living in your body. You might need to do thetreatment, which is a real pain, but just make sure you bugyour doctor to be active in making the side effects less of apain. We have not gotten rid of it yet, but have hope thatthere will be a better, more effective treatment for us all inthe future. If you did indeed contract it recently, you might


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want to do the treatment soon. Not a doctor here, but thedoctor did tell me to test yearly, because if I did contract it,the treatment might be more useful early on. Good luck andgood health!Lisa (wife of Phrogz) Cindy, it is difficult to be the partner of someone going12:03PM ET through the treatment. It will certainly test your resolve. You2005-Jul-10 have to be very sympathetic, but not let him overstep hisbounds. It is easy for the person going through the treatmentto be self-pitying (as anyone going through hard times canbe). Your role as supporter is to allow for some pitying butkeep your eye on what is good for you, him, and therelationship. A couple of lights at the end of the tunnel: 1) Iwas talking to a friend who has a husband with a different,though potentially fatal, illness the other day. We werecommenting on how after going through such a thing, the recentrest of marriage seems pretty simple. We don't get really indexworked up about the small stuff. 2) We are now expecting site mapour first child. People keep asking me if my husband10/1/2011http://phrogz.net/hepatitis

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Page 8 of 12Hepatitis Cunderstands my morning sickness and fatigue. Well, he has net.mind details otherrsum contactfelt all of that first hand! The treatment prepared him to bethe most empathetic husband. And he does what I did: theother day, when I was so exhausted, he made me take awalk for my own good--reminding me that I made him dosome exercise during the treatment to lift his spirits and gethim out of the house!I guess what goes around comes around. Sounds like youneed to both go to some counseling to sort things out. Youwant him to recognize that he was a jerk (yeah, my darling Background

husband was as well at times). You also want to recognize Pre Treatmentthat you are understandably bitter about the experience, andneed to not hold it against him. The supporter in the Treatmentrelationship is the side that gets little sympathy during the Various Linkstreatment. Family members always inquire about the sickieand not about how you are holding the world together whilethey nap and wallow. There is guilt if you feel angry towardyour partner because they *are* sick. However, I think youjust have to let go and be able to forgive yourself and yourpartner--don't judge too harshly. When you go through hell,be happy that you got through it, and don't focus too muchon what you saw when you were there.Kaye Lisa, what you said, just inspired me, my bf is going to start

04:11AM ET his treatment tomorrow, and the fact is I love him, and i2005-Jul-11 want to marry this man, and HVC SCARES THE HELL OUT OFME! Hopefully he will respond, and hopefully I will be able tosupport him like you've supported your husband.Teresa...... I fimd the pain really hard to deal with04:20PM ET2005-Aug-11Crystal WELL MY STEPMOTHER HAS HCV AND WAS TAKING THE07:07PM ET TREATMENT SHE IS DONE NOW AND IT IS UN-DETECTABLE2005-Aug-15 BUT BELIEVE ME SHE HAD ALL THEY SYMPTOMS AND MOOD


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SWINGS LIKE CRAZY. SO IT MAY BE NORMAL. I AM NOT ADOCTOR SO I CAN'T TELL YOU IT IS BUT SHE HAD NOPROBLEMS AFTERWARDS. I AM DEALING WITH A PROBLEMIN MY HOUSEHOLD WHERE ON OF MY FAMILY- INLAW MAYHAVE THE VIRUS AND I MAY ALSO ALL I CAN SAY IS IF I DOI WILL DO EVERYTHING I AM SUPPOSED TO AND PRAY TOGOD IT DOES NOT GET WORSE. GOOD LUCK TO THE RESTOF YOU I WISH YOU ALL THE VERY BEST IF YOU WOULDLIKE TO TALK ABOUT IT PLEASE E-MAIL ME I WOULD BEMORE THEN HAPPY TO TALK ABOUT IT. FOR SOME MORALSUPPORT JUST E-MAIL ME [email protected] Please STOP SHOUTING and find the CAPS LOCK key. Or is01:37PM ET this an effect of therapy? :)2005-Aug-28 I have had HepC for an estimated 30+ years and all thattime I was drinking white rum at 80 proof! I began my firstinterferon shots in around 2000. The one year treatmentworked, didn't bother me much. However, the disease cameback during the next year. We then tried a second year oftreatment with Rebetol but that was stopped after a fewmonths since it wasn't working.I am now on Pegasys + Rebetol + Mantadix and the sideeffects are worse, but the virus has been reduced toundetectable levels after about 6 months.Depression, out of breath, horrible itching, sleep disorder and

reduced libido are a few of the "perks". Funny, I didn't havemost of these the last two times.The worst thing I find (I'm nearing 60) is that every newsymptom you wonder if it's a disease, a condition or an effectof these awful drugs.Anon1947 Cindy, Kaye01:42PM ET2005-Aug-28 My doctor recently told my wife "Unfortunately, it's yourdisease too." She well knows i and has put up with all thetrauma you mention plus her own wories. recentindexsite map10/1/2011http://phrogz.net/hepatitis

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Page 9 of 12Hepatitis CKyle Hey everyone, just writing I guess to maybe hear some net.mind details other rsum contact09:54PM ET feedback. The insomnia factor with interferon and ribivarin is2005-Oct-10 killing me. I have tried many sleeping pills. Immovane,Resterol, Starnoc, anyone know of any other good medicationused for helping people hith hep c [email protected]

Onda Hello, I discovered that I have HCV when I done several tests01:49PM ET for pregnancy, last year. It was a shock, and then I started2005-Nov-12 to read and learn about this..I refuse to do Interferon, my Backgroundliver markers are now normal, but my viral count is 800,000. Pre TreatmentI started to take colloidal silver, vit. e, some medicines froma russian doctor (made of insects extract-it seems that a lot Treatmentof people are cured with these), some chinese and evenindian herbs...I feel great, maybe a liitle tired (but I work a Various Linkslot..)


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I will let U know about my disease evolution.I want a little advice from U? nOW I want to have a baby..isanybody who has one and it is everything ok? Write me,plz...I understood that it is a small percent - about 5% fortransmitting the virus to the baby.I'm waiting for your advices! thks, in advance!Kristin Lisa, wife of Phrogz, Thank you so much for voicing your01:27AM ET opinion. My husband was on treatment last year, responded2005-Nov-18 great, then relapsed. He is now going to take part in a studyand go back on treatment, only this time it will be oraldosage instead of injectibles. i have been so nervous for himto go back into this hell. I seem to remember so clearly theeffects treatment had on our family. We lost him todepression and self absorbsion. I am so scared that the samewill happen again. He is adamant that things will be differentthis time. he says he is going to excercise and eat well, I justneeded to put things into perspective and you helped me todo that. I need to stop obsessing about us and start prayingfor him.Lisa (the wife) Onda, do you have a GI specialist who can advise you on10:30AM ET this? I have also read that the transmission rate from mother2005-Nov-18 to fetus is low. The bigger thing that concerns me aboutpregnancy and HepC is that the current treatment itself canbe damaging to the fetus, even if you have stopped

treatment before the baby. When Phrogz was undergoingtreatment, we had to double up our contraception protectionbecause the drugs would have a bad effect (I am guessing agenetic effect) on the fetus. We were told to do this for 6months after the treatment in case of residual effects. So, ifyou are thinking of conceiving after any treatment, pleaseconsult your doctor for the best timeline to start trying. I amnow 8 months pregnant with a fine and healthy baby--thoughthis is 3 years or so after my husbands treatment. Also,some of the herbs and medicines that you are taking in orderto stabilize your HepC now might not be good for thedevelopment of the baby. You should give your drug list toboth your GI and your OB/Gyn for some info. I don't mean to

scare you--you should be able to have a fine and healthybaby. Just do your homework!Lisa (the wife) Kristin, It is great that he is geared up for exercise and11:33AM ET eating well. Your husband seems to have a positive attitude,2005-Nov-18 which is so helpful! It is a good thing that you have bothgone through this before and will know better what toexpect. I think that keeping your eye on the ball about thepositive outcome this treatment could have is very important.The depression and self-absorbsion go hand in hand. Don'tbe afraid to push your doctor for any medical ways oftreating the symptoms of the treatment. We never triedanything like acupuncture or massage, but I thinkif/whenever we do this again, we might try that as well. Be

strong! You got through it once already! Good luck to youand your family!John I was diagnosed with hep c about 12 years now and had11:45AM ET done nothing about it until a recent physical with blood work2005-Dec-03 turned things around.The doctor had informed me that I only recenthad about three years before liver transplant will be needed indexor death.They put me on pegasys and the sickness is hell,I site maptake the shot interferon on a friday in my stomach and it10/1/2011http://phrogz.net/hepatitis


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Page 10 of 12Hepatitis Cleaves silver dollar size bruses on my stomach going back net.mind details otherrsum contactthree weeks you can still see them and it bruises down to themuscle ,I have had the chills so severe that I couldnt moveand my wife had to feed and hold a glass for me to drink Ialso take rebetal twice a day and my job is monday thrufriday,NULL,mondays are a little rough but I make it thru it{Plumber by trade}as the week goes on you will feel betteruntil the next injection on friday evening,NULL,I have level 3and am taking .5 mg interferon,I have also found changingthe injection sight from stomach to thigh has brought my Backgroundreaction to the meds down alot so if you are taking it find a Pre Treatmentplace to inject that that has the least amount of sideaffects,NULL,I have been on this for two months now and Treatmenthavent missed a day of work so those of you getting ready to Various Linksstart it schedule your injections on a day you have a coupleof days to recoup from if at all possible,NULL,the milk thistledidnt work for me and I have an iron overload my liver wontrelease without a phlybotamy I have to give blood so my

body can reproduce new cells and im going to telll you itmakes me feel pretty good after having one,NULL,vitamin cand iron suppliments you will want to ask your doctor beforetaking ,NULL,they can do as much harm as good dependingon your system and those who beat it and write you can havea few beers now!!!what are you thinking wasnt it enoughpain to get rid of it????or dormant}Well I am still going thruthe treatments and if any of you would like to e-mail me withany questions please feel free and god bless all of [email protected] I was diagnosed with hep c four years ago when I was 5412:51AM ET years old. The VA decided I must have been infected with it2005-Dec-08 when I was in Vietnam as I made contact with other peoples

blood. I had the three shot interferon weekly with ribavirinand it seemed to work. I had the shots for eleven months,butsix months after I finished I had the hep c back again. I thentried the one shot weekly with ribavirin and that brought myviral load down to less than ten. Now six months after Ifinished that, my viral load is up to 300,000 again. This wasthe worst four years of my life, physically. I am divorced andlive alone, so have had to pretty much do it all by myself. Ithas been eight months since I finished the second treatmentand I am still sick most of the time. I think the effects of theinterferon have left me, but I think the hep c is causing allthe sickness now. The doctors tell me I shouldn't be feelingso bad but it sure doesn't seem to be getting any better. I

don't know what to do next. The Dr. said my liver is stillworking, although I have grade 4 stage 3 cirrohsis. He toldme to come back in a year and see if there is any more newtreatment available and will have another liver biopsy at thattime.It certainly has not been a fun ride, and I am hoping fora cure, but at this point I just take it day by day. If anyonewould like to question me about any of my treatments, feelfree to e-mail me at [email protected] It's hard not to relate to the partners and sufferers of those10:41PM ET with hep C, especially those who have sustained significant


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2005-Dec-14 liver damage. Some aspects of observed symptoms willundoubtedly be through treatment being administered.Others will be as a direct result of inability of the liver to'mop up' what amount to neuro toxins and diminishment ofthe liver's capacity to be the hub of the endocrine systemand prevent it from administering a cocktail of chemicals asand when needed by the body every minute of the day. Manydoctors neglect to point out the importance of nutrition,especially foods that have negative effects. A surfeit ofanimal proteins and iron are one of the biggest causes ofneurological effects. Vegetable protein is supposedly better (Ilove meat but alas!). Fat soluble vitamins should be taken inmoderation though water soluble vits - the B & C groups aregenerally OK. For those suffering the cramps, 15mg per dayof Zinc Gluconate should take care of those. If you can getyour GP/MD to prescribe Lactulose - to prevent reabsorptionof of toxins from the gut - then all the better. Please do a recentlittle research and put forward your findings to your Doctor indexbefore making radical changes to your diet.site map10/1/2011http://phrogz.net/hepatitis

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Page 11 of 12Hepatitis CMissy Hi, my husband was diagnosed with HCV about a year and a net.mind detailsother rsum contact05:23PM ET half ago. We don't know exactly how long he has had it but2005-Dec-21 the doctors say about 15 years. He is genotype 1a stage 3fibrosis. The reason I'm posting this is becouse I have yet tohear a success story for some like him. I was wonder if anyof you had? He starts treatments in Feb and I'm reallyscared. The doc says if it dosen't go away he will most likelydevelope cirosis within 7 years. We have a three yearold anda one-and-half yearold and I do not want to be a singlemom. If someone knows of a circumstance where its worked Background

please let me know so I can feel a little hopeful.Pre Treatmenttrisha I was told in 1975 I had hep non A non B other then fatigue Treatment01:17AM ET and low grade fevers I have lived a full life till 1990 then this2006-Jan-02 maylay set in so had a biopsy that came back positive for Various Linkschronic active hep c. There are 5 out of 11 sibblings thathave hep c and one sister who died in 1976,from liver cancerat 19, and this year I lost my dearest brother 53 of end of lifeliver failure, he was so edema he drownd.He had asked meto get a biopsy on my return home so I did now I wish Ihadn't it came back Severe chronic active hep c with cirrhosisgrade IV,stage 4,geno type one, my main ? is can I still dointerferon ? my dr. refused to offer it in the last ten years of

care and when I brought it up he said, no your not a goodcanidate as you get to sick, is it now too late ? He says itcould kill me. maybe its so hard to take all this because mybrother just died. It would be so helpful and not so lonly withthis deases,as I live in a SMALL Montana town were hep c isthe same as HIV so not many folks to talk to that knowanything about it thank you. from scared old hipstertrisha I was told in 1975 I had hep non A non B other then fatigue01:27AM ET and low grade fevers I have lived a full life till 1990 then this2006-Jan-02 malay set in so had a biopsy that came back positive for


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chronic active hep c. There are 5 out of 11 sibblings thathave hep c and one sister who died in 1976,from liver cancerat 19, and this year I lost my dearest brother 53 of end of lifeliver failure, he was so edema he drownd.He had asked meto get a biopsy on my return home so I did now I wish Ihadn't it came back Severe chronic active hep c with cirrhosisgrade IV,stage 4,geno type one, my main ? is, can I still dointerferon ? my dr. refused to offer it in the last ten years ofcare and when I brought it up he said, no your not a goodcanidate as you get to sick, is it now too late ? He says itcould kill me. maybe its so hard to take all this because mybrother just died. It would be so helpful and not so lonly withthis deases,as I live in a SMALL Montana town were hep c isthe same as HIV so not many folks to talk to that knowanything about it thank you. from scared ole hipsterDianne hi, i came across this site quite by accident & I think that I06:06PM ET can be of some help. I have cleared the virus (HEP C) for the2006-Jan-29 past 67 years. I do a PCR once a year. So far each year it hascome back negative..& of course I am grateful. I did theInterferon (alone) for 3 months & my viral load increased somy dr. stopped the interferon. A few months later Ribavirinwas approved & I went back on interferon and Ribiveron. Istayed on it for 48 weeks & went through every side effectyou can get. It was a horror. It worked for me so It was

worth it. If I can help someone and/or answer questionsplease feel free to email me privately...much good luck to all who suffer with this illness.DIANNEmy email is [email protected] Hello,07:49PM ET My husband has chronic hepatitis c, and completed an2006-Feb-06 inteferon plus ribiveron treatment approximately 2.5 yearsago. We have a nine-year-old daughter, and are nowplanning on having a second child. When we had ourdaughter, we were not aware that my husband had hep c. Infact, we still haven't been able to find out how he got it.Although we desperately want a second child, I am extremely

worried about getting infected as well as passing on the virus recentto the baby. I spoke with my doctor who recommended the indexICSI treatment (similar to the IVF treatment), which is site mapbasically available through Shady Grove Fertility Center;10/1/2011http://phrogz.net/hepatitis

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Page 12 of 12Hepatitis Cbased on what the doctors have told us, this treatment will net.mind details other rsum contact

minimize my chances of getting infected. Although we areplanning on going with the treatment, I'm a little hesitantsince our insurance will only cover half of the expenses.Maybe I'm paranoid but after watching my husband gothrough the side affects of the medication, I just feel like Ineed to be extra cautious. I would appreciate any commentsor suggestions. Thanks!2 cents might be worth more... Has anyone of you tried reading P. Duesberg (Inventing The Background06:39AM ET AIDS-Virus)? He is a quite famous virologist at Berkely


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2006-Feb-09 University and there is a chapter in his book on Hepatitis C as PreTreatmentwell... Who profits from that "disease"... By the way. Kary TreatmentMullis (who invented the PCR) walks the same line as Peter.I won't be back here, so read it or don't - let others decide Various Linksfor you.2 cents might be worth more... I forgot to say. There is no such thing.06:47AM ET2006-Feb-09Lisa (wife of Phrogz) Hussain,12:14PM ET This might be a little late, but...2006-Mar-22 If it gives you any hope, we just had a baby. Neither me northe baby have the virus. I get tested every 6 mo to a year toensure that I do not have the virus, because according to myhusband's former doctor, if I do get it, treatment might bemore effective with the smaller initial level of the virus. Talkto your husband's gastroenterologist about it. I find that thespecialists know more about this than your own generalpractitioner.Good luck!Lisa (wife of Phrogz) To the man I spoke to on the phone:12:18PM ET Please make sure that you talk to the gastroenterologist2006-Mar-22 about your own circumstances.Also, make sure that you get yourself tested regularly, like I

do, to be able to begin treatment immeditately if necessary.Good luck!Bo Finished the 48 weeks of hell. Six months after the last day09:22AM ET of treatment virus is back, though it was undetectable for the2006-Mar-30 whole 48 weeks. It is really not fair. It gives you hope andtakes it away. So it looks like it is easier to except it than killit. So I have no choice. Will have to live with it.Gavin Kistner Sorry, comments have been disabled, because some12:59am EST spammer kept trying to flood my site with links. I got tired of2006-Mar-31deleting them, so until I implement some sort of a captcha orother authentication system, I'm just taking commentsoffline.

Spammers suck, a lot.The following sections and pages are part of Hepatitis C:Background Treatment2005-Jul-09 2000-Apr-2210:54PM 01:36PM

Pre Treatment Various Links2000-Apr-22 2005-Aug-2801:31PM 02:03PMcreated 2000-Apr-06page modified 2006-section modified 2006Mar-30-Mar-30recentindex

site map10/1/2011http://phrogz.net/hepatitis

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