Re: another new member

[Guest guest]

Hi Joyce,

Welcome to the group.

Itching can be a problem. In my case it's from my Cirrhotic

condition. It can be a common symptom for Liver disease. I get bad

itching in a spot I'll leave to your imagination. I look like a a

major league baseball player entering the batter's box . My

Hepatologist prescribed an Antihistamine (Hydroxyzine). Please check

with your doctor as to the correct drug in your case to address this.

To be depressed from this news is understandable. When I got the

final lowdown from all the tests and doctors at first back in the

late 90s I was devistated. With a family and 2 young children to

support I was like a lost child in a maze. Given 5 years to live

without a transplant. Even then the longevity was minimal. But after

the shock was over and I settled into the realism that I had two

options. Stay the way I was in self pity and low esteem and get

worse. Or see what I could do to learn about my illness and work to

try reduce the effects of this devastating disease and to try and do

what I could to better myself. Tough decision for me at that time.

As I went from a workaholic to house ridden. But here I am over the

expected longevity rate and in my heart, blood numbers, and physical

analysis back to a normal level for me in my condition but still

have the HCV and Cirrhosis.

Being on many forms of Interferon (Combo treatment) since the trials

of Rebetron and today on a once a week combo therapy of a new drug

in a study. I went from a viral count of 5,000,000 to 10 today. I

have fought off the degradation of my liver with the demoralizing

effects of HCV and Cirrhosis.

HCV is a blood born disease. That simply put is blood to blood.

There are many valuable web sites for the explinaton of this and

other ways to contract HCV.

The American Liver Foundation is a starting point for me. They have

chapters in many cities.

http:/www.liverfoundation.org

And many others both government and private.

There are certain precautions that you will have to take. But on the

web sites they are always updated and better put than I could do

right here.

http://f.webring.com/hub?ring=hepring

http://essentialhelpforhepc.com/webrings.html

http://www.hepcnet.net/index.html

There are forums on the internet that host specialist medical

professionals where you can submit questions. Like

http:/www.webmd.com

There are many supplements out there. Some can and are harmful to

your liver. I always check with my Hepatologist and search the

government websites in the FDA and private non profit websites to

learn about which are harmful. Some commercial websites can be

another huckster or profit driven motive site.

The choices are hard and mentally fatiguing. It takes its toll on

you.

My family has become my greatest source of support. Once they had

the information given to them from my doctors and myself. After all

these years they only have to look at me to know my state of illness

and work to help me. Parenting a teenage son and daughter (Went to

her HS prom this Friday) adds to the stress but in a strange way

helps to divert the wondering negative thoughts. I have found

pushing the envelop can help in some cases.

We all react differently to this disease but in that are some

commonalities that you will find from this intelligent compassionate

and diverse group.

Hang in there and remember there is no such thing as a stupid

question. You are the keeper of your destiny.

Hugs and prayers,

Fred

____________________________________________________________________

Hi everyone,

My name is Joyce and I just found out on Thursday that I have HCV.

I have been doing a lot of reading on these groups and I haven't

seen anyone mention a problem with itching. I went to the

Dermatologist for severe itching back at the end of Dec and she

found something weird with my liver. They did a Hep B and C scan

and still the levels were off, so they sent me to the University and

had extensive blood testing done. Got the news by phone Thursday

that my viral load is 450,000 which confirms that I have the

infection at what is considered to be a small amount of virus. My

AST is 45. ALT is normal at 33. All other levels are normal. I have

Genotype 1, which she says the the most common, but the hardest to

treat. She wants to do the biopsy to see how much , if any, scar

tissue I have in my liver. I have had no symtoms accept for the

itching and I have noticed I need more sleep, but I have not felt

physically exhausted.

I have learned a lot by reading on this group, and you all seem to

be wonderful people! I wish we could have met on better terms but,

here we are! i had a small emotional breakdown when I had to share

this frightening news with my poor DH when he got home from work

Thursday, but I got a grip on myself and called my sister that lives

closest to me and my Pastor. They came and my Pastor spent 3 hours

with us. Now, I have never been one to handle stress very well. I

was a constant worrier and about drove myself nuts trying to fix

everyone problems. I am a " caretaker " as my father was and is an

alcoholic. Over the last 6 months I have become very active in a new

church, and decided to lay all the " crap " in my life at the Lord's

feet and let him guide me through. I didn't have any idea we would

be dealing with such a heavy load.

I think the heaviest thing on my heart and mind right now is telling

my two daughters. My oldest daughter just made me a Grandma for the

first time the day I went to the University for the big blood

testing. Her dad has a seizure disorder, (which is finally being

controlled by the correct meds), and she worries about him all the

time. now she is a new Mommy and I have to lay this load on her as

well. My youngest daughter lives in SC with her fiance' and we are

so much alike and not gotten along the best over the years, and we

have finally gotten to the point where we can be friends and now I

have to laod this on her as well! I want to be armed when as much

knowledge as possible when I tell them, and hopefully it will help

lighten the blow. I keep thinking I would much rather be going

through this than one of them.

I babysit for a living and I have to tell the parents, again, once I

can go armed with info. The biggest thing with that, is I take care

of a little girl that I have had since she was 6 weeks old. My DH

and I have actually raised her. She has been in our home approx 85%

of her life. She is part of my family and I would not survive losing

her from our lives.

Saying all that to ask these questions:

1) What are the ways of contracting HCV?

2) How can I protect anyone that I am around on a regular basis, ie

small children. This is my biggest question of interest.

3) Is 450,000 considered a low viral load? At what point will the Dr

want to start treatment?

4) Has anyone tried or known anyone to have tried Mesosilver? I

read about it on one of the HEP C websites I found. If you have

never heard of it, do a search and tell me what you think. What

about Market America. Any thoughts on what, if anything, OPC might

do for HCV?

OK, enough questions for now. I know you all get tired of all the

questions, but thank GOD you all hang in and share your experiences

with us newbies!

In advance, pardon the typos, it's too long to go back and proof

read this late at night. I look forward to reading your responses

and know I will learn a lot!

GOD SPEED,

Joyce

[Guest guest]

Welcome to our group , although the circumstances are bad . About the

itching.......ick common problem that is caused by bile salts .You doc can give

you something to help. Your viral load isnt low but it sure isnt high which is a

good thing . Hepatitis is transmitted blood to blood . Although there is a very

small percent >1% transmission through sex and 3% mother to fetus transmission .

As for treatment , I w ould high reccomend doing only the standard treatments

availabel . Alot of the herbal rememedies out there can potentialy be hepatoxic

.. There isnt enough research yet to say there is anything that will make a

difference , and herbal medicines cant cure.The only herbal suppliment that is

reccomended for us with hepatitis is MilkThistle . I hope this answered your

questions , hehe ..Now with that out of the way , welcome to our group . I

also have geno 1 , but I am a nonresponder to treatment . I have been infected

for 20 yrs , I was stuck with a contaminated needle at work ( as a paramedic) .

I have 6 wonderful children and a great husband all of them were tested and all

are negative for the virus . A biopsy of your liver is what will tell you what

if any damage you have , so I highly encourage you to have one . It can be a

pain but worth it to know what is going on in your liver , especially since

blood lab values are not always indicative of damage . Telling your children I

have to admit is difficult , I just wish I could remember how I broke the news

to my family . It is a shock and will take time getting used to . Your life will

change of course , but for the most part it will remain the same. You will have

to take better care of yourself and eat well , no alcahol is a biggie and get

lots of rest . Fatigue is common with hepatitis . You should not share razors or

toothbrushes with your significant other as that is a way to transmit the virus.

Anyway I gotta run take care..............

Sincerely

Another new member

Hi everyone,

My name is Joyce and I just found out on Thursday that I have HCV.

I have been doing a lot of reading on these groups and I haven't

seen anyone mention a problem with itching. I went to the

Dermatologist for severe itching back at the end of Dec and she

found something weird with my liver. They did a Hep B and C scan

and still the levels were off, so they sent me to the University and

had extensive blood testing done. Got the news by phone Thursday

that my viral load is 450,000 which confirms that I have the

infection at what is considered to be a small amount of virus. My

AST is 45. ALT is normal at 33. All other levels are normal. I have

Genotype 1, which she says the the most common, but the hardest to

treat. She wants to do the biopsy to see how much , if any, scar

tissue I have in my liver. I have had no symtoms accept for the

itching and I have noticed I need more sleep, but I have not felt

physically exhausted.

I have learned a lot by reading on this group, and you all seem to

be wonderful people! I wish we could have met on better terms but,

here we are! i had a small emotional breakdown when I had to share

this frightening news with my poor DH when he got home from work

Thursday, but I got a grip on myself and called my sister that lives

closest to me and my Pastor. They came and my Pastor spent 3 hours

with us. Now, I have never been one to handle stress very well. I

was a constant worrier and about drove myself nuts trying to fix

everyone problems. I am a " caretaker " as my father was and is an

alcoholic. Over the last 6 months I have become very active in a new

church, and decided to lay all the " crap " in my life at the Lord's

feet and let him guide me through. I didn't have any idea we would

be dealing with such a heavy load.

I think the heaviest thing on my heart and mind right now is telling

my two daughters. My oldest daughter just made me a Grandma for the

first time the day I went to the University for the big blood

testing. Her dad has a seizure disorder, (which is finally being

controlled by the correct meds), and she worries about him all the

time. now she is a new Mommy and I have to lay this load on her as

well. My youngest daughter lives in SC with her fiance' and we are

so much alike and not gotten along the best over the years, and we

have finally gotten to the point where we can be friends and now I

have to laod this on her as well! I want to be armed when as much

knowledge as possible when I tell them, and hopefully it will help

lighten the blow. I keep thinking I would much rather be going

through this than one of them.

I babysit for a living and I have to tell the parents, again, once I

can go armed with info. The biggest thing with that, is I take care

of a little girl that I have had since she was 6 weeks old. My DH

and I have actually raised her. She has been in our home approx 85%

of her life. She is part of my family and I would not survive losing

her from our lives.

Saying all that to ask these questions:

1) What are the ways of contracting HCV?

2) How can I protect anyone that I am around on a regular basis, ie

small children. This is my biggest question of interest.

3) Is 450,000 considered a low viral load? At what point will the Dr

want to start treatment?

4) Has anyone tried or known anyone to have tried Mesosilver? I

read about it on one of the HEP C websites I found. If you have

never heard of it, do a search and tell me what you think. What

about Market America. Any thoughts on what, if anything, OPC might

do for HCV?

OK, enough questions for now. I know you all get tired of all the

questions, but thank GOD you all hang in and share your experiences

with us newbies!

In advance, pardon the typos, it's too long to go back and proof

read this late at night. I look forward to reading your responses

and know I will learn a lot!

GOD SPEED,

Joyce

It's a pleasure having you join in our conversations. We hope you have found

the support you need with us.

If you are using email for your posts, for easy access to our group, just

click the link-- http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Hepatitis_C_Central/

Happy Posting

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Guest guest]

Hi Joyce,

Welcome and I will try to help you and answer your questions as

completely as I can. First of all tho, I want to assure you that

although it is a serious diease most people die with the diease and

not from the diease if you get what I mean. The important thing is

to educate yourself on the diease and then take really good care of

yourself.

With that said. I will answer the questions below.

>

> Hi everyone,

> My name is Joyce and I just found out on Thursday that I have HCV.

> Saying all that to ask these questions:

>

> 1) What are the ways of contracting HCV?Through IV drug use,with

shared needles,straws ect.

Through Blood transfusion, through needle sticks as a health care

worker.ie: draw blood with a needle and get stuck with the same

needle.

Hepatitis C is trasmitted with BLOOD TO BLOOD TRANSFER. And no way

other.

> 2) How can I protect anyone that I am around on a regular basis, ie

> small children. This is my biggest question of interest.

Hug,kiss,love those children, you will not pass this diease on to

them only way it can be passed on is blood to blood transfer.

You can drink after them (I wouldn't most little ones leave floaties

in your soda, but you can. LOL)

They can share your popsiscle, just make sure they don't eat it

all.LOL

Now don't share toothbrushes,manicure implements,razors as these

tend to be things that we might get blood on. And to tell you the

truth,I don't want anyone using my tooth brush anyway. Because I

wake up with gunga breath!!!! Remember only transmitted with Blood

to Blood transfer.

> 3) Is 450,000 considered a low viral load? At what point will the

Dr

> want to start treatment?My first viral load was exactly that. 450

million. I started treatment on the peg-intron and rebetrol. I was

on it for 48 weeks. Got my viral count to 1,500. Was a non-responder

to the treatment.

I let 2 years go by and I am doing the treatment again. This time

with Pegasy and co-pegasy. At 12 weeks I had gotten the virus down

to 880 that is down from 225 million that I started out with on the

second round of treatment.

I am doing okay this time around. First time was a little hairy but

this time, is a heck of a lot better.

Now to treat or not to treat is a personal decision that you have to

make for yourself. As I said in the beginning of this email, many

people live a entire life time,with the diease, and die from

something totally different. So it is your choice, first talk to

your doctor, make sure that he is informed on all the latest

treatments for the diease.

Talk to your family, see how they feel about your seeking treatment.

Because believe me, you are going to need them.

> 4) Has anyone tried or known anyone to have tried Mesosilver? I

> read about it on one of the HEP C websites I found. If you have

> never heard of it, do a search and tell me what you think. What

> about Market America. Any thoughts on what, if anything, OPC might

> do for HCV?

> Oh my God, leave that stuff alone, it is not good for you, only

thing it will do is empty your pocketbook and leave you with a less

than full bank account. Dang stuff is expensive and doesn't do a

dang thing. And it could be bad for you.

One thing you need to do is watch the type of vitamins that you

take, discuss this with your Doctor, or better yet we have a member

here named Jackie that is studying to be a Doctor of Naturopathy and

she is great on letting you know what you can and can not take with

liver problems. She is great. I hope she can help.

Iron is something you want to avoid taking as a supplement, as well

as some other herbal medicines.

Jackie will update you on that I am sure. She is the best.

And last but not least, glad you found us. We are a great group

here. We all care, and just feel free to ask any questions you have.

the stupidest questions is the one you didn't ask. LOL

Love

Janet

> >

> GOD SPEED,

> Joyce

[Guest guest]

Joyce this is another member who knows of what she speaks. And is a

lovely person to boot!!

Love

Janet

> Welcome to our group , although the circumstances are bad . About

the itching.......ick common problem that is caused by bile

salts .You doc can give you something to help. Your viral load isnt

low but it sure isnt high which is a good thing . Hepatitis is

transmitted blood to blood . Although there is a very small percent

>1% transmission through sex and 3% mother to fetus transmission .

As for treatment , I w ould high reccomend doing only the standard

treatments availabel . Alot of the herbal rememedies out there can

potentialy be hepatoxic . There isnt enough research yet to say

there is anything that will make a difference , and herbal medicines

cant cure.The only herbal suppliment that is reccomended for us with

hepatitis is MilkThistle . I hope this answered your questions ,

hehe ..Now with that out of the way , welcome to our group . I

also have geno 1 , but I am a nonresponder to treatment . I have

been infected for 20 yrs , I was stuck with a contaminated needle at

work ( as a paramedic) . I have 6 wonderful children and a great

husband all of them were tested and all are negative for the virus .

A biopsy of your liver is what will tell you what if any damage you

have , so I highly encourage you to have one . It can be a pain but

worth it to know what is going on in your liver , especially since

blood lab values are not always indicative of damage . Telling your

children I have to admit is difficult , I just wish I could remember

how I broke the news to my family . It is a shock and will take time

getting used to . Your life will change of course , but for the most

part it will remain the same. You will have to take better care of

yourself and eat well , no alcahol is a biggie and get lots of

rest . Fatigue is common with hepatitis . You should not share

razors or toothbrushes with your significant other as that is a way

to transmit the virus. Anyway I gotta run take care..............

> Sincerely

>

> Another new member

>

>

>

> Hi everyone,

> My name is Joyce and I just found out on Thursday that I have

HCV.

> I have been doing a lot of reading on these groups and I haven't

> seen anyone mention a problem with itching. I went to the

> Dermatologist for severe itching back at the end of Dec and she

> found something weird with my liver. They did a Hep B and C scan

> and still the levels were off, so they sent me to the University

and

> had extensive blood testing done. Got the news by phone Thursday

> that my viral load is 450,000 which confirms that I have the

> infection at what is considered to be a small amount of virus. My

> AST is 45. ALT is normal at 33. All other levels are normal. I

have

> Genotype 1, which she says the the most common, but the hardest

to

> treat. She wants to do the biopsy to see how much , if any, scar

> tissue I have in my liver. I have had no symtoms accept for the

> itching and I have noticed I need more sleep, but I have not felt

> physically exhausted.

>

> I have learned a lot by reading on this group, and you all seem

to

> be wonderful people! I wish we could have met on better terms

but,

> here we are! i had a small emotional breakdown when I had to

share

> this frightening news with my poor DH when he got home from work

> Thursday, but I got a grip on myself and called my sister that

lives

> closest to me and my Pastor. They came and my Pastor spent 3

hours

> with us. Now, I have never been one to handle stress very well. I

> was a constant worrier and about drove myself nuts trying to fix

> everyone problems. I am a " caretaker " as my father was and is an

> alcoholic. Over the last 6 months I have become very active in a

new

> church, and decided to lay all the " crap " in my life at the

Lord's

> feet and let him guide me through. I didn't have any idea we

would

> be dealing with such a heavy load.

>

> I think the heaviest thing on my heart and mind right now is

telling

> my two daughters. My oldest daughter just made me a Grandma for

the

> first time the day I went to the University for the big blood

> testing. Her dad has a seizure disorder, (which is finally being

> controlled by the correct meds), and she worries about him all

the

> time. now she is a new Mommy and I have to lay this load on her

as

> well. My youngest daughter lives in SC with her fiance' and we

are

> so much alike and not gotten along the best over the years, and

we

> have finally gotten to the point where we can be friends and now

I

> have to laod this on her as well! I want to be armed when as much

> knowledge as possible when I tell them, and hopefully it will

help

> lighten the blow. I keep thinking I would much rather be going

> through this than one of them.

> I babysit for a living and I have to tell the parents, again,

once I

> can go armed with info. The biggest thing with that, is I take

care

> of a little girl that I have had since she was 6 weeks old. My DH

> and I have actually raised her. She has been in our home approx

85%

> of her life. She is part of my family and I would not survive

losing

> her from our lives.

>

> Saying all that to ask these questions:

>

> 1) What are the ways of contracting HCV?

>

> 2) How can I protect anyone that I am around on a regular basis,

ie

> small children. This is my biggest question of interest.

>

> 3) Is 450,000 considered a low viral load? At what point will

the Dr

> want to start treatment?

>

> 4) Has anyone tried or known anyone to have tried Mesosilver? I

> read about it on one of the HEP C websites I found. If you have

> never heard of it, do a search and tell me what you think. What

> about Market America. Any thoughts on what, if anything, OPC

might

> do for HCV?

>

> OK, enough questions for now. I know you all get tired of all the

> questions, but thank GOD you all hang in and share your

experiences

> with us newbies!

>

> In advance, pardon the typos, it's too long to go back and proof

> read this late at night. I look forward to reading your responses

> and know I will learn a lot!

>

> GOD SPEED,

> Joyce

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> It's a pleasure having you join in our conversations. We hope

you have found the support you need with us.

>

> If you are using email for your posts, for easy access to our

group, just click the link--

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Hepatitis_C_Central/

>

> Happy Posting

>

>

>

> -------------------------------------------------------------------

-----------

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks Fred!!

You the Man!!

Love

Janet

>

> Hi Joyce,

>

> Welcome to the group.

>

> Itching can be a problem. In my case it's from my Cirrhotic

> condition. It can be a common symptom for Liver disease. I get bad

> itching in a spot I'll leave to your imagination. I look like a a

> major league baseball player entering the batter's box . My

> Hepatologist prescribed an Antihistamine (Hydroxyzine). Please

check

> with your doctor as to the correct drug in your case to address

this.

>

> To be depressed from this news is understandable. When I got the

> final lowdown from all the tests and doctors at first back in the

> late 90s I was devistated. With a family and 2 young children to

> support I was like a lost child in a maze. Given 5 years to live

> without a transplant. Even then the longevity was minimal. But

after

> the shock was over and I settled into the realism that I had two

> options. Stay the way I was in self pity and low esteem and get

> worse. Or see what I could do to learn about my illness and work

to

> try reduce the effects of this devastating disease and to try and

do

> what I could to better myself. Tough decision for me at that time.

> As I went from a workaholic to house ridden. But here I am over

the

> expected longevity rate and in my heart, blood numbers, and

physical

> analysis back to a normal level for me in my condition but still

> have the HCV and Cirrhosis.

>

> Being on many forms of Interferon (Combo treatment) since the

trials

> of Rebetron and today on a once a week combo therapy of a new drug

> in a study. I went from a viral count of 5,000,000 to 10 today. I

> have fought off the degradation of my liver with the demoralizing

> effects of HCV and Cirrhosis.

>

> HCV is a blood born disease. That simply put is blood to blood.

> There are many valuable web sites for the explinaton of this and

> other ways to contract HCV.

> The American Liver Foundation is a starting point for me. They

have

> chapters in many cities.

>

> http:/www.liverfoundation.org

>

> And many others both government and private.

>

> There are certain precautions that you will have to take. But on

the

> web sites they are always updated and better put than I could do

> right here.

>

> http://f.webring.com/hub?ring=hepring

>

> http://essentialhelpforhepc.com/webrings.html

>

> http://www.hepcnet.net/index.html

>

> There are forums on the internet that host specialist medical

> professionals where you can submit questions. Like

>

> http:/www.webmd.com

>

> There are many supplements out there. Some can and are harmful to

> your liver. I always check with my Hepatologist and search the

> government websites in the FDA and private non profit websites to

> learn about which are harmful. Some commercial websites can be

> another huckster or profit driven motive site.

>

> The choices are hard and mentally fatiguing. It takes its toll on

> you.

>

> My family has become my greatest source of support. Once they had

> the information given to them from my doctors and myself. After

all

> these years they only have to look at me to know my state of

illness

> and work to help me. Parenting a teenage son and daughter (Went to

> her HS prom this Friday) adds to the stress but in a strange way

> helps to divert the wondering negative thoughts. I have found

> pushing the envelop can help in some cases.

>

> We all react differently to this disease but in that are some

> commonalities that you will find from this intelligent

compassionate

> and diverse group.

>

> Hang in there and remember there is no such thing as a stupid

> question. You are the keeper of your destiny.

>

> Hugs and prayers,

> Fred

>

>

____________________________________________________________________

>

> Hi everyone,

> My name is Joyce and I just found out on Thursday that I have HCV.

> I have been doing a lot of reading on these groups and I haven't

> seen anyone mention a problem with itching. I went to the

> Dermatologist for severe itching back at the end of Dec and she

> found something weird with my liver. They did a Hep B and C scan

> and still the levels were off, so they sent me to the University

and

> had extensive blood testing done. Got the news by phone Thursday

> that my viral load is 450,000 which confirms that I have the

> infection at what is considered to be a small amount of virus. My

> AST is 45. ALT is normal at 33. All other levels are normal. I have

> Genotype 1, which she says the the most common, but the hardest to

> treat. She wants to do the biopsy to see how much , if any, scar

> tissue I have in my liver. I have had no symtoms accept for the

> itching and I have noticed I need more sleep, but I have not felt

> physically exhausted.

>

> I have learned a lot by reading on this group, and you all seem to

> be wonderful people! I wish we could have met on better terms but,

> here we are! i had a small emotional breakdown when I had to share

> this frightening news with my poor DH when he got home from work

> Thursday, but I got a grip on myself and called my sister that

lives

> closest to me and my Pastor. They came and my Pastor spent 3 hours

> with us. Now, I have never been one to handle stress very well. I

> was a constant worrier and about drove myself nuts trying to fix

> everyone problems. I am a " caretaker " as my father was and is an

> alcoholic. Over the last 6 months I have become very active in a

new

> church, and decided to lay all the " crap " in my life at the Lord's

> feet and let him guide me through. I didn't have any idea we would

> be dealing with such a heavy load.

>

> I think the heaviest thing on my heart and mind right now is

telling

> my two daughters. My oldest daughter just made me a Grandma for the

> first time the day I went to the University for the big blood

> testing. Her dad has a seizure disorder, (which is finally being

> controlled by the correct meds), and she worries about him all the

> time. now she is a new Mommy and I have to lay this load on her as

> well. My youngest daughter lives in SC with her fiance' and we are

> so much alike and not gotten along the best over the years, and we

> have finally gotten to the point where we can be friends and now I

> have to laod this on her as well! I want to be armed when as much

> knowledge as possible when I tell them, and hopefully it will help

> lighten the blow. I keep thinking I would much rather be going

> through this than one of them.

> I babysit for a living and I have to tell the parents, again, once

I

> can go armed with info. The biggest thing with that, is I take care

> of a little girl that I have had since she was 6 weeks old. My DH

> and I have actually raised her. She has been in our home approx 85%

> of her life. She is part of my family and I would not survive

losing

> her from our lives.

>

> Saying all that to ask these questions:

>

> 1) What are the ways of contracting HCV?

>

> 2) How can I protect anyone that I am around on a regular basis, ie

> small children. This is my biggest question of interest.

>

> 3) Is 450,000 considered a low viral load? At what point will the

Dr

> want to start treatment?

>

> 4) Has anyone tried or known anyone to have tried Mesosilver? I

> read about it on one of the HEP C websites I found. If you have

> never heard of it, do a search and tell me what you think. What

> about Market America. Any thoughts on what, if anything, OPC might

> do for HCV?

>

> OK, enough questions for now. I know you all get tired of all the

> questions, but thank GOD you all hang in and share your experiences

> with us newbies!

>

> In advance, pardon the typos, it's too long to go back and proof

> read this late at night. I look forward to reading your responses

> and know I will learn a lot!

>

> GOD SPEED,

> Joyce

[Guest guest]

Oh Janet!

I love your sense of humor! I just read somewhere the other day that

your frame of mind and attitude can get you a long way with these

crazy diseases. Your info was very helpful and I thank you from the

bottom of my heart for caring enough to share your thoughts with me.

I wil keep reading and learning and PRAYING!

Hugs,

Joyce

> >

> > Hi everyone,

> > My name is Joyce and I just found out on Thursday that I have

HCV.

> > Saying all that to ask these questions:

> >

> > 1) What are the ways of contracting HCV?Through IV drug use,with

> shared needles,straws ect.

> Through Blood transfusion, through needle sticks as a health care

> worker.ie: draw blood with a needle and get stuck with the same

> needle.

> Hepatitis C is trasmitted with BLOOD TO BLOOD TRANSFER. And no way

> other.

>

> > 2) How can I protect anyone that I am around on a regular basis,

ie

> > small children. This is my biggest question of interest.

> Hug,kiss,love those children, you will not pass this diease on to

> them only way it can be passed on is blood to blood transfer.

> You can drink after them (I wouldn't most little ones leave

floaties

> in your soda, but you can. LOL)

> They can share your popsiscle, just make sure they don't eat it

> all.LOL

> Now don't share toothbrushes,manicure implements,razors as these

> tend to be things that we might get blood on. And to tell you the

> truth,I don't want anyone using my tooth brush anyway. Because I

> wake up with gunga breath!!!! Remember only transmitted with Blood

> to Blood transfer.

> > 3) Is 450,000 considered a low viral load? At what point will

the

> Dr

> > want to start treatment?My first viral load was exactly that.

450

> million. I started treatment on the peg-intron and rebetrol. I was

> on it for 48 weeks. Got my viral count to 1,500. Was a non-

responder

> to the treatment.

> I let 2 years go by and I am doing the treatment again. This time

> with Pegasy and co-pegasy. At 12 weeks I had gotten the virus down

> to 880 that is down from 225 million that I started out with on

the

> second round of treatment.

> I am doing okay this time around. First time was a little hairy

but

> this time, is a heck of a lot better.

> Now to treat or not to treat is a personal decision that you have

to

> make for yourself. As I said in the beginning of this email, many

> people live a entire life time,with the diease, and die from

> something totally different. So it is your choice, first talk to

> your doctor, make sure that he is informed on all the latest

> treatments for the diease.

> Talk to your family, see how they feel about your seeking

treatment.

> Because believe me, you are going to need them.

>

> > 4) Has anyone tried or known anyone to have tried Mesosilver? I

> > read about it on one of the HEP C websites I found. If you have

> > never heard of it, do a search and tell me what you think. What

> > about Market America. Any thoughts on what, if anything, OPC

might

> > do for HCV?

> > Oh my God, leave that stuff alone, it is not good for you, only

> thing it will do is empty your pocketbook and leave you with a

less

> than full bank account. Dang stuff is expensive and doesn't do a

> dang thing. And it could be bad for you.

> One thing you need to do is watch the type of vitamins that you

> take, discuss this with your Doctor, or better yet we have a

member

> here named Jackie that is studying to be a Doctor of Naturopathy

and

> she is great on letting you know what you can and can not take

with

> liver problems. She is great. I hope she can help.

> Iron is something you want to avoid taking as a supplement, as

well

> as some other herbal medicines.

> Jackie will update you on that I am sure. She is the best.

>

> And last but not least, glad you found us. We are a great group

> here. We all care, and just feel free to ask any questions you

have.

> the stupidest questions is the one you didn't ask. LOL

> Love

> Janet

> > >

> > GOD SPEED,

> > Joyce

[Guest guest]

Thank you so much Fred for your quick response and great info! it's

great to have these groups where we can all share with each other

and give each other support! And thanks for the addresses to more

information!

Hugs,

Joyce

>

> Hi Joyce,

>

> Welcome to the group.

>

> Itching can be a problem. In my case it's from my Cirrhotic

> condition. It can be a common symptom for Liver disease. I get bad

> itching in a spot I'll leave to your imagination. I look like a a

> major league baseball player entering the batter's box . My

> Hepatologist prescribed an Antihistamine (Hydroxyzine). Please

check

> with your doctor as to the correct drug in your case to address

this.

>

> To be depressed from this news is understandable. When I got the

> final lowdown from all the tests and doctors at first back in the

> late 90s I was devistated. With a family and 2 young children to

> support I was like a lost child in a maze. Given 5 years to live

> without a transplant. Even then the longevity was minimal. But

after

> the shock was over and I settled into the realism that I had two

> options. Stay the way I was in self pity and low esteem and get

> worse. Or see what I could do to learn about my illness and work

to

> try reduce the effects of this devastating disease and to try and

do

> what I could to better myself. Tough decision for me at that time.

> As I went from a workaholic to house ridden. But here I am over

the

> expected longevity rate and in my heart, blood numbers, and

physical

> analysis back to a normal level for me in my condition but still

> have the HCV and Cirrhosis.

>

> Being on many forms of Interferon (Combo treatment) since the

trials

> of Rebetron and today on a once a week combo therapy of a new drug

> in a study. I went from a viral count of 5,000,000 to 10 today. I

> have fought off the degradation of my liver with the demoralizing

> effects of HCV and Cirrhosis.

>

> HCV is a blood born disease. That simply put is blood to blood.

> There are many valuable web sites for the explinaton of this and

> other ways to contract HCV.

> The American Liver Foundation is a starting point for me. They

have

> chapters in many cities.

>

> http:/www.liverfoundation.org

>

> And many others both government and private.

>

> There are certain precautions that you will have to take. But on

the

> web sites they are always updated and better put than I could do

> right here.

>

> http://f.webring.com/hub?ring=hepring

>

> http://essentialhelpforhepc.com/webrings.html

>

> http://www.hepcnet.net/index.html

>

> There are forums on the internet that host specialist medical

> professionals where you can submit questions. Like

>

> http:/www.webmd.com

>

> There are many supplements out there. Some can and are harmful to

> your liver. I always check with my Hepatologist and search the

> government websites in the FDA and private non profit websites to

> learn about which are harmful. Some commercial websites can be

> another huckster or profit driven motive site.

>

> The choices are hard and mentally fatiguing. It takes its toll on

> you.

>

> My family has become my greatest source of support. Once they had

> the information given to them from my doctors and myself. After

all

> these years they only have to look at me to know my state of

illness

> and work to help me. Parenting a teenage son and daughter (Went to

> her HS prom this Friday) adds to the stress but in a strange way

> helps to divert the wondering negative thoughts. I have found

> pushing the envelop can help in some cases.

>

> We all react differently to this disease but in that are some

> commonalities that you will find from this intelligent

compassionate

> and diverse group.

>

> Hang in there and remember there is no such thing as a stupid

> question. You are the keeper of your destiny.

>

> Hugs and prayers,

> Fred

>

>

____________________________________________________________________

>

> Hi everyone,

> My name is Joyce and I just found out on Thursday that I have HCV.

> I have been doing a lot of reading on these groups and I haven't

> seen anyone mention a problem with itching. I went to the

> Dermatologist for severe itching back at the end of Dec and she

> found something weird with my liver. They did a Hep B and C scan

> and still the levels were off, so they sent me to the University

and

> had extensive blood testing done. Got the news by phone Thursday

> that my viral load is 450,000 which confirms that I have the

> infection at what is considered to be a small amount of virus. My

> AST is 45. ALT is normal at 33. All other levels are normal. I have

> Genotype 1, which she says the the most common, but the hardest to

> treat. She wants to do the biopsy to see how much , if any, scar

> tissue I have in my liver. I have had no symtoms accept for the

> itching and I have noticed I need more sleep, but I have not felt

> physically exhausted.

>

> I have learned a lot by reading on this group, and you all seem to

> be wonderful people! I wish we could have met on better terms but,

> here we are! i had a small emotional breakdown when I had to share

> this frightening news with my poor DH when he got home from work

> Thursday, but I got a grip on myself and called my sister that

lives

> closest to me and my Pastor. They came and my Pastor spent 3 hours

> with us. Now, I have never been one to handle stress very well. I

> was a constant worrier and about drove myself nuts trying to fix

> everyone problems. I am a " caretaker " as my father was and is an

> alcoholic. Over the last 6 months I have become very active in a

new

> church, and decided to lay all the " crap " in my life at the Lord's

> feet and let him guide me through. I didn't have any idea we would

> be dealing with such a heavy load.

>

> I think the heaviest thing on my heart and mind right now is

telling

> my two daughters. My oldest daughter just made me a Grandma for the

> first time the day I went to the University for the big blood

> testing. Her dad has a seizure disorder, (which is finally being

> controlled by the correct meds), and she worries about him all the

> time. now she is a new Mommy and I have to lay this load on her as

> well. My youngest daughter lives in SC with her fiance' and we are

> so much alike and not gotten along the best over the years, and we

> have finally gotten to the point where we can be friends and now I

> have to laod this on her as well! I want to be armed when as much

> knowledge as possible when I tell them, and hopefully it will help

> lighten the blow. I keep thinking I would much rather be going

> through this than one of them.

> I babysit for a living and I have to tell the parents, again, once

I

> can go armed with info. The biggest thing with that, is I take care

> of a little girl that I have had since she was 6 weeks old. My DH

> and I have actually raised her. She has been in our home approx 85%

> of her life. She is part of my family and I would not survive

losing

> her from our lives.

>

> Saying all that to ask these questions:

>

> 1) What are the ways of contracting HCV?

>

> 2) How can I protect anyone that I am around on a regular basis, ie

> small children. This is my biggest question of interest.

>

> 3) Is 450,000 considered a low viral load? At what point will the

Dr

> want to start treatment?

>

> 4) Has anyone tried or known anyone to have tried Mesosilver? I

> read about it on one of the HEP C websites I found. If you have

> never heard of it, do a search and tell me what you think. What

> about Market America. Any thoughts on what, if anything, OPC might

> do for HCV?

>

> OK, enough questions for now. I know you all get tired of all the

> questions, but thank GOD you all hang in and share your experiences

> with us newbies!

>

> In advance, pardon the typos, it's too long to go back and proof

> read this late at night. I look forward to reading your responses

> and know I will learn a lot!

>

> GOD SPEED,

> Joyce

[Guest guest]

Thank you so much for your wisdom and concern! It's great

to know there are people out here that truly care when you are down

and are willing to share their experiences with others! I am sure we

will chat more! Have a great day!

hugs,

Joyce

> Welcome to our group , although the circumstances are bad . About

the itching.......ick common problem that is caused by bile

salts .You doc can give you something to help. Your viral load isnt

low but it sure isnt high which is a good thing . Hepatitis is

transmitted blood to blood . Although there is a very small percent

>1% transmission through sex and 3% mother to fetus transmission .

As for treatment , I w ould high reccomend doing only the standard

treatments availabel . Alot of the herbal rememedies out there can

potentialy be hepatoxic . There isnt enough research yet to say

there is anything that will make a difference , and herbal medicines

cant cure.The only herbal suppliment that is reccomended for us with

hepatitis is MilkThistle . I hope this answered your questions ,

hehe ..Now with that out of the way , welcome to our group . I

also have geno 1 , but I am a nonresponder to treatment . I have

been infected for 20 yrs , I was stuck with a contaminated needle at

work ( as a paramedic) . I have 6 wonderful children and a great

husband all of them were tested and all are negative for the virus .

A biopsy of your liver is what will tell you what if any damage you

have , so I highly encourage you to have one . It can be a pain but

worth it to know what is going on in your liver , especially since

blood lab values are not always indicative of damage . Telling your

children I have to admit is difficult , I just wish I could remember

how I broke the news to my family . It is a shock and will take time

getting used to . Your life will change of course , but for the most

part it will remain the same. You will have to take better care of

yourself and eat well , no alcahol is a biggie and get lots of

rest . Fatigue is common with hepatitis . You should not share

razors or toothbrushes with your significant other as that is a way

to transmit the virus. Anyway I gotta run take care..............

> Sincerely

>

> Another new member

>

>

>

> Hi everyone,

> My name is Joyce and I just found out on Thursday that I have

HCV.

> I have been doing a lot of reading on these groups and I haven't

> seen anyone mention a problem with itching. I went to the

> Dermatologist for severe itching back at the end of Dec and she

> found something weird with my liver. They did a Hep B and C scan

> and still the levels were off, so they sent me to the University

and

> had extensive blood testing done. Got the news by phone Thursday

> that my viral load is 450,000 which confirms that I have the

> infection at what is considered to be a small amount of virus. My

> AST is 45. ALT is normal at 33. All other levels are normal. I

have

> Genotype 1, which she says the the most common, but the hardest

to

> treat. She wants to do the biopsy to see how much , if any, scar

> tissue I have in my liver. I have had no symtoms accept for the

> itching and I have noticed I need more sleep, but I have not felt

> physically exhausted.

>

> I have learned a lot by reading on this group, and you all seem

to

> be wonderful people! I wish we could have met on better terms

but,

> here we are! i had a small emotional breakdown when I had to

share

> this frightening news with my poor DH when he got home from work

> Thursday, but I got a grip on myself and called my sister that

lives

> closest to me and my Pastor. They came and my Pastor spent 3

hours

> with us. Now, I have never been one to handle stress very well. I

> was a constant worrier and about drove myself nuts trying to fix

> everyone problems. I am a " caretaker " as my father was and is an

> alcoholic. Over the last 6 months I have become very active in a

new

> church, and decided to lay all the " crap " in my life at the

Lord's

> feet and let him guide me through. I didn't have any idea we

would

> be dealing with such a heavy load.

>

> I think the heaviest thing on my heart and mind right now is

telling

> my two daughters. My oldest daughter just made me a Grandma for

the

> first time the day I went to the University for the big blood

> testing. Her dad has a seizure disorder, (which is finally being

> controlled by the correct meds), and she worries about him all

the

> time. now she is a new Mommy and I have to lay this load on her

as

> well. My youngest daughter lives in SC with her fiance' and we

are

> so much alike and not gotten along the best over the years, and

we

> have finally gotten to the point where we can be friends and now

I

> have to laod this on her as well! I want to be armed when as much

> knowledge as possible when I tell them, and hopefully it will

help

> lighten the blow. I keep thinking I would much rather be going

> through this than one of them.

> I babysit for a living and I have to tell the parents, again,

once I

> can go armed with info. The biggest thing with that, is I take

care

> of a little girl that I have had since she was 6 weeks old. My DH

> and I have actually raised her. She has been in our home approx

85%

> of her life. She is part of my family and I would not survive

losing

> her from our lives.

>

> Saying all that to ask these questions:

>

> 1) What are the ways of contracting HCV?

>

> 2) How can I protect anyone that I am around on a regular basis,

ie

> small children. This is my biggest question of interest.

>

> 3) Is 450,000 considered a low viral load? At what point will

the Dr

> want to start treatment?

>

> 4) Has anyone tried or known anyone to have tried Mesosilver? I

> read about it on one of the HEP C websites I found. If you have

> never heard of it, do a search and tell me what you think. What

> about Market America. Any thoughts on what, if anything, OPC

might

> do for HCV?

>

> OK, enough questions for now. I know you all get tired of all the

> questions, but thank GOD you all hang in and share your

experiences

> with us newbies!

>

> In advance, pardon the typos, it's too long to go back and proof

> read this late at night. I look forward to reading your responses

> and know I will learn a lot!

>

> GOD SPEED,

> Joyce

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> It's a pleasure having you join in our conversations. We hope

you have found the support you need with us.

>

> If you are using email for your posts, for easy access to our

group, just click the link--

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Hepatitis_C_Central/

>

> Happy Posting

>

>

>

> -------------------------------------------------------------------

-----------

>

[Guest guest]

Welcome! I'm new, too, but I'm really loving 's approach!

>

> Hello all,

> My name is andra and I am a new member in the SF Bay area.

I've

> been following the Weight Watchers program (again) since January,

but

> had reached a point where I knew my inner motivation was beginning

to

> lag. That's when I discovered 's podcasts on I-Tunes. They

are

> amazing. I am taking my time working through them, and am starting

on

> other types of visualization/meditation, too.

>

> Thanks to listening to the podcasts, it is so much easier to me to

stay

> away from inappropriate food choices. I am totally a late night/in

bed

> snacker, and it has been a lot easier to just say no to my urges

now.

> I am only up to Week 4, and can't wait to hear what else has

in

> store.

>

> andra

>

[Guest guest]

Hi andra!

I too am a new member, and I have been on and off of weight watchers

for at least the last 5 years, always losing motivation, and never

reaching my goal (but I have lost 60# and kept it off!) For

Christmas my brother bought me an ipod and I also discovered

and her very awesome podcasts. Who knew we had all the tools to keep

our weight in check, but we don't know how to use them?! I find

myself listening to her podcasts everynight before bed, and waking

refreshed and in a better state of mind to help me think so I don't

binge. She has been a great inspiration for me, and I am sure this

will help me more than counting points. I like weight watchers,

however, I don't want to count points my whole life. I know it works

if I do the system correctly, but it almost seems un-natural when you

go to a party to guess point values for everything. Who knew all I

had to do was listen to my stomach....and guess what? I find myself

eating less, and deffinately eating more healthy. I am not a 6 mini

meal a day person. I like my 3 meals and maybe a snack, but I think

I forget when I am truly hungry when I eat so many times in a day.

Then I tell myself I can slide in a doughnut in place of my veggies,

and I make more excuses for my bad choices that seem to pile up all

day long! has really put things in perspective for me. I do

still keep a food journal, and on the bottom of everyday I right down

my feelings of the day. It has really helped. I also look around in

my life at what are the pressures causing me to cave in? I try to

listen to one podcast a day and throughout the day, if I have a few

minutes, I write down one or 2 things that I feel are good tools to

help me through the next day. I realize not everyday is perfect, but

everyday is a new chance to RE-DO what you need to change. I have

really learned alot about myself...I wish you success and let me know

how you are doing. I wish you the best! Jody

>

> Hello all,

> My name is andra and I am a new member in the SF Bay area.

I've

> been following the Weight Watchers program (again) since January,

but

> had reached a point where I knew my inner motivation was beginning

to

> lag. That's when I discovered 's podcasts on I-Tunes. They

are

> amazing. I am taking my time working through them, and am starting

on

> other types of visualization/meditation, too.

>

> Thanks to listening to the podcasts, it is so much easier to me to

stay

> away from inappropriate food choices. I am totally a late night/in

bed

> snacker, and it has been a lot easier to just say no to my urges

now.

> I am only up to Week 4, and can't wait to hear what else has

in

> store.

>

> andra

>