HCV Information and other posts

[Tony-z]

Here is a web site about a clinical studie of alternative meds for those who have no other choice..

                TonyZ

<a href="http://hepatitis-central.com/mt/archives/2004/11/shosaikoto_clin.html#more">shosaikoto Clinical study</a>



http://hepatitis-central.com/mt/archives/2004/11/shosaikoto_clin.html#more

[Laika]

I just got my lab work back (bx scheduled for 12/13) and my viral load is 1,440,000.

I am wondering: if shai-taiko-to and/or blood irradiation would help get your viral load down, you could then begin treatment with interferon/riba with a lower viral load and possibly increase your odds of SVR.  Anybody have some thoughts on that?

I'm really, really not trying to wiggle out of traditional treatment, I promise.  But my bx is 12/13 and they don't even have me scheduled to come back in until 2/4, so I could be doing something in the meantime.

[Tony-z]

I don't think that would be a good idea. It might be wise to find a good naturapathic Physician in your area.

Here is more information about Hepatitis C.

Hepatitis C Medication Price Freeze Demanded

http://hepatitis-central.com/mt/archives/hepatitis_c_awarenessactivism/index.html

Blood Tests vs. Biopsy For Fibrosis Assessment

http://hepatitis-central.com/mt/archives/general_hepatitis_c_newsupdates/index.html

Hepatitis C Treatment Progress?

http://hepatitis-central.com/mt/archives/emerging_hepatitis_c_treatmentstherapies/index.html

       TonyZ

[cuteus]

from what I read, there does not seem to be a significance to viral load and getting a negative reading. I started with 376,000iu/ml and did not get a negative by wk 12. others have started at millions and cleared the VL within weeks.  don't go on fishing expeditions that don't seem to have a merit to them.

[Laika]

I thought that if you started treatment with a lower viral load your odds were better...not sure how I got the idea, I thought from this forum.  But maybe I misunderstood.

[cao]

My understanding is that a high viral load (above 2 million) is correlated with a lower reponse rate.  However, that is not to say that a low viral load guarantees SVR, merely that it makes it statistically more likely.

[cuteus]

I wish it was true in my case, I read the same stats and expected them to apply to my case, but they didn't.  Your age, gender, weight, liver damage will be a better thing to look at for possible svr outcome. Exercise and eat healthier pre tx, youi can't go wrong with that one.

[DoubleDose]

Lower viral load on beginning tx HAS proven to predict slightly better SVR rates than high viral loads, BUT, a very large percentage of both types either do not respond, or respond only partially, or relapse after therapy.  It is only a general rule of thumb, and certainly in many cases,some people with very high viral loads may clear quickly and SVR, and conversely those with low viral loads may not clear at all.  Each case is entirely individual, as to response pattern, but the general results have been skewed toward better response with the low load groups...but NOT by a tremendous amount.

Best thing to do is to measure your ACTUAL viral decay or decline rate (decline curve) during the first twelve weeks of tx, ideally looking at 1 week, 2 week, 4 week, 8 week and 12 week log-load reductions.  That info provides the best prediction of success available.  You can even get a good predictor from the 24 hour decline rate after starting tx.

The decline curve will also tell you whether extending therapy is going to be helpful.