Lowering viral load

[maggiepie471]

Am I understanding that I am capable of lowering my viral load. I am assuming a good HCV diet (I'll call it) with no alcohol consumption (whatsoever),exercise, lots of water and good rest can do it. Is this true? I know my viral load from a couple of weeks ago was 2,850,000. I have not had the biopsy done yet. Ultrasound, yes, and nothing showed up at all. I was the so called social drinker so this part was easy--and yes the food is easy too. I am 129 lbs and 5'6" so don't have the weight problem. Drawback may be 70 yrs old. I am asymptomatic so far. Will not go  for the current treatment offered.  Some of this is repeated information. But, this is the best forum of all.

[Dee1956]

I just wanted to tell you how sorry I am.  I know how shocking it can be to be diagnosed with HCV, evidently I had it for 30 years before being diagnosed with cirrhosis.  I was in shock for several months.  You are doing the right thing in looking for more information.  Everyone above has given you excellent advice, some had to have liver transplants before treating.  The most important thing to do is find out how much liver damage you have.  I wish you the very best

[orphanedhawk]

I don't want to scare you but I always thought I'd live to be an old lady as my family lives well into their 90s. I ate well, was active and  shocked beyond belief when, I was diagnosed with hep C and decompensated cirrhosis.
My point being, the only thing that is important is the condition of your liver.

Of course, life style fits into all of this and I like to think I've done as well as I have partially because of those things.

If your liver is not damaged, do indeed wait for the new orals or look into getting into a trial. Forget about what your viral load is or isn't. It's your liver that is important.

[maggiepie471]

I have terrific genes behind me with a mom still alive at 96 yrs old. All of my fathers side made it to 90 yrs of age. Great grandmother made it to 90 on my mothers side. I thinkof that all the time and basically know if this blood transfusion had not have happened, I would live to be at least as long as my mom or longer.  I have always said she would mke 100 yrs old. There is really no history of cancer in my family. My dad's only time in a all hospital for a bypass and home in three days.  He was 79 yrs old.  By the way, all my relatives were always slender and thought about what they were eating meaning quite healthy. No alcohol was every around either. So that is why I am so upset and having a hard time adjusting to this insidious disease. But, yes I will do what I can to get the word out.  By the way there is a petition started at change.org to get the Feds involved with Gilead and get people aware of this.  

[frijole]

maggie
you have a great attitude  and your desire to educate others is wonderful to see.  I wish you the best.  We all know the hard decisions that lay before you.

As for the age thing, I don't know what to say.  Do you have long genes or short genes ????  How long did your parents live?  And does that matter? What is your life expectancy?    You will give up 6 months or a year of your life if you treat, and you may or may not clear the virus.  Does that outweigh the risk of having more liver damage.  Only you can make the decision.  

frijole

[maggiepie471]

Advocate1955--A special thanks for the latest info. All very helpful. I knew most of it but each piece of info does help.  I am extremely healthy and have always been. I don't even get a cold. I think my friends think that I am invisible. Of course, I am educating them. Because of my involvement with my hospital, I am going to request that we provide a blood test at our health fair for HCV every year. Also, provide information about it. As I have said before to my friends, "who knew that this was going on". I am not keeping it a secret at all.I think it is a responsibility now to educate.

Yes, and I will be proceeding as soon as my Doc returns.  She assured me that this is what we do next. Once again, this is the best forum and what a great group of people to have to help all of us new ones start the journey.  

[Advocate1955]

There is no way to predict how quickly or slowly your liver damage may progress.  Until you know how much damage you have right now, it will be difficult to speculate about whether you should treat now or wait until the new polymerase inhibitors are available, hopefully in a couple of years.  Generally speaking, liver damage progresses more quickly as people with Hep C get older.  Generally speaking treating is more difficult as people with Hep C get older.  A doctor who specializes in Hep C treatment will be able to guide you much better after you know the results of a biopsy or fibroscan.
In the meantime, there is no need to worry while you're waiting to get those things scheduled as soon as possible.  Liver damage doesn't progress in a day or two or even in weeks or months.  As long as you make the appointments and do the follow up testing as soon as possible, in the next month or two, so that you have more information on which to base your decision is fine.
Treatment with current medications is tough, no doubt.  The good news is it sounds as though you are generally healthy and not overweight.  The difficult news is your age, which will make treatment more difficult for you.  If you are otherwise healthy and active, you can probably manage treatment living on your own, if you plan ahead and have some strategies for having things at home that you might need to make treatment a bit easier.  However, it is a tough treatment, and would certainly be easier if you had some support (someone to help with grocery shopping, someone to drive you if you're not feeling well, someone to help with heavier work around the house, etc.).
Back to your original question:  liver healthy diet, no alcohol are both a big yes.  Ask your doctor before taking any supplements, pain relief medications, or herbs.
First things first, get your appointments made as soon as you can, wait for the results, and then discuss treatment options with your doctor.  
Best wishes.
Advocate1955