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.

[maggiepie471]

Thanks for that information.  I truly did not understand that at all. I have just returned from a walk in my tiny town finding out there is a lot of people already here who know they have this. I did not know that at all.

Wow-this is becoming more and more shocking to know. I am involved with my hospital here and am going to suggest that at our health fairs, there be a hepatitis C test offered. Education and change of life style just to hold it back a little while longer.

[willbb]

read a gals comments, my age who claims
she did lower her viral load with her diet. Significant from 14 mil to 6.7mil

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These two viral loads are not at all different and has no bearing whatsover on damage being done or not done to the liver from the bodys own immune system..

Best  to you....

Will

[maggiepie471]

Thanks to all of you again. I am just trying to get educated as best I can to what I am dealing with.  I have read until I can hardly think of questions any more. I did read a gals comments, my age who claims she did lower her viral load with her diet. Significant from 14 mil to 6.7mil. That is why I asked since she is very similar to my situation even her age is the same. And thanks to Idyllic, you are correct-I am more like a 50 year old with my life and what I thought was excellent health. Was this a punch in the stomach!

[Idyllic]

I read your other post ("Do I have my head in the sand?") and it sounds as if you have a fairly decent understanding of the limitations of the ultrasound as well as most aspects of treatment in general. I agree with willbb when it comes to a biopsy though.  It helps to know what condition your liver is in so you realise exactly what you are dealing with. I don't think being 70 years old today is the same as it was in back in our grandparents day.

To answer your question, I am not sure how you would lower your viral load without treatment or if it even matters. I guess keep an eye on your liver enzymes:
http://surgery.about.com/od/beforesurgery/qt/LiverLabTests.htm

[orphanedhawk]

"Am I understanding that I am capable of lowering my viral load. "
You have no control over your viral load.
You can do things to help keep your liver as healthy as possible, but that is all you can do.

Viral loads fluctuate by themselves as the virons die and replicate.
Viral load count does not equal liver damage. The viral load is not really important other than during treatment.
What is important is the condition of your liver.

I was asymptomatic until my liver was severely damaged. This is the sneaky thing about hep c, it isn't called the silent epidemic just because of it's image.

The health of your liver is paramount.

There are claims of certain herbs and supplements helping to reduce fibrosis though none will rid you of the virus and none are proven in trials, as yet.

If a healthy life style was all it took to keep hep C at bay, I wouldn't have needed a liver transplant.

[willbb]

Your lifestyle sounds fine  and may help with your overall health ,however once you have contracted HCV the only modality that will eradicate the virus is the current medical treatment available.(approx 70 80 %succesful)
.
If you choose not to go that route I would strongly advise to have a biopsy to ascertain the amount of liver damage (fibrosis) you may have.

I f at your age you have  no or mild damage then not treating is certainly an option ,however if the damage is severe(and it often is with no symptoms ) you may want to discuss treating with your doctor

Good luck and welcome to the group..
Will