UC meds and HepC

[sturmond_drang]

Just found out I've got ulcerative colitis...possible autoimmune connection there I guess. Actually it turns out that I had it when I was a kid, and it went away. Only it doesn't really go away. You're "in remission." Only I ain't in remission any more :(

Taking Mesalamine (aminosalicylic acid, an NSAID). This makes me uneasy, as I've heard that NSAID's aren't too cool. The stuff works great but I'm beginning to suspect that I'm between a rock and a hard place here. Any insight, anyone?

[mhudnall]

Bacterial translocation due to UC or glutin sensitivities have been linked to increased brain-fog (Hepatic encephalopathy). You might also consider probiotics, and decreasing wheat and dairy intake.

LDN is very good for reversing autoimmune conditions, with no side effects. It may also lower your viral load. Definitely very effective and very safe for Crohn's with an FDA phase 1 clinical trial showing 2/3 remission rates in 3 weeks. If your UC has an autoimmune component, LDN might be a good candidate for you.

[sturmond_drang]

Interesting that LDN shows up in IBD treatment! Looks like a serious alternative to the traditional steroids and immunosuppressives and NSAID's. A treatment that doesn't harm the liver.. I'll definitely be looking into this. I don't imagine that "old school" GI's are big fans of LDN however. We'll see. I'm not a big fan of NSAID sides.

[sturmond_drang]

Immuran. Now there's a whole different balancing act. Having hep C is challenge enough, but then to have to take an immunosuppressive while you're fighting a virus....a whole new level of challenge. And NSAIDS of course, just the ticket for the liver. . But as my GI put it, "the side effects of not taking this stuff are worse than the side effects of taking it."

True enough, yet it's cold comfort somehow. Not much chance of curing hep by modifying the diet, I fear ;-) So I'll have to pursue remission of IBD via the natural, dietary route, if only to take the pressure off the liver.

Too bad there is no really "good" drug. No drug that is not also a disease in its own right.

[mhudnall]

Low dose naltrexone works for Ulcerative Colitis, Crohn's, is hepatoprotective and lowers viral load in hep c.

www.lowdosenaltrexone.org

In FDA phase 1 clinical trials, LDN put 2/3 of patients with acute Crohn's into remission in three weeks with no side effects.

LDN has kept my viral load between 3,000 and 300,000 for two years now. Past high VL was 7 million.

[DoxieMom04]

Maybe you can treat again with one of the many clinical trials or wait till the new drugs are approved next year. I have Crohn's and take Immuran to control it. Yes, treatment can flare it up but, what's the alternative to not even trying. The immuran is hard on the liver.
Give thought to trying anther course of treatment if you can.
DoxieMom04

[sturmond_drang]

I should have mentioned that I have Hep C, dx 2006, probably had it 30 years. Inf & Riba in 2008/09, no luck.