Ultraviolet blood irradiation therapy (UBIT)

[GrandmaA]

I found the book and copied the information:
"Ultraviolet blood irradiation therapy is said to improve oxygenation of tissue, help with inflammation, stimulate immune system and fight viral infection. This treatment, which has been approved by the FDA consists of bombaring the blood with ultraviolet light. It appears to render the virus inactive. This treatment is offered by Bradford Research Institute in Chula Vista, CA."

I have no idea how long it takes or what it costs. This is all I know.

[Kalio1]

I googled it too but I could not find info saying it was FDA approved for Hep C, or any other virus. Would you mind posting the info you found? I would like to read it. They must remove the blood from you, treat it and put it back in I guess. If you have the info handy, I hope you will post it.

Hope you are doing well now, I hear Infergen is no picnic.

[Lonestar823]

"I wish there were a more humane and effective treatment. A more civilized alternative, with less risk of awful side effects to the patient. But right now, we got what we got."

Ditto and yes, I'm afraid you're quite right.

Though I must confess, I don't know or give two hoots what UBIT does or if it's really FDA approved to fight viral infections or not. The internet is filled with misinformation.  Probably about the only thing Ted Kaczynski got right. ; ]  I only know I made the best choice for me and that during my very long 73 weeks of infergen I'd sometimes dream of nice warm heat laying on my frozen body.

Much success to you mremeet.

[mremeet]

Thanks kalio for the kind words and encouragement. And yeah, as you can imagine, the VL unblinding was a load off my mind considering the context of my particular situation. I just hope I can keep on pluggin' away now. I'm going to get some Aranesp (or whatever it's called) pretty soon, so with any luck the anemia will subside. Plus I'm trying effexor for a while (and A/D). Hopefully between the two of those, I can go the distance. But if not, at least I'll know I've done what I can to stop this thing...at least for now.

Is your treatment going well too? I forget what week you're on, but I know you'll well into it. Hopefully it's not too much longer before you can finally cross the finish line. Wishing you the best, and wishing all of us an SVR come hell or high water. Take care...

PS>> Oh yeah, thanks for the email addy, I'll drop you an email soon. Hoping to talk to HR about getting a fibroscan and also discuss the possible benefits of certain supplements and herbs. Thanks again...

[Kalio1]

I meant to give you a big high five on your PCR VL results the other day, way to go! Im so happy for you, I know you were worried what with all the fiasco over the rash and steroids and cutting meds, Im so happy it turns out you hit UND anyway. Sorry I missed your other thread.
HR mentioned something about you wanting to connect with him, if that is the case feel free to do so, my email is this name I use here and add cox.net and I will put you in touch.

[Kalio1]

They do NOT have FDA approval for this treatment, if they claim they do, ask for proof. I read that they "applied" for FDA approval but that is a LONG way from being approved, anyone can ubmit an application. This treatment from what I have read is nothing but sheer quackery and can in fact be DANGEROUS.

[mremeet]

I've been researching HCV, its treatments and talking to various folks for years on and off about it. I've never seen, met or encountered any bonified person who was cured of HCV by ozone therapy. I have met people who have undergone the therapy, and all they said it did not cure them and was a ripoff. Also, ozone therapy is not an FDA approved treatment for hepatitis C, only interferon monotherapy along with interferon+ribavirin combo therapy. Plus, if you just think about it, the whole notion of exposing large quantities of your blood to concentrated ozone during a series of relatively brief sessions, is unsound. It's unsound because of the potential risks to your health, and it's unsound because of the absurdity of the notion that the virus could be permanently routed out using this method (which would also have to "disenfect" infected hepatocytes, which are not circulating in your blood).  

I can assure you, you will not find any bonified person who has been cured of HCV by ozone therapy. Take a look around this forum for instance. This site probably has the highest number of HCV infected/treating people on the internet. Ask around and see who has, or is taking ozone therapy. Then ask how many of them have been cured by it. You won't get many takers.

Not trying to be a wet blanket, but I've been looking into HCV and its treatments for a long time. I finally bit the bullet and decided to give interferon/ribavirin and an experimental drug a try. I didn't do so lightly, as I'm aware of the possible risks. But considering the state of currently available treatment alternatives (including the fraudulent ozone therapy claims I see from time to time), and considering what can happen to our livers if we let HCV go unchecked, I finally decided I had to take the risk (currently in week 21).

I wish there were a more humane and effective treatment. A more civilized alternative, with less risk of awful side effects to the patient. But right now, we got what we got.