Aa
treatments
are there any other treatments besides the interferon that anyone knows about?
Thanx for words, it is so hard because not meanigly, I find myself isolating myself from him in away. He did pass a statement that he was upset because I am getting treated and he can't. But, I did explain to him that we have not been in a very long term relationship its only been about year and half. That he was long sick before me. He did try to push me away, I didn't go. He was my dream I wrote about 25 years ago. What a way to meet your dream. But, I did tell him I would help him out as I do. Before me he was heavily drinking, eating wrong, just not taking care of himself. I have changed his diet and old habits. He's doing better, as I told him if I wasn't put in has path he knows he would have died a lonely soul. Nobody bothers with him he lives in a secluded lifestyle. I just pray everyday that God directs me with my attitude and actions. Because, it is not pleasant watching somebody die.
My mother, who lives with me, is also in stage for but no biopsy for same reason. She was never able to clot after the chemo for breast cancer. She was treated with the early inf around 97. She did not respond. I think she has anger that different meds were available to me then her and I cleared, though she would never voice that to me. I carry a certain amount of guilt for not being sick right along with her. Its a hard path we walk. You must remember that even after treatment you can be reinfected. It is transmitted sexually. Please be cautious. He is dying hun. Fear and hurt can make us bitter. Remember your happiness and good luck
It's also worth noting that in IVDU it's not uncommon to become re-infected with the same geno for two reasons - regional homogenity among genotypes, and the fact that many IVDU's use with the same group of folks over time.
I just tried to post a subtly written and fascinating narrative and the computer ate it when I pushed the wrong button. I hate it when that happens.
NL - You said: "The chimp study says they still get it but easily clear it, like the 20% of acutes who clear HCV naturally."
That's actually not the gist of the study. What the study says is that in chimps who clear the virus on their own after the acute phase, there seems to be an increased ability to clear later infections faster and with less viremia.
There is a similar study (natap.org 12-6-06) that shows the same thing in a certain percentage of IVDU who have cleared hcv on their own after the acute phase. One could posit that folks who clear the virus on their own during the acute phase have perhaps an increased ability to fight the virus in THE FIRST PLACE and that this is why SOME of them are able to clear later re-infections more easily - because they, as organisms - possess a naturally enhanced immune system.
I have not been able to find anything that shows this is true for people who have SVR via extrensic means - i.e. interferon/riba etc.
I would be interested to see any studies done on this topic with folks who have achieved their SVR via chemo as opposed to clearing naturally during the acute phase.
NL - You said: "The chimp study says they still get it but easily clear it, like the 20% of acutes who clear HCV naturally."
That's actually not the gist of the study. What the study says is that in chimps who clear the virus on their own after the acute phase, there seems to be an increased ability to clear later infections faster and with less viremia.
There is a similar study (natap.org 12-6-06) that shows the same thing in a certain percentage of IVDU who have cleared hcv on their own after the acute phase. One could posit that folks who clear the virus on their own during the acute phase have perhaps an increased ability to fight the virus in THE FIRST PLACE and that this is why SOME of them are able to clear later re-infections more easily - because they, as organisms - possess a naturally enhanced immune system.
I have not been able to find anything that shows this is true for people who have SVR via extrensic means - i.e. interferon/riba etc.
I would be interested to see any studies done on this topic with folks who have achieved their SVR via chemo as opposed to clearing naturally during the acute phase.
I'm new to this forum, was diagnosed with hepc-gen 1b. I just started tx last week, its a bit scary to me, but decided this has to be the right thing for me as I am a mom of 4 and grandma of 2. But, the problem I face is my boyfriend was diagnosed with hepc, cirrohis and told he has lesions. The local hospital wouldn't do a biopsy, they said it was to risky do to the fact they couldn't raise his platlet level. They were unsure of shipping him elsewhere, because he lacks insurance. He is now mad at me because I have made the decision to be treated and have county insurance, which he can't get. I believe he must be in his final stages, as he is yellow, his legs blow up, they cramp horribly,he does not sleep, his stomach is hard and swollen, he has gotten really mean, he forgets things. Can anyone give me insight on this situation?
Welcome to the forum and thank you for sharing your experience with us Joe. It is very important that people get to know that one CAN get reinfected and that there is no immunity, even to the same genotype.
I'm so sorry that you had to go through this, mainly because of misleading information about reinfection.
Wishing you a big fat SVR
I'm so sorry that you had to go through this, mainly because of misleading information about reinfection.
Wishing you a big fat SVR
Hi Joey, and welcome to the forum. Thanks for your input on this. What an ordeal you've had! WIshing you good health and a glorious Fourth!
jd
jd
Interesting thread here. I have some real world experience with re-infection. Had GT 1a and treated for 48 weeks in 2004 and was SVR for 3 years. Was reinfected with GT 3a about a year ago and almost done with 24 weeks of tx (cleared at week 4). I belong to a coninfected (HIV / HCV) support group in San Francisco and several people have been reinfected with the same GT.
It is tragic because many doctors (including mine) said it was not likely to contact the virus through sex (yes, sex between men has a much higher risk for HCV). I also had heard some of the misinformation about going through tx would somehow protect you from reinfection and guess i wanted to believe it. I have been reading more and more on reinfection in the IV drug use & gay/HIV communities - at least word is getting out there now.
It is tragic because many doctors (including mine) said it was not likely to contact the virus through sex (yes, sex between men has a much higher risk for HCV). I also had heard some of the misinformation about going through tx would somehow protect you from reinfection and guess i wanted to believe it. I have been reading more and more on reinfection in the IV drug use & gay/HIV communities - at least word is getting out there now.
Belief is a powerful thing.
Personally, I've decided to believe the coffee research stating 5 or more cups per day will stop HCV replication.
I'm up to 4 and pushing for more.
Personally, I've decided to believe the coffee research stating 5 or more cups per day will stop HCV replication.
I'm up to 4 and pushing for more.
Here's a thought...20% of individuals who contract Hep C actually fight it off and gain natural resistance to it...This doesn't mean they can't get it again, but it does mean their bodies will recognize it and come to the defense sooner. If there was a way to gain a true immunity against a genotype, this would be the most likely way, don't you think? Measles and chicken pox usually whack an individual with a strong exposure, infect them, their bodies recognize the invasion, and wha-la, antibodies and immunities develop. Those that only get a light case of either virus may or may not gain the immunities and may be reinfected.
The same goes with the flu vaccine. Less than 60 percent gain protection from the most current flu strains when inoculated, and 20% of those have only partial resistance. Health care workers that have direct contact with the ill public usually develop natural immunities strong enough to reach out and kill small children! (As a Paramedic, I include myself in this category.) It was 3 1/2 months after I finished treatment that I was able to return to work (my neutrophils took a bit to recover) and within the first month, I caught a cold. After another following that one, my immune system seemed to remember what to do and I have been exposed to all manners of yuck since then, including the N1H1 flu bug, and have remained well. Prior to treatment, the Hep C was dragging me down with chronic fatigue, making it near- impossible to work 24 hour shifts. Now, I can outpace the 20-yr-olds again! In some people, I believe the Interferon leaves the system hyper-activated and creates an auto-immune response that causes further problems, but in most, when the artificially-hyped interferon levels relax after finishing treatment, the natural interferon/ immune response system will slowly kick in, possibly being stimulated into action by a mild virus or infection...~MM
The same goes with the flu vaccine. Less than 60 percent gain protection from the most current flu strains when inoculated, and 20% of those have only partial resistance. Health care workers that have direct contact with the ill public usually develop natural immunities strong enough to reach out and kill small children! (As a Paramedic, I include myself in this category.) It was 3 1/2 months after I finished treatment that I was able to return to work (my neutrophils took a bit to recover) and within the first month, I caught a cold. After another following that one, my immune system seemed to remember what to do and I have been exposed to all manners of yuck since then, including the N1H1 flu bug, and have remained well. Prior to treatment, the Hep C was dragging me down with chronic fatigue, making it near- impossible to work 24 hour shifts. Now, I can outpace the 20-yr-olds again! In some people, I believe the Interferon leaves the system hyper-activated and creates an auto-immune response that causes further problems, but in most, when the artificially-hyped interferon levels relax after finishing treatment, the natural interferon/ immune response system will slowly kick in, possibly being stimulated into action by a mild virus or infection...~MM
Dunno why, but this song just popped into my mind, can't remember who sang it
.....it's monkey see and monkey do.... that's all it is.... peaches
Anyway, I think we definitely need to set the records straight and proclaim that there is NO immunity to hep C. No matter how one got it or cleared it.
.....it's monkey see and monkey do.... that's all it is.... peaches
Anyway, I think we definitely need to set the records straight and proclaim that there is NO immunity to hep C. No matter how one got it or cleared it.
The chimp study says they still get it but easily clear it, like the 20% of acutes who clear HCV naturally.
Personally I find it very alarming to suggest that one will be immune to one's genotype after treating.
Newleaf just because somebody points out that information does not mean anybody is attacking you. This is the same thing you said previously when somebody else pointed out that you were incorrect about something. Debate is a healthy thing and that is what we do here - debate ideas and opinions and theories.
Should I just reply "fascinating marvelous information" when I know it's incorrect?
I'm sorry that your information was incorrect but you should remember that many of us have been reading all the HCV news that comes out every day for many years. We might just know stuff that you don't know. There are people in here who know much much more than I do........and when they correct me and tell me I'm wrong I look up the information and then thank them for showing me where my info was incorrect. It's part of being a grown up and doing what is best for the forum community.
Should I just reply "fascinating marvelous information" when I know it's incorrect?
I'm sorry that your information was incorrect but you should remember that many of us have been reading all the HCV news that comes out every day for many years. We might just know stuff that you don't know. There are people in here who know much much more than I do........and when they correct me and tell me I'm wrong I look up the information and then thank them for showing me where my info was incorrect. It's part of being a grown up and doing what is best for the forum community.
Good job. Don't stop now; keep looking.
Your consistent attacks on my comments about things that you aren't familiar with are uncomfortable. A personal conversation between you and me would be more productive. The attack stance just kills the thread.
Your consistent attacks on my comments about things that you aren't familiar with are uncomfortable. A personal conversation between you and me would be more productive. The attack stance just kills the thread.
By the way the study you refer to is from 2004.
The study I just quoted from is from 2009
It is much more relevant as it proved that it was not universal to have immunity to HCV at all. One could be but how would you ever find out if you were one or not?
The study I just quoted from is from 2009
It is much more relevant as it proved that it was not universal to have immunity to HCV at all. One could be but how would you ever find out if you were one or not?
Thank you so much for your delightful gift. It has truly made my day to know that chimpanzee's everywhere are nice and safe after they've been purposefully reinfected. Well some of them anyway. A few. Not all.
"Despite the fact that the inocula contained very high levels of virus (>4 logs more than the average chimpanzee infectious dose), in each case, viremia during the rechallenge infection was markedly reduced in magnitude and duration in comparison to the primary infection in the same animal (Fig. 1)."
Doesn't this mean that those poor chimpanzees were indeed reinfected but they had a less virulent strain for most of them and not all the chimps cleared and were not reinfected?
I don't mean to snipe here but for every study you find you can find 100 more to go completely against it. We've all seen this time and time again. One chimp was not reinfected with G1 - but that is a chimp and we are humans who don't live in the Planet of the Apes.
In response to the chimp study:
PARTIAL PROTECTIVE IMMUNITY AGAINST HEPATITIS C VIRUS REINFECTION IN HUMANS
Conclusions: These findings describe a heterogeneous natural history of HCV superinfection and reinfection, consistent with chimpanzee studies. Protection from viral persistence upon reinfection can occur, but is not universal.
http://www.pulsus.com/cddw2009/abs/008.htm
"Despite the fact that the inocula contained very high levels of virus (>4 logs more than the average chimpanzee infectious dose), in each case, viremia during the rechallenge infection was markedly reduced in magnitude and duration in comparison to the primary infection in the same animal (Fig. 1)."
Doesn't this mean that those poor chimpanzees were indeed reinfected but they had a less virulent strain for most of them and not all the chimps cleared and were not reinfected?
I don't mean to snipe here but for every study you find you can find 100 more to go completely against it. We've all seen this time and time again. One chimp was not reinfected with G1 - but that is a chimp and we are humans who don't live in the Planet of the Apes.
In response to the chimp study:
PARTIAL PROTECTIVE IMMUNITY AGAINST HEPATITIS C VIRUS REINFECTION IN HUMANS
Conclusions: These findings describe a heterogeneous natural history of HCV superinfection and reinfection, consistent with chimpanzee studies. Protection from viral persistence upon reinfection can occur, but is not universal.
http://www.pulsus.com/cddw2009/abs/008.htm
This is a gift. In the future, please look up your own references for things that you disagree with.
From the Journal of Virology, this will get you started:
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=321392
Also try journals for immunology, microbiology, infectious disease. Many articles will be related to the search for an anti-hcv vaccine.
From the Journal of Virology, this will get you started:
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=321392
Also try journals for immunology, microbiology, infectious disease. Many articles will be related to the search for an anti-hcv vaccine.
It also makes the virus infected cells more recognizeable by the killer T-cells that the interferon causes to increase. So, unless I find something else, the long-term increased immunity may just refer to being unable to contract your genotype again."
Theory not fact.
Respectfully I did read your post and I do not agree with the idea of posting it - let alone the content. As you never really know how someone might take something out here in cyberland I always feel unless you know something is scientific hard core fact 100% it's better not to post it. You know how many addicts might misconstrue the idea that they "can't catch their own geno again" as an open invitation to start doing drugs again? And someone like me who had both a and b - am I to believe my immune system is so hyped up that if I started having someone inject me several times a day with geno1 blood I would still not catch it because I'll have super duper killer T cell response? Many people WILL believe the ideal that they can't catch it again if the idea is posted because they WANT to believe it and oftentimes what is the easier way is the road people will take just because it is easy.
I've never heard one doctor in this universe that said to any patient that if they do treatment they can't catch their geno again. it might be a novel concept that our immune systems are so over hyped that it would make it impossible however I believe my system was more ramped up BEFORE tx which is why I had such a low VL and why it was therefore so hard for me to get to UND in the first place.
I just ask that if you aren't 100% sure of something as fact that you don't publish it where people might take advantage of the information and said "Oh yes I read that you absolutely cannot catch your own genotype again" - I have never heard that as a fact before and while it's an interesting hunch I think that is all it really is. As a hunch it's ok but as a fact that might be incorrect - it's dangerous.
Theory not fact.
Respectfully I did read your post and I do not agree with the idea of posting it - let alone the content. As you never really know how someone might take something out here in cyberland I always feel unless you know something is scientific hard core fact 100% it's better not to post it. You know how many addicts might misconstrue the idea that they "can't catch their own geno again" as an open invitation to start doing drugs again? And someone like me who had both a and b - am I to believe my immune system is so hyped up that if I started having someone inject me several times a day with geno1 blood I would still not catch it because I'll have super duper killer T cell response? Many people WILL believe the ideal that they can't catch it again if the idea is posted because they WANT to believe it and oftentimes what is the easier way is the road people will take just because it is easy.
I've never heard one doctor in this universe that said to any patient that if they do treatment they can't catch their geno again. it might be a novel concept that our immune systems are so over hyped that it would make it impossible however I believe my system was more ramped up BEFORE tx which is why I had such a low VL and why it was therefore so hard for me to get to UND in the first place.
I just ask that if you aren't 100% sure of something as fact that you don't publish it where people might take advantage of the information and said "Oh yes I read that you absolutely cannot catch your own genotype again" - I have never heard that as a fact before and while it's an interesting hunch I think that is all it really is. As a hunch it's ok but as a fact that might be incorrect - it's dangerous.
I never knew how I was exposed to it in the first place, so I guess I'll never feel completely secure about a new infection. What happened once can surely happen twice.
" I'm not afraid of ever contracting 1b again because interferon has set up my system to stop it (don't know how I'd get exposed to it anyway). " newleaf
"I thought that the virus keeps mutating, so one would never able to get the exact same cocktail again, thus making it impossible to obtain immunity. "Marcia
Agree 100% with Marcia on this one.
Sorry but if you do develop an immunity of some sort it would ONLY be to your specific virus and not to ALL of the 1b in the entire world. I don't think it's responsible to be telling people that they can't get it again no matter what - there are lots of people in the world who that could effect cause they would say "oh John is a 1b like me I'll just do some drugs with him cause I can't catch it".........but it wouldn't be the same strain or mutation and of course they would get it again.
I was a geno 1A and 1B do you really mean to tell me I can't EVER get ANY type of geno1 in the rest of my life? I don't believe that for one second and wouldn't even figure it was worth chancing on a good day. I've had the flu more than once and it's the same concept in a way isn't it?
Plus I don't see my immune system over-reved up at all in fact I've noticed I get much sicker much more easily now than I did prior to treatment when I was never really sick in my life. I just don't think it's the responsible thing to be saying at all since you aren't absolutely sure and nobody on earth is.
UNLESS you take a whole bunch of your blood, then clear the virus and then start injecting yourself again with the contaminated blood after SVR - and I can't imagine anybody is that desperate to find out if they could indeed get it or not that would be the only way to really do that study to find out.
"I thought that the virus keeps mutating, so one would never able to get the exact same cocktail again, thus making it impossible to obtain immunity. "Marcia
Agree 100% with Marcia on this one.
Sorry but if you do develop an immunity of some sort it would ONLY be to your specific virus and not to ALL of the 1b in the entire world. I don't think it's responsible to be telling people that they can't get it again no matter what - there are lots of people in the world who that could effect cause they would say "oh John is a 1b like me I'll just do some drugs with him cause I can't catch it".........but it wouldn't be the same strain or mutation and of course they would get it again.
I was a geno 1A and 1B do you really mean to tell me I can't EVER get ANY type of geno1 in the rest of my life? I don't believe that for one second and wouldn't even figure it was worth chancing on a good day. I've had the flu more than once and it's the same concept in a way isn't it?
Plus I don't see my immune system over-reved up at all in fact I've noticed I get much sicker much more easily now than I did prior to treatment when I was never really sick in my life. I just don't think it's the responsible thing to be saying at all since you aren't absolutely sure and nobody on earth is.
UNLESS you take a whole bunch of your blood, then clear the virus and then start injecting yourself again with the contaminated blood after SVR - and I can't imagine anybody is that desperate to find out if they could indeed get it or not that would be the only way to really do that study to find out.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Hepatitis Social Community
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV and STDs.
PrEP is used by people with high risk to prevent HIV infection.
