Re: Newbie Questions~

[Guest guest]

First of all you sound like a great daughter. And you are doing a great job in asking the right questions. can answer your questions about the Vertex medication as I have not experience with it but she has done all of research on it. The acidic food or juices are to be avoided because the treatment tends to make your mouth sore. Encourage her to take good care of her dental care. That is important. She should take her ribovirion pills with a bit of protein, peanut butter, cream cheese etc. She really can use your help with the little stuff, like straighten her house. I found that it was the small stuff that got me down, like vaccuming and mopping. I just didn't have the strengthen to do it most days. When she says she needs to lay down because she is tired. Believe me she is. Love JanetCrystalsAndCandles <CrystalsAndCandles@...> wrote: Hello again everyone and thank you so very much for the warm welcome to the group. I have some questions about my Mom's Hep. C treatment. This could be long and I thank you so much for reading this all the way thru and helping me with my questions.

My Mom is 64 yrs old, positive for Hep. C Genotype 1 (I apoligize if I am using the wrong wording). She has not had a liver biopsy but she has had ultrasounds and blood work done. Her Dr's said those have come back Ok.. First question is about the treatment itself. She is about to be treated with PEGASYS and COPEGUS. Is this the most common type of treatment for hep. C? I only ask this question because I was reading thru the group files and I found some info in the Liver Hope Newsletter about a very promising treatment by Vertex Pharmaceutical. It was dated April 2006. Has anyone been prescribed this treatment? Or is it possibly not approved yet? Second question: From what I understand the Pegasys and Copegus treatment is trying to give her immune system a MEGA boost in order to help her fight off the virus. Am I understanding this right? And, if I am, are there any other things she can do to also help strengthen her immune system? Any specific foods she should or shouldn't eat? I have heard onions are helpful for blood flow.. Has anyone heard adding onions to their foods may help? My Mom said she was told to avoid highly acidic foods while being treated. Does that mean she should avoid orange juice, oranges and tomatoes? I saw one of the possible side effects of the treatment is a form of anemia.. Would eating red meats help lessen the chances of that? I have read some of the very scary side effects of this treatment but I can find no where where it gives the percentages of the people who will have them. I am wondering how rare some of the scariest side effects are? Also, anyone who feels like talking about it, I would really like to hear your

experiences with this treatment and your fight against this awful virus.. Thank you again so very much for welcoming me to this group. I am still in such shock and I want to do everything I can to help my Mom.. I just wish there were more I can do.. ~heidi~. It is a beautiful day, go out and enjoy it.

[Guest guest]

Thank you very much for the reply and your kind words..

I really appreciate it and I will def. let her know..

Did you feel that extreme fatigue during the entire treatment or did it start to lessen as the months went on?

Re: Newbie Questions~

First of all you sound like a great daughter. And you are doing a great job in asking the right questions. can answer your questions about the Vertex medication as I have not experience with it but she has done all of research on it.

The acidic food or juices are to be avoided because the treatment tends to make your mouth sore. Encourage her to take good care of her dental care. That is important.

She should take her ribovirion pills with a bit of protein, peanut butter, cream cheese etc.

She really can use your help with the little stuff, like straighten her house. I found that it was the small stuff that got me down, like vaccuming and mopping. I just didn't have the strengthen to do it most days.

When she says she needs to lay down because she is tired. Believe me she is.

Love

JanetCrystalsAndCandles <CrystalsAndCandlesComcast (DOT) net> wrote:

Hello again everyone and thank you so very much for the warm welcome to the group.

I have some questions about my Mom's Hep. C treatment. This could be long and I thank you so much for reading this all the way thru and helping me with my questions.

My Mom is 64 yrs old, positive for Hep. C Genotype 1 (I apoligize if I am using the wrong wording). She has not had a liver biopsy but she has had ultrasounds and blood work done. Her Dr's said those have come back Ok..

First question is about the treatment itself. She is about to be treated with PEGASYS and COPEGUS. Is this the most common type of treatment for hep. C? I only ask this question because I was reading thru the group files and I found some info in the Liver Hope Newsletter about a very promising treatment by Vertex Pharmaceutical. It was dated April 2006. Has anyone been prescribed this treatment? Or is it possibly not approved yet?

Second question: From what I understand the Pegasys and Copegus treatment is trying to give her immune system a MEGA boost in order to help her fight off the virus. Am I understanding this right? And, if I am, are there any other things she can do to also help strengthen her immune system? Any specific foods she should or shouldn't eat? I have heard onions are helpful for blood flow.. Has anyone heard adding onions to their foods may help?

My Mom said she was told to avoid highly acidic foods while being treated. Does that mean she should avoid orange juice, oranges and tomatoes?

I saw one of the possible side effects of the treatment is a form of anemia.. Would eating red meats help lessen the chances of that?

I have read some of the very scary side effects of this treatment but I can find no where where it gives the percentages of the people who will have them. I am wondering how rare some of the scariest side effects are?

Also, anyone who feels like talking about it, I would really like to hear your experiences with this treatment and your fight against this awful virus..

Thank you again so very much for welcoming me to this group. I am still in such shock and I want to do everything I can to help my Mom.. I just wish there were more I can do..

~heidi~.

It is a beautiful day, go out and enjoy it.

[Guest guest]

I would want to know WHY she is starting treatment without a biopsy??? HOW does she know that she really NEEDS to do treatment????CrystalsAndCandles <CrystalsAndCandles@...> wrote: Hello again everyone and thank you so very much for the warm welcome to the group. I have some questions about my Mom's Hep. C treatment. This could be long and I thank you so much for reading this

all the way thru and helping me with my questions. My Mom is 64 yrs old, positive for Hep. C Genotype 1 (I apoligize if I am using the wrong wording). She has not had a liver biopsy but she has had ultrasounds and blood work done. Her Dr's said those have come back Ok.. First question is about the treatment itself. She is about to be treated with PEGASYS and COPEGUS. Is this the most common type of treatment for hep. C? I only ask this question because I was reading thru the group files and I found some info in the Liver Hope Newsletter about a very promising treatment by Vertex Pharmaceutical. It was dated April 2006. Has anyone been prescribed this treatment? Or is it possibly not approved yet? Second question: From what I understand the Pegasys and Copegus treatment is trying to give her immune system a MEGA boost in order to help her fight off the virus. Am I understanding this right? And, if I am, are there any other things she can do to also help strengthen her immune system? Any specific foods she should or shouldn't eat? I have heard onions are helpful for blood flow.. Has anyone heard adding onions to their foods may help? My Mom said she was told to avoid highly acidic foods while being treated. Does that mean she should avoid orange juice, oranges and tomatoes? I saw one of the possible side effects of the treatment is a form of anemia.. Would eating red meats help lessen the chances of that? I have read some of the very scary side effects of this treatment but I can find no where where it gives the percentages of the people who will have them. I am wondering how rare some of the scariest side effects are? Also, anyone who feels like

talking about it, I would really like to hear your experiences with this treatment and your fight against this awful virus.. Thank you again so very much for welcoming me to this group. I am still in such shock and I want to do everything I can to help my Mom.. I just wish there were more I can do.. ~heidi~. Jackie

[Guest guest]

Vertex 950 (Telaprevir) is still in clinical trials and is not available as a standard of treatment yet . It should be some time next yr before this is a available , it is a protease inhibitor and is used with an interferon drug and rebitol . The treatment your mother is going to do is very common but her chances of clearing are about 60% . Since this is the first time she has treated then she may stand a higher % of clearing . She should take some folic acid to help with her blood cell production , and milk thistle for the liver . Anything other than that she needs to consult her doctor about . Her diet is mainly going to be decided by how she is effected by the medications , taste distortia is very common so picking out foods that she likes is gonna depend on her taster buds . I have treated myself 4 times but then again I have other problems that get worse on treatment so I have had to stop treating 3times. Each person reacts differently so there is no way to tell who will get sick and who won't . But the major side effect is flu like symptoms and easily treated with tylenol at he time of the shots .

Newbie Questions~

Hello again everyone and thank you so very much for the warm welcome to the group.

I have some questions about my Mom's Hep. C treatment. This could be long and I thank you so much for reading this all the way thru and helping me with my questions.

My Mom is 64 yrs old, positive for Hep. C Genotype 1 (I apoligize if I am using the wrong wording). She has not had a liver biopsy but she has had ultrasounds and blood work done. Her Dr's said those have come back Ok..

First question is about the treatment itself. She is about to be treated with PEGASYS and COPEGUS. Is this the most common type of treatment for hep. C? I only ask this question because I was reading thru the group files and I found some info in the Liver Hope Newsletter about a very promising treatment by Vertex Pharmaceutical. It was dated April 2006. Has anyone been prescribed this treatment? Or is it possibly not approved yet?

Second question: From what I understand the Pegasys and Copegus treatment is trying to give her immune system a MEGA boost in order to help her fight off the virus. Am I understanding this right? And, if I am, are there any other things she can do to also help strengthen her immune system? Any specific foods she should or shouldn't eat? I have heard onions are helpful for blood flow.. Has anyone heard adding onions to their foods may help?

My Mom said she was told to avoid highly acidic foods while being treated. Does that mean she should avoid orange juice, oranges and tomatoes?

I saw one of the possible side effects of the treatment is a form of anemia.. Would eating red meats help lessen the chances of that?

I have read some of the very scary side effects of this treatment but I can find no where where it gives the percentages of the people who will have them. I am wondering how rare some of the scariest side effects are?

Also, anyone who feels like talking about it, I would really like to hear your experiences with this treatment and your fight against this awful virus..

Thank you again so very much for welcoming me to this group. I am still in such shock and I want to do everything I can to help my Mom.. I just wish there were more I can do..

~heidi~.

[Guest guest]

Jackie the first time I treated I had no biopsy . Anyone who is chronic should treat . But a biopsy would give the doctor a baseline to compare future biopsies to .

Re: Newbie Questions~

I would want to know WHY she is starting treatment without a biopsy??? HOW does she know that she really NEEDS to do treatment????CrystalsAndCandles <CrystalsAndCandlesComcast (DOT) net> wrote:

Hello again everyone and thank you so very much for the warm welcome to the group.

I have some questions about my Mom's Hep. C treatment. This could be long and I thank you so much for reading this all the way thru and helping me with my questions.

My Mom is 64 yrs old, positive for Hep. C Genotype 1 (I apoligize if I am using the wrong wording). She has not had a liver biopsy but she has had ultrasounds and blood work done. Her Dr's said those have come back Ok..

First question is about the treatment itself. She is about to be treated with PEGASYS and COPEGUS. Is this the most common type of treatment for hep. C? I only ask this question because I was reading thru the group files and I found some info in the Liver Hope Newsletter about a very promising treatment by Vertex Pharmaceutical. It was dated April 2006. Has anyone been prescribed this treatment? Or is it possibly not approved yet?

Second question: From what I understand the Pegasys and Copegus treatment is trying to give her immune system a MEGA boost in order to help her fight off the virus. Am I understanding this right? And, if I am, are there any other things she can do to also help strengthen her immune system? Any specific foods she should or shouldn't eat? I have heard onions are helpful for blood flow.. Has anyone heard adding onions to their foods may help?

My Mom said she was told to avoid highly acidic foods while being treated. Does that mean she should avoid orange juice, oranges and tomatoes?

I saw one of the possible side effects of the treatment is a form of anemia.. Would eating red meats help lessen the chances of that?

I have read some of the very scary side effects of this treatment but I can find no where where it gives the percentages of the people who will have them. I am wondering how rare some of the scariest side effects are?

Also, anyone who feels like talking about it, I would really like to hear your experiences with this treatment and your fight against this awful virus..

Thank you again so very much for welcoming me to this group. I am still in such shock and I want to do everything I can to help my Mom.. I just wish there were more I can do..

~heidi~.

Jackie

[Guest guest]

Her dr's wanted to do the biopsy. She refuses. She has it in her head that if she has the biopsy things will go rapidly down hill and there is no talking her into it.

Altho, she recently had to go into the hospital for another surgery and they looked at her liver. Said she had changes which could indicate early cirrhosis.. Also, her viral load was super high (I think the number they said was 700 million?? Can't remeber maybe 7 million, but they said is WAY high)

I think those are the reasons she decided to start treatment. Her Dr's have been recommending the treatment since she found out she was positive, 2 yrs ago..

Re: Newbie Questions~

I would want to know WHY she is starting treatment without a biopsy??? HOW does she know that she really NEEDS to do treatment????CrystalsAndCandles <CrystalsAndCandlesComcast (DOT) net> wrote:

Hello again everyone and thank you so very much for the warm welcome to the group.

I have some questions about my Mom's Hep. C treatment. This could be long and I thank you so much for reading this all the way thru and helping me with my questions.

My Mom is 64 yrs old, positive for Hep. C Genotype 1 (I apoligize if I am using the wrong wording). She has not had a liver biopsy but she has had ultrasounds and blood work done. Her Dr's said those have come back Ok..

First question is about the treatment itself. She is about to be treated with PEGASYS and COPEGUS. Is this the most common type of treatment for hep. C? I only ask this question because I was reading thru the group files and I found some info in the Liver Hope Newsletter about a very promising treatment by Vertex Pharmaceutical. It was dated April 2006. Has anyone been prescribed this treatment? Or is it possibly not approved yet?

Second question: From what I understand the Pegasys and Copegus treatment is trying to give her immune system a MEGA boost in order to help her fight off the virus. Am I understanding this right? And, if I am, are there any other things she can do to also help strengthen her immune system? Any specific foods she should or shouldn't eat? I have heard onions are helpful for blood flow.. Has anyone heard adding onions to their foods may help?

My Mom said she was told to avoid highly acidic foods while being treated. Does that mean she should avoid orange juice, oranges and tomatoes?

I saw one of the possible side effects of the treatment is a form of anemia.. Would eating red meats help lessen the chances of that?

I have read some of the very scary side effects of this treatment but I can find no where where it gives the percentages of the people who will have them. I am wondering how rare some of the scariest side effects are?

Also, anyone who feels like talking about it, I would really like to hear your experiences with this treatment and your fight against this awful virus..

Thank you again so very much for welcoming me to this group. I am still in such shock and I want to do everything I can to help my Mom.. I just wish there were more I can do..

~heidi~.

Jackie

[Guest guest]

Your mom should really have the biopsy especially with a high viral load . She is at risk for hepatacellular carcinoma and this is something a biopsy would find . I have had 3 and it's not the begining of the end , it's a simple painfree procedure .

Re: Newbie Questions~

I would want to know WHY she is starting treatment without a biopsy??? HOW does she know that she really NEEDS to do treatment????CrystalsAndCandles <CrystalsAndCandlesComcast (DOT) net> wrote:

Hello again everyone and thank you so very much for the warm welcome to the group.

I have some questions about my Mom's Hep. C treatment. This could be long and I thank you so much for reading this all the way thru and helping me with my questions.

My Mom is 64 yrs old, positive for Hep. C Genotype 1 (I apoligize if I am using the wrong wording). She has not had a liver biopsy but she has had ultrasounds and blood work done. Her Dr's said those have come back Ok..

First question is about the treatment itself. She is about to be treated with PEGASYS and COPEGUS. Is this the most common type of treatment for hep. C? I only ask this question because I was reading thru the group files and I found some info in the Liver Hope Newsletter about a very promising treatment by Vertex Pharmaceutical. It was dated April 2006. Has anyone been prescribed this treatment? Or is it possibly not approved yet?

Second question: From what I understand the Pegasys and Copegus treatment is trying to give her immune system a MEGA boost in order to help her fight off the virus. Am I understanding this right? And, if I am, are there any other things she can do to also help strengthen her immune system? Any specific foods she should or shouldn't eat? I have heard onions are helpful for blood flow.. Has anyone heard adding onions to their foods may help?

My Mom said she was told to avoid highly acidic foods while being treated. Does that mean she should avoid orange juice, oranges and tomatoes?

I saw one of the possible side effects of the treatment is a form of anemia.. Would eating red meats help lessen the chances of that?

I have read some of the very scary side effects of this treatment but I can find no where where it gives the percentages of the people who will have them. I am wondering how rare some of the scariest side effects are?

Also, anyone who feels like talking about it, I would really like to hear your experiences with this treatment and your fight against this awful virus..

Thank you again so very much for welcoming me to this group. I am still in such shock and I want to do everything I can to help my Mom.. I just wish there were more I can do..

~heidi~.

Jackie

[Guest guest]

Your mom should really have the biopsy especially with a high viral load . She is at risk for hepatacellular carcinoma and this is something a biopsy would find . I have had 3 and it's not the begining of the end , it's a simple painfree procedure .

Re: Newbie Questions~

I would want to know WHY she is starting treatment without a biopsy??? HOW does she know that she really NEEDS to do treatment????CrystalsAndCandles <CrystalsAndCandlesComcast (DOT) net> wrote:

Hello again everyone and thank you so very much for the warm welcome to the group.

I have some questions about my Mom's Hep. C treatment. This could be long and I thank you so much for reading this all the way thru and helping me with my questions.

My Mom is 64 yrs old, positive for Hep. C Genotype 1 (I apoligize if I am using the wrong wording). She has not had a liver biopsy but she has had ultrasounds and blood work done. Her Dr's said those have come back Ok..

First question is about the treatment itself. She is about to be treated with PEGASYS and COPEGUS. Is this the most common type of treatment for hep. C? I only ask this question because I was reading thru the group files and I found some info in the Liver Hope Newsletter about a very promising treatment by Vertex Pharmaceutical. It was dated April 2006. Has anyone been prescribed this treatment? Or is it possibly not approved yet?

Second question: From what I understand the Pegasys and Copegus treatment is trying to give her immune system a MEGA boost in order to help her fight off the virus. Am I understanding this right? And, if I am, are there any other things she can do to also help strengthen her immune system? Any specific foods she should or shouldn't eat? I have heard onions are helpful for blood flow.. Has anyone heard adding onions to their foods may help?

My Mom said she was told to avoid highly acidic foods while being treated. Does that mean she should avoid orange juice, oranges and tomatoes?

I saw one of the possible side effects of the treatment is a form of anemia.. Would eating red meats help lessen the chances of that?

I have read some of the very scary side effects of this treatment but I can find no where where it gives the percentages of the people who will have them. I am wondering how rare some of the scariest side effects are?

Also, anyone who feels like talking about it, I would really like to hear your experiences with this treatment and your fight against this awful virus..

Thank you again so very much for welcoming me to this group. I am still in such shock and I want to do everything I can to help my Mom.. I just wish there were more I can do..

~heidi~.

Jackie

[Guest guest]

Right after shot day, I was not good for anything. But my enegry would come back about two day after shot. Not like it was pre-treatment but better. Love JanetCrystalsAndCandles <CrystalsAndCandles@...> wrote: Thank you very much for the reply and your kind words.. I really appreciate it and I will def. let her know.. Did you feel that extreme fatigue during the entire treatment or did it start to lessen as the months went on? Re: Newbie Questions~ First of all you sound like a great daughter. And you are doing a great job in asking the right questions. can answer your questions about the Vertex medication as I have not experience with it but she has done all of research on it. The acidic food or juices are to be avoided because the treatment tends to make your mouth sore. Encourage her to take good care of her dental care. That is important. She should take her ribovirion pills with a bit of protein, peanut butter, cream cheese etc. She really can use your help with the little stuff, like straighten her house. I found that it was the small stuff that got me down, like vaccuming and mopping. I just didn't have the strengthen to do it most days. When she says she needs to lay down because she is tired. Believe me she is. Love JanetCrystalsAndCandles <CrystalsAndCandlesComcast (DOT) net> wrote: Hello again everyone and thank you so very much for the warm welcome to the group. I have some questions about my Mom's Hep. C treatment. This could be long and I thank you so much for reading this all the way thru and helping me with my questions. My Mom is 64 yrs old, positive for Hep. C Genotype 1 (I apoligize if I am using the wrong wording). She has not had a liver biopsy but she has had ultrasounds and blood work done. Her Dr's said those have come back Ok.. First

question is about the treatment itself. She is about to be treated with PEGASYS and COPEGUS. Is this the most common type of treatment for hep. C? I only ask this question because I was reading thru the group files and I found some info in the Liver Hope Newsletter about a very promising treatment by Vertex Pharmaceutical. It was dated April 2006. Has anyone been prescribed this treatment? Or is it possibly not approved yet? Second question: From what I understand the Pegasys and Copegus treatment is trying to give her immune system a MEGA boost in order to help her fight off the virus. Am I understanding this right? And, if I am, are there any other things she

can do to also help strengthen her immune system? Any specific foods she should or shouldn't eat? I have heard onions are helpful for blood flow.. Has anyone heard adding onions to their foods may help? My Mom said she was told to avoid highly acidic foods while being treated. Does that mean she should avoid orange juice, oranges and tomatoes? I saw one of the possible side effects of the treatment is a form of anemia.. Would eating red meats help lessen the chances of that? I have read some of the very scary side effects of this treatment but I can find no where where it gives the percentages of the people who will have them. I am wondering how rare some of the scariest side effects are? Also, anyone who feels like talking about it, I would really like to hear your experiences with this treatment and your fight against this awful virus.. Thank you again so very much for welcoming me to

this group. I am still in such shock and I want to do everything I can to help my Mom.. I just wish there were more I can do.. ~heidi~. It is a beautiful day, go out and enjoy it. It

is a beautiful day, go out and enjoy it.

[Guest guest]

well thats too bad,, there is no way to know for sure just how much damage she does or does not have without the biopsy.. I understand her being afraid, but its a simple proceedure, and with consicious sedation, its a piece of cake,, HOW did they look at her liver? An ultrasound is not the best way to take a look and it can only show lesions etc, it cannot really show cirrhosis or so the exray lab explained to me.. but if she has a high viral load, I hope she will treat and will be successful! keep us updated ok? CrystalsAndCandles <CrystalsAndCandles@...> wrote: Her dr's wanted to do the biopsy. She refuses. She has it in her head that if she has the biopsy things will go rapidly down hill and there is no talking her into it. Altho, she recently had to go into the hospital for another surgery and they looked at her liver. Said she had changes which could indicate early cirrhosis.. Also, her viral load was super high (I think the number they said was 700 million?? Can't remeber maybe 7 million, but they said is WAY high) I think those are the reasons she decided to start treatment. Her Dr's have been recommending the treatment since she found out she was positive, 2 yrs ago.. Re: Newbie Questions~ I would want to know WHY she is starting treatment without a biopsy??? HOW does she know that she really NEEDS to do treatment????CrystalsAndCandles <CrystalsAndCandlesComcast (DOT) net> wrote: Hello again everyone and thank you so very much for the warm welcome to the group. I have some questions about my Mom's Hep. C treatment. This could be long and I thank you so much for reading this all the way thru and helping me with my questions. My Mom is 64 yrs old, positive for Hep. C Genotype 1 (I apoligize if I am using the wrong wording). She has not had a liver biopsy but she has had ultrasounds and blood work done. Her Dr's said those have come back Ok.. First question is about the treatment itself. She is about

to be treated with PEGASYS and COPEGUS. Is this the most common type of treatment for hep. C? I only ask this question because I was reading thru the group files and I found some info in the Liver Hope Newsletter about a very promising treatment by Vertex Pharmaceutical. It was dated April 2006. Has anyone been prescribed this treatment? Or is it possibly not approved yet? Second question: From what I understand the Pegasys and Copegus treatment is trying to give her immune system a MEGA boost in order to help her fight off the virus. Am I understanding this right? And, if I am, are there any other things she can do to also help strengthen her immune

system? Any specific foods she should or shouldn't eat? I have heard onions are helpful for blood flow.. Has anyone heard adding onions to their foods may help? My Mom said she was told to avoid highly acidic foods while being treated. Does that mean she should avoid orange juice, oranges and tomatoes? I saw one of the possible side effects of the treatment is a form of anemia.. Would eating red meats help lessen the chances of that? I have read some of the very scary side effects of this treatment but I can find no where where it gives the percentages of the people who will have them. I am wondering how rare some of the scariest side effects are? Also, anyone who feels like talking about it, I would really like to hear your experiences with this treatment and your fight against this awful virus.. Thank you again so very much for welcoming me to this group. I am still in such shock and I want to do

everything I can to help my Mom.. I just wish there were more I can do.. ~heidi~. Jackie Jackie

[Guest guest]

well IF she has only been diagnosed 2 years, she may not have much damage, thats for sure,, but if she has the posibility of having had it for many years,, just knowing how much damage you have can be the real catalist to get one to do and stay on treatment.. I know it was for me, when I knew I HAD to treat , I did and I didnt care what it did to me, I was gonna kill the dang virus,, I know many who have had this virus more than 30 years and while they have high viral loads, they have no damage and have chosen NOT to treat...elizabethnv1 <elizabethnv1@...> wrote: Jackie the first time I treated I had no biopsy . Anyone who is chronic should treat . But a biopsy would give the doctor a baseline to compare future biopsies to . Re: Newbie Questions~ I would want

to know WHY she is starting treatment without a biopsy??? HOW does she know that she really NEEDS to do treatment????CrystalsAndCandles <CrystalsAndCandlesComcast (DOT) net> wrote: Hello again everyone and thank you so very much for the warm welcome to the group. I have some questions about my Mom's Hep. C treatment. This could be long and I thank you so much for reading this all the way thru and helping me with my questions. My Mom is 64 yrs old, positive for Hep. C Genotype 1 (I apoligize if I am using the wrong wording). She has not had a liver biopsy but she has had

ultrasounds and blood work done. Her Dr's said those have come back Ok.. First question is about the treatment itself. She is about to be treated with PEGASYS and COPEGUS. Is this the most common type of treatment for hep. C? I only ask this question because I was reading thru the group files and I found some info in the Liver Hope Newsletter about a very promising treatment by Vertex Pharmaceutical. It was dated April 2006. Has anyone been prescribed this treatment? Or is it possibly not approved yet? Second question: From what I understand the Pegasys and Copegus treatment is trying to give her immune system a MEGA boost in

order to help her fight off the virus. Am I understanding this right? And, if I am, are there any other things she can do to also help strengthen her immune system? Any specific foods she should or shouldn't eat? I have heard onions are helpful for blood flow.. Has anyone heard adding onions to their foods may help? My Mom said she was told to avoid highly acidic foods while being treated. Does that mean she should avoid orange juice, oranges and tomatoes? I saw one of the possible side effects of the treatment is a form of

anemia.. Would eating red meats help lessen the chances of that? I have read some of the very scary side effects of this treatment but I can find no where where it gives the percentages of the people who will have them. I am wondering how rare some of the scariest side effects are? Also, anyone who feels like talking about it, I would really like to hear your experiences with this treatment and your fight against this awful virus.. Thank you again so very much for welcoming me to this group. I am still in such shock and I want to do everything I can to help my Mom.. I just wish there were more I can do.. ~heidi~. Jackie Jackie

[Guest guest]

I think everyone should try to treat no matter what because the longer you have it the harder it is to get clear of ...

Re: Newbie Questions~

I would want to know WHY she is starting treatment without a biopsy??? HOW does she know that she really NEEDS to do treatment????CrystalsAndCandles <CrystalsAndCandlesComcast (DOT) net> wrote:

Hello again everyone and thank you so very much for the warm welcome to the group.

I have some questions about my Mom's Hep. C treatment. This could be long and I thank you so much for reading this all the way thru and helping me with my questions.

My Mom is 64 yrs old, positive for Hep. C Genotype 1 (I apoligize if I am using the wrong wording). She has not had a liver biopsy but she has had ultrasounds and blood work done. Her Dr's said those have come back Ok..

First question is about the treatment itself. She is about to be treated with PEGASYS and COPEGUS. Is this the most common type of treatment for hep. C? I only ask this question because I was reading thru the group files and I found some info in the Liver Hope Newsletter about a very promising treatment by Vertex Pharmaceutical. It was dated April 2006. Has anyone been prescribed this treatment? Or is it possibly not approved yet?

Second question: From what I understand the Pegasys and Copegus treatment is trying to give her immune system a MEGA boost in order to help her fight off the virus. Am I understanding this right? And, if I am, are there any other things she can do to also help strengthen her immune system? Any specific foods she should or shouldn't eat? I have heard onions are helpful for blood flow.. Has anyone heard adding onions to their foods may help?

My Mom said she was told to avoid highly acidic foods while being treated. Does that mean she should avoid orange juice, oranges and tomatoes?

I saw one of the possible side effects of the treatment is a form of anemia.. Would eating red meats help lessen the chances of that?

I have read some of the very scary side effects of this treatment but I can find no where where it gives the percentages of the people who will have them. I am wondering how rare some of the scariest side effects are?

Also, anyone who feels like talking about it, I would really like to hear your experiences with this treatment and your fight against this awful virus..

Thank you again so very much for welcoming me to this group. I am still in such shock and I want to do everything I can to help my Mom.. I just wish there were more I can do..

~heidi~.

Jackie

Jackie

[Guest guest]

I agree with that especially IF your grade is above a 1,, then it is moving along and munching on your liver,, otherwise if you are a grade 0,, I wouldnt treat,, but that is me.. I think these meds are very damaging to many ppl, myself included.. elizabethnv1 <elizabethnv1@...> wrote: I think everyone should try to treat no matter what because the longer you have it the harder it is to get clear of ... -----

Original Message ----- From: Jackie on Hepatitis C Sent: Wednesday, September 05, 2007 10:05 PM Subject: Re: Newbie Questions~ well IF she has only been diagnosed 2 years, she may not have much damage, thats for sure,, but if she has the posibility of having had it for many years,, just knowing how much damage you have can be the real catalist to get one to do and stay on treatment.. I know it was for me, when I knew I HAD to treat , I did and I didnt care what it did to me, I was gonna kill

the dang virus,, I know many who have had this virus more than 30 years and while they have high viral loads, they have no damage and have chosen NOT to treat...elizabethnv1 <elizabethnv1earthlink (DOT) net> wrote: Jackie the first time I treated I had no biopsy . Anyone who is chronic should treat . But a biopsy would give the doctor a baseline to compare future biopsies to . Re: Newbie Questions~ I would want to know WHY she is starting treatment without a biopsy??? HOW does she know that she really NEEDS to do treatment????CrystalsAndCandles <CrystalsAndCandlesComcast (DOT) net> wrote: Hello again everyone and thank you so very much for the warm welcome to the group. I have some questions

about my Mom's Hep. C treatment. This could be long and I thank you so much for reading this all the way thru and helping me with my questions. My Mom is 64 yrs old, positive for Hep. C Genotype 1 (I apoligize if I am using the wrong wording). She has not had a liver biopsy but she has had ultrasounds and blood work done. Her Dr's said those have come back Ok.. First question is about the treatment itself. She is about to be treated with PEGASYS and COPEGUS. Is this the most common type of treatment for hep. C? I only ask this question because I was reading thru the group files and I found some info in the Liver Hope Newsletter about a very promising treatment by Vertex Pharmaceutical. It was dated April 2006. Has anyone been prescribed this treatment? Or is it possibly not

approved yet? Second question: From what I understand the Pegasys and Copegus treatment is trying to give her immune system a MEGA boost in order to help her fight off the virus. Am I understanding this right? And, if I am, are there any other things she can do to also help strengthen her immune system? Any specific foods she should or shouldn't eat? I have heard onions are helpful for blood flow.. Has anyone heard adding onions to their foods may help? My Mom said she was told to avoid highly acidic foods while being

treated. Does that mean she should avoid orange juice, oranges and tomatoes? I saw one of the possible side effects of the treatment is a form of anemia.. Would eating red meats help lessen the chances of that? I have read some of the very scary side effects of this treatment but I can find no where where it gives the percentages of the people who will have them. I am wondering how rare some of the scariest side effects are? Also, anyone who feels like talking about it, I would really like to hear your experiences with this treatment and your fight against this awful virus.. Thank you again so very much for welcoming me to this group. I am still in such shock and I want to do everything I can to help my Mom.. I just wish there were more I can do.. ~heidi~. Jackie Jackie Jackie

[Guest guest]

Which reminds me ........ I see Dr Gish next Thursday and I am going to talk him into letting me try to treat again or at least putting me on a maintenance dose

..

[Guest guest]

Liz, I think that is a great idea. I too have had 3 tx's and now

you've given one more option! Thanks. Interested in what Doc Gish

says. Please share what you can with all of us. Thanks.

>

> Which reminds me ........ I see Dr Gish next Thursday and I am

going to talk him into letting me try to treat again or at least

putting me on a maintenance dose

>

>

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This is gonna be number 5 for me and I will definately keep everyone updated .

Re: Newbie Questions~

Liz, I think that is a great idea. I too have had 3 tx's and now you've given one more option! Thanks. Interested in what Doc Gish says. Please share what you can with all of us. Thanks.>> Which reminds me ........ I see Dr Gish next Thursday and I am going to talk him into letting me try to treat again or at least putting me on a maintenance dose > > > Recent Activity> a.. 4New Members> Visit Your Group > Cancer Resources> on > > Find answers,> > help and support.> > Healthy Eating> on > > A place for parents> > to share their ideas.> > Need traffic?> Drive customers> > With search ads> > on > .>

[Guest guest]

On pins and needles hoping that everything works out for you Dear heart. Love Janetelizabethnv1 <elizabethnv1@...> wrote: Which reminds me ........ I see Dr Gish next Thursday and I am going to talk him into letting me try to treat again or at least putting me on a maintenance dose . It

is a beautiful day, go out and enjoy it.

[Guest guest]

As soon as my husband gets over, or adjusts to his dilemma, I am seriously considering changing medical groups and trying again.. It is my understanding that UCLA has some of the best Hep C Docs. It's a bit far, but I have made and can not make any progress here with what I have.. If anyone has some first hand knowledge of UCLA, I'd love to hear from you.. Sheena Rick Kipp <rickkipp@...> wrote: Liz, I think that is a great idea. I too have had 3 tx's and now you've given one more option! Thanks. Interested in what Doc Gish says. Please share what you can with all of us. Thanks.>> Which reminds me ........ I see Dr Gish next Thursday and I am going to talk him into letting me try to treat again or at least putting me on a maintenance dose > > > Recent Activity> a.. 4New Members> Visit Your Group > Cancer Resources> on > > Find answers,> > help and support.> > Healthy

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[Guest guest]

I have high hopes , but think it's slim chances . But ya never know , so I am keeping my fingers crossed .

Re: Newbie Questions~

On pins and needles hoping that everything works out for you Dear heart.

Love

Janetelizabethnv1 <elizabethnv1earthlink (DOT) net> wrote:

Which reminds me ........ I see Dr Gish next Thursday and I am going to talk him into letting me try to treat again or at least putting me on a maintenance dose

..

It is a beautiful day, go out and enjoy it.

[Guest guest]

I have high hopes , but think it's slim chances . But ya never know , so I am keeping my fingers crossed .

Re: Newbie Questions~

On pins and needles hoping that everything works out for you Dear heart.

Love

Janetelizabethnv1 <elizabethnv1earthlink (DOT) net> wrote:

Which reminds me ........ I see Dr Gish next Thursday and I am going to talk him into letting me try to treat again or at least putting me on a maintenance dose

..

It is a beautiful day, go out and enjoy it.

[Guest guest]

Prayers are sure with you, , I hope your Doc has some good words for you.. Hugs, Sheena elizabethnv1 <elizabethnv1@...> wrote: I have high hopes , but think it's slim chances . But ya never know , so I am keeping my fingers crossed

Moody friends. Drama queens. Your life? Nope! - their life, your story. Play Sims Stories at Games.

[Guest guest]

Prayers are sure with you, , I hope your Doc has some good words for you.. Hugs, Sheena elizabethnv1 <elizabethnv1@...> wrote: I have high hopes , but think it's slim chances . But ya never know , so I am keeping my fingers crossed

Moody friends. Drama queens. Your life? Nope! - their life, your story. Play Sims Stories at Games.

[Guest guest]

Wishing you the best of luck..

Thinking of you...

Re: Newbie Questions~

On pins and needles hoping that everything works out for you Dear heart.

Love

Janetelizabethnv1 <elizabethnv1earthlink (DOT) net> wrote:

Which reminds me ........ I see Dr Gish next Thursday and I am going to talk him into letting me try to treat again or at least putting me on a maintenance dose

..

It is a beautiful day, go out and enjoy it.

[Guest guest]

Wishing you the best of luck..

Thinking of you...

Re: Newbie Questions~

On pins and needles hoping that everything works out for you Dear heart.

Love

Janetelizabethnv1 <elizabethnv1earthlink (DOT) net> wrote:

Which reminds me ........ I see Dr Gish next Thursday and I am going to talk him into letting me try to treat again or at least putting me on a maintenance dose

..

It is a beautiful day, go out and enjoy it.

[Guest guest]

Heidi, Your Mom is starting treatment this Sunday? Be sure to remind her to take some Tylenol about 40 minutes before she takes her injection, and to be sure to eat something right before her pills, and drink tons, that may all help with the sides.. Best to you both, Sheena CrystalsAndCandles <CrystalsAndCandles@...> wrote: Wishing you the best of luck.. Thinking of you... Re: Newbie Questions~ On pins and needles hoping that everything works out for you Dear heart. Love Janetelizabethnv1 <elizabethnv1earthlink (DOT) net> wrote: Which reminds me ........ I see Dr Gish next Thursday and I am going to talk him into letting me try to treat again or at least putting me on a maintenance dose . It is a beautiful day, go out and enjoy it.

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