Don's thoughts/protocal

[Guest guest]

Don,I love it when you open up, buddy. You're such a blessing to all of us.SteveLife is much more fun when thought of as a scavenger hunt as opposed to a surprise party. Jimmy Buffett [ ] don's thoughts/protocal - MarciaHi MarciaIm going to give you my thoughts on your first 4 posts all at once.Im trying to catch up. First, welcome to the Warriors group.I am don in ks [kansas], 59, genotype 1B, DX'd 2008, labs near normal, no HCV TX yet.I also try to be the groups self appointed info guy, to help everyone with answers, but the reality of it is that everyone contributes, and we all help each other. Let me address LDN first.To date there is no clinical 'proof' that LDN does anything to help with Hepatitis.There is some clinical proof that it does help some other health issues, but much much more study is needed.Dr Berkson is experimenting with it now, so maybe he will publish something good in the future.I do a lot of research and am a member of all the LDN sites, and most of what I have seen is people 'claiming' that LDN has helped them in various ways.At this time I can neither endorse or debunk LDN.It is interesting though. I have also been doing alternative protocals for the last two years, because my doctors wont let me treat with Interferon due to my heart.My Viral Load grew and then began to drop by 1/3rd.Now I must comment here about VL scores. HCV clumps together in the bloodstream, so one VL test may be high, and one immediately after may be low.It is also a known fact that VL scores go up and down, due to different causes, at any given time.VL is really only important during treatment, and 6 months post treatment to assure SVR.The rest of the time it is a guessing game, and a 'feel good' topic.Example - both of our VL's went down, so we 'feel good' about that, and we think we are doing something right for our health.And we may be. The main thing is that we are being more health concious.It is possible to slow the HCV replication cycle, and thus the liver damage, using suppliments and a liver friendly diet/lifestyle.Some folks believe that it is possible to 'live' with the HCV....me included.BUTAt this point, there is no actual cure for HCV, except conventional medicine, and that is still very selective as far as success. Next year will see the introduction of the first new conventional treatment - the Protease Viral Inhibitors - since the year 2000 with Ribavirin.This is very welcome news, because the clinical studies indicate that the SVR rates can double, and non-responders can use it too.There is even talk of cutting treatment time in half in some cases. [24 vs 48 weeks]A lot of Heppers are holding their breath on this on.There is also much more comming down the pipeline. My supplimental alternative protocal is:- ALA- Milk Thistle- Selenium- Omega 3- L-Lysine- Grape Seed X- Folic Acid- L-Glutathione- some MSM and Vit C- Vit B complex- Vit D 3- and a one a day mulit Vit [less iron]- I am contemplating Vit A and E. - I have cut out fried foods, most red meats, most sugars, no salt, no preservatives.I do eat chocolate for the caffine because caffine inhibits viral replication.- I do not do dairy or most glutens.I do eat some cheese, yogurt, and some refined grain products occasionally.- Each day I am more and more into 'live' foods. Fresh, frozen, fruits and veggies. I rarely use OTC meds, and only as needed [PRN] script meds.I am careful about household/enviormental chemicals and pollutants.I am trying to stop tobacco use.I do no street drugs or alcohol, and havent for years. I try to remain stress free with lots of positive thinking, and live alone.I write, sing, and play music as meditation.I do research to improve my knowledge base.I try to help others in these groups to keep myself busy, and to exchange good energy.I rarely exercise due to my physical disabilitys.I talk to God and the aliens. LOL :-) My alternative protocal needs work and improvement, but I am alot healthier than I was at the time I was DX'd....2008....physically, mentally, and spiritually.I am a firm believer that what we consume and think is who we are, and reflects on how well we live. This book is finished. lovedon in ks