I was glad to see your posts. It gives me renewed hope. I have probably had Hep C for about 23 years. I didn't know about it until 10 years ago. I started Interferon then and only lasted about 2 months because the side effects were really bad and I knew it was poison and that it was only going to hurt me.

I got this disease while working in hepatitis lab in my twenties. I am in contact with some coworkers from back then who also have it. They both have undergone interferon/interferon-ribaviron/pegasys - none of these treatments has gotten rid of the disease for them. The side effects have not gotten much better either with the newer drugs. One friend of mine is on her last month of treatment with pegasys and she told me that she feels like she has aged 10 years. She was hospitalized for a bug bite because her immune system is so thrashed that the bug bite turned into a major life-threatening condition. She can't scratch herself without getting an infection. There is more to the story but my post would be pages long if I told you everything these wonderful people have suffered.

I am about to change internists and am bracing myself in case he starts trying to talk me into treatment. I will not do it.

I usually don't surf Hep C web sites because they only depress me, but once in a while I do, and I ran across your posts today. Very positive to hear. I will keep on the herbs and cross my fingers that they come up with a real cure soon.

Hi bookfreak,
I am glad to see someone agree's with me. So sorry about the others you mentioned. It really makes me sad when I hear about all the people who are ruining their bodies with treatment because they have blind faith in a doctors recommendations, regardless of some of the positive postings on treatment. Some doctors really do care, but the fact is there is still too much unknown science about Hep C and treatment. One can live a fairly normal life without treatment if they simply live healthy with good foods and no toxic substances into their body, like alcohol, drugs, etc. Even smoking in moderation is not good, but the fact is I have smoked for years in moderation. A pack a day is not good and will be toxic, but 4 cigarettes a day will not have agreat effect if you detox with good herbs. I take coenzyme Q-10, Milk Thistle and a few others to detox every night before I go to bed.
I am 60 soon to be 61. I say we with Hep C will live long enough with a quality of life we will appreciate until science comes up with something better than current treatments. The quality of life I have heard from people who have had treatment would not inspire me to follow treatment advice. If I live until 70 or 75, that's long enough for me. I can not speak for those who want to live until 100. I so believe in the Lord, therefore I am not afraid to die, and I know the Lord will not let me die until it is my time. Perhaps this faith is what has kept me well. My faith in the Lord. I truly wish you well. Just keep nourishing your body with healthy things, excerise etc. and your life will be well. Oh, and what alot of people do not know, (as I worked out for many of my younger years) muscle tone has a great deal to do with health. Although I do not lift weights or anything like that,(I am too old) I try to stay active. Too work out is not my advice as we get older. When I have nothing to do, I paint the walls of my home or find some project to keep me active. A few weeks ago, I planted 3 tree's in my yard. It takes alot to dig holes for trees at age 60. But I did it rather than pay the gardener $250 per tree. Please let me know how you are doing in the future. I will check the boards periodicly. It's important you think WELL, and have faith in what the lord provided us on this earth to heal all. Good food, water and juices. God Bless and keep well.