I just received my updated numbers and my ALT was 55, AST was 119 and viral load is now 2,245,000 IU. Thats a jump from 600,000 since October 2002. Pretty big leap in my opinion. ALT is up also from previous. I know, I know, "you can't go by the numbers" but still, an increase can't be good. That's about the time I stopped doing the herbs and vitamin regime I was on. I have to wonder if thats what kept my numbers at a constant for 2 years???!!!

I received my Pegasys today in a cooler and I will begin treatment this Friday night. Can't wait (haha).
To get it over with that is.

Bought a Jack LanLanne juicer and have been juicing up a storm. It is so good! Never thought fruits and veggies could taste like that. I was used to store bought. Susan, I will bring fresh OJ to the pool parties and even make some nice NA cocktails for us to sip on.

I'll keep ya'll posted!

Take care all,
Jeannie

hi jemah
i get blood done every month and results are faxed over to me . i keep an eye on them. ast/50 and alt/47. i started to take liv-tone (with milk thistle), it's sorta like a protector for the toxins regarding the liver.i feel great regarding the hep.i feel that by taking the liv-tone caps have been of help.your oppinion would be greatly appreciated. take care!
keep the faith, bless you..............mj

Good luck on starting your treatment....my husband is starting on the 25th, the following friday. I Will be looking forward to reading how you are doing. And I will be posting how he is managing.
Faith

Jeannie-
I can say with -no doubt, you are going to kick this Dragons bugs butt, you too are going to be what I call a "bug meanie" he he.

I have all the faith in you, as I know you are strong willed with always, a positive attitude.

We will be on the same path, I will just have marked trail a little ahead, to try to help make your way a little easier, -wholly crap THAT was deep,- sniff,-he he

HOOOOOYA for YOU.

Will be thinking of you constantly on the trail.

Be Positive, Be Well Jeannie +



------------------
--Get Outdoors-Enjoy Life----Neil

Hi Jeannie,

Don't know if it's coincidence or not. I know the Milk Thistle is suppose to help the liver repair hence the lower numbers for the inflammation. Our primary care doctor told us that when you have HepC the numbers are all over the place, all the time. Don't know exactly what he meant but it was a comment he made.

When we went to the specialist he commented that he likes to use his own numbers therefore he takes lots of blood tests and different types. Again, don't know exactly why that is but I trust him.

Wished I could afford a juicer. I'd like to get one of those nice smoothie mixers too. I'll buy the cute umbrella whatcha-ma-jiggits for Neil--he likes those....teeeheee!

Try the orange juice, oranges and orange sherbert for a smoothie. My kids LOVE them. Sometimes I through in a banana for them.

I'll be thinking about ya this weekend!
DD

Hi Jeannie,

Good luck on Friday and try to remember each shot gets easier and easier to give. My thoughts and prayers are with you in hopes that there are no or little sides. Happy Easter everyone

Thank you all so much for your encouraging words and support. I really appreciate more than I can say. Neil you are just a mess but you certainly have calmed a lot of my fears for treatment. Most of the time you only hear about the horrible sides but you, Raz, and Amagelon give us some hope. I know I'll have good days and bad but I bet I have better good ones! PegF and DD, thats for the support and its good to have friends and your spouse are truely blessed to have your unwaivering support and understanding. It's like you all are standing in the gap for them and taking some of the burden off them. My hat's off to you both!

MJ, as to the Liv-tone, I've never tried it and will do some research on it. When I did my alternative therapy I took over 18 different herbs and vitamins a day. I counted once and I was consuming 39 capsules plus all the herbs I cooked with up to 3 times a day. I wore myself out doing that but it am sure it kept me stable. I new it wouldn't cure me and that's a misconception a lot of people have about the herbs and vitamins. They are NOT a cure. Stay with it if you are not going to treat right now. I really think it can help prevent further damage.

I just wanted to add that I really have a peace about beginning treatment. I praise God that He chose me and I have Him to shelter me. It's a weird feeling but I am not afraid of what will happen. I feel that this is a deep step out into my faith and its new journey.

Take care and I'll post Monday!
Jeannie

Much success to your Jeannie -- we will all be thinking of you as you start your venture ... and our hearts and prayers are with you as you progress forward in your treatments.

Just one comment about the natural treatments you were on and had mentioned. I don't believe anyone believes they cure the disease. (At least I have never read anyone ever saying they think that.) They naturally treat to keep the disease at bay. There is no cure for HCV at the present time - just percentages of success rates from all spectrums. All treatments have their ups and downs. But the good news is there are choices and we can each make them for ourselves.

I think you'll do really well, too. Gosh, you really hit it hard with the herbal and supplement thing. It would've wore me out too! http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif So I have no doubt you'll hit the pavement running on treatment, too.

We'll be thinking of you and wishing you success and good health as you continue on your journey ....

Happy Easter!

Keep your spirits and attitude HIGH!

Diane

hi Jemah
regarding the liz-tone it has enough milk thistle in it(speaking for myself here).i do know that milk thistle is a detoxifier for the liver,that helps break down any toxins exposed to.i have pegasys in mind but it won't be in london, can. until feb/04. however i don't know of any herbs (actually nothing about herbs), and was hoping that you might know one that helps with r/arthritis.your reply would be greatly appreciated.take care
keep the faith, bless you..................mj

also, i have spoken to my liv- doc regarding "pegasys", and i am comfortable with that.it only took me 4 years to think about it(hehe).but the decision that i did make was made to treat with the pegasys.it won't be available here in london, can. until feb/04.in the meantime i'm very interested in studyimg alternative treatments.
keep the faith, bless you.................mj

Hi Diane, its sad to say but a lot of people do think that herbs and a vitamin regime can cure HCV. If you do an internet search you will see all kinds of sites that advertise a cure from colloidal silver to cow thymus glands. Its amazing and some people are desparate for a cure and will try anything. They buy into the marketing and spend thousands of dollars. Some companies have even tried to market their success here on this board. Yes, it is their choice but I hate to see my fellow heppers be mislead.

MJ, I posted some therapies I use for my husband who has gouty/rhuematoid athritis but I can't find it now. He takes vioxx so I make sure to give him herbs and vits that help the liver. I need to bring the list to work where I use the computer. I'll keep searching for that post.

Take care all,
Jeannie

thank's so much jema,i really appreciate it.regarding "numbers",my point exactly since doing this liv-tone study on myself, the numbers do speak for themselves.i fully believe that the liv-tone caps are helping.take care
keep the faith, bless you...........mj