BG - I will take your advice on the milk thistle! I have been using it
for 4 months now. My red blood cell count is sometimes low my doctor
recommended 650MG iron daily. I have some difficult days with no energy
at all. I usually get my second wind at around 2:00pm and try to
excercise for a few minutes. The mental aspect of not knowing is now
gone which helps a great deal.

Undetectable from 10 Million type 1A in 10 weeks of 180MG interferon
once a week and 1200MG Daily of Ribavirin.

Dear BlownAway,

After reading your post, I have a concern that I will post here: Your
chances of attaining SVR may be improved if you discontinue taking the
milk thistle while you are on treatment. If you search posts here in
ash-c and elsewhere you will find ample evidence that milk thistle is
now contraindicated for you because it may reduce the efficacy of
treatment.

BTW, I use flaxseed oil too -- chose it as a supplement to take with
the ribavirin because as a fatty acid it will help maximize absorbtion
of the ribavirin from the GI tract and because it's exceptionally high
in omega 3 it's an oil with optimal nutritional qualities.

FWIW, I stopped taking milk thistle early in treatment when I learned
that although it may relieve liver inflammation, the mechanism by which
it does so may also interfere with the drugs. I now take a chosen
combination vitamin and mineral supplement with NO IRON and take extra
folic acid. Also learned here that consuming lots of tomato juice will
sometimes help prevent hemolytic anemia related to ribavirin, so I now
reconstitute a couple-few 16 oz cans of tomato sauce each day and chug
'em down with Tapatio chili sauce. Yum. (Tomoto is acidic too, which
might be good also.)

Glad you have loving support from wife and others,

-BG

Diagnosed Jan 25, 2006 with hep C Genotype 1A with viral load of 10
million. Here's a very short diary I kept.
4/27/06 8:00pm

Today I had my first treatment starting with 3 pills at 10:00am and my
first interferon shot at around 2:00pm. I took my second set of pills
at 7:30pm on a semi empty stomach. I had a smoothie and a yam after my
2:00pm shot. I feel a little bit of nausea from not eating. I will have
some cereal to see if it helps.

4/28/06 6:00pm

Today I took my three pills in the morning around 10:00am with a
smoothie and lots of water. No side effect symptoms so far just a
little nausea this morning around 11:00am. Eating helped the nausea. I
have been joking with Rae that I may have gotten a placebo rather than
interferon. I hope that I don't regret saying this once the
cumulative symptom results appear. I stayed home from work today
anticipating a harsh day. Overall it was uneventful.

4/29/2006 4:00pm

Today I spent a lot of time in bed watching celebrity gold not because
I felt tired or fatigue but simply because I wanted to kick back and do
nothing too my morning and afternoon dose with no side effects
whatsoever.

4/30/2006

This morning we were scheduled to go to church but decided against it.
Mom had special seating setup for us. I felt bad backing out at the
last moment but I did. Today Rae gave me my morning dose with orange
juice and yogurt. Rae and I went out for a long walk on a beautiful
sunny day. Today, we had smoothies for lunch. Boomer likes them so we
prepared a big batch. I spent some time talking to a customer most of
today. No site visible or noticeable side effects so far and that makes
me very happy. I hope the meds are killing those critters 24/7.

6/27/06

Since April 30th I take my 1200MG at around 10:00- 11:00am. I rest
until 2:00 or 3:00pm then I get up to spend time with my beautiful
family I take my second dose at bedtime. I login to work and respond to
any email or vmail messages. I plan to go to work every morning but end
waking up at 7:00am go right back to sleep. Very discouraging not being
able to pop out of bedlike I have for 10 years. I worry about work but
get assurance that I should only worry about getting better and not to
worry about work. As a man and provider for my family, I feel very
awkward staying home every day. Rae Marie and the kids keep me going
every day.... I take all the vitamins and herbs thanks to my wife
reminding me every day. I feel in good physical and mental shape, I
need to go to work to stay in contact with my customers and co-workers.
I hear from them regularly and rarely hear from my boss directly unless
I call to discuss business related issues. I see Dr Lumkong for my
viral load test July 6th and wait for the results. Regardless of the
results I will move forward with my lovely family taking the herbal
treatments. I want to live a happier more fulfilling life.

6/29/06

Today I slept through the night and into the morning. I had my
Interferon shot at around 7:00pm with no side effects. I had a decent
day with response to work email and vmail.
my wife makes sure I take my Milk Thinsel and Flax Seed oil with 4000MG
Vitamin C and "LiverCleanse"

6/30/06

Today I stayed in bed longer than I should have. Rae and I got plenty
of rest. We got up to go get some fresh air and take care of Boomer's
new job which he seems to like . We'll see if he likes it. Once we
got out o the house the laughter and fun I look forward to just gushed
out. My wife has a great sense of humor which helps with dull moments.
We look forward to a dinner outdoor this 4th of July weekend. I look
forward to going to work on Wed July 5th to catch up. So far so
good.... Thanks Rae! I couldn't do it without your support and love
and compassion.

7/11/06
I had a blood panel done July 6th to determine if I needed additional
meds to fight my anemia and low blood cell counts. I was to return July
20th for my "final" blood panel to determine my viral load.
Yesterday morning my beatiful wife Rae answered a call from the Doctors
office expecting to hear that I would need more meds or calling to give
some routine instructions. The nurse surprised Rae at around 8:0 am
with a "your husband's Hep c virus is undetectable" with no trace
of the virus. Keep in mind that my final test was two weeks away July
20th. Needless to say this is the best news I have heard in my life.

It took some convincing before my wife would walk upstairs to give me
the good news. We then called the doctor's office together to make
sure they were not referring to someone else. It took 10-12 weeks of
absolute hell and suffering but the medication did the job to the point
where there is absolutely not trace of the virus in my bloodstream. I
have to continue taking the same medications for 24 weeks to make sure
there is no relapse. Mentally I have come back to life but physically I
have a very difficult time in the morning when I take my morning dose.
My evening dose is at bedtime so I get to sleep through it most of the
time. My appreciation for life has changed I look at life as a second
chance now and appreciate my wife, both our kids more than ever. I
couldn't have pulled through this crisis without my wife's medical
knowledge and natural caring kindness. My dear wife immediately
researched my condition and took action without any hesitation, she
knew exactly what to do and when. I will make every effort to never
allow you to go through any medical crisis alone again...  I look back
at your hospital stays where I should have been there for you but
failed you.

My work was very supportive by allowing me to tele-comute every day.

I want o travel with my family on a long fun roadtrip.

Please email any questions or concerns to bugseason2005@yahooo.com and
cc lacostarae@yahoo.com