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Do low viral counts mean anything?

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Posted 1/11/2006 8:07 PM (GMT 0)
I was diagnosed with Hep. C in 2001. I estimate that I may have caught it in 1984 or sooner. My viral load was 28,957 most recently, up from 5,428. I've had a liver biopsy, which indicated Stage 2, with some mild inflammation and areas of spotty necrosis. My gastro. thought that the liver biopsy wasn't cause for concern and was consistent with my low virus counts and even stated, that I could probably last until 75 years old with this liver.

So, why am I so tired? I used to only feel tired and exhausted for a few months, then it would go away. Now, I'm continually exhausted.

If the various treatments cause so much "pain and dehabilitation" like I've been reading, should I risk treatment? If my viral loads stay low which means that there isn't that much virus in my system according to my gastro., would it be wise to wait for an easier-to-tolerate treatment to become available?

I've been taking Paradise Herbs Milk Thistle 250 mg., 3 times per day. It used to help. However, does anyone out there have any herbs/vitamin treatment that works for them?

I am so, so tired. Anyone else with a similar story?
Posted 1/11/2006 9:20 PM (GMT 0)
Your viral load is "low", however since it has increased there is a chance that it may still continue to increase. Have you tried any of the current tx that are available now. Do you know which genotype you have? Certan gentotypes are harder to eradicate then others, this also applies to different ethnic groups as well. There are current studies that I am aware of that you may possibly be able to join.
Posted 1/12/2006 7:53 PM (GMT 0)
Genotype 1A, which I understand is the hardest to treat.

I also take Flaxseed Oil, but am wondering if anyone out there has had any improvement with Fish Oil capsules.

What to do? Should I see a Hepatologist or keep my appointment with my gastro.?

My viral load is low and the liver biopsy was unremarkable, but I feel just plain terrible!!! Tired and achy almost every day. It is really hard to accomplish even one thing every day. And I am not even working now.
Posted 1/13/2006 5:24 AM (GMT 0)
Hi sleepy, It would be a good idea to see a hepatologist.My thoughts & prayers are with you. later....
Posted 1/13/2006 8:55 AM (GMT 0)
I would see a hepatologist and also get treatment!  I was diagnosed with CAHC per biopsy in '93...felt tired all the time; thus had to go to P/T work until Aug. of '05, when I finally got SSD based on osteonecrosis of hips and hep C.  I had attempted treatment with interferon twice early on...but was taken off because my white count plummeted.  When the combo came out, I chose not to try it, thinking I was doing okay.  Good thing I finally got the disability approval, as I was found to have a large liver tumor in May of '05.  At this point, I'm waiting for a new radiation treatment at Mayo, as the mass is huge and IS cancerous and inoperable.  So while you may not have a high viral load and your liver may not look too bad right now (my liver function is still pretty good), be aware that you are at risk for cirrhosis and liver cancer, as long as you have active hep C and go untreated.  I won't even tell you how great the fatigue and sleepiness is now!!

Posted 1/15/2006 10:08 AM (GMT 0)

Hubby has hep c, genotype 1 stage 3.  His viral count was just over 1,000,000 when he started treatments in May of 2005.  He is currently at 300.  From what we have been told and I have found on the internet genotype 1 is the hardest to cure with a 60% cure rate.  He takes the peg-intron(sp?) every week and ribavirin every day.  Yes it takes a lot out of him, he has a lot of fatigue, shortness of breath, nausea, and weight loss (that one is okay,lol).  Is it worth it?  He says yes.  We had only been married 3 weeks when he found out he had it.  They only thing they can figure is he got it in Vietnam when he was injured and required transfusions.  Anyways, he says if there is the chance that he can prolong his life to be with me and my kids then he'd try anything.  Yes the treatments are rough.  He takes his shot on Friday and Saturday he feels like ****.  By Sunday he is feeling some better.  He has still been able to care for me thru my recovery from our wreck.

If your viral count is rising it might be time to start thinking about treatments before it gets to high.  We know a guy that started them with a count of 500.  He is clean 6 months later.  So maybe the sooner the better might apply.  Good luck!

Posted 1/15/2006 10:43 PM (GMT 0)
Good Lord, Still Recovering! I can't begin to imagine the amount of physical pain you have been through. You probably always will have some. No wonder you are just grateful to be alive and have a leg. Miraculous!

Connie
Posted 1/15/2006 11:23 PM (GMT 0)
I actually consider myself very lucky. Even through his treatments, hubby has still found the strength and the nerves (lol) to take care of me. The leg will get better than it is, we know that. We don't know if the treatments will work. He found out about the hep c 3 weeks after we got married. And then we had the wreck 3 months later. I figure the part in the wedding vows that says for better worse, we are getting "the worse" over with in the beginning,lol. I hadn't even thought about the signature showing up on this forum It was meant for the chronic pain one. This whole place is great!
Posted 1/16/2006 7:22 PM (GMT 0)
Hi still, sorry to hear the problems you are having recovering. You have a very special husband there, take good care of him, my husband takes care of me too & it takes a very special man to do this for us. My hat goes off to your husband & I wish you both all the best, my thoughts & prayers are with you both. Keep the faith your husband will recover to. later....
Posted 1/16/2006 9:50 PM (GMT 0)
I do have a special husband. That is why I try to find out all I can about Hep C. I want to keep him. Faith is something I hold onto dearly. Thanks everyone for the prayers and support!
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