There are new tests prior to interferon these days to determine if he would be a good canidate for treatment, i.e., alpha-1 deficiency which is a genetic disorder. As for the new safer test regarding the biopsy, I would only suggest that for hemophiliacs. It is invasive to have a liver biopsy...however, that is right now, the only true picture to see what state the liver is in. If by chance, the doctors agree the biopsy is needed, the only thing that really hurts is the numbing medication. The rest happens so quick, theres really no time to react. (I had three in two days...((i made the doctor nervous because i didn't want the numbing shot, i wanted the biopsy over, with one! ((the biopsy needle))....anyway. (I'm tuff for a girl!)
As far as treatment? It was very easy for me. I did have psychosis and blame that on stopping the pot (to keep from losing weight). I had also lost a bunch of weight, so by the third to last month for treatment I was over medicated too. Now the doctors know better...they usually treat aggressively at first (how long depends on the genotype) and then taper down or adjust the meds. I did take anti anxiety (buspar- one that does not affect you like space or a walking dead person) and I took zoloft (which began a month prior to treatment).
The only time I was ill (vomiting and headache) was when I forgot to check to see if I had hit a vein, as the interferon does not mix well with blood!) That happened twice. My bones didnt hurt after the 3rd week on treatment!
My white and red cell counts got low and even tho i went below 2.4, I stayed with it and without the use of a cell increasing medication. My doc told me to call if I began to feel ill after that point.
I did lose alot of my hair (but i figure the less hair i had when it was all done and over with, the less brain fog i'd have) lol....(brain fog comes with having hcv, the interferon does not cause it, although the treatment can exabborate the issue). ((pardon my spelling, its late))
I did not eat alot of food, but I did make a very berry shake with frozen yogurt and mixed frozen berries and I would sip on that every day with a bite or two of a meal that was cooked. (I still cant stand too much fried stuff and dont care for pork anymore)
All but the brain fog is gone. I did the treatment, not really because of the HCV, but because I wanted to get rid of the brain fog! (i also attribute the fogginess from too many surgeries, too many antidepressants when they said it was "all in my head") with a bad liver, too much of a good thing is not good. half doses for me in anything i do except coffee!
My teeth are strong for the first time in my life, however, it is wise to use a good mouthwash to help keep the warm dry mouth from creating cavaties. I sucked on altoids and drank water or sucked on ice. (gallon a day is a good thing, it lessons what sides (if any) you will have.
My thyroid is still in question, however, that is also another issue i have had because of 1, being female and 2, because of the years being chronically infected with hcv and last, treatment can cause an issue, but i know many who say that issue resolved on its own withint that one year recovery period. This issue began around the time my joints and bones hurt at age 12.
My spider nevi is still on my upper chest, but its a rash that never itches...that was my first physical sign of hcv at age 8.
The rash that nothing got rid of (even from suggestions from my np buddy as well as regular medicine) is finally gone and has not appeared since the third month of my 48 week of chemo. I have been cleared of the virus and cured (yes, they do use the word cure now if the virus shows 10< on labs) now for going on 4 years.
During the time after I was diagnosed (that was a relief in itself, just a name!),
I sought out my options.
I tried almost everything there was, herbs, vitamins, tinctures, juices, flushing, cleansing...and even though some of it made me feel better, i was right back at day one. same thing as antidepressants, they'd work for a while then quit.
I did that for 15 years and it did not cure me. One month my alt and ast's were normal, the next up again. (some herbs do interfer with lab testing). Also with HCV, it is a natural thing for your alts and asts to roller coaster.
I may not call curezone a cure all site, but I definately see no harm in calling it a health maintenance site. there is nothing wrong with being health conscious thats for sure!
Please be careful that you make sure all other organs are in proper order if you choose to maintain hcv with the suggestions on this site. With hcv you can never be too safe, there are many bi-directional diseases that can damage other organs and therefore, just because one herb is good for this, may not be good for that.
also no matter what you decide, one thing is certain...if you strive for a good outcome, you will have some sort of benefit!
(even if you opt for antiviral chemo, you can mark my words it will definately have a positive role, whether or not you respond to treatment as it gives the liver a nice break!)
same thing goes for milk thistle...that is the only herb i approve of!
keep in mind, half strength too if there is any sort of liver damage!!

best of luck to you guys!

stephanie, hcv victim genotype 2b (tuffy)

Hepatitis "C"

Burdock root, Dandelion, Milk Thistle, Black Radish, Goldenseal, Green Tea, Red Clover, Yellow dock, Schisandra, Licorice.

I have 2 friends that had hepatitis "C"....here is a testimonial from one of them, it is on her website.

My story is not one of second-hand knowledge or interviews with persons taking alternative medicines. It is a personal story of perceived hopelessness and pain.

At the midpoint of my life, I was diagnosed with Hepatitis C, a disease for which medical Science has no cure. After going from physician to physician, test after test, I was placed on the only prescription medications they have for Hepatitis C, but are raraly successful. Interferon,(injection 3 times per week), and Rebetron (capsule taken 4 times per day) are very strong, dangerous drugs, with numerous side effects. I was very apprehensive about this but I did as my physician directed. I soon found out that the side effects were worse than the disease. While on the treatment, my condition showed no signs of improvement, and my physical conditon worsened. Each trip to the doctor was the same. They took lots of my blood, kept me on this horrible medication, and gave me no hope in return. For this, I was charged $1800.00 per month.

At that point, I was pretty wore out, gave up most hope of a normal life, and reserved myself to a life of misery and sickness.
I will always believe that because of prayer, I was directed to herbal medicine. With everything to gain, I began to take a combination of cleansing and healing herbs religiously. Bit by bit, day by day, my body began to rejuvenate. My blood counts went back to normal, including my liver enzymes. I gradually got back all of my strength and was doing things that I hadn't done for years. I felt alive again.

After these results, I decided to share my story with others. This was my calling in life, to help others. The medicinal qualities of herbs were there all along, I just needed a chance to discover them.

If this helped me with my disease, just imagine what it can do for others.

Toxins build up in our bodies from food and environmental sources. Once cleansed with natural herbs, the body can then rejuvenate and restore itself to its optimal working condition.

It's up to us to use what God has provided for us to make ourselves whole again. I am living proof of this. I am convinced that without these herbs, I may very well not be alive today.

Hi AK,

I wouldn't nix out alternatives altogether. Some people, although not many, do
get cured with alternative medicine. You won't know unless you try. I have been
doing it for 3 years and am keeping my levels down. But, it's a long road and
one does get weary of it. Diet and lifestyle changes, too.

There are many therapies worth trying. Ozone IV therapy does kill all viruses,
bacteria, fungus and pathogens in the body. The problem is, getting it done
correctly and doing it long enough. I do know a few doctors that do say they
have patients that went to undetectable with HCV and are that way years later.
But it's a long road. It depends on your genotype, too. Interferon may not work
for everyone, and can give you horrible sides. My husband knows 2 people that
have permanent brain damage, I know 2 that lost their eyesight. One whose
tinninitus hasn't gone away after years. There is a class action suit being formed
against Schering Plough because of the permanent sides.

No one can tell you what you should or shouldn't do. No one is the same
regarding healing. You've got to do your own research and trust yourself.
Interferon kills the whole immune system, so if you are already in a weakened
state, you might want to try alternatives first.

It's going to be your decision and you are going to have to live with it.

Hope you both do well whatever your choice.

I was diagnosed with hcv in 1999. I also had live cirrhosis beginning stage and fibrosis. I did interferon and riboviron for 3 months and the stupid Dr I had took me off because there was no sign of virus after that time DUH. He didnt follow protocol but it didnt really matter. I moved to minnesota so I could go to the mayo clinic...best move I ever made. My primary Dr was homeopathic even though she practiced in a regular clinic...she wasnt with Mayo. She recommended I take milk thistle, selenium, and alphalipoic acid and then referred me to the Mayo. I did 1 year of a clinical study on a drug called gamma interferon which proved to be a failure to everyone (no telling what it did to my liver...wow) after that I was put on pegalated interferon. I went clear of hcv after 7 weeks yippee!!!! I continued on that treatment the full year. Alot of people on support groups online complained of the symptoms but I didnt really have too much trouble with it. You do feel like you have the flu and you are achy. I lost about 1/3 of my hair (it just thinned) but my eyelashes really grew LOL I figure, if you have an illness you feel crappy anyway, and you get used to feeling that way so crappy becomes normal. When you start treatment you feel crappy so you feel a little worse than usual LOL I thank treatment and my Doctors. Now I can worry about helping my liver regenerate without having the virus eating away. And I will do this with natural remedies. However, I dont think natural remedies is enough to cure the liver. You really need the treatment is my belief. Herbs can help the liver do its job but isnt going to heal it.

Thanks for sharing your story. How do I find out about ozone therapy?