| Welcome new Members
Believe me I would much rather be welcoming you to a different type club and do hope to someday turn this site into a x heppers site.
First off if you are newly diagnosed I am sure your doctor has already scared ya half to death and got you on pins and needles.This disease although a nasty one fortunatly is a very slow one and can be slowed alot more with a few life style changes and proper diet and exercise.In this site you will find useful links to information to help you gain knowledge of hep c and also we have alot of careing wonderful people here willing to help and be there for you. Just post your questions on the message boards and some one will be willing to answer you the best they can.
For starters I would like to refer you to the recommendations section under books oh Hep c, click on books on hep c and a page opens with good books to buy to help you understand and fight this disease.As we are all at different levels and geno's it is rather important for us to reseach and make decisions for ourselves. The Book " Living with Hepatitis C by Gregory T Everson M.D. is a excellent book to help you understand all the test results you will be undertaking This is a very informative book about hep c and understanding your liver.
Another excellent book is " The Liver Cleansing Diet" by Dr. Sandra Cabot M.D. This book is very informative about what foods are both good and bad for the liver and why they are. Both these books should be available to you at most any major book store.
Herbs and Vitamins
There is one herb I recommend to all who have hep of any kind or stage which is Milk Thistle(Silymarin) in standarized formula. This non toxic herb
has a ingredient which surrounds and helps protect the liver cells from damage from the hep c virus and also protects from other harmful chemicals we ingest. Milk Thistle also is high in antioxidants which promote healing and regeneration of our cells.(Added Note; I recently read a report that says if you are on medication, you shouls stop takeing milk thistle till the medication is used up as the milk thistle works so well at protecting the liver it may inhibit the medications effectiveness. so if on treatment or any other meds temporarilly quit takeing it, but if not by all means do take it.
Anyone also haveing pain in their liver area or problems with liver function may want to add Dandelion Root Tea or a standadized extract of dandelion root to their list of supplements. I have had the best results from the tea. This non toxic herb improves liver function and helps to cleanse the liver.
To Gain more energy try adding a limited amout of b-12 to your diet but only take five out of seven days and alow two days to flush any excess from liver. another more natural source of energy can be obtained from natural Bee Pollen, one of my favorites.
If you are suffering from ackes and pains in muscles and joints, which many of us do. add foods and supplements to your diet that are high in antioxidant vitamins. A good antioxidant vitamin repairs damaged cells throughout your body better enabling them to utilize regular vitamins and nutrients which feed our cells and give them energy or the ability to do there jobs. Antioxidants also will boost your own imune sytstem.The best one I have found to date is a product available at http://www.marketamerica.com called OPC-3 Make sure you order the oral one as there is a product with same name for skin care.
There are many other herbs that will help with whatever ails you but always check to see if it is toxic to liver first.
GENO's
There are several sub geno's of the hepatitis c virus and you find out what geno you are threw a special blood test. It is important to know what geno you are as different geno's respond better to treatment than others do and will determine type of treament and length of and your chances of it working. Basically their are geno's rangeing from a to g and a couple weird lettered ones, the letter signafies the strain. The results will also show a number 1, 2 or 3. From what I understand 1's are the toughest and most resistant to treatment 3 being the weakest and most responsive to it. Geno's A & B seem to be the most common in united states.
LIVER BIOPSHY
This minor surgical proceed only takes about 15 minutes to actually perform and another 3 to 4 hours of laying still and resting while they observe you. This is a important procedure to have done as it lets you and your doctor know exactly what condition your liver is in. Once they are sure then further evaluation of liver can be done threw blood tests and liver enzemye levels. The reason it is important at first is because advanced liver disease can give false enzemye levels results.
DOCTORs
I am not gonna say alot here other than If you go to a doctor who tries to rush you into treatment and can't even tell you your geno or liver stage, shop around and get a second opinion.Prepare a list of questions to ask your doctor and find one who has alot of hep c patients. Their are alot of doctors out there who don't seem to know very much about this disease and it is important to find one you feel comfortable with and who will take the time to talk to you and answer your questions.
EXERCISE
I am not gonna tell you to run out and join a gym but would reccomend at least a daily vigorus walk as exercise helps to flush fats and toxins from the liver and will help liver funtion.
Check out the hep c info links page to find links to more information on hep c and to find other member sites with chat and info.
Remember their is strength in numbers and Power over fear threw knowledge.And there is hope as they have several new treatments that sound promising in research and study right now.
Well I hope this was of help to you and hope to see everyone participate and add to this growing site. 
Luv Ya All 143
Papa |
