New Section - Forum Watch
A compilation of the good, the bad and the ugly from around the Hepatitis C online forum world. Hopefully you will find the postings as interesting as I do.
A compilation of the good, the bad and the ugly from around the Hepatitis C online forum world. Hopefully you will find the postings as interesting as I do.
April 13th, 2006 at 10:34 am
Hi. I’ve left msgs on other blog site, but that ones seems to be inactive…I’ve read all the postings on both sites and thank you all for sharing your stories. I’m a “recovering addict” and was tested for Hep C…the first test was positive, there were Hep C antibodies in my blood…the viral load count was negative…so then my doctor said that I don’t have Hep C…that I had been exposed but my body’s own antibodies were able to fight off the virus…I’m thankful that this was the outcome, but the research I’ve done has indicated that there’s only about a 10% chance that your body can fight off this virus as it mutates very quickly…I asked my doctor if in the future Hep C could become active…he did not think so, but most other people I’ve talked to have said that the Hep C could become active later on in life…I don’t know what to believe or think…I’ve been on an emotional rollercoaster…first my doctor said I didn’t have it, then he said I did, then he said I didn’t??? I would be eternally grateful to anyone who could give me any clarification.
METHADONE INFORMATION (for anyone who’s interested): I am in the process of detoxing from Methadone right now…down from 125 mg to 27 mg in 2 months and feeling pretty damn good…the clinic said I’d be sick if I went that fast but I want off…I’ve only been on 7 months, but I think it’s long enough to have gotten my head together and get a support system in place (medically, psychologically, family & friends)…I also wanted to let people know that the Methadone “people” will tell you that it does not effect your bones, but I’ve done research and found that there is a school of thought that believes it does and that’s why withdrawal is so painful…they recommend taking a supplement of combined Magnesium and Calcium (mine has zinc too, but what the hell, it cannot hurt)…they also recommend getting on Wellbutrin (non-trademark name is buprophine) which assists in withdrawal symptoms and pains too….I’m not an expert, but I’ll tell you that I’ve done both of these things and fell better than all the other clients at the clinic who are trying to reduce they’re dose and they’re still in the 80’s…hope this can help someone
Good luck to all of you…you’re in my prayers
April 17th, 2006 at 5:40 am
Remember I’m not a Doctor.
I think the true figure for people who fight off the virus naturally is nearer 25% than 10%. There is no such thing as an active or inactive virus, you either have the virus or you don’t, it can’t come back if you don’t have it.
Having said that I think for your peace of mind another PCR test for the virus may be a good idea, it is possible [but then again isn’t everything] that the virus may have been present but at a level under the limit of detection of the PCR test. A second test some months after would rule this out and may be a good idea to help stop you worrying about it.
It is not unusual for people to fight of the virus naturally, in fact about 1 in 4 do, so that doesn’t make you lucky or unique, its a common thing to happen. Get a second test if you feel the need, more for your emotional wellbeing than anything else, and then you can focus of the methadone.
Good luck!
May 1st, 2007 at 2:45 pm
I would like to get a bi-monthly support group going in Portland. Maybe start at my house and then find a church or somewhere like that.