hepatitis c

jellydonut · Jul 19th, 2008, 07:50

hello folks. this is my first post here. i've been reading much here the last three weeks when i began to seriously think of taking care of the lifelong desire to go to india. i am freaking out about blowing up my life, but am at least 80% sure i'll do it at the middle of oct. i will no doubt be asking a lot of questions and advice..i tend to get a little anxious, and you all seem to be quite a good bunch. my basic health concern regards hep c. i was diagnosed about 6 yrs ago, though have had the disease for at least 20. i have traveled before, to vietnam, australia, and india, but in a more controlled environment. i trust if you have any input, you'll offer it up. i'm grateful...

wonderwomanusa · Jul 19th, 2008, 08:35

Make sure you have info about the meds you are on and some notes about what to do in an emergency that you can share with others if you end up finding someone compatible to travel with.

machadinha · Jul 19th, 2008, 08:41

Good point. On this thread: What we learned about allergies in India , this company came up: http://www.selectwisely.com/ ; someone later used those cards (for reasons of allergy) & was very happy with them (as were the original posters, obviously). They concentrate on food allergies, but I'm sure a word with them might produce something along your lines, they seem quite flexible in what they offer (and those cards can be custom-made), or other such companies may exist.

Just an idea; I don't know anything about Hep C btw. But carrying a card like that might give you some peace of mind. Other companies deal in similar bracelets and so on that you can wear (leaving open the question of whether it will be noticed when it's needed, but I'm sure at least it's something).

Brisso · Jul 21st, 2008, 06:09

As many know, there is no guaranteed cure or easily accessible treatment - certainly not one you can travel with.

The only treatment is an intensive 6- 12 month course of interferon/ pegulated ribovarin. Side effects (I'm told) are horrendous.

I've been living with the C for 25 years and perfectly healthy (fingers crossed, hope I don't jinx it). What damage I have experienced is alcohol related. Booze and a grumbling liver just don't mix. This is the one piece of advice I would offer.

Apart from that, life is the same as for anyone else. Oh, for the benefit of the readers, Hep C cannot be transmitted by saliva, kissing or any normal sexual or social intercourse. It is in fact difficult to acquire unless you are involved in blood sharing practices. A friend acquired it from tatoooing, but that was long before public health practices were put in place. Its not a problem now.

Take care friend - and remember, you are not alone. There are many of us - about 1% of the population.

jellydonut · Jul 21st, 2008, 06:26

thanks. yeah, the treatment is worse than the disease. i did the interferon for 37 weeks to no avail. been in excellent health my whole life, though my liver was damaged in the years i wasn't aware of my condition. don't drink now, and just wondered if india presents any obvious or unusual risk. the docs always are gloom and doom and don't understand that some of us actually like to see the world. my last doc told me that going to vietnam could kill me. it didn't.

Brisso · Jul 21st, 2008, 06:45

I don't understand the doctors' problem. How are you more at risk than anyone else? Short answer - you are not. Ignore them (I have found doctors on the whole horribly ignorant where Hep C is concerned), and get on with it. India is a laugh and is not at all difficult. You seem to know your way around, just enjoy!

OneLiver · Aug 19th, 2008, 07:37

Make sure you are immunized for Hep A and Hep B. The Hep B series is 3 shots over a couple of months. If your liver is comprimised already to some extent getting another variety puts you at much greater risk.

The newer combos aren't nearly as bad the earlier interferon combos and they can pretty well determine if you are responding or not in 30 days. If your viral load hasn't dropped substantially by 4 weeks the likelihood of a sustained viral response is pretty slim. Not all Hep C strains are equal and some genotypes are highly treatable. For a chance to be virus free I think it's well worth trying.

As mentioned earlier, the same cautions apply in India as anywhere else. Avoid alcohol, etc. Geography has nothing to do with how your virus progresses. There is a wonderful herbal formula for non responders that has helped me a lot. It's marketed as SST in the US. It's an old Chinese formula that is being manufactured in Japan under pharmaceutical conditions. There have been a number of trials in the US. It does not cure Hep C but lowers incidence of tumors and helps balance liver functions. Here is a link to some info on it: http://www.happyherbalist.com/index....D& ProdID=198

Happy Trails

Jul 19th, 2008, 07:50	#1
jellydonut Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: usa Posts: 13	hepatitis c hello folks. this is my first post here. i've been reading much here the last three weeks when i began to seriously think of taking care of the lifelong desire to go to india. i am freaking out about blowing up my life, but am at least 80% sure i'll do it at the middle of oct. i will no doubt be asking a lot of questions and advice..i tend to get a little anxious, and you all seem to be quite a good bunch. my basic health concern regards hep c. i was diagnosed about 6 yrs ago, though have had the disease for at least 20. i have traveled before, to vietnam, australia, and india, but in a more controlled environment. i trust if you have any input, you'll offer it up. i'm grateful...

Jul 19th, 2008, 08:35	#2
wonderwomanusa Maha Guru Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 3,189	Make sure you have info about the meds you are on and some notes about what to do in an emergency that you can share with others if you end up finding someone compatible to travel with. __________________ The map is not the territory. --Alfred Korzybski

Jul 19th, 2008, 08:41	#3
machadinha Not Your Guru Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 10,006	Good point. On this thread: What we learned about allergies in India , this company came up: http://www.selectwisely.com/ ; someone later used those cards (for reasons of allergy) & was very happy with them (as were the original posters, obviously). They concentrate on food allergies, but I'm sure a word with them might produce something along your lines, they seem quite flexible in what they offer (and those cards can be custom-made), or other such companies may exist. Just an idea; I don't know anything about Hep C btw. But carrying a card like that might give you some peace of mind. Other companies deal in similar bracelets and so on that you can wear (leaving open the question of whether it will be noticed when it's needed, but I'm sure at least it's something). __________________ Reading tips, all picked up at IndiaMike : INDAX's A Comprehensive Guide To India / Dinoj Surendran's Desi Humor / ITHVC on Culture Shock & Travel Health / JetLag Travel Guides For the Undiscerning Traveller / India Travel Links

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Jul 21st, 2008, 06:09	#4
Brisso Specialist muddler Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Brisbane Posts: 459	As many know, there is no guaranteed cure or easily accessible treatment - certainly not one you can travel with. The only treatment is an intensive 6- 12 month course of interferon/ pegulated ribovarin. Side effects (I'm told) are horrendous. I've been living with the C for 25 years and perfectly healthy (fingers crossed, hope I don't jinx it). What damage I have experienced is alcohol related. Booze and a grumbling liver just don't mix. This is the one piece of advice I would offer. Apart from that, life is the same as for anyone else. Oh, for the benefit of the readers, Hep C cannot be transmitted by saliva, kissing or any normal sexual or social intercourse. It is in fact difficult to acquire unless you are involved in blood sharing practices. A friend acquired it from tatoooing, but that was long before public health practices were put in place. Its not a problem now. Take care friend - and remember, you are not alone. There are many of us - about 1% of the population.

Jul 21st, 2008, 06:26	#5
jellydonut Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: usa Posts: 13	thanks. yeah, the treatment is worse than the disease. i did the interferon for 37 weeks to no avail. been in excellent health my whole life, though my liver was damaged in the years i wasn't aware of my condition. don't drink now, and just wondered if india presents any obvious or unusual risk. the docs always are gloom and doom and don't understand that some of us actually like to see the world. my last doc told me that going to vietnam could kill me. it didn't.

Jul 21st, 2008, 06:45	#6
Brisso Specialist muddler Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Brisbane Posts: 459	I don't understand the doctors' problem. How are you more at risk than anyone else? Short answer - you are not. Ignore them (I have found doctors on the whole horribly ignorant where Hep C is concerned), and get on with it. India is a laugh and is not at all difficult. You seem to know your way around, just enjoy!

Aug 19th, 2008, 07:37	#7
OneLiver Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 4	Make sure you are immunized for Hep A and Hep B. The Hep B series is 3 shots over a couple of months. If your liver is comprimised already to some extent getting another variety puts you at much greater risk. The newer combos aren't nearly as bad the earlier interferon combos and they can pretty well determine if you are responding or not in 30 days. If your viral load hasn't dropped substantially by 4 weeks the likelihood of a sustained viral response is pretty slim. Not all Hep C strains are equal and some genotypes are highly treatable. For a chance to be virus free I think it's well worth trying. As mentioned earlier, the same cautions apply in India as anywhere else. Avoid alcohol, etc. Geography has nothing to do with how your virus progresses. There is a wonderful herbal formula for non responders that has helped me a lot. It's marketed as SST in the US. It's an old Chinese formula that is being manufactured in Japan under pharmaceutical conditions. There have been a number of trials in the US. It does not cure Hep C but lowers incidence of tumors and helps balance liver functions. Here is a link to some info on it: http://www.happyherbalist.com/index....D& ProdID=198 Happy Trails

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