Hi Lloyd,

I happened on your site while researching vision problems while on Interferon Treatment. It seems that there is very little information out there on these problems which are indicated as quite rare. I am looking for some help as I move forward.

I started treatment for hep c in July (48 wk tx) - gen 1 and have had several adverse sx's. Rapid/dangerous drops in blood levels, red, white - first 3 weeks. Developed hypothyroid in week 9. Cataracts in both eyes - small - in week 12.

In week 14 I developed a decrease of vision in my left eye. Went from -150 to -250 in 2 weeks time. My right eye then became affected. Opthamologist didn't know much about INF but checked all the usual sx's - retinitis, optic neuopathy, etc. Didn't see anything abnormal - but still had a large decrease in vision.

Sent to Opto Neuro and she said that everything looked OK despite the loss of vision and cataracts. Continue tx. My dr. has tried to research more on eye problems with tx and can't find much either. Says to reduce dose. Reduced dose and vision seems to be getting better.

Consulted with specialist I had seen prior to tx and explained problem. He said "stop tx - even though you are undetectable - it is not worth losing your vision". I am in week 19. The fact is there is no hard data to predict who will continue to lose more vision in the absence of physical findings and who will not.

So I am going to stop treatment. I appears that my system will just not tolerate this. Is there something that I can now do to help me in the future as far as diet/supplements.

Your opinon is greatly appreciated.

Sharon

Hi Sharon:

It is well known that interferon and Ribavirin cause serious damage to vision thru various channels. Doctors usually do not tell patients about this particular side effect. After all, who would use the drug if they knew they could go blind.
Read this and consider why your doctor may not have told you.

Keep in mind that geno type 1, 1A, 1B do not respond to interferon in most cases and this is well known. Read this, it tells you that less than 7 % of people with geno type 1, 1A, 1B have a less than 7% viral response to peg intron 6 months after treatment:

It is well known that interferon destroys thyroids, doctors usually do not tell people this. I read it and hear it almost every day, people put on Synthroid for life, thyroid cancer, it is just not believable that this occurs in the US, most people think these are alien stories and they are real and there are many thousands of people suffering from the side effects of interferon every month.

One of the main problems that causes problems is that people who use interferon is that they are either still sick or dead, therefore, it is very much impossible to prove that interferon caused the problem. Schering plough knows that the drug causes the problems, there is 8.5 BILLION dollars made last year on this drug. Very difficult to dispute usefully a profit like that. The specialists are all of the same family, they will not dispute the use of interferon.

It is unfortunate that we live in a world that is controlled by DRUG PUSHERS. Drug companies own over 51% of all media outlets. The news is not a "free press" like the US would like the world to believe. It is owned, controlled by the "Corporate State" America is no longer a democracy, it is a "Corporate State".

The best I can tell you is that there is no cure for Brain Damage which is what most people who use interferon experience.

NADH helps some people to some degree, 2.5 mg in the morning. It can do some things for the neuro transmitters.

I have many clients that have been blind from combo therapy and there seems that there is nothing that can be done to reveres it.

The best thing I can say is "Just Say NO to Interferon"!

I am very sorry that this barbaric lying medical community has done this to you, they did it for money, it is clear and well documented that doctors are paid to prescribe interferon. It is clear that it does not work. It is clear that the side effects are worse than the virus.

I suggest that you do the following:
Milk thistle 400 mg 3 x day
Lipoic acid 300 mg 3 x day
Selenium 400 mcg per day
Dandelion root tea, 1 quart a day
NADH 2.5 mg per day in the morning
Ultra Absorbic C 1/2 vial 2 X a week or more
Non-pasteurized aloe 2 oz 3 or more times a day
Natcell thymus every other day.

That is a good start. There is a lot more that can be done but this would be a good start.

Please let me know what your feelings are.

Have a Wonderful Thanksgiving!

Lloyd