Open main menu ☰
HealingWell
Search Close Search
Health Conditions
Allergies Alzheimer's Disease Anxiety & Panic Disorders Arthritis Breast Cancer Chronic Illness Crohn's Disease Depression Diabetes
Fibromyalgia GERD & Acid Reflux Irritable Bowel Syndrome Lupus Lyme Disease Migraine Headache Multiple Sclerosis Prostate Cancer Ulcerative Colitis

View Conditions A to Z »
Support Forums
Anxiety & Panic Disorders Bipolar Disorder Breast Cancer Chronic Pain Crohn's Disease Depression Diabetes Fibromyalgia GERD & Acid Reflux
Hepatitis Irritable Bowel Syndrome Lupus Lyme Disease Multiple Sclerosis Ostomies Prostate Cancer Rheumatoid Arthritis Ulcerative Colitis

View Forums A to Z »
Log In
Join Us
Close main menu ×
  • Home
  • Health Conditions
    • All Conditions
    • Allergies
    • Alzheimer's Disease
    • Anxiety & Panic Disorders
    • Arthritis
    • Breast Cancer
    • Chronic Illness
    • Crohn's Disease
    • Depression
    • Diabetes
    • Fibromyalgia
    • GERD & Acid Reflux
    • Irritable Bowel Syndrome
    • Lupus
    • Lyme Disease
    • Migraine Headache
    • Multiple Sclerosis
    • Prostate Cancer
    • Ulcerative Colitis
  • Support Forums
    • All Forums
    • Anxiety & Panic Disorders
    • Bipolar Disorder
    • Breast Cancer
    • Chronic Pain
    • Crohn's Disease
    • Depression
    • Diabetes
    • Fibromyalgia
    • GERD & Acid Reflux
    • Hepatitis
    • Irritable Bowel Syndrome
    • Lupus
    • Lyme Disease
    • Multiple Sclerosis
    • Ostomies
    • Prostate Cancer
    • Rheumatoid Arthritis
    • Ulcerative Colitis
  • Log In
  • Join Us
Join Us
☰
Forum Home| Forum Rules| Moderators| Active Topics| Help| Log In

Alpha Lipoic Acid and Hapatitis

Support Forums
>
Hepatitis
✚ New Topic locked
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
profile picture
Peterf
New Member
Joined : Jan 2011
Posts : 4
Posted 1/3/2011 4:35 PM (GMT -8)
     I have had Hepatitis C for over 30 years. I became aware of it about 15 years ago. Two years ago my condition took a severe turn for the worse. I gained 30 lbs. in ascites and became so ill I was unable to walk more than a few paces without a cane. I was accepted into a liver transplant program, though the transplant was delayed due to a gitch with my insurance. Meanwhile I went through a number of procedures draining my ascites. I researched various alternative treatments on my own and finally decided on following a protocal develped by Burt Burksen, M.D. which involved taking Alpha Lipoic Acid, Milk Thistle, and Selenium. (300mg. of ALpha Lipoic Acid twice a day with meals.) I began taking these twice a day orally on my own (they are avaliable at any health food store), and immediately began to improve. Several months later I flew down to visit Dr. Berkson in Las Cruces, New Mexico. He treats patients in his clinic there with I.V. Alpha Lipoic Acid. I know that Dr. Berkson has been treating patients with liver problems, including hepatitis for decades with this combination and has also published (a book and articles) on the subject.

     I no longer need a transplant. My MELD score went from 22 to 8, and I am back to work. I attribute this to the above protocal, a good diet, positive thinking and generally taking good care of my health. I am convinced that if pharmacy companies and hospital could figure out how to make money off of this it would be the first treatment option for all liver problems.

Peterf

profile picture
hep93
Elite Member
Joined : Jul 2005
Posts : 12014
Posted 1/3/2011 5:10 PM (GMT -8)
Peter, I'm familiar with Dr. Berkson and his treatment.  However, because it is not medically approved for hep C, we cannot advocate it here.  I'm glad that it has been of help to you, though.

profile picture
Peterf
New Member
Joined : Jan 2011
Posts : 4
Posted 1/3/2011 7:11 PM (GMT -8)
It's not approved by who? I thought this was a forum to exchange helpful information about news and information about hepatitis and possible cures. No one is asking you to advocate it. I am just trying to get out information that saved my life and the lives of many others so people can make their own decisions, and hopefullly NIH can conduct research on its efficacy. I have no financial interest in this issue. My sole goal is to help others. I'm sorry to find the forum is so narrow minded you won't post this. Might as well cancel me from this forum.
Peter F.
profile picture
hep93
Elite Member
Joined : Jul 2005
Posts : 12014
Posted 1/3/2011 8:29 PM (GMT -8)
Peter, you are not the first to post here about Dr. Berkson and his treatment.  People are free to do what they please.  I merely stated that it does not have FDA approval; therefore, we can't support it.  However, people may use your information however they like.  Sorry you misunderstood.

profile picture
Peterf
New Member
Joined : Jan 2011
Posts : 4
Posted 1/4/2011 11:59 AM (GMT -8)
Apologies to the moderator. I thought the item on Alpha Lipoic Acid would not even be posted. It is true it has not been tested in a double bind study. The problem is that the vast majority of these studies are funded by pharmacutical companies and there is no money to be made from this--it is a supplement which can be obtained inexpensively from any health food store.  No harm in people trying it--there are no known ill side effects--and it has saved hundreds of lives including mine.

Peter F.

profile picture
**David**
Veteran Member
Joined : Nov 2009
Posts : 3708
Posted 1/4/2011 12:57 PM (GMT -8)
I'd like to see proof that there are "no known ill side effects."
profile picture
hep93
Elite Member
Joined : Jul 2005
Posts : 12014
Posted 1/4/2011 1:10 PM (GMT -8)

I had mentioned ALA to my hepatologist, as well as milk thistle.  Her response was that it couldn't hurt, though it may not help.

profile picture
Peterf
New Member
Joined : Jan 2011
Posts : 4
Posted 1/4/2011 1:15 PM (GMT -8)
The only known potential side effect mentioned in the literature on Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) in a potential slight blood sugar effect on diabetics. If taken orally it should be taken with meals. If taking it intervenously it would be prudent to have a snack around if you are diabetic. There are numerous articles avaliable on Pub Med and via Google re. ALA and that is the only noted potential side effect. You might want to read Dr. Bertson's book on ALA or look at the research from Dr. Ames at U.C. Berkley who is one of the most award winning Biochemists in the world. He and his colleagues are touting ALA as a general anti-oxident. (For that purpose they recommend combining it with Carnitine.)
Peter F.
profile picture
hep93
Elite Member
Joined : Jul 2005
Posts : 12014
Posted 1/4/2011 2:24 PM (GMT -8)

Peter, I read a paper online that Dr. Berkson had written about his treatment protocol.  I don't remember just where, but I did print it out and have it in a folder somewhere.  People could probably Google it and find it or some info.

Rick, I have a friend who was permanently disabled by taking an OTC supplement for sleep.  It was a contaminated batch and caused him muscle and coordination problems.  He sued and got half a million dollars, as well as SSD.  He had been a journeyman electrician and was never able to work again.

profile picture
**David**
Veteran Member
Joined : Nov 2009
Posts : 3708
Posted 1/4/2011 4:21 PM (GMT -8)
So, your revised answer is that there is at least one side effect. For some people it's a big side effect, to say the least. I have a liver transplant and due to my anti rejection meds, I now have type II diabetes. This side effect could cause severe side effects for me. That's the problem when people make claims for "perfect cures." I've seen plenty of stories from people who prayed and their cancer disappeared. Placebos often work for patients at times. I trust my doctors, as they've yet to make a wrong move. If your "cure" is so effective, I doubt they'd negate it, in favor of pharmaceutical companies profits. Many so called OTC products aren't tested by labs and in some cases aren't helpful, but could degrade the liver.
profile picture
shadowsghost
Regular Member
Joined : Apr 2008
Posts : 489
Posted 1/4/2011 7:06 PM (GMT -8)
Okay guys I hate to say it but I love when you two get a little riled in your posts. Some healthy banter is good now and then.
Sue
profile picture
hep93
Elite Member
Joined : Jul 2005
Posts : 12014
Posted 1/4/2011 9:03 PM (GMT -8)

Don't think I didn't pick up on the FLEW vaccine, Rick.  (Rick likes to ruffle my feathers a bit, too.)  smilewinkgrin

Hugs,

Connie

profile picture
**David**
Veteran Member
Joined : Nov 2009
Posts : 3708
Posted 1/5/2011 6:21 AM (GMT -8)
Hi Rick, I like cats, just not the hairless ones. I've heard that mixing the eye of a newt, with a horned toads tears will cure the bald felines. A friend of my third cousins ex wife, (once removed) told me it works, so I believe it.
profile picture
brendaelk
New Member
Joined : Jan 2010
Posts : 14
Posted 1/5/2011 11:48 AM (GMT -8)
Thks so much for posting this info
I just ordered the book about ALA off Amazon

I had just bought this supplement a few days ago and I was happy to hear this about

it. I had heard it was a good supplement to take with hep c.

profile picture
hep93
Elite Member
Joined : Jul 2005
Posts : 12014
Posted 1/5/2011 1:05 PM (GMT -8)

Hi, Brenda.  Welcome to the Hepatitis Forum.  You might want to start a new thread to introduce yourself to others and your experience with hep C. 

Hugs,

Connie

profile picture
ppm guy
Veteran Member
Joined : Apr 2010
Posts : 1261
Posted 1/18/2011 11:12 AM (GMT -8)
hey all, i have been reading a lot about ALA. i post on the ms forums here and other high volume websites. from my experience with ALA, its greatest  upside is its ability to help with fatigue, and there is no shortage of fatigue between ms and hep c.  please correct me if i am wrong. ALA is usually combined with L- carnitine(all in one capsule). the carnitine provides energy(as in enegy drinks), and the ala is an anti oxidant that helps to utilize the food we consume, more efficiently. therefore diabetics acan reduce their dosage of insulin. i tried it and it helps with fatigue, i also needed to carry glucose tablets in my pocket, so i am neutral on this.        be well , barry  ( yes i have hep c also).
profile picture
hep93
Elite Member
Joined : Jul 2005
Posts : 12014
Posted 1/18/2011 1:59 PM (GMT -8)

Barry, so you're saying that it's really the carnitine that helps with fatigue, not the ALA itself?

Hugs,

Connie

profile picture
ppm guy
Veteran Member
Joined : Apr 2010
Posts : 1261
Posted 1/19/2011 12:10 PM (GMT -8)
hey connie, l- car. and ala work together. yes, the l-car promotes energy metabolism and ala enhances its effect on fatigue. they work well, but the real story here are reports about neuro protective properties and hepatic protective properties from the ala.    barry
profile picture
hep93
Elite Member
Joined : Jul 2005
Posts : 12014
Posted 1/19/2011 12:51 PM (GMT -8)

Thanks, Barry.  Rick, I don't know if a B-Complex would work on fatigue from hep C.

Hugs,

Connie

profile picture
Jake's Wife
New Member
Joined : Nov 2014
Posts : 2
Posted 11/29/2014 9:29 PM (GMT -8)
Peterf, I just want to say thank you for your post. I read it just over a year ago while my husband was extremely sick from Cirrhosis, and it gave me hope. I copied and pasted what you wrote and sent it to him in an email last year, and just found that old email which made me want to come back to this forum and thank you.

This time last year my husband was extremely ill, his skin looked green, he looked like a walking skeleton but his belly was huge as if he was 7 months pregnant, he had a MELD score of 28, and his Mom cried when she saw him on Thanksgiving. He could barely walk, he was extremely irritable and fatigued, and could barely sleep. He developed encephalopathy and crashed his car. He was hospitalized 3 times and racked up $200,000 in medical bills. He had to have 21 liters of fluid drained from his body. Many people around him thought he was going to die, and his doctors said his only hope was a transplant and they also told him he would probably have to go on disability.

One year later, he is doing great. He's gained back all his weight, he no longer has ascites, he's off almost all his diuretics, his MELD score is an 8, his liver doctor said his liver function tests are NORMAL. He has followed the Burt Berkson protocol for the last year (Milk Thistle, Selenium and Alpha Lipoic Acid). He has never had IV Alpha Lipoic acid treatments (not that we wouldn't have liked to do it but we just didn't have the time or money to travel to New Mexico). He's just weaned himself off his horribly-dangerous PPI's, thanks to Probiotics, Apple Cider Vinegar and Aloe Vera Juice.

We bought a PEMF machine and I really think this has helped him as well. about a month ago we were walking up a parking structure that was 5 stories tall and he basically left me panting in the dust as he briskly walked to the top. Best of all, he is CHEERFUL again. I am really amazed by his recovery. I even started a whole blog dedicated to letting people know what has worked for my husband. And I'm trying to encourage people to learn from our (many) mistakes!

Thank you again for writing what you did. When things were at their worst, I was desperate for answers and hope, and it was people like you, with stories like yours, that kept us going.

And of course, I am very proud of my husband for being sober for over a year, and for being willing to take so many supplements and try alternative treatments that really do work!
profile picture
themiz
Veteran Member
Joined : Feb 2013
Posts : 1891
Posted 11/30/2014 6:30 AM (GMT -8)
Jake's wife,

You have picked up a 3 year old thread that was regarding Hep C cirrhosis and treatment for Hep C. Peterf, the OP and a Hep C patient, has not been on our forum since 2011.


Welcome, and please feel free to start a new post and introduce yourself so we can get to know you better.

Does your husband also have Hep C?

Peterf, the OP, had Hep C and that was this discussion. Much has happened in the Hep C world since 2011. Since Gilead's Solvaldi hit the market this year, there is now a Hep C cure!! We rarely see those trying to cure Hep C with herbals, supplements and magnet therapy. I will lock this thread now, so others reading it will look for more up to date information.

Your husband has cirrhosis from alcohol, you said. I am so happy he quit alcohol, because alcohol on a sick liver is like gas on a fire! This is the single best thing he could have done for himself.

My husband was dx with stage 4 cirrhosis in 2005. That is nearly 10 years ago. A person can live a very long time with a sick liver when they do not drink and live a liver friendly lifestyle. Cirrhosis is no fun when it takes the nasty turn into ESLD. For themister, that happened Nov-Dec 2012, and he now is on a transplant list. Big Hugs
✚ New Topic locked


More On Chronic Illness

Too Young for Chronic Illness:  An Interview With Laurie Edwards

Too Young for Chronic Illness: An Interview With Laurie Edwards

Coping With The Stress Of Chronic Illness

Coping With The Stress Of Chronic Illness


HealingWell

About Us  |   Advertise  |   Subscribe  |   Privacy & Disclaimer
Connect With Us
Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest LinkedIn
© 1997-2023 HealingWell.com LLC All Rights Reserved. Our website is for informational purposes only. HealingWell.com LLC does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.