Replied by Dazednconfused (Bfe, Ar.) on 04/26/2012

I heard B-6 also helps with the distribution of fluids, I dk. for sure, and it sure won't hurt anything to do that. He does not have enough fluid to get 'tapped' yet, and at this rate, he could go on for months like this. The pressure is on ALL of his innards and I can tell it's unbearable at times, and all he can do is lay on the couch with his feet up to reduce the edema in his legs, and ease the pressure he feels around his heart. I have read every post about the BHT. I went to purchase some the other day, no one knew what I was talking about. At any rate, I can order it off the internet? I just wasn't sure if his liver could handle it while in such a weakened state, but you, Oscar, are living proof! I am SO happy for you!

It is hard to get this much needed blood work up done w/o cash or insurance, though we did manage to squeek out one hepatic panel test just the other day. This test showed his liver enzymes are down from this same test last year, but still in the high range, AST-114, ALT-91/.Last year at this time he was in the hospital and they were AST-135, ALT-115, total protein 7.0. The only numbers w/i the correct range now are the 'total protein'@ 7. 4 and Alk. Phos. (?)@ 123. Albumin level way low at 2.9. A CBC would also be nice to have, but impossible at the moment. BTW, he takes Milk Thistle capsules and in tea form, several times a day, and has since his diagnosis 2 years ago, and also drinks about 16oz. of fresh carrot juice a day, and recently I have tried to get him to juice/ingest more greens;spinach, kelp tablets, spirulina, etc. That isn't working so good, and pill form in anything is too expensive, fresh is better and more easily digested too I think.

I will keep you informed Oscar, and will give back some numbers as soon as we can get them. No idea what his viral load is, so we will not know what is working, IF ANYTHING! That is discouraging in itself, but have to keep on truckin'. Thank you very much.

Replied by Care (Surrey, B.c.) on 04/26/2012

3/4 to 1 tsp of cayenne pepper to hot water

drink as fast as you can, then any pressure and pain should shift relief, then put castor oil packs- oil, garbage bag, hot water bottle-on the liver and or around any remaining pain

You may be left with a bit of pain in the pelvis area but that is easily remedied with fibre and a tblsp 1 or 2 twice a day of olive oil.

This is a fair bit of oil so don't do for to many consecutive days

drop down to 1-2 tsp a day (olive oil)

This will not cure you but it will alleviate the pressure that builds up in the liver.

You can overdo cayenne on the liver so save this for the unbearable moments. Cayenne is good at getting rid of blockages so if you over due the oil take some cayenne pepper.

Replied by Oscar (Syracuse, New York, Usa) on 04/28/2012

Also: I am not sure where Bfe, Ar is. Is this in the USA? One of the reasons I ask is because it seems to me very likely he should be eligible for both:

1. Social Security Disability and

2. Medicare

if he is a USA citizen. You people need whatever help you can get. If he is an American citizen please do contact your nearest social security office to learn about this. As sick as he is he should be eligible. You do NOT need a lawyer to apply for these benefits and I strongly recommend you filing the paper work yourselves. The people at the SS office will answer any questions free of charge and sit down with you and help you do so. It is their job to do so.

Trying to help, ...Oscar

Replied by Suzanne (New York, Ny) on 04/28/2012

Replied by Dazednconfused (Bfe, AR) on 04/28/2012

I will order the BHT off the internet then. As for now, the ascites has subsided considerably over the last day or two, and his abdomen is not nearly as tight and protruding as it has been in the last few weeks, and that was while taking the Aldectone. The only 2 things I have added to his dietary supplementation was some ACV, about a capful a day, and freshly ground milk thistle seeds for tea, 3x's a day(he was taking M. Thistle capsules, 175mg. , 2 x's a day, maybe they were cheap imitations, I dk. I think he is sneaking in a little sea salt also, and more H2O, as I did recommend he take sea salt several years ago when he was first diagnosed with cirohsis. I will keep my fingers crossed and will stay in touch with any blood test results after admistering the BHT.

What are the most beneficial blood tests to ask for when trying to trace the cirrhosis and Hep. C progression? Once again, thank you for your time.