As I understand it, Serg may very well be right but since there isn’t any evidence to suggest that coffee consumption is a danger for hep c sufferers and on the contrary that the reverse may be true it surely makes sense for those of us who like the stuff to drink a bit more of it?
Dr James makes the point that no trial is ever going to take place, and I’d add that this may be so if for no other reason than because big pharma would find it tough to patent coffee (!), so we may never know the reason for this correlation but shouldn’t worry about it.
I practice “natural medicine” and it’s a field in which there’s a shortage of data supporting the efficacy of what we do. This is likely to continue to be so but it would make very little sense to wait for it when everyday practice leads us to know on the basis of empirical information that a lot of what we do is helpful to patients.
I feel a little rant coming on: We hear too much of “evidence based medicine” nowadays and this can mean that effective procedures in orthodox and in natural medicine are ignored in favour of treatments which kill the patient almost as well as they kill the disease arguably because it suits the financial interests of pharmaceutical companies etc. and the prejudices of some (brainwashed) doctors. No discourtesy intended here to present company. Further, no one sensible can deny the benefits of current treatments for hep c and other serious diseases. Even if some of my friends think I don’t really belong, could you think of me in the “sensible” bracket for a moment?
Please also take what follows as a small dig in the ribs: I remember reading somewhere, about 15 years ago, that 57% of commonly used surgical procedures had never been subject to a statistical evaluation of their effectiveness, but continued to be employed. Even if that figure has since reduced the point holds good. Common sense is an important weapon in every field of human endeavour, not excluding medicine.
And there’s another issue which is that it is difficult to get research funding for any project which sounds whacky whether the potential source of money be a university, a drug company, or a manufacturer of medical equipment etc. Often this is reasonable but certainly not always. Think of the problems encountered by now famous people in medical/surgical history from Semmelweis to date. My issue here is that medical science is just as subject to prejudice, politics, corruption etc. as anything else.
Happy Christmas,
RSF.

PS The prejudice referred to above does seem to be a particular feature of the English speaking world. In continental Europe all sorts of treatments are used which would never be sanctioned in the UK, because it is known that they work. Russian medics really stand out here and always have. Could it be that this is because most of their doctors are women?!
Happy new year,
RSF.

That’s fantastic news Bob. I’m delighted for you.
RSF

Thanks very much for those links James and congratulations for getting a mention in the Lancet. I do hope that article results in more people using the Fixhepc route and stimulates discussion in the medical profession about this very important issue. I really think this will be an important milestone.

RSF

Hello Rikke and welcome to the forum,
I suppose Dk is Denmark and that there are problems importing medication to your country. Well done for being enterprising and going to India for treatment.
What is the position for hepc patients in Denmark? I take it that treatment is not available locally. Do please let us know what the situation is there – people here would be interested.
The very best of luck with your treatment.
RSF

PS You might like to post details of your condition in your profile. It is helpful to other users

Thanks very much for the explanation Dr Freeman

RSF

Bonjour Djam et bienvenue,
tu trouveras toutes les informations dont tu as besoin ici.
Bon courage,
RSF

Hello again Whaemel,

You don’t have to travel to get a script. A doctor from GP2U, who are affiliated to Fixhep c, will do an online consultation and issue a script for $90.