Sorry about your friend Scruffy. My girlfriends brother also died in prison from hep c that he contracted from an infected tattoo device. He was a tattoo artist himself an I remember him not taking any precautions when transferring from one person to the other. No telling how many people he infected by not knowing the danger involved back in the old days. Knowledge of this is more widely known today but it still happens unfortunately.

Sorry about your buddy Scruffy, may he finally find peace. The guy that did most of my tatts was a 13 year member of San Quentin Beach and Raquet Club. If HCV virus glowed in the dark, his equipment must've lit up his cell. I got to know him through a motorcycle club after he came back from vacation. He made his money doing parties, the 3 day long ones. Run the gun under sink water and on to the next. I shudder to think of all the disease one person was able to spread. I pray to all the higher powers, that the word is shared about this potentially lethal practice.  

Tats while on "vacation" result in people coming home infected ready to pass it on. The majority of people get tats while "on vacation". To the short timer its a momento to the people with an "extended vacation" tats are like a biography for all to read. Thats just how the system is. My bro was the main tattoo artist he got out and went back. While I was on treatment I got a call from the deputy warden telling me my friend was very sick and wanted to know if I knew his next of kin as I was the only contact they found while searching his stuff. ( 15-20 years tends to leave you friendless) Two days later I got a call from the Chaplin my buddy died from complications from his hep c. Sad way to end a 25 year friendship. If he wasn't "on vacation" he would probably still be with us. In some states tattooing is a 'vacation profession" and is legal with all the medical inspections.

Amen Brother, amen.....

Ya one more for the road.  I ended up looking like a road map.  Great time back then.....not so great now.

Yep sure is strange to think about.

When one is "vacationing at the expense of The State", it was no party that's for sure. One guy spreading Ink, another guy watching the catwalk / hallway. Twilight Zone stuff now.

Teach the little ones right.

JimmyK

Hey Scruffy,

That thing should be renamed the Dragon Injection Device. I'm fairly certain that's how I developed the intimate relationship with mine. Slot car motor, Bic pen and a G string from a guitar... The thought of all the people that were at those parties, getting a "quick" tatt for the heck of it, just sends chills up my spine. How many of them are walking around (or not) from the diseases shared during those youthful moments? 

<------- Is also a member of the "bad boys club". I used to take supplements milk thistle, Oxymatrin and BHT. I stopped taking them about a month or so before treatment and haven't taken any since.

A little pic. bring back any memories Jim, Mike????

Hi Ari-anna thanks for the information.  I hope all goes well for you.  I will try some of the supplements you mentioned and see how it works.  I just added alpha lipoic acid to my daily regiment and no side effects yet.  Take care and God bless.

Mike

Jimmy your story sounds a lot like mine.  Not the good boy growing up and have only myself to blame for where I am today.  I'm 64 and like I said in my first post things are progressing slowly.  The lyrics of that song sure hit home.  By the grace of God is so true.  Many of my former associates are no longer here but by the grace of God I am still alive.  I know that when he calls on me I will be ready.  Take care brother and may God bless.

Mike

Greetings Mike,

I have had Hep C for the past 40 years. Possibly longer. I am 62 and frankly speaking was a bit of a "wild lad".

IV Drug user beginning in 1972. So could have sucked in The Dragon 44 years ago. Maybe it was one of many Tattoos, Long Beach California, Houston Texas, Amsterdam, Corona (Care of the California Department of Corrections.) Maybe Mt. Bullion Fire Camp, (care of the California Youth Authority.) In any case it is rather hard to put a finger on it but in all cases all fingers point to me. I DID IT.

We have a lot of innocent folks here that were infected by such things as blood transfusions and the like. When it comes to the term "innocent"  you will not find my picture next to the definition in Wiki.

However, the term FORGIVEN by The Grace of God is quite fitting and has been for some 32 years now.

I recently failed treatment as set forth in my Sig Line. During treatment and roughly 3 months prior I stopped all Supplements.

Currently waiting to catch a new train is all and in the mean time will again use the combo I listed. I live in Texas and read a book related to the blend. Sought it out and fould it in Florida. Been using it for about 6 years now and it is good stuff.

Now that I have fronted myself off rather fully, some folks may tend to shy away and that is understandable. I would want nothing to do with who I was either... LOL.

The whole thing makes sense to me.... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEFa1f_WCms  now.  ;)

JimmyK

-- Edited by JimmyK on Monday 18th of January 2016 10:03:30 PM

Hi, I've been on supplements to support my liver for 10 years (since I was diagnosed). They include Ashwaganda, Silymarin (Milk Thistle), Dandelion and Tumeric. I see a Naturopath and have the supplements prescribed for my particular situation. I also take 5HTP for depression and several individual vitamins and minerals. I have been advised not to take a general multivitamin as some vitamins, e.g. Vit D, can build up in the liver or are already included in a supplement combination. 

I take fish oil to help reduce inflammation and Vitamin E to reduce scaring. The conclusion I came to with my complex health issues is that I am better to follow the advice of a trained Naturopath rather than self prescribe. My Naturopath is happy to work with the orthodox health system in a complementary way.

My specialist has commented that the supplements do appear to be helping.

I've had Hep C for 45 yrs and have just completed Viekira Pak treatment - will find out if I am cured in a few weeks.

Hi Jimmy.  Thanks for your input.  If you don't mind me asking, how long have you been diagnosed and are you on any treatment and if so how is it going?

Mike

Greetings,

I do not believe that Supplements can help actually fight Hep C. That would require a strong Anti Viral that I have seen no Supplement properly and sufficiently provide.

However the Liver IMHO can be protected to the point that the effects of Hep C can be minimized.

Ashwaganda, Astragalus, Bupleurum, Chlorella, Burdock, Turmeric, Milk Thistle, Dandelion, Eluthero, Spirulina, Bladderwrack is a blend I use.

This cannot be considered in any way advice but simply a private opinion I have and is not reflective of any position taken by this Forum or to my knowledge any other member herein.

Regards

JimmyK

Hi everyone.  Just curious to find out who uses supplements.  I have been using milkthistle and a quality multi vitamin since being diagnosed in 2002.  I had a biopsy done about 8 years ago which showed only stage 1 at the time.  I contracted the disease back in the 70s so it has been progressing very slowly.  I live in Canada and I know they have an oral remedy for geno 2 but at a cost of around $84,000 for 12 weeks it is not affordable.  I am wondering if anyone else has had good results with supplements and if so what are you taking?