October 2000
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Dr. Neville Pimstone -- October 18
Meeting Agenda:
6:30 p.m. (sharp) - Theme Song: I Will Survive
6:35 - 6:45 announcements
6:45 - 8:00 Dr. Pimstone, Hepatitis C update
8:00 - 8:30 (or earlier) questions/answers 'til we adjourn

Chief of Hepatology, UC Davis; named by the American Liver Foundation the 1999 Physician of the Year for contributions to research, teaching and clinical service in hepatology
Location: SGH Conf. Rm B&C (see "Our Meetings" below right)

Upcoming Agendas:

Nov 15 - SCC Classrm 3&4 give & receive support
Dec 20 - SCC Classrm 3&4 give & receive support
Jan 17 - SCC Classrm 3&4
* More News
The August 3, 2000 cover page of the Sacramento News & Review (SN&R) boldly announced their featured article: THE FACE OF HEPATITIS C. The article provided a substantial overview of why the HCV epidemic infects 2% of the nationa
Our Meetings: 3rd Wednesday of every month at one of the following:
(SGH) Sutter General Hospital, 2801 L St., 28th & L -OR-
(SCC) Sutter Cancer Center, 2800 L St (Across from Sutter hospital)
*(Meeting space provided by Sutter/CHS does not necessarily constitute endorsement or sponsorship)
Parking: 2 story structure across from hospital (28th & L Streets)
Contact Us: Phone number: (916) 491-4942
Our Web Site> www.sacmall.net/transplant/hepc.html
Email: dck@innercite.com (include "I Will Survive" in subject line or your message might be delected before being read).

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l population yet remains poorly known. I was particularly interested that, in the SN&R article, Dr. Miriam Alter (CDC) was quoted as saying "We don't have a crisis". This is the same Dr. Alter referenced in the Aug, 2000 I Will Survive Newsletter because of the criticism by Dr.Gregory Dore of the methods and conclusion her article on Sexual Transmission of Hepatitis C. Also reported in the SN&R issue was an article about Bridget Wilson who followed alternative health procedures in order to become hepatitis C virus free. Although no specifics were provided regarding duration of infection nor genotype, Bridget is reported to have moved from a lifestyle of addiction to a vegetarian diet and other procedures according to advice from Raphael House (916 967-8250). She was virus free in March 1997. The article did not report if she has remained virus free until the present.

Hep C Connections Sep/Oct 2000 and HCV Advocate Sep 2000 issues both report that researches have found that bone marrow is the source of cells that are responsible for the livers famous ability to regenerate itself. According to Dr. N. Theise, NYU School of Medicine, these cells potentially could be used as a source of cells for liver transplants, as a pool of cells for the development of an artificial liver, and in gene therapy to treat many liver diseases.

In the Sep/Oct 2000 Hep C Connections are the following additional notes:
1) Dr. Gretch, U of WA, Seattle, observed that, although it's unusual using standard therapies, becoming negative for HCV within one month after starting interferon could be a strong predictor of sustained response.
2) Dr. Schattner from the Kaplan Medical Center, Rehovot has concluded in a recent study that the increased prevalence of diabetes in chronic hepatitis is unique to HCV and therefore that unique mechanisms may underlie glucose intolerance in HCV patients.
3) Tongue piercing is a potential mode of transmission of HCV. ADA spokesman Dr. M. Messina, Cleveland, says: Excessive bleeding can result under any conditions, but there are some very large arteries in the tongue, and it's certainly an anatomic possibility that you could sever an artery in the tongue and bleed to death. As far as I know, no one has died of the process, but if you look at the risk, it becomes only a matter of time. Dr. Antolini, Warren, OH adds we can't tell people not to do it because they're going to do it, so we're saying just look around and make sure the place is clean. Ask them if they have an autoclave, if they sterilize the device before they put it in your mouth
If you have no money or insurance call:
Sacramento Clinical Trials
Schering's Commitment to Care 1-800-521-7157
Infergen's Safety Net Program 1-888-508-8088
Roche's Patient Assistance 1-800-443-6676
Dr. Gish, et al, call: Leslie Davison, (916) 443-0534
Dr. Pimstone UCD Med Center, (916) 734-1557



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