UND at 16 weeks

[nsgirlie]

Just got my results from 16 week PCR test...Undetected. I was worried since my Riba was reduced to 600 from 1200 after 4 weeks as I am anemic. Pegitron full dose. Still low hemoglobin but I only have 6 weeks left so I am dealing with it. It sure has been a struggle. Hard to breathe and dizzy a lot. 3 transfusions. Working 2 jobs wasn't and isn't easy but these results give me the strength to go to 24 weeks. I was geno 3. So this is good news right? Chances of me being SVR are good? Will they test me again or wait until 6 months after treatment? I wanted to post this as I have read posts with folks like me that were worried about reaching SVR after dosage reduction. Well it didn't affect my results. Fingers crossed I will be clear of this disease soon.

[ceanothus]

You are going to be one to watch when you are all finished and SVR. Anyone who can plow through tx with serious anemia while working two jobs is going to reach an almost frightening level of achievement once those big obstacles are out of the way. I wouldn't want to be a competitor against your business!

[Dee1956]

Hi my hat is off to you, I have to say I know I could not have done the tx the second time and worked.  The first time I did barely.  As soon as I would come home I would lay down, same with the weekends.  All I could do was the tx and work.
The second time with Incivek was a real game changer and I could barely leave the bed.

It has now been almost 2 years since I finished, I am very happy.

Please rest when you can, any time you can, the housework can wait.  I remember not being able to breath, all my doctor would say was lay down.  My hemo went from 14.8 to  9. something, funny I can't remember the specifics now except I remember my feet going numb, then it would travel up and up until I lay down.  It would take hours before I felt well enough to get up again.  At the time the doctor did not know why my feet were going numb.
Every doctor is different but mine tested me at the end of tx, then 3 months, 6 months etc

Take care, please keep in touch
Dee

[nsgirlie]

I really had no choice as I just opened a new business prior to getting diagnosed. I am the bread winner in the family and the new business is taking some time to generate revenue. Had to take another sales job to pay the bills. I dragged myself around daily and did what I had to do. I am a single mom with a child in university. No one knows that I had hep c so I am amazed that I pulled it off. Lost 30 lbs. I wish that I could stay at home and recover but only 5 weeks to go and for that I am thankful. Besides being SVR, I am so looking forward to my hemoglobin going back to normal.That is really the worst part for me...shortness of breath. Thanks to you all for your kind comments. I will survive!

[nsgirlie]

I was undetected at 4 weeks while on full dose of Riba. Next test was at 16 weeks and the one I just had. Undetected. I will keep getting tested, but I am hopeful that I will have cleared this awful virus. Thanks for the good wishes.

[LN55]

That is great news and it appears that it is giving you that all important mental boost everyone needs during tx! Wow...2 jobs! I worked full time but quite a bit was working from my home office. Could not have imagined plowing through 2 jobs! Keep up the good work and as mentioned listen to your medical team and try not to over do it. Best wishes for continued UND and SVR!

[ceanothus]

I'm sort of shocked that you can work two jobs while undergoing tx, and even more amazed that you are doing it through what sounds like pretty severe anemia. I'm not sure whether to applaud you (this is certainly a huge achievement) or whether to try to get you to slow down. I am a little worried about you pushing that hard. Well, do try to listen to whatever medical advise you get, as your doctors probably know your situation better. Congratulations on your UND results!

[cheflady]

Congratulations over the moon for both of you and i agree with Dee NSgirlie WOW 10/10 girl for doing two jobs thats truely fantastic you could be extremely proud of yourself way to go! Hang in there nearly done and then go for goal SVR! xx Jules

[Dee1956]

Congratulations to both of you! I am so happy for you!
It is a rough tx

NSgirlie, I am in awe of you working two jobs.  I worked one the first time, would not have been able to do it the second time.

Hang in there
Dee

[asle]

"So this is good news right? Chances of me being SVR are good? "

Yes. yes. But, some of these things are in the lap of the gods.
It would help if we knew when you became Undetected, as that would indicate how you responded to treatment.
You should have a PCR RNA test at the end of treatment, then again at 12 weeks EOT, then at 24 weeks. Then you are officially SVR. Most people I know go every 12 months after that for a while to just make sure that nothing has changed.
I had a dose reduction of Riba  after 3 weeks from 1200mg to 400, and was Undetected somewhere between 4 and 8 weeks. I have remained Undetected since. I have one week to go til I finish 48 weeks of triple therapy. I have had blood transfusions as well, but we upped and reduced my riba all the way through treatment, and I'm still undetected.
Good luck, and all the best.