24 week PCR results

[IwillBeatHCV]

Hello everyone!

I am happy to say that my 24 week PCR shows I am still <10 or undetectable!!

Here are some of my labs at baseline and now.

Baseline:
ALT   201
AST   109
HCV RNA  2,749,241
Stage 2, grade 2
Type 1a

24 weeks:
ALT   75
AST   47
HCV RNA <10
HGB   12.2
ABS NEUTROPHILS 660= LOW

Side affects:
Hair Loss, slight weight loss, dry skin, irritability and low ABS Neutrophils.

The low ABS Neutrophils have been managed with Neupogen which I take almost every week.

I was very apprehensive about tx because of the fear of the sides and all that. Yes, I have sides but have been lucky not to have any severe sides except for low neutrophils which I have said already has been managed with Neupogen.

I hope everyone is doing ok with their tx and hope the best for every one.

God bless you all.







  

[GoofyDad]

Thanks. I do try to have some fun. It's not for everyone I'm afraid - but what can we do?

[2irish]

IWillBeatHCV ...congratulations!! that is such good news.  alot of that going around lately! GOOD FOR YOU!

Goofy - Glad to see you are back in fine form.  We count on your humor here, you wouldn't want to let us down now would you???

[GoofyDad]

As one goes to high altitude, plasma volume immediately begins to contract, quickly raising the hemoglobin concentration. As one remains at altitude, erythropoiesis increases both the hemoglobin concentration in the blood and the total amount in the body

From the <a href="http://jap.physiology.org/cgi/content/full/96/5/1579"> Journal of Applied Physiology</a>

[friole]

Nope - isn't it higher altitude, lower hgb (less of those o2 molecules floating around.  Blood's like soup, but I guess it doesn't carry much oxygen


Speaking of teeth ---- hey tator, I finally got my flipper.  Want to do the penquin dance now?
frijole

[GoofyDad]

"We live in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains!"

Tooth count, please.

"when the garage door was going up, it gave me a sense of movement"
Oh Yeah! I know that one. I can even disregard it these days. Just glance the other way and go with the flow...


I would guess higher alt = higher hgb, right. That's why Lance sleeps in the altitude tent. I guess he really can rock Cheryl's world in there. Hey - there's my ticket back to legendary lovin' - O2 depravation in the bedroom. Hell, any depravation in the bedromm has to be a good thing, right?    

[friole]

You just amaze me.  YOU just go and go and go with that hgb in the 9's.  It has made a remarkable differnce to me to be back in the 12's, and I never even got down to the 9's.  I bet you werea huffin' and a puffin' on the tundras tour
friole

[friole]

Medicaid sounds like a real love - hate relationship.  I am glad you qualified for it but they haven't made it easy for you.  You have already talked to the Peggasisst people about March, haven't you?

You betcha altitude affects hgb - the air is thin and there is less oxygen to go around up there.  When I lived in Alma Colorado (the highest elevated post office in the US at 10,680 ft) a lot of the guys used to get their blood let every few weeks.  It gets so thick up there.  And people get high blood pressure that never had it before.

I know when I went up to Cloudcroft (Mountains in NM) on tx, I could sure feel the effect of tx + altitude.

frijole

[vegas777]

lol...me too!

[GoofyDad]

I even had to Post-Pone A WEDDING

Sometimes I wish I had thought of that, LOL!

[GoofyDad]

No can mail it? Or do you have to pick it up? Just seems silly to go that far just to pick up some silly medicine.

Hey, I can't believe they let you go so long without a hgb test? Wow.  

Further to our prev conv. I noticed my gums are nearly white. I had my teeth cleaned & the gal didn't mention it, so I guess it's not out of the norm. But for me they look pretty pale.

[NYgirl]

Is that the dumbest thing you ever heard...holy COW this government is so messed up it's pathetic.  Risking your treatment to make you go through all THAT for nothing? I mean take it out of one insurance and assign it to another or something but making the patient go through all that is NUTS!

You know if I moved here from someplace else I could go down apply for section 8, food stamps, money to live no problem but when you actually have paid taxes for these things all of your life...try and get them.

I am sorry especially with a 9.3 (I know all about that ugh) who needs this stress and all THAT on top.  Man oh man...when you think you got it hard (I have to drive to the pharmacy two miles from home....) I have to remember to STOP the pity party ;-)

[GoofyDad]

Why make you leave? What can they do for you at home that they can't do there?

[NYgirl]

What 'cha mean waiting on your basics you mean your meds?  I'm thinking since you are so FAR OUT (haha) in the boonies of constant sunshine/darkness land.....they must put THEM on a sled dog to get them to you?

Do you REALLY have planes up thar in the tundra?

:)  Ah it feels better just to be a wise guy doesn't it?  Seriously though I must have missed something...so let me know where FogBrainGirl went wrong I totally didn't get that.

Down here in NY they have "Basics" cigarettes is that what you are waiting for? Generic smokes?  hahahahahaahahah killin' myself here!

;-)

[NYgirl]

LOL I do tend to love that big red marquee don't I?  ;-)

Next Monday or Tuesday should be my big RESULT DAY!  Although you know me I am going to start calling them on Friday and bugging them so when the result comes in they will do ANYTHING to get rid of me and fax it over ASAP.  :)

I can be SUCH a pain!

[sailinlady]

Didn't mean to miss you here----CONGRATULATIONS!

[NYgirl]

Having my 12 week test today...nervousness abounds.

I already had a three log drop at week 4 but as you know ANYTHING can happen with this so I could use all the best wishes possible!

I am waiting for the rest of you guys to chime in with your results...so far it looks as a team as if we are doing pretty well!

I really do feel like this is a team thing...without you guys I could not have made it this far and I know that.

[cuteus]

what a great feeling to know your hard work is paying off. Congratulations!

Nygirl; you are next with the NEGATIVE! NEGATIVE, NEGATIVE, NEGATIVE, NEGATIVE, NEGATIVE, NEGATIVE, NEGATIVE, NEGATIVE, NEGATIVE,  and NEGATIVE.

think NEGATIVE thoughts!

[sailinlady]

Keep yourself busy the waiting is the worst.  You will be NEGATIVE, I just know it.  Attitude means a lot and yours is great. My prayers are with you

[beamishboy]

Good Luck on labs today!!!!!!!!!!!!

[vegas777]

Debby:

Best of luck on your test today, but you don't need luck...I am 100% sure you have anhilated those cooties for good!

I'll be anxious to see you type the word "undetectable"...

*dippers*

[Moniker]

VERY GOOD!, GREAT!!!

I'm getting my test at week 23, this Thursday. I was undetectable at week 12. The test they gave me at week 12 was <50. I phoned and asked if they could do a more sensitive test for this Thursday, but they said they wouldn't. I wish I could get a <10 test. They said they don't do that at the VA Hospital. Maybe I can get them to change their mind. Is the <10 a lot more expensive?

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

Bob

[scruffy]

Wonderful news! Also wonderful is that you are now on the downhill side of tx and headed for SVR. Hang in and Hang tough.

[NYgirl]

Oh man I wish I was as cool as Tator and knew how to do the cool red font because you totally deserve a HUGE

CONGRATS ON THE GREAT REPORT! KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!

But I don't know how to do it so now that even though the words are small the thought coming to you is HUGE!

WOO HOO!

I have my test tomorrow for 12 weeks...needless to say I'm a basket case (although I've already had a three log drop I need my CLEAR please!)

[rearfang]

Great news! Congratulations!
Lauren