4 week lab results

[l-horn]

I got my 4 week lab results back. My viral load, when I was initially tested, was 9 million. I stopped drinking and in 60 days it went down to 331,000 then I started treatment. It is now 77. AST/29 ALT/29. I've taken a little hit on my CBC but nothing too serious. I just did shot 7/48.

Good luck and hang tough !!

[FlGuy]

You had a good response at week 4.  Have you have a pcr since?  For decisions later on, it may be helpful to target, as close as possible, the week that you become undetectable.

[NYgirl]

That article was written by using data from the Spanish study - the Sanchez Tapias study if you want to look it all up.

It was what information we used to determine that I will go to 72 weeks (that and the Berg Study).  I went for a second opinion to make sure it was all right to the doctor who was the lead investigator of the study, Dr. Jacobson, and he in fact said BOTH studies are proving more and more to be on the money.

With the information he gave me...I decided to extend from 48 to 74 - I am now on week 54 or 55 or so. Its taking forever it seems but I don't want to do this again.

[GrandOak]

Sounds like things may be working in the right direction for you.  Hope it continues until you can make a post claiming SVR.

[Pauly Boy]

Way to go!!! Keep up the good work. I had a problem with my HMGB too, thank God for Procrit, it got me out of trouble!!!   Keep killin' those little critters!!!    Pauly

[l-horn]

I was pleased but THIS doesn't sound very promising.

http://www.hivandhepatitis.com/hep_c/news/2006/082906_a.html

[copyman]

are you co-infected? i think you have had a good early response to tx and would disregard that study at this point. there are many that can not even get the drop you had after they treat for 12 weeks. i'm still new to all this but from what i read you have had a 2 log drop at 4 weeks and that is good. if you are undetectable at 12 then i think you are in good shape and can do 48wks. best of luck to you

[friole]

i horn - Please don't be discouraged.  Of course those that clear at 4 weeks have a significantly better chance at clearing because they will be treating while clear for 44 weeks.  But wait for you 12 week PCR before you make negative conclusions.

In the Berg study (you can google for the abstract-I posted the abstract link yesterday in a thread -0 patients with VL under 6000 at week 12, did signifacantly better doing 72 weeks rather than 48.

My Vl at 4 weeks was about 2800, and at 12 weeks was 40.  I elected to extend treatment to 56 weeks to give me 36 clear weeks of treatment after testing UND at 20.  

NY - you are moving right along - at 55 now.  Wow.  Has the assistance program been worked out yet?  Ready for BSG tonight?  Friday shot night used to be my excuse to lay low and watch sci-fi.  Now I feel a little guilty for still not wanting to interrupt my Fri night sci fi with social events (like eating out with hubby and his dad).

[copyman]

i thought the reason you extended was that you cleared late? well anyway good luck and may the ride to 72 be easy and fast.

[NYgirl]

I was just going to write to you and I see you've been online.

Don't forget...BSG  :)

How you doin my friend?

[copyman]

nygirl, not sure if you ever posted it, or perhaps i missed it but what was your starting VL?

[Pdilly]

You hand in there....you are 2/3 the way done.  You will make SVR I just know it.

[NYgirl]

I am geno 1A and 1B also.

Cleared somewhere between week 12 and 24 although I did have a 3 log drop at week 4.  Because I only had 411 virus detectible at that time (and by old standards would have been considered UND)...it was sort of on the fence if I should or not really (week 12 was about the same number)

But I opted TO because really - it does help the odds big.

So...I sort of used both studies to determine what I was going to do you know?

That's why it's so important for people to realize this disease is THEIR disease - my doctor wouldn't have suggested it to me AT ALL but once I presented the facts and the studies he agreed.

They really DONT think about our cases all that deeply like we do and often times we are right.

[friole]

Hey, Deb, I am doing fine. Feeling better all the time.  Still haven't grown any hair and my wanton tx eating habits which were okay during tx are not now.  I am sitting at work thinking about picking up icecream tonight for THE SNACK.  I hope you are doing okay - I remember week 55.  Hope the meds have come in and you can continue to 72 as planned.  Take care, friend
kathy