A CURE

Im new at this. week 8 of 48 of tx.I keep hearing conflicting stories about HCV.Can it be cured or dose the viral load just so low they cant detec it.

[cuteus]

At least three hepatologists have called it a cure, SVR after one year of tx. A few studies have tested the liver with PCRs and found no traces of HCV in long term SVRs, one study did find it in some SVRs, so, it looks like some people will achieve a cure(no traces of HCV in blood, liver and PBM) some have traces but it does not cause a relapse, and some have active replicating traces and relapse.  To me, it is a cure if no HCV is found in blood and liver, and the hepatitis is halted.

[Mister beagle bailey]

Welcome to the forum,
Yes, there is a cure from the meds we now take and we call it SVR.
However, not all are able to achieve SVR with the meds out right now and on the other hand some treat for longer times and others do meds 2 or 3x before achieving SVR.  There is know way of knowing who will and who will not be a responder.  We can only pray that we are one of the lucky ones.

Hope this helps,

Beagle

[NYgirl]

Beagle Bailey is right there is a "cure".  Unfortunately for the most common genotype the chance is 50/50 but I think personally that is great odds!

I've been on treatment since September...it's been a long road but doable and I just want this disease to stay GONE so I will continue!

[Alady1620]

I don't say "cure."  I say "undetectable."

Many people go undetectable only for the virus to come back.

[Upbeat]

I think the question is level of detection.  There are those that think the virus is still there even if you can't detect it.

                                                          Ron

[GoofyDad]

It's a bit controversial. Once you are clear for say 12 mos post tx, chance of return is negligible. 24 mos, and it's miniscule.

Yet some believe we are stil only dealing with visual, detectable, measureable viri in the post tx testing. That there are other remnants of the virus hidden away in our bodies, either replicating or not.  

I'm a cure believer myself - but research seems to be running in favor of the other camp just now.

[Upbeat]

Your missing the point.  A lot of researchers believe that just because you can't detect the virus by pcr dosent mean that you still don't have it.  As pointed out by goofydad the research is leaning it that direction.
                                                Ron

[jmjm530]

A lot of hepatologists use the word "cure" but I have also lately seen lately a slight hedge on  the traditional definition of SVR (sustained viral response) to sustained viral remission, i.e. cure.

Keep in mind that the word "cure" is somewhat about semantics, and somewhat about the fact this is still a young field which even the top doctors are still learning more about every day.

From what I've read and heard, if you're SVR for a year, your chances of relapse are next to zero. That, and the fact, that no replicating virus has yet to be found in anyone with SVR, suggests to me that there is no active virus under the radar of current blood tests in those with SVR.

So to me, using the word "cure" for those with SVR is quite reasonable based on what we know today.

-- Jim

[cuteus]

no, upbeat, I did not miss the point. If you can't detect it in the blood, liver and PBM, you most likely got rid of it. as close to 100% as you can get, since nothing in life is certain execpt for the D word. And semantics it is, since hepatitis(inflammation) is cured and for the most part reversed once you halt the replicating virus. But you don't have to take my word for it!
http://www.natap.org/2005/HCV/010505_02.htm
take care

[cuteus]

"...certain except for the D word." ....not for denial
;-}

[jmjm530]

Upbeat: A lot of researchers believe that just because you can't detect the virus by pcr dosent mean that you still don't have it.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Not to be confrontational, but do you have any studies/papers to show us on this? Perhaps what you're talking about is non-replicating viral remants found in body tissue?

Recently, I asked my hepatologist does SVR mean there's no (replicating) virus or does it mean that the immune system is just suppressing small amounts of virus that fall under the radar of today's current tests.

His answered quite emphatically that it was the former -- SVR means there's no replicating virus left. Nada. Nunca. Zero.

To me this makes sense on a number of levels, including the fact that studies as presented previously, show the durablity of SVR. If indeed it was solely up to the immune system to repress the virus, one would think many more post 1-year SVR's would show up.

That said, nothing would surprise me in this ever-changing field and tomorrow may bring different answers.

-- Jim

[jmjm530]

2nd to last paragraph in previous post should have read:

If indeed it was solely up to the immune system to repress the virus, one would think a small group of post 1-year SVR's would relapse, but they don't.

[GoofyDad]

Meant to say:

Once you are clear for say <b>6</b> mos post tx, chance of return is negligible. <b>12</b> mos, and it's miniscule.

[Upbeat]

I certainly hope your right.  I will try and find info on this and post it. This subject has been talked about for sometime now. As I recall the jest of it was that since you can only measure down to something like 10 copies you may still have the virus.  I assure you this isn't comming out of thin air.  Like I said I will research it and get back.

                                                       Ron

[SJL]

I have been gone for a few weeks & just wondering how you are doing? I am not going to comment on the cure thing----but my Doc says CURE!

[dutchman]

you can call it whatever you want. If the HCV RNA is undetectable after 1 Year post treatment, and your liver histology and health is improving. I use CURE, some don't. By extending your longevity comparable to that of a non HCV person, I use the word CURE.

[can-do-man]

And paying taxes, Btw my hepo calls it cured also, well for the hep-c anyway. Says theres no cure for the rest of me. not quite sure what he meant though. Have a good weekend

[cajunlady]

You beat me to it. As, I was growing up, one of my father's favorite sayings were; I only have to do two things in life (out of my control) that is Pay Taxes and Die.  I found that humorious for him.  My father was a complete control FREAK. Everything had its place and everything better be in its place; and if you use something, it better be put back in its place within 5 minutes. He drove me crazy.  So, it was always funny to me, that there were some things he could not control. LOL LOL.  Thank God he learned to chill out in his old age.

BTW since my 12 wk pcr UND; Cajun can do now.  

cajun

[can-do-man]

LOL, my dad and grandpa was the same way. Thats why they never let me use their tools. Im so very oraganized at work drives people crazy. But at home my garge, unreal couldn't find anything........... Cajun so glad everything is going great. The now can do cajun...

[cajunlady]

My desk at work is neat as a pin; but not perfect.  I swore that I would never, ever be a perfectionist and that I would not drive my kids crazy like that, and so far, I do not have that issue.  I keep things picked up; but if something is out of place, oh well.  I do a major spring clean only once a year and since tx, I have a cleaner come in every other week. And the garage, we just spring cleaned that thing.  What a mess an all day affair. LOL  

Well time for me to go home now; yeah works over for the week.  Tonight, shot 14.

cajun

[jmjm530]

I hear you about not coming out of thin air -- I've also heard it talked about a lot -- just not sure if it was in the context of legitimate SVR's versus the value of more sensitive tests for diagnostic testing during treatment. Honestly, my intuition suggested what you say -- but my doc and others convinced me otherwise. In any event I'm sure there's more than one legitimate point of view on this.

-- Jim

[PKCO]

Post-mortem studies have shown that the virus can be destroyed completely and leave absolutely no trace in the body.

That, by any definition of the word, is a cure.

[KICKED]

I just got my 6 month post and I am undetectable.  I had to wait four weeks for the results, talk about nerve recking.  I have been in the site for the past 6 months but not posting.  Wow many new faces with just the same fears and questions I had. THis is a vicious circle. But this circle can be broken with a cure.  The doctor said that there is a 97.8% it will never come back. To me this is a miracle. I don't think I could have done the 48 weeks again.  Does anyone know if the curls in your hair come back. Did like them when I had them but sure do miss them now. The best of luck for all the newcomers. You have found the best site in the world for hope and support.

[Mister beagle bailey]

Congratulations on your 6 months UNDETECTABLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's good to hear stories like yours, it gives hope to all.  I agree this is a great site and the people on it are the best.  Wouldn't have known what to do if not for all on here.  
I am also UNDETECTABLE with 10 shots left after tomorrow to go.

I believe soon you'll realize you are already SVR.

Good Luck,

Beagle

[jmjm530]

SLJ,

Thanks for asking. Been off the drugs for a few weeks now and starting to feel better. It's a gradual process but don't have anywhere to go but up. Off now for a power walk and then to the gym. Hope this finds you well.

Kicked,

Congratulations! Four weeks is a very long wait. Maybe they tried to count the viruses by hand :)


-- Jim

[cuteus]

what a tremendous relief, the results definetely make up for the stress. You are pretty much home free! batting average in the 500s!

". Maybe they tried to count the viruses by hand :)"
and the hanging chads did not help, probably. I am sure kicked does not want a recount!

[slowsouthernstyle]

all of the docs I saw told me the same thing that there is no cure for hep c only remission

[suzieq2]

Cure? Remmision? Who knows anything for sure with Virus yet.I believe they are getting close, but I do not think anyone knows for sure.

[cuteus]

check Dr David Bernstein, Dr Dieterich and Dr Cecil, they have all used the word cure, as has Dr Palmer. If your drs prefer remission, so be it. I go with CURE.
stay well