Any correlation between HCV antibody number

[melfarne]

Hi I'm new here, have completed my 2'nd round of treatment with interferon/ribavirin (the first round was in 2001). I am(genotype 1b, ick)

My second round was for 48 weeks and ended in September 2005. I just got my viral load back Feb 7th 2006: undetected- so 5 mos post treatment I am still clear!  This is great news but I am having joint pain, low grade fever (for 3 weeks- 99.5) and night sweats again... so of course I am worried sick!  My HCV antibodies show reactive at 22.20. Is this indicative that my virus will come back?  My CBC looks normal other than below normal basophils (absolute count of 19, of a 1-200 cell value and 0.3 on a 0.4 to 1.2 scale). Liver enzymes are great.

I know it is mostly a guessing game on whether my virus returns, but any insight would be much appreciated!

If my virus does return, what do I do?  My doctor says further treatment would not be beneficial, and she pretty much said she would not treat me again..

But my virus has been clear for almost a year (at least 11 mos) with (and now without) treatment...I am an otherwise healthy, 42yo female.

Thanks much, Melfarne

[cuteus]

mel, most of us will show reactive to the hcv antibodies for the rest of our lives, is the remnants of our encounter with the bug. It does not mean the virus is still within. good luck on your next test. You only have a 2% chance of relapse.

[FlGuy]

PCR is the abbreviation for the term which is a blood test to determine if there is virus present in your blood.  Being clear the long after treatment is indeed a very good sign. Folks can check me on the spelling but it's polymerese chain reaction. Continued good luck to you.

[NYgirl]

Wow you are doing FANTASTIC I am so jealous!  ;-)

Congrats on the five months!!!!!!!!

Honestly I think while we detox from the meds and also remembering that the liver is STILL not perfectly healthy even though you HAVE gotten SVR...you may have problems even after treatment.

I've wondered about that I mean it's FANTASTIC to kill the virus and get BETTER but it doesn't really mean we are 100% healthy again.  

But man oh MAN you are SURE going in the right direction!

Best of luck with all of this and a HUGE congrats on your efforts. How wonderful to read that it WORKS!!!!!!!

[melfarne]

Hi, thank you all for your GREAT words of encouragement!  I do feel much better about things.  Q: what does PCR mean?  

It has been a long HARD road, as you all know.  I sometimes wonder how we all have endured- everyone just needing you to be your normal self while everything in your world is so crazy and incredibly NOT normal.

I've read a lot of your posts here and I just relate so much- wish everyone here the very very best. Thanks for helping me breathe a little.

Kindest regards,

Mel

[HCA]

Your post tx symptoms do not indicate that the virus will return.
The chances of it returning are now miniscule.
Many responders experience a period of adjustment and detoxification-stop worrying!

[can-do-man]

Being 5 months post tx. and showing clear is a very good sign. Your odds of staying clear are now much better. Whens your next pcr? Sounds like you beat the dragon so start enjoying your life, you've earned it. Best of luck to you

[Mister beagle bailey]

That is great news you cleared. I would think since it's been almost a year that the virus is non-detected.  There are many stories on the forum of those who cleared finally after a few rounds of treatments. There is also someone in the thread above yours who's virus had multplied before first round of treatment was over and the Dr.stopped the meds.  It is a hard thing to call.  
Try and relax alittle now that you are still clear.

  The Beagle