Dr FINALLY ordered 4 week post PCR

[amberegg]

Thanks guys for all the fuel...my persistance paid off she ordered the post 4week PCR!!! Now let's hope that it comes back UND!!!!! Thank you guys for the support!!! Amber

[jmjm530]

That's good news Amber! Just make sure they order a very sensitive test, which will have more predictive value than a less sensitive one. Both Quest Diagnostics and LabCorp offer such tests but the one I'm familiar with is "Heptimax" by Quest. It goes down to 5 IU/ml and it's very easy to find a Quest drop-in center in case your doctor doesn't have an account. As to the timing of the test, I suggest you take it five weeks after your last shot. This will give you a more conservative reading than four weeks after the last shot, and is consistent with taking viral load tests around six days after a shot.

All the best with your results!

-- Jim

[jmjm530]

What I was trying to say in the above post is that the 4-week post treatment viral load test is best taken five weeks after the last injection. Just like the 4-week test during treatment is actually taken the day before the start of the fifth week. Hope that makes more sense :)

[amberegg]

I love that you consistantly educate people about  the Heptimax test. Thanks to you this is the only test I have ever taken. Also tomorrow will be five weeks since my last injection, In fact NYgirl an I finished on the same day Feb 2. I am a little nervous now, but hope for UND!!!!

[jmjm530]

Hey good luck but I'm sure you won't need it. BTW NYGirl is taking her post treatment test this coming Tuesday. From what you just said, I'm assuming you will take your test tomorrow, but unlike tests during treatment, at this point it doesn't matter if you take it tomorrow, or Tuesday like NYGirl, or even a week from now. I actually skipped my 4 week post treatment test and took one at 3 weeks post treatment and then again at six weeks post treatment, and finally at 12 weeks post treatment, and of course the big one at 24-weeks post treatment.  If you don't think your doctor will test you at 12-weeks post treatment, you might consider waiting another week or two before testing, just to get an even more accurate read. That would then be a week 5 or 6 post treament test, but I have a feeling you might want to know sooner!

All the best,

-- Jim

[nygirl7]

I'm sure you ain't got NOTHIN' to worry about sweetie (hahahah I know isn't THAT the pot calling the kettle black?)  ;)

It's going to be GREAT BIG FAT UND - ZEROO - SVR for you for SURE!  :)

(And I have ESP and I therefore know EVERYTHING! Just ask anyone!  hee hee)

Debby

[l-horn]

" love that you consistantly educate people about the Heptimax test. Thanks to you this is the only test I have ever taken. "

Jimjim is the new spokesman. They have T-shirts you know.

[l-horn]

Just curious but why would a person do a 4 week post tx PCR ? I was thinking I would do it 90 days post then 1 year post. That's a ways off for me so I haven't talked to my doc about it but is that just a comfort level thing or is there a valid medical reason ? Admittedly, for me it's a money thing since I don't have insurance but if the virus comes back detectable there isn't anything you can do about it, short of re-treating, is there ?

[jmjm530]

A 90-day post and then a one year is reasonable although I think you might want to throw in the six month since that defines SVR. As to why the 4-week, I think the reasons were covered pretty well in yesterday's (3/7) thread titled "Dr refused to order 4 wk post labs". But in short, it just gives you an indication earlier that you have a very good chance of SVR which to some of us is reassuring and keeps the anxiety level way down. Others, like Kalio, may decide to treat upon relapse, and therefore the earlier they know, the sooner they can start treating. And still others want to know as soon as possible if they relapse so they can get their ducks in order for future treatments or perhaps to line up a biopsy right away. Just remember while the predictive value of a negative week 4 test is around 90 per cent, the predictive value of a positive test is 100%. It's not necessarily for everyone, but should not be denied to those that request it.

-- Jim

[l-horn]

Is there a period of time you should or must wait between treatments if that is necessary ? I don't think I could bring myself to restart after 4 weeks. I try not to even think of the scenario, it would be so devastating but, I guess the more you know beforehand, in case that happens, the better.

[jmjm530]

It depends on the doctor, the patient, the individual stats, a lot of things. Most doctors seem to wait at least six  months between treatments. Others might suggest not treating with current drugs and adopting a watch and wait approach. Again, depends on your stats and what happened during treatment. In Kalio's case, her doctor's plan was to re-treat upon relapse, but keep in mind she was a geno 2 so only had treated 24 weeks. Don't know anyone who started right away after a 48 week treatment period.

-- Jim

[Kalio1]

I made the decision prior to my first tx ending that if I relapsed I would start tx right away retreating. For this reason I tested 2 weeks after I ended tx. I wanted to restart before the virus had a chance to replicate into high numbers. I did relapse, and restarted tx 2 weeks after the first one ended and my viral load was only a few thousand at that point. I was able to reach UND right away on the second tx, the one Im still on now.

If you don't plan to retreat if you relapse, if it was me, I'd put off the PCR test because it wouldn't change my treatment plan and I'd want to live in blissful ignorance after this whole ordeal the last two years!