I Relapsed

[friole]

I relapsed.  Picked up the PCR results today.
                     vl - 680,000 IU/mL   (1,700,000 copies)

I guess I knew this was coming, with those elevated liver enzymes, but I still can't get my brain wrapped around it.

My history --  I will be 59 in a couple of weeks.

Probably had hep C since late sixties or early seventies.  I have never had any symptoms except that I was getting more tired than I thought I should, and if I had more than 2 drinks in an evening, I felt it - recovery time was not as good, I guess you could say.  My liever enzymes have always been in the 202 (until these last 2 post tx tests)

Genotype 1a
Pre treatment VL - 1,520,000 IU/mL
Biopsy - Grade 1, Stage 1
Week 4 VL - about 2,800 IU/mL
Week 12 VL - 40 IU/mL  (LabCorp QuantaSure <2IU)
Week 20 VL - UND - (Quest Heptimax <5IU)
All tests after this were clear.

I went 56 weeks so I would have 36 clear weeks after my first sensitive PCR.  It wasn't enough, folks.  I am kicking myself for not doing the 72.  There are studies showing that those with low VL at 12 and clear at 24 can benefit from 72 weeks.  Other than Drusano, there are no studies about 36 weeks post clear.  Oh Cuteus, you were so right.

I am still too stunned to make any decisions today, but I guess I will be sticking around for awhile
Kathy

[can-do-man]

You know how i feel..... BTW thanks, and bet your not sour but sweet.

[TatorToT]

I lewft you a message on the flip side... I am sooo, SOOOOOooo sory about this... my heart just Aches for you as I have been there.... if you want to call you know how to find me... I Luv You!!!
;(

[Penelope1911]

Oh Kathy. :(  Stay as positive as you can, and like cuteous said, new treatments should be right around the corner. I am so sorry. Mequila

[friole]

I will tell the 10 or so people on the outside who knew I was treating that I was not sucessful, but none of them will really get it and their words will not mean nearly as much as those I have read here.  I know you all understand and I can feel your disappointment.

Scott, northstar, cgd, giddy, kim, FL, mike, carolyn, tallahassee, rawhide, kalio, deb, oreos califia, cajun, cuteus -- whew! didn't even know I knew so many people! Thank you

Especially to Scott, giddy,kim, FL, carolyn, - (did I miss anyone?) I join your ranks as a  fellow nonresponder - You are good people and we will all find a way out of this mess!

Carolyn - you never know.  We may just treat together again.

Califia - You are a wise sage and I will seek out answers from you and others

Cuteus - I will join you in the "cause against the Drusano model"
and you can bet I will be watching all of the 12 week results with great interest around here!

tator, cando, mkeela, angel -- thanks for caring.  May just take you up on that you big potato you!  Catch you all of the flip side, the tired side or whereever!

[returntosender]

I am very sorry Kath, I can only imagine how disappointing it must be.  I guess if there is a silver lining to this it is that you are a responder and in the end it is just a timing thing perhaps and at the very least you got a long break from the virus and hopefully got some healing done. You have been so kind and thoughtful to others, this isnt fair.

[jmjm530]

Very sorry about the relapse. Don't kick yourself at all. There is absolutely no way of knowing if the added twenty or so weeks would have helped. As Rev said earlier, he went 88 weeks and relapsed. So in fact you may have saved yourself 20 weeks more of treatment (and side effects) that would not have not made a difference. Moving forward, lots of interesting trials going on and as a stage 1, you have the opportunity to watch how things develop if that is your choice. Again, real sorry.

-- Jim