thoughts in my mind

[mirceani]

Since I got the good news with two log drop at week 4, all kind af thoughts are going through my mind and this makes me ask another question, maybe your ideas will bring me some peace of mind.

So, I know I have the virus since 1990
For the last 17 years, I have complete records of periodic blood tests and they all show pretty much normal ALT/AST and the rest (except viral count, of course)
Biopsy in september (first one ever done) shows steatohepatitis and cyrosis.
Those nasty things may have neen in my liver for years, no way to know at what point in time I reach those levels of damage.

However, my life was and still is normal, some fatigue but that's it so far.

So my question for this forum is :

Assuming that all goes well and I clear the virus at the end of the tx, than WHAT?

What can I expect ?

[mirceani]

I am on Pegasys and Riba
I will have my 6th tomorrow
Genotype 1a
Beginning load 2260000

[alagirl]

That's what I thought you meant, but I wanted to make sure because I think that a couple of people were thinking you were all the way clear at the fourth week.  Still, you've met a big hurdle, the two log drop, and that's great.

Which treatment week are you in now?  I'm just finishing week 5 today (I think, my brain stopped working about a week into treatment).  What's your genotype and what was your viral load when you began treatment?

[jmjm530]

If you SVR, there's a decent chance your liver will heal and perhaps drop a stage or more. Even without SVR there may be an improvement in liver histology, at least temporarily. Probably a good idea at this point to get weekly or bi-weekly viral load tests until UND -- just to make sure things are heading in the right direction. Congratulations so far on the great progress.

-- Jim

[mirceani]

I did NOT say that I am und at 4 weeks
I did say that I dropped 2 logs at 4 weeks which is a different story, but which makes me hope for better

Thank you all for the kind thoughts.

[alagirl]

Actually, I just wanted to confirm what you're saying.  Are you UND at 4 weeks, or did you have a two log drop but are still detectible?

[kcrandy]

there has been some evidence that cirosis and scarring and damge to the liver does repair itself   how much repair to the liver is still up for debate.  i can sy my doc says he has seen cases were up to 50% reversal of damage to is apprx 80% of the patient he has treated as long as the virus stays svr. hope this helps.

4 weeks "und" is awesome!!!!    :o)

[mirceani]

thanks, but is chirosis going to fade out?
that's what actually bothers me

[goldenrule]

expect to live your life hep free!!! clearing at 4 weeks is great and studies suggest that only 20% of us clear that early.. You are lucky and on your way to SVR!!! way to go!!

[frijole]

to live your life to the fullest