Out of the Woods? Happy New Year

[spyderman370]

I stopped my interferon 2 weeks ago and the blue meanie Ribavirin last week. Just received my PCR load test back and I am UND - again. Was also UND at 4 and 12. I think there is a good chance for an SVR in June when I suspect (and pray) that all of you early FDA pioneers (May, June, July crowd) will be testing for SVR status post triple tx. Incivik was my poison of choice and it really kicks some HCV butt. For those of you starting out, it is hard but do-able. Side effects really suck and you will feel like a beached whale (20 grams of fat 3x daily helps here). I think this site was absolutely wonderful too have access to with so many of you sharing this journey. I will continue to post back. Wishing you all Happy New Year and the best of luck in your treatment.    

[orphanedhawk]

Oops I meant that to be to spyderman.

It will be nice to get my mind back.

[orphanedhawk]

Yes, congrats and best of luck !

[working dog]

nice going...good luck....i hope everyone keeps posting results...billy

[Dee1956]

Congrats and thank you so much for sharing, every UND gives me hope
Dee

[belle19]

congrats on reaching the finish line.  what a great way to start 2012.  i hope you're SVR in 6 months.  i'll finish my tx in may.  can't wait!!  i want my life back.  i will be so much more appreciative for becoming healthy.  good luck to you.  belle

[spyderman370]

"RIBA rage" will be entered into the Websters Dictionary soon....kinda like going postal, thank you for the kind words...

[spyderman370]

Karen thank you so much...I guess you relate to those blue little pills.

[beeblessed]

RIBA....The blue meanies!  LOL!!  Oh that is so, so true.  Congrats on making it through.  Wishing you all the best!!

[flcyclist]

"Does quest use the word undetected?"
---------------------
I've had one report from Quest that actually had the words "<43 NOT DETECTED", but the others were just listed as "<43".  This drives me nuts that they can't be consistent with the way they report.    

"also quest states the test is quantifiable to 43 and sensitive to 7.1 but labcorp states the test is quantifiable to 25 and sensitive to 7.1. Not sure why."
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I recall back in Sept/Oct Labcorp changed the quantifiable range of their PCR from 43 IU/mL to 25 IU/mL which meets the recommended criteria of the new PI's.   Since triple therapy is response guided, the results from these  PCR's even more important.  I wish Quest would follow, but does still have the more sensitive Heptimax (<5) test to meet the criteria.

As noted on the Incivek prescribing information, "The assay should have a lower limit of HCV-RNA quantification equal to or less than 25 IU/mL and a limit of HCV-RNA detection of approximately 10-15 IU/mL. For the purpose of assessing response-guided therapy eligibility, an “undetectable” HCV-RNA result is required; a confirmed “detectable but below limit of quantification” HCV-RNA result should not be considered equivalent to an “undetectable” HCV-RNA result."

[crossroadsec]

Way to go! I'll do my happy feet dance for you! I feel SO much relief after seeing every post like this. I hope you get a lot of relief and some good rest as your body recovers.
Karen :)

[MagTX]

Is Quest still doing the Heptamax test, I believe it tests down to 5 IU/ml.  This was the popular test amongst us treaters that were doing SOC about 5years ago, is this one still an option for detecting the virus or has something changed wirh hepatamax since then?

Spyderman, congrats on making it all the way through on triple...getting the SVR will be worth it!  

[willbb]

Congrats to you on finishing up  . If the test actually said <43 UND. you were UND.  If that was your week 4 you have an excellent chance of success doing 24 weeks therapy...

Best..
Will

[ceanothus]

Congratulations on completion with UND, and thanks for providing some inspiration and helping us remember there is light at the end of the tunnel. I'm early in my 11th week with Incivek, and all my focus is just on making it to the end of this phase and looking forward to being able to stop eating so much fat, and not being forced to eat even when I feel like I might throw up. The real end seems so far away!

[spectda]

Interesting, I didn't know that. Still they seem to report it differently and it seems to cause concern for people often. Does quest use the word undetected?  

also quest states the test is quantifiable to 43 and sensitive to 7.1 but labcorp states the test is quantifiable to 25 and sensitive to 7.1. Not sure why.

http://www.questdiagnostics.com/hcp/testmenu/jsp/showTestMenu.jsp?fn=35645.html&labCode=SJC

"Please note: the guidelines for the use of new anti-
HCV therapies (boceprevir and telaprevir) recommend
using a test method that detects plasma viral nucleic
acid levels as low as 10 IU/ml. This assay has a
lower Limit of Detection of 7.1 IU/ml for genotype 1
and conforms to the recommendation. Quantitation of
plasma HCV nucleic acid levels below 43 IU/ml (the
Lower Limit of Quantitation for this test) may not
be linear, and in this circumstance are reported as
"<43 IU/mL HCV RNA Detected". "

https://www.labcorp.com/wps/portal/!ut/p/c1/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os_hACzO_QCM_IwMLXyM3AyNjMycDU2dXQwN3M6B8JG55AwMCuv088nNT9SP1o8zjQ11Ngg09LY0N_N2DjQw8g439TfyM_MzMLAz0Q_QjXYCKIvEqKsiNKDfUDVQEAAzyjqE!/dl2/d1/L0lJWmltbUEhL3dQRUJGUUFoTlFBaERhQUVBWEtHL1lJNXlsdyEhLzdfVUU0UzFJOTMwT0dTMjBJUzNPNE4yTjY2ODAvdmlld1Rlc3Q!/?testId=1654399

"Limitations: The limit of detection of this assay is 7.1 IU/mL for HCV genotype 1, and the quantifiable range of the assay is 25 IU/mL to 69,000,000 IU/mL."

[flcyclist]

Quest's HCV RNA, Quantitative Real-Time PCR uses the same Roche test as spydie used.

This test was performed using the COBAS® AmpliPrep / COBAS® TaqMan® HCV Test Kit (Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.).

http://www.questdiagnostics.com/hcp/testmenu/jsp/showTestMenu.jsp?fn=35645.html&labCode=SJC

[pooh55811]

Congratulations on reaching the finish line. I wish you SVR in June.

[spectda]

I think the problem is with the Quest test since they don't seem to use the word undetected. It seems intentionally noncommittal and ambiguous although I suppose it makes sense since they can't tell if there is virus below the limit of detection. Personally I prefer the Roche test that spydie used.

Good luck spydie, I hope to hear your SVR 6 months post tx.
-Dave

[frijole]

spydie
I am sure it is fine. Since I have been doing the spread sheet I look at all of the results and am amazed in the diveristy of reporting.

Your report says that the detection level was to 7 and you were undetectible.   That means, as low as the test goes, you are UND.  Of course it is possible to have virons under 7, but in all likelihood, you don't.

So congrats.
frijole

[spyderman370]

Clinical Pathology Labs - Austin TX

Real time PCR Roche COBAS Ampliprep/Taqman

Range Quant        =     43 - 69,000,000
Range Detection   =       7 - 69,000,000

Quant (<43) and LOG (<1.63) Not Detected

Why do you ask...I get a little nervous.

[frijole]

Great news that you are UND to the end -- So you were eligible to do the 24 week RGT.  Wonderful.  Make sure you pop back in when you get your final SVR in 6 months.  I am still keeping our spread sheet and want to make sure I have the endings to the stories!

Just out of curiosity, which lab did you use and did they report detectible virus under 43?
frijole

[crigger]

That's Great! I will say a pray that you remain und

[Boobert]

Great for you & Happy New Year!!

[flcyclist]

Congrats on finishing this challenging journey and wish you the best for an SVR.  Yes, there should be a bunch of you reporting about the same time.  Best luck to all.