Persistent RNA study

Is anyone else going through tx as depressed by this information as I am?  I'm 5 weeks from completing tx and was feeling really wonderfully about putting this **** behind me.  I'm at a loss as what I'm supposed to make of this information and certain that the PA I see at the clinic won't be making any more sense of it for me.  I feel so defeated...I'm sure it's partially the lack of sleep and medications, but ugh....

[TnHepGuy_]

In a purely practical day-to-day sense, there is little-to-nothing a patient can do - since even if there are associated clinical problems with the occult/low-level persistant Hep C virus (and that is a big 'if' at this moment since it remains unknown), science currently has nothing to offer for them and is only at the bare beginnings of scratching the surface of what this subject truly means. So worrying or becoming depressed over this information is to just bring on heartache over something of which there is yet virtually no knowledge of - and something that we have no control over. At this point in time the subject matter is entirely academic - with nothing of a practical sense for the patient to apply.

Much more important today is for the patient is to treat and hopefully achieve SVR - and gain all of the known benefits that are associated with it (i.e. - ending the high-level viral infection and the ongoing liver damage that comes along with it; possibly halting and/or even reversing ongoing histological damage; dropping the odds of continuing down the path towards liver cancer; lessening the chances of Hep C-associated diseases such as: lymphomas, cryoglobulinemia, a host of auto-immune disorders, skin conditions, etc. - and on-and-on). The list of Hep C-related health problems is a long one that continues to grow every day. To lessen and/or eliminate the the odds of having these manifestations is a great and extremely important goal of SVR.

What do I plan on doing about low-grade/occult infection? Other than keeping an eye on the subject and hopefully becoming more informed as science delves further into it - not all that much. If I do end up achieving SVR, I plan on being very grateful for receiving such a blessing. But I will continue to monitor my bloodwork and liver over time - and try and keep up with whatever new and pertinent information happens to come down the pike that may apply in my case.


Try and not let worry over things that may or may not be, push out of your mind all of the good that can and does come with your tx and your hopefully soon-to-be SVR.


May God's blessings and mercy be upon you.


TnHepGuy

[Dirac]

what information are you guys talking about?

[Dirac]

  
Ultrasensitive testing detects persistent HCV RNA in patients with resolved HCV infection  

By Anna Poppa

June 2, 2004

[doll face]

Very well put. I am sure that you brought peace of ming to alot of people here. Thanks. Once I achieve SVR, that will be reward enough for me. I will also continue to monitor my blood and keep updated on further studies, but wiil not stress over "what ifs".

[cao]

Thanks for the words of reassurance and perspective.  I need to keep my eyes on the "SVR" prize and not worry so much about the various scenarios that 'could' transpire, you know?  Just to be less infectious would be nice:)