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1330624 tn?1282841459

Should I start treatment with a viral load of 2,895 ????

I was diagnosed with Hep c around 5-7 years ago but was never treated because I was in my active adddiction and had no health insurance. I recently saw a GI dr and he is saying that he can cure my genotype (2). My viral load is 2,895 and my liver enzymes are normal. I have been worried about being treated with interfuron and all the side effects. He said that I am healthy and now is a good time to get rid of the virus. I am going back to see him this week and would appreciate any feedback. I am on unemployment right now so if i am a little sick I could deal with it , I am just worried because I have heard it can make you very ill. Should I have a biopsy done ? I do agree with what he said as far as me being healthy and I am not working , but I am researching some info on the net and now I am not so sure if I should be treated at all. Then again if I can get rid of this virus then I would like to. I am 37 and have had pancreatitis several times due to my drug use.....I am confused and need anyone who has been treated or knows something about this to let me know... Thank you any help will be greatly appreciated.
Best Answer
87972 tn?1322661239
Hi Lexi,

Boy, you’ve managed to stumble across a group of folks that have either treated before, or are currently in the middle of interferon treatment.

Viral load isn’t the best measure of whether you should treat or not; that’s typically decided by the amount of fibrosis (scarring) you’ve developed over the years. A biopsy is the best way to measure this, however; and it’s not always necessary to have one of these.

If you plan to push treatment back further for some reason, it might be a good idea to request a biopsy; they can tell you how urgent treatment might be. However, you have genotype 2, which is highly responsive to therapy, and a good case could be made to skip the biopsy, do the six months of treatment, and get on with your life.

For what it’s worth, you have an extremely low viral load; while this doesn’t necessarily signify disease progression, it is a favorable indicator for successful treatment.

I did several years of interferon ribavirin treatment and other than fatigue, and some mild cognitive issues I managed fairly well. The doctor is right in that lifestyle is important; if you have some free time right now, and not under a tremendous amount of pressure, it might be a good time to get this done with…

Welcome to the discussion group, by the way. Stick around, read and ask others questions; I’m sure the answer will come to you soon :o). Have a nice Sunday—

Bill
12 Responses
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1225178 tn?1318980604
I've taken 6 shots now. If you don't plan to do anything but lay around for the 2 days after your shot, the rest of the week isn't too bad. I work 5 hours a day on my feet, then come home and deal with my 11 and 13 year old and my super nice & wonderful husband. I have some achy lower back and legs, and 2 ibuprofen clears that up. I have also discovered because of a great member on here named Nygirl7 that if I drink half of my body weight in ounces of water a day, I don't get the nausea, or if I started feeling a little pukey, I just drink some more water and it goes away. Also, my doctor gave me Ambien CR to help me sleep, and that works really well.

All in all, I'm glad I'm treating, even though I still have 41 weeks, I have a healthy future to look forward to, and that is worth any discomfort now.

Here's to your health!!!!!!!!!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Lexie, the hair loss doesn't hit a person like in cancer chemo. It's more subtle, although some do lose a heck of a lot and wear some cute wigs that work out fine.

At some point, my hair did come out a fair amount but noone ever noticed because my nurse had suggested I cut my hair short before starting treatment (that was tougher for me than losing my hair but I think it helped!).

I didn't wash it often (it became so dry, I lost the daily urge to wash, wash, wash) and I used Nioxin, which was super gentle (can't stand the stuff now because I like more lathering action). It's very pricey and the price varies a lot between one store and another. An hour after I bought it, I saw a 'special' for it at another shop, so it's worth checking around, if possible. You don't have to use a lot, anyway, so it lasts.

Honestly, once on treatment, the hair stuff seemed less important;  after treatment, it grew back great.

I should add that my curly hair grew in straight for a year. I thought I'd love it but then I wanted my old curl back. Now my hair is absolutely good to go again, and curly. Or maybe wavy but it looks great, so no need for you to worry.

Helpful - 0
1330624 tn?1282841459
Really I did not know I might need pre auth for the meds, I did call and they are covered. But I will call tomorrow to see if that is needed. I am a medical assistant so I do have the training for injections. I heard people lose their hair while being treated , is this true? I would rather keep mine, but I need a healthy liver.  I appreciate all ur help and advice.
Helpful - 0
87972 tn?1322661239
Hi Lexie,

The ‘log 3.449’ is the same as 2,810, but it’s expressed as a logarithm. It is a good way to backcheck the original number, which is very low indeed.

As far as beginning treatment, it might take a bit longer than you anticipate. Typically, insurance will require prior authorization; this might take a week or so. You’re doctor might want you to take a short class on administering the injections, etc. You might be on hold for a month or more; be patient, it takes a little time to get things moving.

Happy holiday to you too; good luck—

Bill
Helpful - 0
1330624 tn?1282841459
Thank u to everyone who replied....I am so glad that I stumbled across this site. The advice has helped me decide what I need to do. I am going to see the Dr on wed and I plan to start this Mon. I have a short trip planned to New York , so when I get back I am going to start treating. I just looked at the bloodwork and it says hcv quanitation  2,810 genotype 2b. There is another number hcv log 10    3.449, I a not sure what that is.  I am still a little nervous about the medicine making me sick, I guess if I keep a positive attitude and I have a great people who support me in my life, then I will be fine. I am very greatful to all who answered and I plan on sticking around the site. It's good to know that I can talk to other people and get advice or support from you if I need it. Happy Memorial Day to everyone ....and again thank u...:)
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Go for it. Do the biopsy now or later so you know what condition your in.  but I would treat now regardless of the outcome. Your Dr is giving u solid advice.
Helpful - 0
338734 tn?1377160168
Can-do-man makes a good point. In fact, it is often standard practice not to have a biopsy done for a treatment decision for genotype 2 or 3 patients. Because of the shorter treatment period and the greater success rate for these patients it often makes sense to go ahead with treatment regardless of whether there is evidence of liver damage. Extent of liver damage is the reason for biopsy, and if this will not influence the decision, then it does not make sense to have the biopsy done.

Good luck. Here's to a 24 week treatment and a successful outcome.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hello there, if it was me i would skip the biopsy and do the treatment. Being a geno2 and such a low viral load your chances are great...... You say your not working right now so if you don't have insurrance there is ways to get the drugs for free.

When you talke again with your doctor the main thing i would ask him is how soon he will do a pcr, it should be at least at week 4 of treatment......... Best to you.

cando
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Several great things are lined up for you right now, from what you say, and if I were in your shoes, I'd go for it.

There is such a super outcome that you can expect as a geno 2 with the current standard of care and your personal profile.

I treated because the timing was good. When things are in place, it counts every single day, as the days go by (more like drag on and on and on...).

My prospects for success were much lower than yours (I was a geno 1) and my treatment was twice as long (48 weeks) but the fact that it was a good time to seize the opportunity was what cinched it for me to jump in.

And hey, it worked. :)

Some people treat when there are a lot of pressures at home or work and this is so much more difficult.

So if life is lined up pretty good right now and you have an opportunity to treat, maybe you should go for it and close that door on HCV while you're young and healthy.

Hope you stay in touch,

Susan

P.S. Does your lab report say 2, 895 or is there any other number attached to it, like a 10 to a power? I've never read about such a low pre-treatment viral load, so I don't know what to make of it, other than it's stupendously low!

Helpful - 0
1327032 tn?1288840755
I agree. I have known i have been Hep C positive for about 10 years. up until this year I guess my age played a factor I did nothing except blood work and the fact I have an 11 year old daughter whose daddy (my x) Is a dyeing man from what yes he too has Hep c I do not think I got this dragon from him appox 21-25 years ago i did yes did a very stupid thing. So this year I changed my ins so I did not have a co pay for the biopsy and because as of 9/12 I will have 21 years off drugs. My liver showed very slight inflamtion I was in the 2-4 with inflamation. The dr that ordered the biospsy would not treat me. I went to a different dr and he agreed treatment would more than likely help me I am geno type 2B, i started treatment 2 Fridays ago so 5 1/2 months to go.
Helpful - 0
148588 tn?1465778809
I agree with the points Bill made. If it were me I'd do it now. I did the tx and have been clear for many years. The newer treatments that may come out in the next year or two would only be something  to consider if you were geno 1. You have a lot of factors in your favor right now. I personally would get the biopsy, but only for my own curiousity.
Good luck with your decision.
Helpful - 0
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