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BTW, I use an online scientific calculator to convert the viral load into its log value. Just type in the viral load and hit "log" and it will give you the value. Here's the link to the calculator I use:
http://www.calculator.com/calcs/calc_sci.html
jd
Change View to Scientific and use the log function there.
jd
At least you are showing some response to the meds. Ask your doctor about what he/she will do in the event you do not get a 2 log drop by week 12. Depending on the condition of your liver you may be able to extend tx, or possibly you may be in a position to wait for Telaprevir.
For now, try not to worry too much. You are not a rapid responder but that does not mean you won't get 2 logs by week 12. Just make sure your doc has a plan if you don't.
Good luck.
jd
It's a rather unexciting result-you are responding but not particularly rapidly.
I would guess that you would make 2 log but not necessarily clear at twelve weeks in which case you would need to extend.
I am only guessing,but you asked for opinions.
another way to work it out is take zeros off the end for each log drop...
hence:
start viral load: 109931
1 log drop: 10,993
2 log drop: 1,099
3 log drop: 109
so you need to get to 1099 or lower by week 12 to be allowed to continue treatment - also those not clear by week 24 may also be stopped
i'd say your chances are good, just keep up the battle, I made a 2-log drop by week 4 and was still positive at week12 but now im clear (week 16 + 24) im now at week 38
Some of us are slow pokes when it comes to totally clearing the virus. Doesn't make our SVRS any less exciting though. :)
Hang in there. The 12 week is the really important one. You NEED a 2 log drop by then but really WANT to be UND. If you are not UND at 12 but you ARE by week 24 you can try extending like I didd.
Any chance you can get the doc to give you maybe an extra riba every day or something to try and goose it up a bit? How much are you taking compared to your weight is it enough? (My problem was different I went to 400 at week 4 but then stayed there....and stayed there..........and stayed there until somewhere before 24).
Are you making sure you are taking it with fatty stuff (I know some don't totally believe in the binding theory stuff but I do cause it seemed logical).
Have you spoken to the doc yet because while your results aren't the end of the world they are just not all that exciting...you sstill have 8 weeks to get rid of them but you want to make sure you do that so you don't have to extend or anything.
Deb
I weight 110 and take 800 mg of riba and 50mg of Promacta to try and keep my platelets in the 50's or 60's range. I have already been stopped once do to the platelet problems.
Hoping for the best.
Ribavirin prevents relapse by causing fatal mutation error but it's impact is not measured in the treatment PCR tests.
The efficacy of ribavirin is reflected in relapse rates whereby underdosing will increase risk of relapse.
I continually see people who are not responding as well as hoped being to take more ribavirin.
Although this may not be a bad thing it will have zilch effect on knocking out the wild type (unmutated) virus and is therefore not relevant.
You will all surely know that SVR can be predicted from the response to the first dose of peg,long before viable ribavirin levels have been achieved.
I do see where she mentions her bloodwork is dropping which is a sign that she is perhaps getting enough Riba already so maybe a different plan needs to be pursued.
Of course this is something she should discuss with her doctor ASAP.
clinicaloptions.com
http://www.romark.com/products/alinia.aspx
but it supposed to be effective against Hep-C in low viral loads only (under 400,000 iu/ml)