My Husband's viral load

[_sherr]

His viral load is 897 million, type 1A..That seems extremly high.What does that mean?

[mikesimon]

Going to break in here to wish you the best tomorrow. I'll be thinking of you. Mike

[mikesimon]

Are you sure you have the viral load right? I don't think tests measure that high. Viral load is expressed in two ways. The standard way is international units per mililitre (IU/ML). The other is copies per mililitre (copies/ML). This used to be the common expression but because different labs had different approaches to determining copies per mililitre they switched to IU/ML. I think that your husband has at the highest 89 million IU/ML and more likely 8.9 million IU/ML. Just check that out. Regardless even 8 million IU/ML is considered a high load. What does that mean? Generally that the virus is more difficult to treat successfully. That doesn't mean he won't clear the virus. Many with high loads do but it is less likely with a higher load. Viral load is no indication of liver damage. People with low loads can have extensive damage and those with high loads can have minimal damage. There is no correlation. Type 1s (1a and 1b) are more difficult to treat successfully but they can and do clear. As to the condition of the liver a liver biopsy is the real test to determine damage. It's generally a very easy procedure to tolerate. You also asked the cost of treatment (tx). I figured it out a while ago and the retail cost is about $48,000 for 48 weeks or maybe 52 weeks of tx. Good luck. Mike

[layla]

My cost is $1259 for 4 pegasys shots and $836 or 150 copegus (ribavirin). This is $2095 a month. I know some people have to take other drugs to treat their sides but this is all I am having to take. LL

[_sherr]

THAnks for helping me I called the doctor and you were right, his nurse didnt read it to me correctly, it is 8.9 million. He had a liver scan today. Thanks again I'm sure I'll be in touch again but I'll try and get it all in one question.

[mikesimon]

You're very welcome. I hope the scan looks good. Mike

[willing]

Mike are you including Procrit and/or other meds in your estimate? the numbers I've seen for basic combo theraphy  are closer to Layla's ($23,000-$26,000). The following <a href="http://www.hivandhepatitis.com/hep_c/news/082703a.html">article</a>includes a summary along with an interesting glimpse at the financial side of the peg-intron/pegasys war.

[mikesimon]

I had looked it up on drugstore.com. Maybe things have changed or I was mistaken. I just looked it up again and the Pegasys is 1300 per month and ribavirin about 1600 for 5 weeks. I know copegus is cheaper so the price is lower than I thought. Sorry for the misinformation. Mike
PS my Epogen is around 500 per vial 40,000 and my script is for 2x per week. Now that's expensive! I am not taking that much. I take 40,000 and then later in the week 20,000.

[Galen]

Hey all, I'm gonna break in here, too.  DiveWrite is having surgery tomorrow for colon cancer, so everyone who answers to a 'higher power' please say a prayer for him.  He won't be back online till afterwards cause he took his computer in for work while he is in the hospital.

[Martee]

You will be in my prayers. I don't know why but I have a good feeling that you're gonna do great, and this too shall pass.

[sgabb]

Hey there, I will be thinking of you and sending what prayers I can....  Godd luck and a wish for a speedy recovery

[Tim in Tenn]

Add my prayers to the others.