confused about test results

In 1996 I tested positive for Hep C antibobies. Since that time I have been tested yearly and the results were 4 neg.  RNA by quantitave method and 1 neg. qualitative test.Three doc's have opined that I probably cleared the virus but I feel symptomatic from time to time and I have consitent mildly elavated ast  tests. I guess my question is could I still have the virus ? I would aslo appreciate any ohter thoughts as I am totally confused.
Thanks Jimi

[mikesimon]

It would appear that you did contract the virus and cleared it on your own. If this is really causing concern you could request a very specific hep c test like Heptimax by Quest Labs or Quantasure. This test should put your mind at ease should you test undetectable. The elevated enzymes could be from a number of causes and a GI or hepatologist should be able to determine the underlying reason. Good luck. Mike

[katch20]

Mike, what would you have to say about my viral load being 103,000 when i was dx, and now six months later it is 4,000.  Is that a normal fluctuation?  My nutritionist put me on a therapuetic dose of lipoic acid of 1200mg daily-- same thing they are giving HIV non-responders...could that have something to do w/ it?

[Is_This_Real?]

Interesting.  tell me more about the lipoic acid.  what is it?  How do you take it; is it a pill or a shot?  any side effects?

[ral]

Hi Mike

Sorry to break in here just talked to Dr again. He is worried that my hemoglobin is to low 9.2 he will treat with procrit if he has to. Plt went to 79 in 2 weeks from 184 he says if we get below 50 tx stops. So we have a problem.

I was sick for 2 weeks a month ago with a bad viral infection he is betting if we dropped Riba down to 600 for about a week everthing will come back up. He wants me checked on Tues next week. I think he is on top of it. He also said that some Docs don't even use procrit because of sides.

What do you think? Sorry for asking so much at this time I know there are people right now in more serious states than me just I am a fighter and don't want to give in and I told Dr. that, but he is very concerned and wants this drop in Riba because he is more afraid of plt problem.

Thanks
Bob

[katch20]

I forgot to say that I haven't started tx yet.  Alpha Lipoic Acid is a pill-- and most would say to take 300mg daily.  There is a trial going on right now where they are administering 1200mg daily for HIV patients who aren't responding to treatment.  There is a ton of research on Alpha Lipoic Acid for liver health, etc, So anywhay, my nutritionist put me on it, there are no side effects whatsoever, and my skin and eyes look really clear since taking it.  My hepatologist knows that I am taking it and all he said was "That's good."  I haven't been able to talk to him about the drop in VL, but I feel pretty optimistic about it.  Just in terms of it not getting higher.

[mikesimon]

katch, while fuctuations in load are not uncommon yours seems pretty significant to me for one not doing tx. I don't know a thing about lipoic acid or its effectiveness in lowering VL. Your load was low to begin with and it's really low now. I wish I knew something about this but, alas, I don't. As long as everything else is good with you I'd just continue with your present regime if tx is not an option or if you'd prefer not to do it. I apologize if I am forgetting some fact(s) about you that would be relevant.

Bob, I don't know which sides your doctor is concerned about with Procrit. I have often wondered if the bone pain I was having while on bigger doses of Procrit was due to the drug. No one knew whether it was from my hemolytic anemia or from the Procrit. But aside from that I didn't experience any other sides that I am aware of. Platelets: Mine are low too. They have been down to 25,000 and now are at 58,000. You know I am a transplant recipient and, perhaps, my doctors are less concerned about this stuff than most doctors. They have never gotten too worried about my platelet count. Maybe they are used to seeing this stuff with sick pre transplant patients. Also I believe interferon plays as big a role in reducing platelets as ribavirin and maybe more so. But, that being said, your doctor seems like he is on top of your situation. Hey, we've got to finally put our trust in someone and that is a decision you have to make almost with your gut sometimes. I will say I don't think your situation is alarming from a health standpoint. You're not in any danger but you might feel pretty fatigued. Your Hmg is low but nothing serious. Maybe a reduction in ribavirin would help. I've done this and it helped but the same problem recurred once dose was resumed. But I do have hemolytic anemia so that's a factor that must be considered. I don't know what to tell you aside from maybe trying to get more frequent labs so you can be right on top of the situation. The fact that he seems to be doing this is reassuring. Will he consent to letting you continue till the Tuesday lab results are in? This would be my preference. Again, at this stage I don't think you are in any danger but I'm no doctor. If you've got to reduce I don't think a week will jeopardize your chances. Boy, this was long and I didn't really say ****, did I? Good luck. Mike

[mrbill]

i was positive but undectable for years, at least since 99 when diagnosed. then i had elevtaed liver enzymes for 2 years, test still showed undectable. then this past july, i now have a viral load active and started tx. the doctors say its very possible it was laying dormant even though i did not participate in any risky behavior whatsover at all!  my point is not that you may have it, but like they said, you can have liver enzymes for many reasons and most likely you will never have the virus. i hope its nothing.
GODBLESS

[mikesimon]

Thanks a lot Bob and again, GOOD LUCK. Stay positive and you'll be fine. Mike

[DownThisRoad]

Bob
You'll get all this straightened out with your numbers and your doctor. It will just take an extra minute.

I've been on procrit since week 7. I haven't suffered with any type of hard side effects from the drug. I wrote into this forum when I started taking it.  I take 40,000 units (1ml) weekly.  Galen and a few others answered back to me about side effects or having difficulty taken procrit.  Everyone said that it does to trick to raise your rbc and no sides.

Although, a couple weeks after I started taking it I did have some severe leg (in the knees and upper thighs) pain.  But it went away in about a week and nothing since.

By taking the procrit, this is the only way that I can stay on treatment so my GI and I came to the conclusion that I would have to take it for the rest of the duration of my treamtent.

Yes, I live in Denver. Thornton actually, north of the city.  There are two others that I know of, on this forum, who are in Denver also.

Bundle up this weekend, it is suppose to get really cold!!

[ral]

I am in Basalt by Aspen and would love to go to a meeting sometime. My email address is ***@**** if you want to email off the site with a schedule. My wife goes to Denver quite often for quilting so I am sure we could work something out.


Take Care

Bob

[ral]

I think his main concern is that my plts keep moving down and is more worried about that problem; again he wants me on tx. He does not seem to have any problem with procrit other than it can give you some disease like leukemia or something like that. He is the type that is trying to cover all bases and he is in his own terms cautiously optimistic. I again believe that there is someone running this show besides me and my Dr so that's the way it is.

I will keep all you guys posted. I ma probably over reacting a little after all


Thanks
Bob

[ral]

Cool, and Mike please don't ever underestimate what you give to this site and the spirit you give it, like I said before you are a GODsend.

Dr is way on top of testing me every week if he has to. So I am going with his decision and dropping for a week, like you said a week can't really hurt.

Thanks again

Bob

[GI.PA]

See above under "after treatment" to answer your question about side effects from Hep C.

You simply do not have Hep C.  Just like when someone clears the chicken pox virus after a week or two of infection, You lack any virus in your system now.  A minimal elevation of your AST is not uncommon as is can elevate for many reasons, most of which are not related to your liver (the ALT is more liver sensitive).

GI.PA
Erin