Timing of EOT viral load

[alwaysconfused]

I was diagnosed with Hep C genotype 2 in March of this year.  I began treatment in June and finished shot #24 last Thursday, Nov. 27/08, but do not finish my last Riba until this Friday.  My GI doctor told me to have the vial load test done 6 to 7 days after my last Riba and I was so shocked I almost didn't catch what he said because I assumed it would be 6 to 7 days after my last injection.  I did call back to his office and his secretary asked him again.  He said I could have it the day after my last Riba, which would be this Saturday, Dec. 1st.
My question is this...why does it make any difference whether you have this viral load done 6 to 7 days after the last injection, 6 to 7 days after the last Riba pill OR whether I wait for another week or two.
I realize there is a difference between breakthrough and relapse, but what difference would that make?
I have to make the decision today or tomorrow.  By the way, I was UND at week 12, did not have any other test prior to 12 weeks.  
Any help would be appreciated.
Always Confused.

[FlGuy]

Just had all the labs and a meet with the doc this week.  Mainly due to my lack of dietary discipline, blood sugar stuff still not stabilized where it should be. As the doc suggests, I should re-double my efforts. Redoubling would a misnomer because I have put my stomach into it but not my head with the 'ol hcv treatment determination. Take readings twice a day and the daily measures kind of reflect the a1c of 7.1.  Two days ago started doubling the met..  I need to get my act together better.  But to paraphrase LLoyd Bridges, the holiday season is a bad time to start eating better.  Oh well, what's lfe without a challenge? Othewise, I'm feeling pretty darn good and all the other lab stuff is basically where it should be.  

I admire you for going the 96 weeks and then exercising the patience that you have for the resulting pcr.  I'd be climbing the walls.  Are you again swinging a hammer?
Take care Bill.

[Bill1954]

LOL, edging is a good description; I’m sure not racing to get it done :o).

Yeah, I have the six-month post scheduled for sometime in January; along with a follow up appointment with the Hepatologist. Right now, I’m flying IFR… no clues to work with. Thanks for asking, though; I’ll post in the 72-week extended Tx thread when I get results.

How about you? Any improvement of DM 2? I’ve been able to cut my insulin back from 120 units to 70; although I’m still maxed out on metformin, and I also take glipizide and actos.

Still have some funky depression stuff going on too; I’m not sure if I can attribute this to Tx drugs or not. Not terrible, but definitely present If I had to guess my viral status based on how I feel, I'd have bad news for myself.

Take care, my friend—

Bill

[FlGuy]

By the by, are you edging toward a pcr yourself?

[Bill1954]

I agree with FLGuy; I’ve been through multiple treatments, and EOT viral work was never required. It might be essential in research, but unless I’m missing something, it has little value in the clinical arena. Of course, do whatever your doctor advises; he may have his own reasons for issuing this test. Good luck with your outcome,

Bill

[FlGuy]

The doc's intention if to determine if you ended treatment without having a breakthrough.  Typically a treatment week is shot day, followed by riba for a week.  I'd guess that anytime in that last riba week would work while you are still under the influence.

My opinion is that the value of end of tx treatment PCR is a little misleading if you have been und all through tx.  Although you were only tested once, as a Geno 2 (if you were fully med compliant) the EOT PCR is not likely to be real informational for the doc. If the worst happens, relapse, you would not have the same treatment regimen anyway.

If I had a PCR to spend, I'd do it one month after the last riba went down the hatch.  At that point, you'd have a preety good indication whether tx was successful or not (won't be completely out of the woods) and give you some pretty reliable feedback and after a month you'll be very eager to find out what's what.

If the doc is will to write rx's for last riba week, one month post and 6 months post - I'd do all three but I would not largly inconvienience myself to do the EOT if I had something better to do.