Four Week Mark

[mayday557]

' K

Got the fist month of tx done, now I'm supposed to see the doc on Fri.  Is this the part were they tell me if the tx is working or not ?

Should I commence anxiety mode, level 1 ?

Signed ...A very nervous MayDay.

[Anonymous225]

I just finished my labs for the "whether we go on or not" test.  I am on a 24 week tx so they did it halfway through which I think is about normal.  Your 4 week test will just test your liver funtions, red blood cell count, white blood cell count...don't worry about that too much...just make sure the old liver is functioning as well as can be expected.

I was lucky and got back the 12th the day before yesterday and was told there is no HCV to be found, but oh joy, I still get those 12 other shots. I understand that its all downhill from here....I hope that wasn't mean down, downhill...lol.

Good luck!!!

[mayday557]

You guys are awesome ~ thanks for all the help, support and hand holding....AND the usfull information.

Hugs, Kisses and Blessings ~ All Around.

[nygirl7]

You're doing fine and your anxiety level is right where it's supposed to be.  This disease is a great big game of hurry up and wait.  Once you get the test taken it will take about 5 - 7 days to get the vl results back (but you should get back the CBC and hep panel the next day so call them and ask...if your liver enzymes are going down it could be a good indicator of how your viral load is doing).

Make sure to get copies of ALL of these test results ALL of the time.  That way YOU can see how you are doing on all aspects.  sometimes doctors DO miss things or think them not that important when to us...they are CRUCIAL.

Good luck Mayday I'm sure you are doing just FINE so try and relax!

[jmjm530]

No, you probably wouldn't be taken off tx with a dissapointing week 4 test, but a good doctor migh make adjustments which would give you a better chance of being UND by week 12, which is when you might be yanked off for disappointment results. No downside to the week 4 test, only an upside.

-- Jim

[charm27]

from my knowledge you have up until 12 weeks..and then a decision is made whether to go forward or not.

Fingers crossed for you.

[Lady Lauri]

     Wishing you UND! Hard not to be nervous, anxious.
I TRY ??? to not worry ahead, worry the day of and so on. Keep thinking in your head all day " I WILL be UND" !
                         Crossing my fingers for you, good luck...........to you and Charm


                                                                 LL

[wyntre9]

12 weeks is generally the point at which decisions about whether or not to continue treatment are made, unless there are other circumstances, like bad SX causing anemia, etc.

While the closer you are to UND, the better, the rule of thumb seems to be achieving a minimum 2 log drop at week 12.  Some doctors will increase meds if the 4 week response isn't sufficient.

wyntre

[mayday557]

Thanks for the support, very much appreceiated 'cuz I'm feeling really emotionaly needy about now.

My main question is tho - if your vl isn't going down after four weeks do they take you off of tx?  Thats what I'm scared about.

[charm27]

Congratulation Mayday! Wish you the best. Im taking my 4 week VL like Jim said a day before my fifth injection as well.

Good Luck.
Charm27

[jmjm530]

Congratuations on making it to the four week mark! The only conclusive way to tell "if tx is working or not" is to take a sensitive viral load test. Your four-week viral load test should ideally be taken the day before your fifth injection. If your doctor hasn't ordered one yet, call the office and ask for one. One very available and sensitive test is "Heptimax" by Quest Diagnostic Labs.

All the best,

-- Jim