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MedHelp Member's Question

For SVR Folks - Do you freak out every PCR test you get now?

by meki, May 06, 2008 01:29AM
Tags: pcr, results
I'm just curious.

Today it kind of bothered me when I went in for a bunch of blood tests and the doctor ordered all the Liver Function tests... And added Heptimax (polymerase chain reaction based) by Quest.

I know that I have to be patient and wait to hear the results --- and what will be, will be...

But I wanted to know if everyone who is SVR also gets that Pins and Needles feeling --- that --- OMG, what if I lose SVR feeling...

Meki
Member Comments (21)

by desrt, May 06, 2008 07:24AM
To: meki
For me it was comparable to quitting smoking - it was only bad for the first two years.

by sadd, May 06, 2008 07:46AM
To: meki
Yes, I get very nervous waiting for the results...esp. since it takes  1 week to get the results. Hang in there and I pray for SVR for you. I have never had Heptimax?? Can you tell me the difference between HCV quantitative PCR and Heptimax?
sadd

by nygirl7, May 06, 2008 08:37AM
After this final one I won't worry that much because it will be almost two years I guess (October) since any virus had been around.  But still Meki I think EVERYBODY gets nervous. You know how hard we worked and how much we want it...it would be abnormal NOT to get nervous at first!

but don't sweat it...I'm sure you are going to be one of the ones with NO problem AT ALL!

by TeeVee36, May 06, 2008 08:59AM
To: Meki
Congrats on reaching SVR!  You will be fine, don't let anxiety get the best of you.

Please let us know your great news as soon as you get it!

I am not where you are in post tx yet but am a worry wart so I know I will take myself to hell and back worrying while waiting for my first post PCR lab in late June which is right around the corner.

Thanks for your support and advice as always!

Trish

by Deb_c430, May 06, 2008 09:51AM
To: meki
I get that way now and I am not svr, (yet)   A sort of panic mixed with hope. I both can not wait till I know and have no desire to know! A paradox!  

But don't worry,  You will be great!   I just know it!   You so deserve it!   You rock!  

Breath deep, pray, whatever it is that calms you!

You have your whole life before you! And it is a SVR life

hugs
deb

by mremeet, May 06, 2008 09:57AM
To: meki
I worried a great deal about the ones leading up to the final 6 month confirmation. But now I have a strong sense of confidence that I'll test negative from here on out and don't worry at all on a day to day basis. HOWEVER - I'm sure whenever my next test comes up and I get that call (or I call the dr's office) to hear my results, and in that moment's hesitation where the nurse is fumbling with paperwork and saying things "ok where is it? I knew it was here just a moment ago" or the incomparable "wait here, I'll be back in a moment" (and then she goes to get coffee for several minutes and torture your a$$ for a few more minutes), or the always enjoyable "Ok your test results are in and bla bla bla bla bla..." without cutting to chase, and I'm thinking JUST SHUT THE F**K UP AND TELL ME WHAT MY RESULTS ARE!!! During those magic moments my heart will start POUNDING in my chest again...just like it always did when I'd first hear what my most critical tx and post tx PCR's results were, or when learning how I scored on my biopsies too (that was a REAL worrisome one too!). I've just accepted that's the way it is, although in general I've grown a pretty hard bark (as tommy lee jones says) on me when it comes to getting test results like that back after going through it so many times. Just keep a stiff upper lip and confront the results as quickly as possible - get it over with and move on. Until the next time that is! ;-)

by dogsledder, May 09, 2008 12:23PM
To: meki
I just went for my 3 month PCR. I figure what will be, will be. Other folks are a lot worse off than me and with no fault of their own. I contributed to my situation. I'm not beating myself up over this...what will be...will be. I just try to live now by the good rules of God and man. Hang in there.

by moahunter, May 09, 2008 01:55PM
I am not due for another couple of months for 6 month post TX - i.e. to see if I am SVR. Feeling quite confident (better touch wood), but I'm sure it will get worse as I get closer. As part of another test recently, I asked my doctor to test my ALT, and I was a "17". I figure, that has to be a very good sign, can't imagine I would be a 17 if the nasties had already come back...

by moahunter, May 09, 2008 01:56PM
PS I am eligible for 2 PCR's, and have been adivsed to have 1 at 6 months post, and 1 12 months post. Does anyone ever relapse post 12 months anyway? Just curious.

by meki, May 09, 2008 03:18PM
I don't know moa... Don't know.

CS has a list of a whole bunch of stats --- I don't have the energy to search it out --- but it is a really good list.

Meki

by nygirl7, May 09, 2008 03:39PM
can't imagine I would be a 17 if the nasties had already come back...

Me either. That was probably the one thing that kept me sane waiting for the PCRs to come back. I'd just say to myself how they were in the 200s pre-tx over and over and it helped - a lot.

by sldb, May 09, 2008 08:27PM
To: meki
I will be 2yrs, post in sept., everytime i have blood work done it makes me ill.  Hep knows to call me with results asap b/c i will worry myself to death.  I hope after 2yrs  svr i will be able to give myself a break....Congrats on your svr......Leah....( I think if i didnt have stage 4 cirrhosis, i would be a little more at ease)

by Debbie223, May 10, 2008 05:55PM
Please help the newbie out..... can you give me the time line for SVR and when the words cure are used? I will start treatment in July... Why do you have to still worry after 2 years? If you show cleared after 6 months and the go another 6 months and still are clear and then you go two years when can you stop worrying?

by susan400, May 10, 2008 06:27PM
To: Meki
Actually, yeah.  When I'm going through treatments, I always hope for the best and practically hold my breath for each PCR.   It gets hard to be positive,  so, yea, I do fret quite a bit.

Susan

by susan400, May 10, 2008 06:29PM
To: Meki
Oops, I'm sorry, I didn't notice that you did address this to SVR people.  Honestly, I'm not trying to make an issue here.  I just responded to the 2nd part of your request about freaking out....    hope you understand.

Susan

by meki, May 11, 2008 01:57AM
ROFLMAO --- Susan --- I dun care if you're SVR or not --- You all are amazing in my book anyway!

Super hugs to ya!

Meki

by ladybug52, May 11, 2008 06:33AM
To: Debbie
I can't speak for everyone, but this is how it feels to me.
I was und at 3 months and 6 months and that was an incredible, unbelievable gift....I  still wonder how long I'll get to keep it.
It sounds safe to say that if you're und you'll stay und, but it's kinda like waiting for the results of the pregnancy test.....
you just never know!
Happy mothers day, hope you're doing something fun with your sons.
Bug