type 2b high viral load

[litbee]

Maybe someone can tell me where to find posted threads or where to find specific FAQs on this condition.  My question is this....I have had a viral load between 14,000,000 and over 100,000,000 in the pst 3 yrs since diagnosis.  My ast, alt are usually bordering normal or normal and my biopsy and blood test (in place of biopsy) have shown either mild inflammation or none and no other damage.  If I treat what does the high viral load with type 2b indicate as for chance of SVR?  ANYONE?  I'm new to this site.

[poppy27]

if you have a very high viral load with 2 then it is not as high of a success rate, in fact the rate goes down. I have a high load with 2b and elevated alt and ast.  I was clearly told that I may have a harder time than normal 2's due to having higher load, to clear it.

[jjhvc]

I also was told by my Doc that the load dose not matter it will go up go down I also started out with a high load , type 2b as well .  On third week of tx  starting today . I decided to treat because of the 30 years I've had it is a long time for it to do it's dirty work. I'm 55 found out in Dec of last year .
  What was said above is true it is only important for monitoring your tx progress. So I've been told. Sounds like you have time to think about it some more .It took me along time to decide to treat but when I did decide I jumped in head first ... The end seems so far away now but because we are 2b we are lucky there . 24- 48 All the best to you , Jan

[Mary4now]

sandal41

I was told by Hepatologist that the numbers of VL dont really matter other than you are carrying the virus.  I think it is only important to chart your progress.  I dont completely understand why the count isn't important... would be good to know.. M

[sandal41]

i'm confused here because i was told the viral load determines how strong the virus is in your system, and therefore, how much/how fast, it will continue to destroy your liver.

i was at 32M and now i'm at 265K. it's a measurement, but it also indicates how strong the virus is. i went from a 2 to a 3-4 in only 1 year. after pegintron.

i was told because my load went back up and the virus continued to destroy my liver.

[H20Lover]

Hello there....I am also a geno 2.  Just finished treatment 5/1.  I had a VL of nearly 7 million and was told was high, but probably not important.  I had high ALT/AST (in the hundreds), but caught before damage was done.

2 weeks after treatment started, enzymes back to normal and at 4 weeks into tx and for the rest of the 24 weeks, have been UND.  Hope to stay that way.

If you start treatment, don't worry about what you start with, but worry what your response is to the meds.  That 4 week thing is so so important.    That is the positive (or negative) indicator of your chances of SVR.

Pam

[Texas714]

I am 2b as well.  My VL was 45,000,000.  I don't think that means much of anything.  I am on tx and was und at 4 weeks.  What I will tell you is I wish I had found out about this much earlier.  I did not find out about this until mine had progressed to cirrhosis.  You may have time to wait on treatment but that is what I regret the most about this whole situtation.  I did not find out about it until so much damage was done.  Don't allow that to be your story as well.  Good Luch whatever you decide to do!

[Lilla]

I was typed as Geno 2b in early 2007. I did not have a biopsy but had extensive blood tests for fibrosis, etc. and ultrasound.  My AST and ALT numbers were awful - 5 times the normal range. I felt fine, found out thru routine blood work.  I treated with Pegasys and Riba for 24 weeks.  At week 4 I was UND and stayed that way thru remaining weeks.  Stopped treating in July 07 with an undetectable reading; Oct of 2007 I was UND, and in Jan. 08 I was still UND, or as doctor said "SVR".  I will test again one year post.    While I cannot say the treatment was a piece of cake, I am glad I did this now.  I would recommend you ask question after question. There are no dumb questions when it comes to your health. Knowledge is power and helps in making decisions.  This forum was wonderful as I learned so much.  My viral load was 1.8 million.  Good luck to you.

[litbee]

I want to thank you for your time, knowledge and good thoughts!  I am also a Penquin's fan (just starting interest).  I'm wondering is Type 2b common?  Has anyone gone to the sites that tell the origins of the viral types?  What is your opinion on that?  My thoughts are with all as we travel this common medical ordeal.  I guess I'll have to treat.  Does everyone eventually treat?  
Pam

[GSDgirl]

Hi, I was also told that the vl was not important it was just to be used as an indicator of how well you are clearing the virus.  2b is supposed to be one of the easier ones to clear, that is what I had (hopefully it is gone) I'm still waiting for results of bloodwork from about 20 days ago.  Has it really been 20 days??  I am also still waiting for all of my results of bloodwork through all of this.  Please be smarter than I was and get copies as you go.  Good Luck & GO PENGUINS!!!!

Denise

[HectorSF]

"If I treat what does the high viral load with type 2b indicate as for chance of SVR?"

75% to 80% of those with genotypes 2 and 3 achieve a sustained virologic response (SVR) when treated with the combination of peginterferon alfa and ribavirin for 24 weeks.

Don't worry about the VL numbers. VL is used for seeing how you respond to therapy it has NO corralation to liver disease. It's liver disease that will harm you not the amount of virus. The virus causes liver disease whish is why you want to clear the virus. AST and ALT are normal as they should be, since you have little if any liver disease.

You are in a good position to treat. Most of us would love to have those odds!!!

For more on viral load...
http://janis7hepc.com/Viral_Loads.htm

Best of luck for a successful treatment!
Hector

[Trinity4]

Even though your viral load is high, your genotype is 2 so you have a better chance of SVR than those with geno 1.   Also, tx duration is usually 24 wks for 2's & 3's and 48 wks for 1's & 4's.   It sounds like you don't have a lot of liver damage but I would consider txing at some point.  This is a slow progressing disease but you want to make sure your liver doesn't become too compromised because of the virus.
Good Luck
Trinity

[fuzzy1dar]

Welcome to the forum!  I'm also 2b and have been treating for 16 wks...8 more to go!  I don't know the answer to your question but you can look in the archives which is located on the top of the page to the right of POST a QUESTION.  Good luck to you...