4 weeks VL, NOT RVR

[Marcia2202]

what a bummer..... my 4 week VL came back saying....

Hepatitis C (HCV) PCR: POSITIVE                               HCV PCR:  detectable, less than 80 IU/ml, not quantifiable


My hepa was happy that it had gone down from 1.3 million to that... Needless to say, that I wasn't too thrilled, as I was going for UND.

They don't usually prolong tx, but my hepa is open to it, due to the fact that I am geno 3a and partially Black American and that I'm informed and pushing. We had a great discussion and she will do another PCR at 8 weeks. I have stressed that if UND at 8 weeks I would rather add 8 weeks to treatment, than to risk relapse and do this whole thing again.

(I was referring to Dr. D's advice to add 24 weeks of tx after EVR.)

Now she is going to try and find studies supporting the fact to extend, if not RVR and I will supply her with what I have.

So what I would suggest is to go for 32 weeks of tx, if I EVR at 8 weeks. ( 8 + 24)


If anyone has any studies supporting this, could you please let me know... as the more literature I have on this, the better I can argue my point.

Thanks,

Marcia

[jmjm530]

No, I didn't get the impression you were angry with me, but thanks for the comment. It's unfortunate things have turned like they did. I like you and I also like everyone on your sh*t list although that thread appears to be deleted. Haven't been over at the Community side much, but if some of this has roots in those political threads -- another reason IMO why political and religious (discussions not simple prayers) should be banned.

-- Jim

[Marcia2202]

Thanks Rita,

I am not raging or anything. Maybe it is weird for some people to see that I can have strong opinions about things. Very often I have let certain comments roll over my shoulder, so maybe people are not used to see me put my foot down when I've had enough.

So no, I am not on a riba rage trip. My eldest son came over a few hours ago to cook some food for me and him, my youngest and I are having a good time.

I was actually only offended by one initial comment made yesterday and reacted on that.... Obviously that comment and my reaction to it created an avalanche...

You never know how things turn out, until they have happened. Maybe I should have just pretended I didn't read what was written to me... But maybe the other person should have thought about what she wrote to me first... There are always two to tango...

God bless,

Marcia

[Marcia2202]

Jim, I have been made aware that someone thought I was angry with you or something in that direction.

If I offended you in any way, it was not my intention at all... I really appreciate all your help and I think you know that... So if my words at any time sounded harsh towards you, I apologize.

Marcia

[rita3a]

The problem here is that most 3's get denied biopsy.  I did.  So we don't know where we are with damage and can only rely on ultrasounds which according to everything I have read are not all that accurate.  

It is scary not really knowing the amount of damage...

rita

[jmjm530]

Zazza: geno 3s, As someone who started off hoping for 24 weeks, then 48 weeks and finally had to do 72 weeks, I say just do the time that gives you the best shot at SVR
------------------------------------

Only because this thread seems to lack controversy and drama, I thought I'd add my two cents to the above.

In general, "Zazza" is correct. The more ammo and the longer you shoot that ammo, the better your chances of SVR.

But to me, the real question is AT WHAT COST.

To me, an equally if not more resonable approach to extending is to stop treatment, cut your losses, gather your strength to fight another day. Especially if you have little or no liver damage.

This BTW is certainly not advice to Marcia at this point, or to anyone in specific, but just a general statement of philosophy as I believe Zazza's post was as well.

-- Jim

[rita3a]

She does not have to do 72 weeks yet or 48 weeks.  She has a little bit of virus left and has to wait for her 8 week PCR before any more weeks are added on!  Too soon to tell at this point.  

Rita