seems to be a Change in how often they measure viral load, off TX

[evangelin]

It used to be , they only checked viral load when on TX and every once in a great while, if you requested.  Now our P.A seems to be requesting it for every 6th month appt.  I asked the nurse if this was standard now and she said, "yes"  I find this interesting because they used to say it didn't matter what it was while not treating but I've had so many years of labwork to notice patterns and Joe was always sicker when he had a very high (hundeds of millions rather than 1 or 2 million.)  I guess they decided it matters.  Are other Dr.'s wanting this each time now too?  
Ev

[evangelin]

We are at a University hospital in St. Louis.  They do lots of studies and are really on top of things.  The 2 Gastro offices we were in before going to SLU were not up on the latest but just following a recipe.  I was hearing about new things way before they were. Although it is a horribly long drive, going to SLU was one of our best decisions.  They were much better about getting Joe the Procrit he needed to stay on TX instead of constantly reducing doses which was never, ever going to work for him.
They have requested a PCR the last several times after failed TX and they didn't use to. So far, Joe's viral load has never gone up to the scary high numbers which correlated with him feeling lousy, since using HR's supplements. It has stayed between 1 and 2 million.  Not much to brag about but still better than hundreds of millions ,which is where we started.
Hope you are a winner with a P.I.
Thanks,
Ev

[frijole]

It is not standard, to my knowledge.  I asked my internist to run a PCR because it had been 4 years since I relapsed, and he did.  However, he only does it when I ask.

Is your PA with a GI or hepatologist?  That could be the difference.  My internist assumes some other doctor is handling that since it is specialized when, in fact, no doctor is currently monitoring my C

frijole