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Cure Letter
What a pleasant surprise, I just received a "Cure Letter" from the clinic where I completed the 16 week study with SOC and GS9190 & GS9256. I will quote a few very impressive lines.
"To whom it may concern, Sherri----had chronic HCV. Now more then 24 weeks following the completion of combination (stated above) therapy, the viral level remains UNDETECTABLE. This represents a sustained viral response (SVR) to treatment, and with over 15 years of data collected on SVR patients this is a CURE. The HCV Ab test may remain positive but this does not represent an infection. It does not represent the actual presence of HCV, but only the body's defensive response to being exposed to the HCV . This is the same body process that occurs when we receive immunizations to prevent childhood infections. Again this production of antibodies does not equal the presence of infection and these antibodies may circulate in the body indefinitely. Sherri --- had the "Gold-standard" for determining the presence of HCV: the HCV RNA PCR assay on 30 Nov. 11 which was NEGATIVE. Sherri --- poses no known risk to herself or others in regards to HCV."
"Sherri --- liver biopsy showed stage 3/4 fibrosis. My expectation would be for her fibrosis to regress over time, due to biopsy documented examples of improvements in fibrosis, and in some examples resolution, of patients with HCV after successful interferon therapy. There have been consistent reports on the reversibility of liver fibrosis in humans when the cause of the underlying liver disease is eliminated as in this case. Remodeling of the scar tissue can occur and a return towards architectural normality has been documented even in advanced fibrosis."
WOW...Thank you all for the kind words and support through my ordeal. Best wishes to all and I hope everyone on here gets a "Cure Letter". Happy Trail, Sherri
"To whom it may concern, Sherri----had chronic HCV. Now more then 24 weeks following the completion of combination (stated above) therapy, the viral level remains UNDETECTABLE. This represents a sustained viral response (SVR) to treatment, and with over 15 years of data collected on SVR patients this is a CURE. The HCV Ab test may remain positive but this does not represent an infection. It does not represent the actual presence of HCV, but only the body's defensive response to being exposed to the HCV . This is the same body process that occurs when we receive immunizations to prevent childhood infections. Again this production of antibodies does not equal the presence of infection and these antibodies may circulate in the body indefinitely. Sherri --- had the "Gold-standard" for determining the presence of HCV: the HCV RNA PCR assay on 30 Nov. 11 which was NEGATIVE. Sherri --- poses no known risk to herself or others in regards to HCV."
"Sherri --- liver biopsy showed stage 3/4 fibrosis. My expectation would be for her fibrosis to regress over time, due to biopsy documented examples of improvements in fibrosis, and in some examples resolution, of patients with HCV after successful interferon therapy. There have been consistent reports on the reversibility of liver fibrosis in humans when the cause of the underlying liver disease is eliminated as in this case. Remodeling of the scar tissue can occur and a return towards architectural normality has been documented even in advanced fibrosis."
WOW...Thank you all for the kind words and support through my ordeal. Best wishes to all and I hope everyone on here gets a "Cure Letter". Happy Trail, Sherri
WOW!! Congratulations to you!!! I would frame that wonderful letter, Sherri! I too had no idea that you could reverse fibrosis at stage 3...that is incredible news! What a grand way to start the new year...and a new Hep C free life! I am sooo happy for you and thank you for sharing such wonderful news!
Your letter says:
This represents a sustained viral response (SVR) to treatment, and with over 15 years of data collected on SVR patients this is a CURE.
This is really important for all of us. It's so exciting, I've been thinking about it for hours. Here's the thing: up until now, doctors have not been willing to say the word "cure" in the same sentence with Hep C.
I cleared in 2009 and my doctor writes in his notes that I am a sustained virological responder. He doesn't say I'm cured!
Even here on Medhelp, it's said that Hep C cannot be cured (link follows):
There is no cure for hepatitis C, but medications in some cases can suppress the virus for a long period of time.
A "sustained response" means that the patient remains free of hepatitis C virus 6 months after stopping treatment. This does not mean that the patient is cured, but that the levels of active hepatitis C virus in the body are very low and are probably not causing more or as much damage.
http://www.medhelp.org/medical-information/show/69?page=5#sec_25679
Finally the word "cure" is being used in referring to successfully treated Hep C. This is HUGE!
Thanks so much for sharing this!
Lapis
This represents a sustained viral response (SVR) to treatment, and with over 15 years of data collected on SVR patients this is a CURE.
This is really important for all of us. It's so exciting, I've been thinking about it for hours. Here's the thing: up until now, doctors have not been willing to say the word "cure" in the same sentence with Hep C.
I cleared in 2009 and my doctor writes in his notes that I am a sustained virological responder. He doesn't say I'm cured!
Even here on Medhelp, it's said that Hep C cannot be cured (link follows):
There is no cure for hepatitis C, but medications in some cases can suppress the virus for a long period of time.
A "sustained response" means that the patient remains free of hepatitis C virus 6 months after stopping treatment. This does not mean that the patient is cured, but that the levels of active hepatitis C virus in the body are very low and are probably not causing more or as much damage.
http://www.medhelp.org/medical-information/show/69?page=5#sec_25679
Finally the word "cure" is being used in referring to successfully treated Hep C. This is HUGE!
Thanks so much for sharing this!
Lapis
Wow! Your letter brought tears of joy to my eyes! The information about fibrosis reversal is so uplifting, I can't even tell you what a sense of relief I felt when reading that.
I can only hope for the same outcome and letter for all of us.
Thanks, and congratulations!
newb
I can only hope for the same outcome and letter for all of us.
Thanks, and congratulations!
newb
"My expectation would be for her fibrosis to regress over time, due to biopsy documented examples of improvements in fibrosis, and in some examples resolution, of patients with HCV after successful interferon therapy. There have been consistent reports on the reversibility of liver fibrosis in humans when the cause of the underlying liver disease is eliminated as in this case. Remodeling of the scar tissue can occur and a return towards architectural normality has been documented even in advanced fibrosis."
That sentence alone is worth a.............well can't put any amount but priceless on it. Congratulations with this great news and being free of Hep-c, thanks for the update.
Charlie
That sentence alone is worth a.............well can't put any amount but priceless on it. Congratulations with this great news and being free of Hep-c, thanks for the update.
Charlie
Wow! What a wonderfully informative and descriptive letter. Congrats Sherri! So nice to hear this encouraging news. Thanks for sharing it.
That is wonderful news, Sherrie. What a fabulous New Years gift. Congratulations and thanks for sharing. It gives all of us on treatment and those about to start treatment hope for SVR.
I read your amazing letter. I can not thank you enough for posting it. I almost cried. Congratulations and best wishes on a fantastic rest of your life.
Gerbils
Gerbils
Congratulations sherri, and thank you for the update! Best to you and your hubby also going forward!
Will
Will
Letters like that is what will push people like me to start treatment. (Stage 2/3) The statement from the letter: "There have been consistent reports on the reversibility of liver fibrosis in humans when the cause of the underlying liver disease is eliminated as in this case. Remodeling of the scar tissue can occur and a return towards architectural normality has been documented even in advanced fibrosis."
I did not know this could actually happen the reversible part - I thought tx could stop the virus in its track but not reverse it! Its so important to know this because conversely - it is very disconcerting to hear when people relaspe. Particularly, after going through the "ordeal" (tx) more than once which must be to say the least - disconcerting.
This is certainly a WOW letter. Thank you for sharing - very happy for you.
Millie
I did not know this could actually happen the reversible part - I thought tx could stop the virus in its track but not reverse it! Its so important to know this because conversely - it is very disconcerting to hear when people relaspe. Particularly, after going through the "ordeal" (tx) more than once which must be to say the least - disconcerting.
This is certainly a WOW letter. Thank you for sharing - very happy for you.
Millie
What a letter! I would love to have one as well. I did wonder once you reach svr are people still contagious well your letter answered that.
Wow that is really nice and let me add my name to the congrats group. Is it customary to give people such a letter? Is it normally done after 6 months have elapsed? This is the first I have read about it. And yes, the letter is comprehensive.
I just got my "cure" letter as well. It is a lot less descriptive than yours but it states that I achieved SVR and that over 99% of people with SVR remain negative and is considered ERADICATION of the virus.
Would be nice if they would standarize these letters and everyone achieving
SVR status should automatically get one. Ideally from the Health Dept.
where we all get registered upon first HCV diagnosis , LOL...
Congrats
Cheers
b
Would be nice if they would standarize these letters and everyone achieving
SVR status should automatically get one. Ideally from the Health Dept.
where we all get registered upon first HCV diagnosis , LOL...
Congrats
Cheers
b
I'm so happy for you and knew you would make it. You helped me through my "ordeal" as well even though I was jealous when you got randomized to do just 16 weeks. I hope hubby can now get to the same point. Thank you for the support and good luck. Also, I hope that your hair is coming back in - mine's not doing too well.
Excellent news. Here's hoping for letters like this for everyone treating for Hep C.
Advocate1955
Advocate1955
Fantastic , we all wish to recieve in time a letter like that, congratulations, youare now free from this virus . Enjoy your life .
Woohoo... Great news for you, great incentive for me. That was nice of them to go into detail like that, mustve been a nice clinic.
Wow. Congratulations Sherri!. Great gift to start off the new year. Thanks for sharing. That letter is a dream come true. A nice descriptive explanation of your HCV and liver disease status. You stopped the advancement of your liver disease 3/4 in time for it to be able to repair itself.
Best of luck on your future endeavors as a person without the burden of hepatitis C shadowing you.
Hector
Best of luck on your future endeavors as a person without the burden of hepatitis C shadowing you.
Hector
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