update on vl test

[saltavar]

September 22nd I was told to discontinue tx with simepriver/sofosbuvir. Had treated for 9 weeks.(Cirrhotic, first time tx.) 50 years positive. Geno 1a. Week 8 test had come back still positive for the virus so was told to discontinue. So I got one extra week of tx before stopping for a total of 9 weeks. I went to follow up this past Monday and they did a vl test which indicated "target not detected." So I got screwed out of three weeks of tx that would have helped insure that this damn virus stays gone, but NOOOOOO! "IF the virus hasn't cleared by week 8 the tx wont work or the virus will come back." Is what I was told.
SO, Im happy that its negative, but pissed that I got cheated out of 3 weeks of tx. Don't listen if similar happens to anybody out there. Forgive the rambling as I have mixed feelings right now.
Bob

[saltavar]

Just found out there are 2 tests: a quantitative and a qualitative. The qualitative is the better test and is the one I showed positive on after 8 weeks tx. The recent test was a qualitative test which according to the Dr. most likely shows a very low viral load with a very good chance of the virus slowly rising. I need to be negative on both tests for 12 weeks before new tx can begin. At least I got some clarification.

[saltavar]

I don't know the answer to that question. Good question though. I will ask.

[keepingOnkeepingOn]

I totally agree with you and you have every reason to be peeved.
Some clear at week 12 and there is no reason a person should discontinue if they haven't reached UD by week 8. Something in the rules has to change. It's good you got that extra week. The hardest part of treating on S/O is thinking they could cut you off at any stage of tx. I just got my last script delivered and I breath a sigh of relief. If anyone cuts me off I still have the full 12 weeks worth or what's left to go.
Let it all hang out. You are right.

[Idyllic]

Sorry I did not know how to phrase my question.
I understand you were short changed 3 weeks of treatment.

I was wondering how many weeks after treatment is SVR determined. For example in triple therapy, for me it was 24 weeks after treatment. But if we were still UND at say, 12 weeks after treatment we could pretty much take heart that we cleared the virus.

Some of these drugs stay in our system a long time so I am not sure how promising it really is that you are UND 22 days after treatment. On the other hand I do not know anything about the new meds so I am unclear how much of an indicator this is that you will remain UND. That you have cleared the virus.

[saltavar]

Twelve weeks is tx length. I wil retest again in 2 weeks. Its been about 3 weeks since stopping tx. Roche's test test says below,<43 is undetectable. That's whatI am now. My issue is that the chance of sustainable viral response would have been better for me to finish the remaining 3 weeks of tx rather than stop it.

[Idyllic]

Monday was the 13th so that is:

From and including: Monday, September 22, 2014
To and including: Monday, October 13, 2014
Result: 22 days

I am not familiar with the treatment protocol for the meds you took.
What week # are the SVR labs?http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Hepatitis-C/update-on-vl-test/show/2346583#
Will you be able to have another PCR in the future?

[johnny679]

at least your clear and hopefully you remain undetected .
Its amazing how different we all react to these new meds no one really knows just need to wait and see .

[patra_]

Congratulations on the UND!!!!!!

That is wonderful, and I pray that it stays that way!  

I agree with what you said.  It seems REALLY poor medical practice (or insurance interference!) to stop before the 12 weeks!  

Keep records of all that, AND what you were told, including all Labs, including this last one.  If, God forbid, you should ever have to treat again I would feed (copies of) those records to the Dr and or Ins Co that made the decision to stop early!

Good luck and be well!    Pat