Can I be cured?

[mujercali]

I have recently been treated for Hepatitis C. My numbers have gone down quiet a bit since my first test.  These are the results as they appear on the Quest Diagnostics Laboratory Report

Test                                    Out of Range                 Reference Range              Units
Heptimax  (R) HCV RNA           221                               <5                               IU/ml (95)
Heptimax  (R) HCV RNA           2.34                              <0.70  l                        og  IU/ml (95)

What is the prognosis, or what can I expect, in the future?  As the numbers continue to decline (and they should) will treatment be necessary for much longer?  Are the numbers as shown for "Out of Range" expected to go all the way down to 0 (zero)?

This treatment and disease is new to me.  Anything you can provide me to better understand or how to cope would be greatly appreciated.

[meki]

Mujer --- ok let me get this straight....

You have HepC...

You have had a Heptimax and the reference range has gone down...

OK --- so check it out...

Most folks go through a process like this:

Find out they have HCV...
Get Viral Load and Genotype
Get Biopsy or Fibroscan (depending on doctor - some don't like either)
Decide to treat or not to treat
If treating - take INTERFERON alpha 2-a and Ribavirin
(Unless on a trial)
Treatment last 24 weeks for some genotypes - and up to 72 weeks for others
PCR (Heptimax tests) check for viral load at different time frames (4 weeks, 2 months, etc. depending on doctor and insurance).


So what point are you at?

If you have completed your treatment and you still have a viral load - then you have active hepatitis C still in your blood stream and you are NOT cured - and the only thing that will happen is that unless you naturally clear the virus - is that the virus will continue to replicate inside of you.

If you are currently treating and the virus level is going down - then you are heading in the right direction - your doctor will advise you when you are completed with the SOC (Standard of Care ---- based on your treatment needs).

So - without knowing WHERE you are in the treatment regime - I cannot even guess where you are on the "cure" scale.

If you are done treating and you still have a viral load --- then you will need to gather more info from everyone here.

If you are treating - then it will depend on you - your response - and your doctor's information.

Take some time and read through this forum...

You will learn a lot.

Also go to JANIS AND FRIENDS (you can do an internet search and it will bring the website up).

I also like HCV ADVOCATE...

But there are quite a few others as well that are fantastic.

Much luck to you

Meki

[HCA]

I take it you are on treatment.
If so how many weeks have you done?
How old are you?
What genotype do you have?
How long ago were you infected?
What gender are you?
Have you had biopsy?
Dou you know your fibrosis stage?-1-6,or 1-4 are the main reference types
Need to know more about you in order to help.