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Hep C back after SVR in 2001?
I was SVR after 6 months of interferon/rebetron combo treatment in 2001. Current blood work shows that I am Hep C positive again now in 2011. I had no idea it could come back. Anyone have any answers for me?
Thanks!!! Becky
Thanks!!! Becky
Medicine is full of specialties and no one will know it all. But to exceed one's own knowledge and expertise while dispensing (actually selling, to put a finer point on it) life-or-death advice is both egotistical and amoral. At least his nurse gave free enemas.
99213 is a valid CPT Code. CPT codes are used by doctors, usually for insurance billing purposes, to describe service sperformed for the patient. 99213 is a 'catch all' code that's used for a bunch of purposes and usually is used to describe a follow-up office visit for something - generally not specific.
Thanks for the comment!...
Yes...You are so right!
It seems that anyone can become a doctor today. We just have to be so careful...Thank God for medhelp and all of you here watching out for one another!
Take Care!
Becky
Yes...You are so right!
It seems that anyone can become a doctor today. We just have to be so careful...Thank God for medhelp and all of you here watching out for one another!
Take Care!
Becky
Thanks!
You all have filled me with some knowledge that I have forgotten over the years...giving me some insight that my doctor just does not seem to be experienced in the field. Nevertheless...everything does happen for a reason...
For instance my stumbling upon this site and reading one of your posts that enlightened me. I sent you a message about the last 10 years of my life...did ya get it. If not please let me know so I can explain what a blessing you have been to me.
Take Care!
Becky
You all have filled me with some knowledge that I have forgotten over the years...giving me some insight that my doctor just does not seem to be experienced in the field. Nevertheless...everything does happen for a reason...
For instance my stumbling upon this site and reading one of your posts that enlightened me. I sent you a message about the last 10 years of my life...did ya get it. If not please let me know so I can explain what a blessing you have been to me.
Take Care!
Becky
" I would want to know that this physician is smarter than this, to have them for your everyday physician. "
I was in watch-n-wait mode (w/ too much wait and not enough watch) for years, and in addition to my GI I took counsel from my GP who pontificated like he knew what was up. It all sounded comforting. Till I was biopsied at stage 4. After SVR, on a visit to the GP for a bug or something - he says "Treatment was successful? Did you get a pretty good viral load?" I was like, Holly Crap, this guy doesn't have a clue. But that doesn't stop him... Hell no.
I was in watch-n-wait mode (w/ too much wait and not enough watch) for years, and in addition to my GI I took counsel from my GP who pontificated like he knew what was up. It all sounded comforting. Till I was biopsied at stage 4. After SVR, on a visit to the GP for a bug or something - he says "Treatment was successful? Did you get a pretty good viral load?" I was like, Holly Crap, this guy doesn't have a clue. But that doesn't stop him... Hell no.
PS. Also, if the doctor had wanted to test you for having the actual virus, then one of your tests would have been either a Quantitative PCR, or Viral RNA type test, OR a Qualitative PCR, Viral RNA test. It would not have the word "Antibodies, or Antibody" anywhere in the title!!! It looks like you were tested with the common HCV antibody test, which is used for almost all undiagnosed cases, and is only the first step in diagnosis of untreated individuals.
As you may know, many people with positive antibody tests have already long ago rid themselves of the virus with their own immune system, and are indeed HCV negative upon further testing with a Viral Load, PCR or RNA type test. And, all the SVR's are in the same situation...except that they just got rid of the virus by doing the tx. A doctor should NEVER have reason to give you an HCV Antibody test...since it tells them nothing of any use. It will almost always be positive, in the SVR individual.
DoubleDose
As you may know, many people with positive antibody tests have already long ago rid themselves of the virus with their own immune system, and are indeed HCV negative upon further testing with a Viral Load, PCR or RNA type test. And, all the SVR's are in the same situation...except that they just got rid of the virus by doing the tx. A doctor should NEVER have reason to give you an HCV Antibody test...since it tells them nothing of any use. It will almost always be positive, in the SVR individual.
DoubleDose
I will also provide my 2 cents, for whatever it is worth...but as one who have been through many many tests for HCV, and all the various other related tests, and I read every test result thoroughly...here's my take:
If the two tests that you described were the only ones done...and you are not overlooking something like an HCV RNA test, which would indicate number of viral copies detected in your system....then I would have to say that your doctor MUST be misinterpreting the HCV ANTIBODY test as meaning that you have the virus.
All of us who have SVR'ed will most likely still show a positive response to the HCV Antibidy test, which only means we were at one time exposed to or infected with the virus. When you become SVR, the antibodies to HCV remain for years, decades, and often for life. Some people will see the antibodies fade over many years, or decades....but in your case, as recently as your SVR took place, it would be completely expected that the antibodies would still be there, and showing up very clearly. It means NOTHING, as far as your HCV viral status.
If you were still clear and SVR ar 6 months after ending your tx, the odds are astronomical that you are still HCV virus negative. Your new doctor needs to get some training and enlightenment about HCV and eradication of the virus. It is very scary and discomforting to be told by a doctor that your virus has returned, when they are ordering, and looking at the wrong sort of test, and misinterpreting it to boot!!! The sense of panic and upset must have been overwhelming...and almost surely all for nothing...but a doctor's uninformed interpretation and comment.
Rest easy over the weekend, and have a real heart to heart with your GP on Monday. I would want to know that this physician is smarter than this, to have them for your everyday physician. Good luck to you, and don't worry about this one. It looks like you are overwhelmingly likely just fine and still SVR!!!
DoubleDose
If the two tests that you described were the only ones done...and you are not overlooking something like an HCV RNA test, which would indicate number of viral copies detected in your system....then I would have to say that your doctor MUST be misinterpreting the HCV ANTIBODY test as meaning that you have the virus.
All of us who have SVR'ed will most likely still show a positive response to the HCV Antibidy test, which only means we were at one time exposed to or infected with the virus. When you become SVR, the antibodies to HCV remain for years, decades, and often for life. Some people will see the antibodies fade over many years, or decades....but in your case, as recently as your SVR took place, it would be completely expected that the antibodies would still be there, and showing up very clearly. It means NOTHING, as far as your HCV viral status.
If you were still clear and SVR ar 6 months after ending your tx, the odds are astronomical that you are still HCV virus negative. Your new doctor needs to get some training and enlightenment about HCV and eradication of the virus. It is very scary and discomforting to be told by a doctor that your virus has returned, when they are ordering, and looking at the wrong sort of test, and misinterpreting it to boot!!! The sense of panic and upset must have been overwhelming...and almost surely all for nothing...but a doctor's uninformed interpretation and comment.
Rest easy over the weekend, and have a real heart to heart with your GP on Monday. I would want to know that this physician is smarter than this, to have them for your everyday physician. Good luck to you, and don't worry about this one. It looks like you are overwhelmingly likely just fine and still SVR!!!
DoubleDose
...other than if you don"t pay your bill they may think they have a problem...but they are focused on it..lol
LOL!!!!!...Never heard it put better...
You kidding... they don't let you walk out that door till the bill is paid...nevertheless...that very well could be the back up plan...lol!!!!!!
What comfort to me you all are...
Becky
LOL!!!!!...Never heard it put better...
You kidding... they don't let you walk out that door till the bill is paid...nevertheless...that very well could be the back up plan...lol!!!!!!
What comfort to me you all are...
Becky
Yeahhh...Yeahhh...Yeahhh...Ex's only think they know it all...lol...
That was a blessing!!!!...your being declared SVR that is!
Ya know... I knew it was no longer necessary to be tested...But... come to think of it...this is a new primary doctor that I have been seeing... and Yessss...I just know that you have to be right about this!
Becky
That was a blessing!!!!...your being declared SVR that is!
Ya know... I knew it was no longer necessary to be tested...But... come to think of it...this is a new primary doctor that I have been seeing... and Yessss...I just know that you have to be right about this!
Becky
All I have right now is the 'Code Description' on my bill..lol...and it reads:
99213 EST Expanded Problem Focused
...??? Does this help?
Unfortunately Beckie I have no clue what thats about ...other than if you don"t pay your bill they may think they have a problem...but they are focused on it..lol
Seriously tho..like Bill says..you are probably just fine.
Also thank you for your kind words....and Bill is just being modest..we would all be a little lost without his help :)
WILL
Thanks again Will...
All I have right now is the 'Code Description' on my bill..lol...and it reads:
99213 EST Expanded Problem Focused
...??? Does this help?
Anyway... I tuly appreciate your help!
Becky
All I have right now is the 'Code Description' on my bill..lol...and it reads:
99213 EST Expanded Problem Focused
...??? Does this help?
Anyway... I tuly appreciate your help!
Becky
“Thanks again Bill... You truly are a blessing.”
Something tells me my ex wife disagrees with you, but hey; what does she know :o)?! Thanks for the kind words. Good luck and let us know what you discover. If you post results *exactly* as they’re written someone here will help you interpret.
For what it’s worth, I treated successfully with a large transplant center here on the west coast; I was declared SVR in summer of ’08 and they no longer even feel it’s necessary to test me for virus. That’s how strongly they feel about the durability of sustained response.
--Bill
Something tells me my ex wife disagrees with you, but hey; what does she know :o)?! Thanks for the kind words. Good luck and let us know what you discover. If you post results *exactly* as they’re written someone here will help you interpret.
For what it’s worth, I treated successfully with a large transplant center here on the west coast; I was declared SVR in summer of ’08 and they no longer even feel it’s necessary to test me for virus. That’s how strongly they feel about the durability of sustained response.
--Bill
Hi Will...
Thank You so much...this does help!!! And...it is a GOOD feeling to know that there are still good people like you out there who really care!
Take Care!
Becky
Thank You so much...this does help!!! And...it is a GOOD feeling to know that there are still good people like you out there who really care!
Take Care!
Becky
Becky....I wasn"t 100% sure on that so I looked it up....if it said GFR,EST then it is the kidney function test ,however just EST,was something I couldn"t find....sorry hopfully someone else may know what that is.
WILL
Hi Becky...not much to expand on Bills great advice other than to add ...I believe the EST. test is a kidney function test. If it is the one I think it is the normal reference range is >60.
Good luck
WILL
Thanks again Bill...
You truly are a blessing. This only makes perfect since. I have done nothing but worry since she called me yesterday evening and it being the weekend I can't talk with her again until Monday...
You have helped to take a load off my shoulders.
Thanks and take care!
Becky
You truly are a blessing. This only makes perfect since. I have done nothing but worry since she called me yesterday evening and it being the weekend I can't talk with her again until Monday...
You have helped to take a load off my shoulders.
Thanks and take care!
Becky
Hi Becky,
“…I am not sure about the tests. All I know is that they did an EST and HEP C ANTB...is this what you are referring to as far as it being the antibodies?”
The ‘HEP C ANTB’ sounds like HCV antibody test; this would be expected to return as a positive result. Antibodies aren’t directly from the virus, but a ‘fingerprint’ developed as part of our immune response. For instance, you also probably still have antibodies from childhood diseases like mumps, measles or even various flu. Having these doesn’t imply you still have measles, only that you’d been infected in the past. They’re not harmful and you can’t transmit them to others.
I’m unfamiliar with the ‘EST’ result; if you can elaborate on that further, maybe someone here can help. Was this EST included as part of the viral testing, or was it from another test?
Again, the best course of action is to ask your doctor’s office to confirm ‘HCV RNA’ status; this is the active Hep C virus. If this is your primary care doctor, it's possible she confused antibody results with active infection.
Good luck, and take care-
Bill
“…I am not sure about the tests. All I know is that they did an EST and HEP C ANTB...is this what you are referring to as far as it being the antibodies?”
The ‘HEP C ANTB’ sounds like HCV antibody test; this would be expected to return as a positive result. Antibodies aren’t directly from the virus, but a ‘fingerprint’ developed as part of our immune response. For instance, you also probably still have antibodies from childhood diseases like mumps, measles or even various flu. Having these doesn’t imply you still have measles, only that you’d been infected in the past. They’re not harmful and you can’t transmit them to others.
I’m unfamiliar with the ‘EST’ result; if you can elaborate on that further, maybe someone here can help. Was this EST included as part of the viral testing, or was it from another test?
Again, the best course of action is to ask your doctor’s office to confirm ‘HCV RNA’ status; this is the active Hep C virus. If this is your primary care doctor, it's possible she confused antibody results with active infection.
Good luck, and take care-
Bill
Hi Bill...
Thank you for your response. I am not sure about the tests. All I know is that they did an EST and HEP C ANTB...is this what you are referring to as far as it being the antibodies? And is the 'HCV RNA' staus within the EST??? I am also a type II Diabetic. I developed Thyroid problems and Diabetis during the treatments in 2001. Ohhh...how I pray you are right about this. The doctor knows about the Hep C, treatments and SVR. I would hope she wouldn't overlook this...but ya never know.
I appreciate you so much. You have been GRREAT Help!!!
Take Care and Thanks again!
From Texas,
Becky
Thank you for your response. I am not sure about the tests. All I know is that they did an EST and HEP C ANTB...is this what you are referring to as far as it being the antibodies? And is the 'HCV RNA' staus within the EST??? I am also a type II Diabetic. I developed Thyroid problems and Diabetis during the treatments in 2001. Ohhh...how I pray you are right about this. The doctor knows about the Hep C, treatments and SVR. I would hope she wouldn't overlook this...but ya never know.
I appreciate you so much. You have been GRREAT Help!!!
Take Care and Thanks again!
From Texas,
Becky
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