High VL = 13,5 Million IU/mL

[all_is_well]

I am in the 6th week on my tx, but just got the results of the day I started.
Does the high VL quantity mean that the tx won't work?
I don't see anybody here around with such a high VL?
This week they took blood samples for the next VL test, but the results will come in 3-4 weeks.
I don't have any side effects from the tx but the general fatigue and a little bit dizziness so far. Does it mean the tx is not working?

Any insights?

[all_is_well]

Thanks for your comforting and informative words!
AND THANKS for still being here around to cheer us up - the ones that are still fighting.
All the best!
A.

[nygirl7]

Only having low viral load (<600,000 IU/ml) makes any difference."

And just so you feel better I had (as has happened with others) a very LOW VL and it took me way too long to get to UND so I had to extend my treatment to 72 weeks (although at week 4 my count was down to 411 it stayed there until after week 12 but then I was UND by week 24 so I was allowed to continue but needed the extension).

The really important thing is how fast your body responds to the meds, kills the virus and forbids it from coming back.  Sometimes....the higher the number the faster people do respond.  Go figure. There are just no guarantees with this stupid disease!

(PS I have been cured for two years next month so it goes to show.......anything is possible!)

[all_is_well]

Hey Guys - thanks a lot!!!
Like I said before it is so hard to stay positive, but what I get out of here is so valuable. It keeps my hopes with me.
I had HCV RNA test done now in the 6th week of tx, but here in Canada it takes 3-4 weeks until I get the results, so until end of Jan I still will be in the dark.
Thanks again and good luck to all of you.

[dorsey15]

I had a VL of $16,000,000 and cleared at wk 3...using pegasist/copega...Unfortunately I had to quit at wk 43 for the mental depression issue.  If you are a rapid responder the viral doesn't matter.. You cleared the virus.
Did you get a 4 wk VL test??? I didn't see you say that in you opening.  It is important to know how early you may have cleared the virus or at least had a viral & log drop.
Please demand a ultra sensititive test from your doctor if you have not yet.
Best of luck in treatment.
Dorsey

[granitekonig]

To clarify what Jim means, you need to ask for a form from your doctor that requests an HCV RNA blood test. You take that form to the lab and they draw the blood and send the results to your doctor.

[jmjm530]

Only having low viral load (<600,000 IU/ml) makes any difference. You have the same chance of SVR with your viral load as someone with 2 million IU/ml. The priniciple is that there is no difference between pre-tx high vrial load and very high viral load in terms of SVR outcomes.

Have you had a viral load test? How soon you become UND is primarily what will effect your SVR the most. If you haven't had a test yet, ask for one.

-- Jim

[granitekonig]

I've read about people with high viral loads responding very quickly to treatment. I've also read about people starting out with under a million vl and still having 300,000 after the months go by - so the quick answer is this: it's not so much what you start with, it's how you react to the mediicine.

[Aim1]

Viral loads jump around quite a bit (in my case anyway).  When I first discoverd I have HVC, I was just under 5 million.  I started treatment for 10 months and only got it down to around 300,000, so treatment was stopped.  Had my bloodwork done a year later and the virus was 32,000,000(!).  Now, I take lots of supplements and pray that the new treatments come to market soon.

[Rockerforlife]

My base VL was 26 million...after 4 weeks it went to 6150...but studies do show people with lower VL do get cured more than people with higher loads....but higher VL do get SVR

[all_is_well]

Thanks a lot!
I am just so confused...
I am trying to be positive, but sometimes it's so hard.
But nice to know that here I can such a strong support.
Thanks again and take care

[meakea]

A high VL does NOT mean that treatment won't work.  I know of a person who started with a VL about the same as yours and she took treatment for 24 weeks (she was geno 2) and she is still clear.

As far as side effects from your tx...many people experience little to no sides in the beginning just like you are and it does not mean that your tx is not working.  Be very happy that you are feeling so well on tx and keep positive thoughts.

I wish you continued smooth sailing on your tx!