Is Hepatitis c the Rocky Balboa of the viral kingdom?

[St. George]

I recently posted that my doctor called with my 17 week vrl result and I was informed that I was down to a wimpy 508 viral copies(I started with  a vrl of 37 million).  My question to everyone here is how can so few copies maintain themselves in the presence of the onslaught of these powerful drugs.  What mechanism do they uses to hang on?  NyGirl stated that her vrl stayed around 400 copies for months, which to me is weird because why cant the drugs just finish kicking ass. Any insight anyone?

[jmjm530]

It doesn't matter in the sense that your liver isn't necessarily worse off after a relapsed treatment than before. In fact, there's a good chance your liver is a little better off although not sure how long that lasts. From what I've heard viral load will often sky rocket if someone relapses but as others have said, it goes up and down seemingly irrespecitve of liver damage.

-- Jim

[jmjm530]

GO: Mine VL went from 72 mil to 1.8 mil in 12 wks and then back to 2.9 mil at wk 24, ALL WHILE ON TX!
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It sounds to me that you had what is called a viral breakthrough while on treatment. It is not that uncommon but does call for re-evaluation of continuing treatment or at least re-evaluation of the treatment approach. If you haven't already, you might want to consult with another liver specialist (hepatologist) on how best to proceed.

-- Jim

[tulsatime]

With all this talk I got out my tests and now I am freaking out. When I started treatment last time it said
3380000 IU/ml
That means it was 3 mil. I was und all the way through treatment and on my 6 mo post test it was
36900000 IU/ml That means 36 mil. For some reason I thought it was 3 mil again but how in the heck it got that high after treatment scares the blank out of me. I know viral load goes up and down but it still is freaking me out. Please tell me again viral load don't matter!!  Debi

[Ladybug72837]

Omg!!! My son told me about 9 months ago he has Hep C, and he's in prison. They won't allow us to send him any meds!!! I am NOW so worried about him!!! He is trying to eat good, but c'mon, he's in prison and no one cares about them!!! They always get **** food, and are always starving! He is my only son....will he b ok for another 1 1/2 yr?????

[tulsatime]

Hey, Thanks I needed to hear that. Hope you are doing well and your skin problems are better as well. I have developed rosea from last treatment also. I read a lot of your post for possible help for me. Thanks for all your help. Have a great weekend! Debi

[jmjm530]

When did you first notice the rosea in relation to your first treatment? During, after, etc. Are you treating for it? Topicals? Antibiotics? How long has it been since you last treated and does it seem to be getting better? I'm finding it very frustrating with lots of triggers like sun, heat, exercise, coffee, alcohol, hot drinks, and some foods.

[tulsatime]

I first noticed it around 4 months into treatment. After treatment it did get better. But still there, mainly red now not so much of the bumps. But like you said it does seem to have some triggers. Yesterday was a bad face day. I think it was the lotion I put on it. "Mary Kay" it had alfa hydroxy, I guess I wasn't thinking DUH! I still have not bought anything new. I keep hoping it will go away. I've been off treatment for 10 months. It is not bad enough that makeup will not cover now. But I am scared that when I start treatment again for 48 weeks. I will really have a problem.