Return of symptoms

[Stephanie2002]

I recently passed the 1 year post pegasys treatment....at 6 months the virus was undectable.  Lately (last couple of months) I have been having symptoms....depression, night sweats, shakiness, fatigue, lower abd pain, nausea, loss of appetite....what are the chances that the virus has returned?  I am scared to go back to the doctor...if the virus has returned what are my options?  Will treatment again be necessary?  I have an appointment with my physician tomorrow and am really scared.

[Califia]

One shudders to think.

[Califia]

Yup.  Real queens order their heels in men's sizes.  I was just pretending.

[donAlfonso]

Many folks have reported physical/mental problems long after tx, both for SVR's and those of us who didn't achieve it.  Weird to say, but I hope that is what you are experiencing.  Let us know what doc/labs say.

JM, a belated congratulations! I need to check in more often. Hope you see this.

Califia, so great to see your SVR status officially confirmed.  I know that you are also feeling better.  On to a normal life.  Hmmm, what the heck is a normal life for an Amazon Warrior Queen?

dA

[Forseegood]

aaaah, come on Beamie! we've all kissed a few pigs in our day eh??? I'll kiss em, but I won't eat em!!! hey, my right one's a tad bigger then my left, can I be a queen too? After all, I'm in the land of queens and don't I know it!!!

Goof: how are you anyway? just wonderin....

[Califia]

& Kalio, too, a fellow resident of the Golden State--do you know that Califia was the Queen of the Amazons and the heroine of a 16th century Spanish romance?   When the Spanish arrived here, they were certain they had reached Califia's magical island.  Truth in naming:   I definitely felt islanded while on tx, encircled by vast, shark-infested waters, and fought with all the dignity and ferocity I could muster, although admittedly here the similarities end.  Unlike the good Queen, I did not sacrifice my right breast in order to win the Holy SVR.   And as for triggering audio hallucinations of Joni the golden wren, wow!   Glad to be of service.  

[Califia]

Posts crossed--whadaya psychic?

[beamishboy]

thanks for postin lyrics-i am slightly embarassed(did say i only rem hauynting 'california" part of refrain) ...kissin pigs?? now that dates the sung!
cal- thks for historical background-Amazon Queen eh?,glad yu survived sharks & returned unscathed from your battle.....didn't she have breast removed so as to swing a sword unimpeded?....'balls!" said the queen" if i had 2 i would be king.."-apparently just more xtra baggage........sunbeam

[Forseegood]

Well, if this corny enough for yez....funny just saw a Sunset pig, but we don't call them that anymore, ha ha! Best to you guys....

Sitting in a park in Paris France
Reading the news and it sure looks bad
They won't give peace a chance
That was just a dream some of us had
Still a lot of lands to see
But I wouldn't want to stay here
It's too old and cold and settled in its ways here
Oh but California

California I'm coming home
I'm going to see the folks I dig
I'll even kiss a Sunset pig
California I'm coming home

I met a redneck on a Grecian isle
Who did the goat dance very well
He gave me back my smile
But he kept my camera to sell
Oh the rogue the red red rogue
He cooked good omelettes and stews
And I might have stayed on with him there
But my heart cried out for you California

Oh California I'm coming home
Oh make me feel good rock 'n' roll band
I'm your biggest fan
California I'm coming home

Oh it gets so lonely
When you're walking
And the streets are full of strangers
All the news of home you read
Just gives you the blues
Just gives you the blues
So I bought me a ticket
I caught a plane to Spain
Went to a party down a red dirt road
There were lots of pretty people there
Reading Rolling Stone reading Vogue
They said "How long can you hang around?"
I said a week maybe two
Just until my skin turns brown
Then I'm going home to California

California I'm coming home
Oh will you take me as I am
Strung out on another man
California I'm coming home

Oh it gets so lonely
When you're walking
And the streets are full of strangers
All the news of home you read
More about the war
And the bloody changes
Oh will you take me as I am?
Will you take me as I am?
Will you?

[beamishboy]

once more 'I congratulate your 1 yr SVR....why is it i have a auditory memory when i see your name? the joni mitchell tune comes unbiden to mind "california..." -i don't rem all the lyrics and don't even hav much of a clue what the song's about-just that beautiful & haunting refrain that only joni's voice could capture-Be Well,vigilant & happy as a clam

[Kalio1]

I am in total agreement with what you said. I will be kind to my liver always. Hope I clear this virus, that would be the best thing for it but I have a whole new respect for good liver health I will maintain. I agree about science too, it is always evolving. Hope you are doing well and enjoying this gorgeous weather.

[Califia]

Thanks, you, two, very, very much.

As to the one million dollar Are We Really Cured question, I, for one, will never relax my vigilance about maintaining maximal liver health.  One just never knows, hard science is a lot softer than we think, and there are just no certainties in life, period.   But there's also no question that remaining 'undetected' for a significant period of time is an unmitigated blessing.  I truly hope you join us much sooner than later.

[Tater-ToT]

Just wanted to Congratulate you both...
It's always Great to hear GOOD News ...
Hope we get to hear a LOT more of this kind of news in the near future!
Way To Go U Two!
;)

[jmjm530]

Thanks for the nice words. Hope this finds both of you well.

-- Jim

[honey11]

congratulations to you both!!  Who says that 1's only have a 50 to 60% chance of clearing.....Looks like here at medhelp we have much better odds!  Cheers to 2 very deserving people!!

[Snookmiester]

Scott, show me or any other member here ANY study suggesting otherwise?

I'm sure you have read this before:
http://www.hivandhepatitis.com/hep_c/news/2006/063006_a.html

But your assumption is 100% correct..Myself and others would love to believe this this is true, and until science or further research convinces us otherwise, we will....

What is it, pick on Snook day?

[mremeet]

The odds you have relapsed are very very low. It's not uncommon for women especially to develop thyroid problems, especially after treatment. I believe at least some of your symptoms might be attributable to that (and it's easily treatable btw). Not saying you do have thyroid problems, but I would absolutely not freak out worrying about a relapse. Get yourself to a doctor asap and find out what's causing it.

[Snookmiester]

Here is a link to a comment by Dr Cecil...As most know, he has treated thousands, if not more with HCV over the years..

Do not focus on the subject of the response, but on the last sentence in his statement to me....

In his practice, he has not had one person relapse after being clear one year after stopping treatment..

http://www.hcvinprison.org/forum_new/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=198

[DoubleDose]

Another possibility is post-tx after-effects.  Many of us have experienced these symptoms after therapy, and after SVR.  Sometimes the effect of interferon on the system manifests in negative ways after finishing a successful course of therapy.  I have had a variety of symptoms for three years after ending tx, and am still undetected, and SVR.  The sx are getting milder, but they do still come and go.  Depression, brain fog, anxiety, shakiness, fatigue, sun-sensitivity, gastric disturbances, joint pains, Lupus-like auto-immune symptoms, etc. have all occurred from time to time, and sometimes regularly, after my treatment ended.

Get a sensitive PCR as soon as possible to ease your mind.  The odds of 'relapse' are extremely low, but there have been odd cases.  I would bet that you are still SVR.  Also, have a quick liver panel done, to get a quick snapshot of liver inflammatory activity.  If your LFT's are still in solid normal range, you are highly likely to be a real SVR.

DoubleDose

[Califia]

Three years!  Grrrrr.......

[Mister beagle bailey]

Try not to worry, your chance of relapes is almost zero.  When you see the dr tomorrow have him do a PCR test.  Also how old are you?  You symtoms might be something else, like menopause, etc.

Beagle

[Califia]

Could be a transient virus of some other sort.  You're not alone in this paranoia--I reacted the same way when I suffered from a stomach virus for a few months post-tx.  Are you tracking your liver enzymes?   A sudden spike might be cause for worry, but otherwise it might be safe to asume that your immune system is showing off its new defense capabilities.   Hope this resolves soon.

[cuteus]

do you remember how sensitive the 6 month PCR was?  it is rare to relapse after the neg PCR at 6 months, but unfortunately a few members, (two that I remember) showed relapse at the one yr PCR. DOn't think re treatment until you have that yr PCR. No need to make yourself sicker.  Make sure this PCR is a very sensitive qualitative PCR.
good luck

[Penelope1911]

I think that is highly unlikely. You'll be in my prayers, make sure and post 2morrow, and let us all know what you found out.

[NYgirl]

You could be working yourself into those symptoms with worry I guess...whatever it is it sounds like you should get checked out by a doctor.  Could be something completely unrelated to hep that needs to be addressed.

good luck