Stage 4 72 weeks SVR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[paen53]

Just got the news early this morning -

Hi Pam, CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!! HOT OFF THE PRESS. NEGATIVE PCR AT 6 MONTHS.GOOD JOB!!!! One more check in June but this is the important one!

Component ResultsComponent Your Value Standard Range Units
HEP C RNA PCR QN Undetected  IU/mL
HCV RNA is not detected.
Result in log IU/mL= Undetected
Quantification range of this assay is 43 IU/mL to
69,000,000 IU/mL (1.63 to 7.84 log IU/mL).

Testing was performed by the COBAS AmpliPrep/COBAS TaqMan
HCV Test (Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.).

Test Performed by:
Mayo Clinic Dpt of Lab Med and Pathology
200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905
Laboratory Director: Franklin R. Cockerill, III, M.D.

My odds weren't great going into tx, so they had me double dose the Peg for 12 weeks with the Riba at 1400, then 1 1/2 does of Peg per week and 1200 Riba until EOT. Needed Procrit from about the 9th month on..... Cleared at 12 weeks and have remained virus free since then.

At 6 months post, I am feeling better with each passing day. My thyroid seems to have gone hypo after remaining stable throughout, but that's so manageable. Vit D very low and just started on 50,000 IU's per week for 4-6 weeks. Cholesterol good at 150, but Glucose creeping up again (112). Hgb 13.7 and rest of labs looking good. MRI shows no lesions or tumors. Next test at 1 year post, but the rest of labs and US or MRI every 6 months due to the cirrhosis.

I am so very happy and grateful for the guidance of this aggressive Dr. and staff and for the collective knowledge and support here.

Pam

[murariji]

Sincerest congratulations.
72 weeks, I can't imagine that. You have earned and deserve every minute of everyday from now on. I am very happy for you.

[paen53]

For clarification, the 38,00 to 848,000 is my viral load, NOT hgb......

[paen53]

Thanks again everyone. It's finally starting to set in - I was kind of in a daze yesterday.

Diamando, This was my first tx. I took one shot of Procrit per week - maybe could have done with more, but it kept my Hgb in the 9's and I felt pretty good there (considering). Towards the end, it barely kept it in the nines and I could have done with more perhaps, but the end was so close I decided to hold off. In retrospect, I should have taken it. I did rebound fairly quickly post tx.

My hgb was slow to drop early on, even at the high doses of Peg and Riba. At 4 weeks, I had only dropped to 38,000 from 848, 000. Would a pre-dosing of Riba helped? I thought so prior to tx, but the Dr. thought not. And I do agree that it's important to hit it hard early on, especially at Stage 4, but not to jeopardize tx and our health.

Initially, I was only supposed to do the enhanced tx until 48 weeks and then SOC until 72, but they wanted me to stay the course at the 48 week point. I remember crying (alot) then, but it all worked out in the end.

Two things that have changed since I began tx, at least in this office. Everyone gets their Vit. D tested and no tx until it's over 50. Also all Geno 1's have an IL-28 gene test. Things are changing so quickly and finally looking better, even for us cirrhotics.

[willbb]

Congrats to you!!!!  Also an inspiration to those of us in tx!!   Enjoy!!

[22hamilton]

Wonderful news !!! A real inspiration to all who are waiting in line.
You deserve your success

[Diamando6]

Also would like to know, was your therapy for 1 year of 71 weeks?