Still Undetectable

[cornsqueezer]

Hi All, I don't post ofton but I wanted to share my good news with everyone. I finished TX the last day of May 2005, had my 6 month test last week still undetectable!!!!!!
  For those that don't remember me I was symtomatic before TX my stats were 43 year old female,genotype 1, 4 millon copies stage 4 grade 8 with bridging fibrosis. Scoring system was the Ishak methad, staging goes from 0 to 6 so I didn't have cirrhosis yet.I was also coinfeted with hep B, also showing undetectable.
   My life seems to have been on a rollercoaster ride for the last 2 years.I found out I had hep c&b in Sept. 2003 then in Nov. I had my gallbladder removed and liver biospy done, 4 months later I had to have neck fusion surgery.Finally in June 2004 I started my TX.
    I had almost every side in the book and then some,half way through the Tx my Doc said I probably had some fibromyalgia before Tx,if that is what it was it got worse.I also had a retinal hemorrhage behind my right eye,it is rare but I would stress that you get a baseline eye exam before Tx and if you have any eye problems during Tx tell your Doc ASAP.
  Eventually it corrected on its own but the Doc did say if I had to treat again my eyes would have to be watched closely.
  This Tx can be done,but it is hard on most people,I counted how many pills I was taking,in a months time it was over 600 pills and the shot once a week can you imagine, it was a wonder I could even walk. I do feel like the Tx has left me with lasting sx,I have been going to pool therapy it helps.
Continued!!!

[KICKED]

This is the greatest news for me.  I will be going for my 6 month post in Jan.06.  Everyone tells me that they see a huge change in me.  I feel great and almost finished renovating my home.  That took a stop when my husband and I started the meds.  He still is undetectable. Geno type 2. I am geno type 1B. That information gives me great hope. Thanks
Gina

[LvdByGod!]

yes indeed!!! hope i can enjoy it and not spend the whole time worring i'll get the virus back...

(((SKRUFFKINS)))

[scruffy]

Sandi, a new years eve to remember no doubt!

[MajNeni]

Corn & Okie, congratulations!  Debra, the recovery continues after tx, even past the first year out; there is more hope there.

My son was also told by the Red Cross this summer that he could not give blood.  A routine question asked if he lived in a household with someone who had had any of various blood borne diseases; the list included HepC.  As he understands it, he would not be an acceptable blood donor for one year after my SVR, having lived in the same household with me.  I think the wires were crossed a bit, since I had been SVR for a year already.   MN

[TnHepGuy_]

<u>cornsqueezer</u> - Congratulations on reaching SVR status!!!
Alot tough work went into getting that badge. I hope your continued recovery goes well.


<u>chriskid</u> - why are they under-dosing your riba???

You've had a 1+ log drop and are definitely moving in the right direction. If you are able to safely up your riba, you should insist upon it.


TnHepGuy

[GoofyDad]

Love the Nick! Congrats on a well earned SVR.

On the daughter's blood drive - I'm not even going to start. I got my BP under control last year - and I don't want to chance it! Idiots!

[Califia]

That's wonderful news, Deb.   And here's to those residual sides disappearing as quickly as possible.   Are you keeping up a heavy anti-oxidant regime, by any chance?   That might just help accelerate the detox.   Another six months might see you feeling like a new woman.   Congratulations to you!

[cornsqueezer]

Jim sorry about that I meant to post all of that info still hard to think sometimes, but its getting better.
  My viral load was over 4 million I treated for 49 weeks, I was on Interferon Alfa 2b and Ribavirin 1200mg my weight was 198 .I was undetectable at weeks 12 and 24 and all the way through Tx.


couldn't-  I don't feel better than before tx, but I think with all the surgery back to back then tx it hit me harder and its just going to take me more time.I don't think I'm in the norm most people have said they feel better after.I still have extream widespread muscle pain and not near as strong as I used to be. You can probably tell my spelling still sucks sometimes.LOL!!!!
I still feel I will keep getting better as time goes on.


Kalio1   Thank you, Debra

[Wasabi Pea]

Congratulations!  It sounds like you had so much to deal with during tx.  I'm so happy for you.  Enjoy your SVR!  And thanks for sharing.  It gives us all something to look forward to. <g>

Ang

[vegas777]

is that a mandate from the American Red Cross about your daughter having to be away from you for 1 year before they accept her blood, or was it the ignorance of the school system?

dip

[cuteus]

is that one of the questions they ask when you try to donate blood? whether you have someone in the household with a bloodborn disease?  Terrible bedside manners!

[friole]

Thank you for sharing.  sounds like it was a hard earned victory.  I am wondering if you have any plans for another biopsy to see if some of the damage has been reversed.  I hope your post tx symptons diminish quickly.

Thanks also for the info on blood donation.  Are you saying anyone who lives with anyone who has hepatitis c cannot be a donor?  I certainly was not aware of that

friole

[Chriskid]

Six week results:

Age 52
Geno 1a
Infected +- 30 yrs
BX 1, 1 (recorded in 2001)
Ribavirin @ 800mg/day
Pegasys @ 180MCG/wk

VL Base 10/3-- 797820
VL 11/11

[cornsqueezer]

I also fried my thyroid on Tx, but at the stage I was I am still glad I did the Tx.
  I never would have made it through Tx without my Husband,Mother and all of the good people on this forum, for that I would like to thank all of you and I will be praying for all my brothers and sisters on Tx to reach SVR.
                              Be Well Debra

[Califia]

That's wonderful news, Deb.   And here's to those residual sides disappearing as quickly as possible.   Are you keeping up a heavy anti-oxidant regime, by any chance?   That might just help accelerate the detox.   Another six months might see you feeling like a new woman.   Congratulations to you!

[cornsqueezer]

This just happened yesterday, it was not the school it was Sewart Blood Center,they go to schools for donations. Last year she was in a differant school she had to feel out paperwork one of the questions must have been about hepatitis, she told them I was on Tx for hep c but that she had been tested and ther wasn't anything wrong with her blood. They wouldn't let her donate and never told her anything else.
  So this year she's at a differant school and the same blood center comes to this school for donations they look at the childrens driver licence and tell her she is on a list, that she can't give blood she said she didn't even get to fill out the paperwork.
    They gave her a number to their office for me to call, talk about talking to an idiot I don't think this woman as a clue about hep c she said something about it being FDA rules I don't understand all of it yet but I will.I told my daughter I will get her off this list no matter what it takes. vegas777 I don't know if this is a mandate or not but I am going to contact American Red Cross and the CDC and any body else to find out.

                            Debra

[scruffy]

Congrats Debra, you've earned svr for certain. Be patient with the post tx sides. They can be quite slow to disappear but you will see improvement I'm certain. Frank

[vegas777]

please let us know what you find out...I can imagine how outraged you must be, as a parent I would be too!

Give em heck!!!

[cuteus]

it is grand isn't it? to be hcv free! a feeling that can't be explained fully.
auggie still has the site up? I got to go update my stats!
stay well

[cornsqueezer]

Your thinking about Dottie, she was from Texas also and we did post to each other some. My screen name has always been Cornsqueezer, it was a nickname my husband used to have, and I ended up with it when he signed up for me on the forum.

   I would also like to mention something about my daughter, she was tested and didn't have hep c Thank God, but they had a blood drive at school while I was on Tx last year she was honest and told them I was on Tx so she couldn't give blood. Well this year since I am undetectable she thought there would be no problem so she signed up to give blood, right in front of her classmates they pulled her a side and said she was on a list and couldn't give blood and this was at a differant school she called me in tears to come and pick her up.
Just wanted to give yall a heads up about that.They said she can not get off the list until she hasn't lived with me for a year. I wouldn't want any child to be upset that way.

                                     Debra


                                                                                      

[jmjm530]

I agree about increasing the riba. You should be on a weight-based dose which usually translates to 1000-1200 mg/day for geno 1's and sometimes higher if you weigh a lot. This is especially important during the first 12-weeks of tx. Your Hgb still looks OK but if your doc is concerned then talk to him about starting you on Procrit as you increase the riba. You really want to knock the virus down to non-detectible within the first 12 weeks if at all possible to increase your chances of SVR.

-- Jim

[sunspot]

Chriskid
I have to strongly agree with Jim on the Procrit. You have had a 3+ point drop in, what, 5 weeks? There is a bunch of us anemia people here and it is not a pretty sight. 165lbs+ should be on 1200 mg of riba.
Best to you, Dana

[OkieJim1]

First off congrats to you. A rough time you had for sure. So happy for you keep healthy.
I haven't been here for a long time again. I was 2B did 24 week peg/copeg. I finished TX in Feb 2004. Isn't that funny I had to go to oldhippiechicks web page to remember when I completed TX. HA HA, see you do get better and it does become a dream after TX. I'm still healthy and doing all the things I used to do. I only had a 6 month post TX PCR and was clear then. I go next month for Liver Function Test just to see whats up. I had beginning stage Cirrosis when I started TX. For all of you on TX keep up the good work, it is worth all the pain because once it's over it over. Life after TX is great. The only remaining SX I have is brain fog but that may be contribuited to getting older who know or cares Life is good. Kill the dragon.

Love Peace and Happiness

[cornsqueezer]

Califia  I quit taking my vitamins right after the tx I was so sick of all the pills,now I'm back taking my C&E's I also take calcium.
Do you think I should take Sam E or anything else that would be helpful.

everyone- Thank You for all the kind words,like I said ya'll are a great group of people.The Best!!!!!!!!
                      
                    Love Debra