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Still undetectable.. one month off tx

Hello everybody, I hope you're all well and moving forward toward something really good.   My doctor did the first blood test since I stopped tx a month ago.  I'm still undetectable.  This may not seem like a big deal because the real test is 6 months after tx, but it's still bullish.   My ALTs are also in perfectly normal ranges like really low.   I thought he said 11 for one?  You'd think I'd pay attention to this!

They were in the 60s 3 months ago while on tx, this I do know.  

Not sure what the hair is doing, I think the falling out has slowed a wee bit.  It seems the concensus is it can take months (1-4 .. maybe a year) from stopping IFN to start growing back .. it doesn't just sprout one month after stopping.   No more arthritis .. that was TOTALLY IFN related.  I can eat chocolate without getting three canker sores immediately upon contact now.  Energy level is pretty good and I don't have to get up 3 times a night to hit the bathroom (I hated that).  My temper is more in-check too .. a little.  

So, this news keeps me going and I hope nothing changes over the next 5 months until my next PCR.  

I hope everybody is doing well and I'm looking forward to other thread members news (good and bad) so we can help eachother get through this rotten disease and equally nasty treatment.  
Stay in touch.

The Penguin
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Avatar universal
I'll be watching for you and your decision.  There are just so many factors in deciding whether to treat.  I think the teeth health is one of those factors.  

And you are right, this getting old sucks
Kathy
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86075 tn?1238115091
Thanks so much for all the good info Friole! Really appreciated it. Ain't gettin old grand? I did have a bdt years ago and it was good, they have them set up at the drug stores now so Ill go do one. Yes, I have to say, along with depression, my teeth offer me the most concern. Hair will grow back one would hope. But I guess it's like anything else, if youre dental health is seen to before going in we stand a better chance. Keep us updated on your dental issues w/ tx, inquiring minds and all that.
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Avatar universal
Here is an abstract on a study that says Fosomax may prove beneficial for bone loss around teeth.

http://www.perioiap.org/absjan03.htm

However, my google search turned out a lot of info on a problem called jaw death and Fosomax.  Evidently bisphosphonates (of which Fosomax is one) have been known to cause jaw death in patients who have had oral surgery while on Fosomax.  The bisphosphonates stay in the bone and do not allow it to heal. Three are more problems in patients who recieve this by IV but it has been reported in patients who orally take Fosomax.  

Dental care and the older women
http://tinyurl.com/dcas3

Press release on side effects of Fosomax
http://tinyurl.com/came8

I am going to ask my doc about it next visit. Meanwhile I will continue to use it.
Kathy
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Avatar universal
I don't really know if the Fosomax will help the teeth, but logically, it will.  Have you ever had a bone density test?  I had one along with the same physical in which I found out I had the active hepatitis c.  The doc said I had osteopene, a precurrsor to osteoporosis and put me on a low dose of Fosomax.  I had only taken it 5 weeks prior to beginning tx.(I will be taking shot 3 tomorrow)

When I went to the dentist who was going to do my implant, I voiced my concerns about treatment for hep c and bone loss around my teeth.  He thought I was nuts.  I thought him to be uninformed.  He said as long as your teeth and guns are in good shape there should be no problem, but if you have gingevitis already there may be a problem.

From reading posts here, I think bone loss around the teeth is all too common a side effect and I doubt that all those people had previous problems.  It does look like tx enhances the medical problems we already have, however, and it sounds like you and I already have bone loss/teeth problems. If I were you I would ask for a bone density test.  It is kind of cool -- they sit you on a table with your knees up and run a machine over you and you can look at pictures of your bones.  If you don't have any bone loss, I doubt a doc would prescribe, but if you do, why not take it?  My mother-in-law had bones described as custard.  I know Fosamax helped her.

Maybe I will google teeth and fosamax...
Helpful - 0
86075 tn?1238115091
Hi, sorry to jump on this thread about something else. Friole, you gave me a good idea about the fosamax thing you said on the menopause 'now closed' thread. My dentist says that the bone is a little tiny bit off in my gums. Another thing that gives me pause about doing tx soon. I wonder if the fosamax would help matters? I don't want to lose anymore teeth, lost a few already. Thank God for bridges!. Of course I'll consult w/ all the experts involved in all of this. But if you have any more input on this, I'd appreciate it. If not, that's fine. Though  it might be just a flight of fancy of mine, in that they probably wouldn't give it to me or question that I should even take it if I don't have bone loss already. thanks.
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Avatar universal
Wonderful news for you and an encouragement for the rest of us . The hair grows back ,usually nicer then before .
        E
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Congrats! Every undetectable counts! LL
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That's a VERY BIG DEAL!  Congratulations ~ and enjoy some optimism.
ambush :)
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Love hearing great news like yours!  Congratulations and best wishes for continued good health!

Susan
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Avatar universal
Congratulations! 1 month clear post-tx IS a big deal!

Most, if they are going to relapse, do it within the first 30 days.

Since you've been clear for 30 days, your chances of clearing the virus for good is around 90%. And newer studies show that if you remain undectable for 90 days, your chances of clearing the virus for good are around 99 -- the same as with the traditional 6-month SVR. In fact, some are proposing that SVR be re-defined as undectable for 90 days.


Helpful - 0
86075 tn?1238115091
Hi Artgal, thanks for answering, but I've got to be a realist re this situation, I lose hair easily as it is. Got my mother's genes in that dept instead of fathers, drat!!!I am the biggest nosy parker on the planet, I should of been a reporter, and I have talked to scads of people, don't know how many, re this stuff and it seems to me that the people w/ thick hair to begin w/ have the best luck w/ this which probably makes sense. But yeah, anything's possible on God's green earth. I try to look at the positive side, I live in W. Hollywood and they have some of the best wig shops in the country, ha! Why not? I could go blonde! Not. Anyway, I have heard from people that even when their hair comes back a little wierd, with the passage of time it's normal again, and yes, I've heard some say that it even grew in better! Gotta girlfriend w/ the most lustrous and beautiful long hair, she was utterly devastated when it fell out by half. But, fast forward a year and half and it's just as gorgeous as ever. So, I'll stay positive, and I'm really glad that your hair is holding steady. Your right, not everyone loses it, or loses that much. I heard it's best not to ponytail it, though that would be hard for me. Anyway, gotta keep in mind that that is the least of my problems right now. Going to do tx in the fall. Keep us posted as to how you are doing.
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Avatar universal

GREAT NEWS!!! ANOTHER PENGUIN FREE of HCV......ENJOY YOUR LIFE on the SEAS!
hahahahaaaha....
Best luck to all,
Ben
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congrats!  its always great to hear updates - things are looking good for you!
be well
<3michelle
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Congratulations on the good news. Mike
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A heartfelt Congrats to you!!! Gives all of us beginners a ray of hope at this dismal beginning!!!!
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Another Congrads is in order.  Great new for you and others still doing the tx's.
Gina
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Congratulations!  I am so happy to hear your good news!Hopefully this be the trend & everyone will have good news...those in treatment & those who have not yet begun.

Wanted to add a little something about the hair loss.  since i have not started tx yet, i cannot say anything from experience but wanted to say that in preparation of tx I have been using a shampoo & scalp treatment called NIOXIN.  I was told to start using this before treatment & after.  Has anyone had any experience with this??
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Congratulations, el Penquino!  Carry on...
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Hi -- I forget where you are in your treatment (it is almost impossible for me to keep track of stuff like that unless you have posted about a zillion times....) but I thought you might feel a bit better hearing about my hair situation thus far. I have literally found 3 hairs (I don't know why but I never find any hair anywhere under normal circumstances) so far on tx and I'm about to do shot #14 tomorrow. I wash my hair only twice a week and use very mild shampoos and conditioners from the health food store.  Who knows it may all start falling out at an alarming rate but until now my hair is thick and full.  Not everyone loses hair -- maybe you'll be one of the lucky ones. If you do lose hair, the most I have heard people lose is 50%. And a positive thought -- some people's hair has come back nicer than pre-tx!
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Avatar universal
Such wonderful and uplifting news! I was wondering how you were doing post tx so it is great to hear from you. I have really appreciated the feedback you have given me in the past -- thank you!  
Is there any way you might be able to get a 3 mo viral load done? The latest research is showing no difference in 3 mo and 6 mo svr stats so they are saying if you are clear at 3 mos, you are very, very likely to be clear when subsequent viral loads are done. Just a thought.
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Congrats bluepeng!  It is great news.  Look forward to hearing more good news from you!

Lolita, I am curious about your doc in the MA area, would you mind giving me a name? You can email if you would rather, ***@****.  Thank you!
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One Month post is huge! The virus bounces back fast generally so this is really good news. Do a small hesitant kinda dance but be ready to break out into song ok? Congrats Penguin-no longer blue. frank
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Hi... New here to this board. Congrats on your 1 month pcr. It is a big deal.  it gets you 1 mont closer to the 6 month check.My dear b/f is 21 months post tx, been clear of geno 1b stage2, grade2, evesince week #12, prolly sooner , but that was the first P.C.R. that was done. Isn't it a great feeling? We had such a great dr. in the MAss. area, we are forever grateful to him and his staff. Franks hair has come back really nice, took about 6 months we think for most of the Tx. to get out of the system.
Peace, Lolita  :)
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Avatar universal
Hey congratulations!!  You will feel better and better.   I am 3 months post-tx, and yes, the hair does get back to normal.  I sleep very well these days also.  Enjoy!
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