Victrelis Vic-tory

[frijole]

I had my long- awaited appointment with the heppo on Thursday, Oct 20.  I had a PCR (8-week) and CBC done the same day so I knew the doctor would not have those results. Yet I was hoping he would have the results from the PCR done 2 weeks previously.  I was l ready to explain how put out I was that he was not calling me immediately on my labs but, as it turned out, they had input his name wrong and he never got them.  Anyway I left that appointment not knowing where I stood and feeling pretty down.  It is an all day affair to fly to Dallas and get to the hospital and back to the airport, not to mention costly, and I left without any answers.  He did tell me that if my hemoglobin was under 10 on the 10/20 test he would order procrit.

Today - Tuesday - I got the call with all my labs.  For background, my pretreatment vl was over 2,000,000 and my 4-week lead in PCR was 3900.

After 2 weeks on Victrelis ---- QuantaSure (sensitive to 2IU/mL) -- Less than 2 IU/mL
After 4 weeks on Victrelis --- HCV RT-PCR (quantifiable to 25 iu/ML with a limit of detection to 7.1IU/mL) -- HCV Not Detected!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So Victrelis has done it.  It has pushed the virus over the edge.  On my first treatment I had detectable virus of 40 IU/mL at week 12, was UND by week 20, and UND thru 56 week end of treatment but relapsed.  It is because I had such low virus at week 12 the first time that it is important for me to have the most sensitive test possible -- I need to know if I am truly clear, and you can't beat the QuantaSure for that.   It takes over 2 weeks to obtain the results of the Quanta Sure since they have to be sent to California, but there does not seem to be any more flack over the Victrelis by the insurance company so since we are not waiting on approval I have requested the doctor order the Quanta Sure for the rest of treatment.

Today I feel good.  Some days are hard.  I  am always tired.  But at least now I have reason for joy.  We celebrated with my favorite kind of icecream tonight.  My hemoglobin was 10.1 and the doctor is beginning the process to get the procrit approved.

frijole

[foofighter]

Fantastic news. Congrats!

[brianmo]

You go girl!!! The next time I head out for my three hour trip to doc (includes a ferry ride) I will think of you and if you can do it, I can do it...I was found to be und at four weeks, it feels good...

[babs824]

i did work out side the home as a private chef cooking for a family  of  four during tx. i would shop and go to their home 4x weekly and cook for about 3 hours. a few times i had to sit down and the other employees in the house were worried about me as i looked real sick. now the tell me! it was wierd cuz every thing tasted nasty! i would not have been able to go to a real job 8 hr days with the low numbers so i sure hope you are covered for the procrit. u are a great inspiration! keep up the good work dear. best, babs

[GoofyDad]

" It takes over 2 weeks to obtain the results of the Quanta Sure since they have to be sent to California,"

WTF? And I s'pose you allege that once here they put on Birkenstocks and start puffin on the medical marijuana, right? More left coast bashing. And from TEXAS for christsakes?

" We celebrated with my favorite kind of icecream tonight.  "

Mmmmm... And would that be Black bean or Pinto?


Congratulations Kiddo! You know we're all pulling for you. So, help me understand.... both tests were UND, right? With the 2 week on Vic being a stronger UND than the 4 week on Vic. Is that right?

[Dee1956]

Hello this is wonderful new congratulations, I am very happy for you
It sounds like many are experiencing good news with the new meds
Take CAre
Dee

[oceanblue701]

I am happy for you and so relieved to see the new treatments are really working! I just wish they were easier for people to get through.
I travelled 3 hours each way to my physician and would not have stopped seeing her for anything, but the whole day trip was definitely a big event every time I went.
Looks like this is the beginning of the end of the struggle with hepatitis c for you. Good Luck as you continue on your way to SVR.