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

[nygirl7]

Hey it worked! I just want to say when I first started on here you were one of the most constant sources of support of them all, it's no doubt you are finally on your way at last to SVR.  you never whined nor complainned and always are such a great friend to have.

I'm so glad at last I got to post on your happy thread!

[nygirl7]

Kathy I am trying to say congrats my dear friend!!!!!!!!

[sandysf]

Congrats!  A big yeah to Victrelis!!  

[turnbo]

I knew it..!..What did i tell you..Awsom news..very happy for you..keep up the good fight.

[ninjamonkey]

Good news! Congrats!  Where exactly are u frijole if u don't mind me asking I lice in Texas too!

[aj7538]

Awesome, awesome, awesome