Aa
Viral load
I have genotype 1a and my viral load is 5,800,000. Is that real bad or normal in this case.
Bill, first of all, I want to congratulate you on finally reaching SVR. After 152 weeks, you truly are an inspiration to me and many others who are going through treatment or about to. You perservered through determination, hope, stamina, and fortitude. It paid off. From what I have read, it appears those patients who don't give up, even if they have to treat more than one time, eventually do win.
Thank you for sending me the information on who to contact for financial assistance. I too am on Medicare and have already contacted Pegassist, and they are sending me the paperwork to fill out to see if I qualify. I will call Schering-Plough tomorrow. I simply do not know to many people who can afford a $700-$900/mo. co-payment for these essential drugs. If I don't get some assistance, it is going to be a serious financial burden on me and I may have to wait before I can treat. I will try every avenue. From what I have heard, many of these drug companies do help patients out financially. My doctor told me that Pegasys has a special fund for people who need assistance. It is in their best interest to do so, especially with people who already have insurance because they will still be making money. From a humanitarian perspective, it is also in their best interests to help those who do not have insurance.
I will continue to follow this blog and read what you and others have to say. I will also keep you and others posted on my progress. In addition, and maybe even more importantly, I will want to know the progress, issues, problems, etc. of others who are going through this difficult treatment, have gone through it, and are planning on going through it.
We all need to stick together tight -- and give each other strength, hope and perserverance because in the end, it will be worth it.
Deb
Thank you for sending me the information on who to contact for financial assistance. I too am on Medicare and have already contacted Pegassist, and they are sending me the paperwork to fill out to see if I qualify. I will call Schering-Plough tomorrow. I simply do not know to many people who can afford a $700-$900/mo. co-payment for these essential drugs. If I don't get some assistance, it is going to be a serious financial burden on me and I may have to wait before I can treat. I will try every avenue. From what I have heard, many of these drug companies do help patients out financially. My doctor told me that Pegasys has a special fund for people who need assistance. It is in their best interest to do so, especially with people who already have insurance because they will still be making money. From a humanitarian perspective, it is also in their best interests to help those who do not have insurance.
I will continue to follow this blog and read what you and others have to say. I will also keep you and others posted on my progress. In addition, and maybe even more importantly, I will want to know the progress, issues, problems, etc. of others who are going through this difficult treatment, have gone through it, and are planning on going through it.
We all need to stick together tight -- and give each other strength, hope and perserverance because in the end, it will be worth it.
Deb
Hi Deb, you’ve apparently done some research and are doing a good job of keeping informed.
I agree wholeheartedly; there are two schools of thought involved in HCV management; and both have their own merits. It seems to boil down to doing what we feel is right, and hope for the best outcome.
I had genotype 1, and treated twice for a total of 152 weeks before I was finally successful; I’ve been SVR now for nearly two years. It’s a chore, but it can be done :o).
If you run into trouble financially, even with insurance, you can call the manufacturer’s patient assistance programs and see what they have to offer. I used Schering-Plough’s Commitment to Care program even though I had Medicare coverage; they took care of both interferon and ribavirin 100%, with no copays or any other related charges. They’re a very good outfit; Roche pharmaceuticals has their own program as well:
Pegassist (Roche Pegasys system): 1-877-734-2797
Commitment to Care (Schering- Plough PEG-Intron system): 1-800-521-7157
Good luck as you move forward, and let us know how things proceed—
Bill
I agree wholeheartedly; there are two schools of thought involved in HCV management; and both have their own merits. It seems to boil down to doing what we feel is right, and hope for the best outcome.
I had genotype 1, and treated twice for a total of 152 weeks before I was finally successful; I’ve been SVR now for nearly two years. It’s a chore, but it can be done :o).
If you run into trouble financially, even with insurance, you can call the manufacturer’s patient assistance programs and see what they have to offer. I used Schering-Plough’s Commitment to Care program even though I had Medicare coverage; they took care of both interferon and ribavirin 100%, with no copays or any other related charges. They’re a very good outfit; Roche pharmaceuticals has their own program as well:
Pegassist (Roche Pegasys system): 1-877-734-2797
Commitment to Care (Schering- Plough PEG-Intron system): 1-800-521-7157
Good luck as you move forward, and let us know how things proceed—
Bill
Bill, thanks for that information. I will certainly check out the web site you suggested so I can ascertain a more clear picture of what my viral load (4.7) means. I do know that it has no bearing on liver damage, but could have some bearing on SVR. I also know there are several factors to look at when considering patients who may have a better success rate at responding and others who may not. In many ways, it is a throw of the dice. I will tell you this, and everyone one who reads this, I deeply regret not getting treated before now. I know that doctors have been of two thoughts on hepatitis C -- that being not to treat if there are no problems, and only treat when problems arise. In my own opinion, treat the minute you hear you have hepatitis C for a variety of reasons. The earlier you treat, the better your chances of SVR are and also if you don't respond, you do have time to wait until a better anti-viral product becomes available. Also, the longer you wait, the more damage that is likely to occur from this hideous virus. Also, and perhaps most importantly, getting rid of this virus is a tremendous load off your backs. Your mental health improves along with your physical health. It has been a kind of hell the past 19 years wondering when and if I would develop liver disease and, possibly, liver cancer. Hepatitis also effects all the organs of the body, just not the liver. Living with hepatitis is no picnic -- I can honestly say that since I contacted this virus, I have not been in optimal health. I just never feel great and when I do, it doesn't last long.
I can't wait to get the liver biopsy, and then start treatment and get it over with and, hopefully, achieve SVR.
Also, I would like to ask people how they have coped financially. I have insurance, but until I reach what is called "catastropic coverage ($4,000)," I have to come up with over $4,000. I have good insurance, but the hep drug is considered a "Tier 4," which is really expensive and will cost me about $800/mo. After paying and reaching the $4,000, the pegasys/ribavarin will only cost me a few buck -- it is just getting to $4,000 that is going to be challenging. How do people without insurance get the drug?
It infuriates me that there are drugs available with medium and high cure rates for people suffering a disease but are so expensive that many people can't afford them, thus their lives are threated and perhaps even lost.
Deb
I can't wait to get the liver biopsy, and then start treatment and get it over with and, hopefully, achieve SVR.
Also, I would like to ask people how they have coped financially. I have insurance, but until I reach what is called "catastropic coverage ($4,000)," I have to come up with over $4,000. I have good insurance, but the hep drug is considered a "Tier 4," which is really expensive and will cost me about $800/mo. After paying and reaching the $4,000, the pegasys/ribavarin will only cost me a few buck -- it is just getting to $4,000 that is going to be challenging. How do people without insurance get the drug?
It infuriates me that there are drugs available with medium and high cure rates for people suffering a disease but are so expensive that many people can't afford them, thus their lives are threated and perhaps even lost.
Deb
Hi Deb—
Before I forget, good luck with the biopsy results; that should yield some important info for you.
The viral load you mentioned needs clarification from the doctor; it could represent 4.7 million IU/mL, or it could also indicate a logarithmic value; log 4.7 would translate numerically to about 50,000. Either way, it doesn’t tell much about disease progression. It will come in handy if treatment begins, then it can be used to gauge response to the meds.
With genotype 3, I’d guess that your odds for successful treatment (achieving SVR) are roughly 70%; assuming you complete your treatment, and manage to remain fully compliant throughout. Be sure to discuss weight-based drugs, particularly the ribavirin; they used to flat dose GT-3, and relapse occurred rather frequently.
For more info on interpreting viral load, see:
http://janis7hepc.com/Viral_Loads.htm
(You’ll need to scroll through that page, but there’s lots of information available there.
Best of luck to you—
Bill
Before I forget, good luck with the biopsy results; that should yield some important info for you.
The viral load you mentioned needs clarification from the doctor; it could represent 4.7 million IU/mL, or it could also indicate a logarithmic value; log 4.7 would translate numerically to about 50,000. Either way, it doesn’t tell much about disease progression. It will come in handy if treatment begins, then it can be used to gauge response to the meds.
With genotype 3, I’d guess that your odds for successful treatment (achieving SVR) are roughly 70%; assuming you complete your treatment, and manage to remain fully compliant throughout. Be sure to discuss weight-based drugs, particularly the ribavirin; they used to flat dose GT-3, and relapse occurred rather frequently.
For more info on interpreting viral load, see:
http://janis7hepc.com/Viral_Loads.htm
(You’ll need to scroll through that page, but there’s lots of information available there.
Best of luck to you—
Bill
Hi to everyone on this post. I have had Hepatitis C for 19 years. During those 19 years, my doctors all said that there was no reason to treat due to all the liver function tests that I was given, however, I went a couple of months ago and it was discovered that I had cryoglobulins in my blood and it would be best to treat. I have a liver biopsy schedule in June of 2010. Also, according to the nurse practitioner that I spoke to, told me my viral load was 4.7 -- in the medium range. Does that mean 4,700,000? I'm confused about viral load. I do know that it is not relevant to liver damage. I had a C-scan and my liver showed no cirrotic enlargement and appeared normal -- but, I now know that only a biopsy will tell the tale. I am also a genotype 3a, a 56 year old woman, and of average to low weight for my height. What are my chances for success -- if that can evey be predicted by every thing I have mentioned above. I just want to tx, get on with it and get it over. I would appreciate any information about my potential for sustaining SVR.
Thanks, D
Thanks, D
Hi to everyone on this post. I have had Hepatitis C for 19 years. During those 19 years, my doctors all said that there was no reason to treat due to all the liver function tests that I was given, however, I went a couple of months ago for a checkup and it was discovered that I had cryoglobulins in my blood and it would be best to treat. I have a liver biopsy schedule in June of 2010. Also, I was told me my viral load was 4.7 -- in the medium range. Does that mean 4,700,000? I'm confused about viral load. I do know that it is not relevant to liver damage. I had a C-scan and my liver showed no cirrotic enlargement and appeared normal -- but, I now know that only a biopsy will tell the tale. I am also a genotype 3a, a 56 year old woman, and of average to low weight for my height. What are my chances for success -- if that can be predicted by every thing I have mentioned above. I just want to tx, get on with it and get it over. I would appreciate any information about my potential for sustaining SVR and especially the 4.7 number.
Thanks greatly, D
Thanks greatly, D
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