Aa
Viral
I finally got my Viral Load & Geno Loads taken. My doctor says they are 3 & 2 Million (& then some). Should I be concerned about this?
Hi everyone! I am 11 1/2 weeks into the 48 weeker. I am a 1a stage 2.
I saw my liver dude on Monday. Had my viral load rechecked. I had been told all along that because I am a 1a that I needed to do the full 48 weeks - regardless of whether I cleared the virus or not. The reasoning being that it stopped and perhaps reversed the fibrosis. By my hepatolgist - who is nationally known for his work with Hep C patients - said that if I haven't cleared the virus he will stop treatment. He says there has been evidence that nothing changes if we don't clear the virus.
Have any of you heard this? I was mentally prepared to do the 48 weeks. Is there research out there to support one side of the other?
Help!
I saw my liver dude on Monday. Had my viral load rechecked. I had been told all along that because I am a 1a that I needed to do the full 48 weeks - regardless of whether I cleared the virus or not. The reasoning being that it stopped and perhaps reversed the fibrosis. By my hepatolgist - who is nationally known for his work with Hep C patients - said that if I haven't cleared the virus he will stop treatment. He says there has been evidence that nothing changes if we don't clear the virus.
Have any of you heard this? I was mentally prepared to do the 48 weeks. Is there research out there to support one side of the other?
Help!
I think you have to weigh up whether 24 weeks of interferon and the side effects it might cause (some permanent) are worth a possibly slight and temporary improvement in fibrosis. The hospital I used to go (also world famous for liver care) stop all genotype 1s who have not responded at 24 weeks.
WHEW!!! Thats a whole lotta questions packed into 1 thread here.
NO WAY I would stop just because my ANC was below 1000. Hell, most all of us went below THAT. 750 is the point where they almost have to "think" about altering tx. I would DEMAND neupogen, a second opinion, or at the very worst...a "temporary" peg reduction for 3 weeks and then a recheck. To stop now would be to throw away your best chance at beating this.
Yes its true that type 2's and 3's have the best odds st beating this. It has also be shown in studies that type 3's have the worst rates of progression. That is why it's so important for them to pay close attention to testing and tx. I can go look up the studies if anyone really want them and can't find them on their own.
The perspective on biopsies is changing. Biopsies are an "invasive" proceedure and are not without risks. Little things like knicking a pancreas, or a bowl, or bleeding to death...."little" things like that can happen. These "little" things can cause permanent damages of their own....or even death. Although these problems are rare now, the dangers are still there. The docs now are shying away from biopsies unless there is a compelling reason to do one. If you are going to treat anyways then there really isn't any BIG reason to have one. I didn't. If you are still sitting on "The Fence", or having some MAJOR symptoms, then by all means get one done. It does provide the last bit on information you need to make a decision on tx. It can also aid in decision making if you have complications on tx and need to make some tx decisions on how agressive to be. But it is NOT a "requirement" by any means. Weigh the pros and cons before you get one.
Hey Litecloud....I hope you got bOTH the hep A & B vaccines. You don't want to get either disease with Hcv.
Hmmmm...I never thought about them Otters. Do ya think they might be in Cahoots with The Badger too? They look Soooo cute.....what a disguise! I will have to set up a patrol to keep an eye on them varmints to check this one out.
NO WAY I would stop just because my ANC was below 1000. Hell, most all of us went below THAT. 750 is the point where they almost have to "think" about altering tx. I would DEMAND neupogen, a second opinion, or at the very worst...a "temporary" peg reduction for 3 weeks and then a recheck. To stop now would be to throw away your best chance at beating this.
Yes its true that type 2's and 3's have the best odds st beating this. It has also be shown in studies that type 3's have the worst rates of progression. That is why it's so important for them to pay close attention to testing and tx. I can go look up the studies if anyone really want them and can't find them on their own.
The perspective on biopsies is changing. Biopsies are an "invasive" proceedure and are not without risks. Little things like knicking a pancreas, or a bowl, or bleeding to death...."little" things like that can happen. These "little" things can cause permanent damages of their own....or even death. Although these problems are rare now, the dangers are still there. The docs now are shying away from biopsies unless there is a compelling reason to do one. If you are going to treat anyways then there really isn't any BIG reason to have one. I didn't. If you are still sitting on "The Fence", or having some MAJOR symptoms, then by all means get one done. It does provide the last bit on information you need to make a decision on tx. It can also aid in decision making if you have complications on tx and need to make some tx decisions on how agressive to be. But it is NOT a "requirement" by any means. Weigh the pros and cons before you get one.
Hey Litecloud....I hope you got bOTH the hep A & B vaccines. You don't want to get either disease with Hcv.
Hmmmm...I never thought about them Otters. Do ya think they might be in Cahoots with The Badger too? They look Soooo cute.....what a disguise! I will have to set up a patrol to keep an eye on them varmints to check this one out.
hahahahahahahahaha
Since girls NEVER fart, I suppose ya gotta blame it on "something". VERY good move...."baby Dragon breath". But soon you will need to come up with something else to blame it on after you clear the Dragon.
Most girls I know blame the closest Man or Dog in the area. Thought I'd pass this along as a public service.
Since girls NEVER fart, I suppose ya gotta blame it on "something". VERY good move...."baby Dragon breath". But soon you will need to come up with something else to blame it on after you clear the Dragon.
Most girls I know blame the closest Man or Dog in the area. Thought I'd pass this along as a public service.
I understand how emotionally charged these situations can be while you're still trying to adjust to the effects of tx on your mind and body. But your doctor should take a deep breath and not over-react to those numbers. Sure, they are a little low, but that's normal on tx. Many people would love to have those numbers at week 4. Before you discuss the situation with him, read the <a HREF="http://www.rocheusa.com/products/pegasys/pi.pdf">Pegasys product guide re: Adverse Reactions/dose reduction for low anc</a>. Calmly lay it out to him that you do not want to quit and you need his help to keep you on track.
If your doctor wants to stop you for an anc below 1000, he evidently is not very experienced and you may need a new doctor. Since he is unwilling to use Neupogen (and I don't think it's warranted yet), ask him to simply allow you to follow the Roche's recommendations, which most people seem to feel are very conservative.
I know of know supplements to boost white cells, but you can try folic acid for hemoglobin and RBC. Good luck.
If your doctor wants to stop you for an anc below 1000, he evidently is not very experienced and you may need a new doctor. Since he is unwilling to use Neupogen (and I don't think it's warranted yet), ask him to simply allow you to follow the Roche's recommendations, which most people seem to feel are very conservative.
I know of know supplements to boost white cells, but you can try folic acid for hemoglobin and RBC. Good luck.
Thanks, I had a hep A vaccine done around 91/92 and when I was tested for hepc it was still working, just need the B vaccine, which I would like before treatment starts. Otters/Badgers, Am thinking if yah can't find them, maybe they all went to the loo !!
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