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What's next?

I was on pegasys and copegus for 48 weeks. I am a genotype 1a.
During treatment my liver enzymes came down to normal.  At 6 months my viral load was "undetected"   Three weeks after I finished treatmnet I had a lab done to check my liver enzymes, the doctor said that he had bad news, my liver enzymes were up again and that now he has to check my viral load.  I very affraid that the test are going to confirm that the Hep is back.  Could my liver enzymes be high for any other reason?  I am going to be tested for the viral load today but I really don't want to do it.  Has anybody have this same thing happen to them?

Gladis
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Avatar universal
Thank you all for being there for the rest of us.  I got to tell you that I am so glad to have somewhere to go to, to express my feeling.  Sometimes it is hard to let your family know how you are really feeling because you don't want them to worry.  I went to have my test done and now I am glad I got it over with.  I will see my doctor on July 30 to get the results.  But you know what, I am not going to let the fear get to me.  I try to keep myself thinking positive.  I will fight as much as I can until there is not more strenght on me.  I have a wonderful family, my daughter is only 3yrs old and she needs me, but she needs me happy and healthty and she gives me courage to keep on fighting.  Thank you again and I will keep you posted.

LOVE,
Gladis
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Avatar universal
gladis, Hi and I have already said a prayer for you. Like rev____ said, even if we do relapse...and I did. I still feel releieved that I am at least a responder. I will start a new clinical trial in Oct. w/ new meds. I am geno 1A and went thru 48wks of rebatol @ pegasys. I did 100% of my tx. I was EVR(early viral responder) and undectable thoughout tx. After 4 months post tx and still feeling like hell, I asked for a blood test and I wasn't surprised...I sort of knew deep down...call it ESP or whatever....I knew I had relapsed.

This has the doctor's baffled and I found a NEW doctor. I'm going with a hepatologist this time. He is great! He did a bx about 3 wks ago and it came back STAGE 1.....GRADE 0-1...with no scarring!!!! So I know I did some major damage to the virus. But like someone said...don't put the cart before the horse! Let us know as soon as you find out. In the meantime, we are here for you! And I will be saying some major prayers for YOU!!!!! Much love, Cindee
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Avatar universal
you havent been using tylenol have you?  it can raise liver enzymes.    hopefully you will be ok.  have you been testing neg PCR  all along and at your 12 week test during treatment?  early viral response also is some determination factor if you will stay SVR.
   a prayer for you....
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Avatar universal


<B>Remmember that everybody is differant and the Liver can react differantly to the med's</B>


  In 2001 after I had finished my TX, in which I was undetectable at 12 weeks and all the rest of TX, we did some liver enzime tests at about 4 weeks post TX and they came back elevated they had been in the low normal range through TX after the first 4 weeks. I had a PCR done and it came back Positive.

          Praying for a undetectable PCR
            
                  TonyZ
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Avatar universal
Waiting seems so hard sometimes.... wishing you positive test results; stay strong...
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Avatar universal
It is understandable that you are petrified to take the test and find out the virus has returned. You'd rather not know, but in the end, you can't let fear paralized you.
Nothing we say here about our elevated enzymes might apply to your elevated readings. You need to find out the reasons for YOUR changes and if you are still clear(are you only 3-4 wks post tx?) you will be elated. if it is back, the earlier you can address it the better.
Did you only have a pcr at 6 months or is it that you did not clear until then?
If you did not clear until 6 months and the virus is back at low levels, perhaps continuing the tx for a longer period can ensure a cure for you. The earlier you get the answer on the vl, the better. That way it would be a short interruption of tx only.
Some studies are indicating longer tx for slow responders may be required to get svr. I am also a 1a, extending tx.

let us know of the outcome and; feel the fear but don't let it stop you.
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Avatar universal
Hi Gladis,
My understanding is that it is normal for your enzymes to be elevated after tx, and that it can take awhile for them to get back to normal. I'm sure others here will elaborate on that.
Don't sweat the test, you would have to take a 6 month follow up test anyway.
I know it's very hard, I've been there, but you can't worry, it won't help. (very hard to do, but you gotta try)
I had to stop my tx because I couldn't stand the meds. So I went through the guilt for stopping, and the worrying too.

The good news is that you made it all the way through, and you are stronger now than you have ever been.
Please take the test, you need to know what is happening. I pray that you are still clear and that everything is OK.
Please let us know how things go.
And if it is back, please remember that there are new treatments on the horizon. I know that this is a terrible time in your life now, but you WILL get through it.
Together we can get through this, and you're in the right place for talking to the only people that KNOW what you are going through.
Please come here and talk with us, we are here for you, through thick and thin.
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