post treatment update

[GINGERPAL]

Here is an update ….  I did 24 weeks of riba, peg and incevik.  I just went for my 3 ½ month post treatment blood work and my virus remains negative.
My cholesterol and triglycerides are high and my Amylase is also high - anyone know why these are all running high?
My liver enzymes are normal.
I want to be optimistic about still being und (have been und since week 2 of treatment), but since failing treatment once before, I am holding back my hope and waiting for the 6 month blood work and if it is negative, I will be ready to scream with joy.  
To all of you that are going through treatment, just hang in there….it was not easy for me…but I did it and so can you.  Gingerpal

[jerialice]

YAY!!!! hoo ray-
blaze that trail...

[Advocate1955]

This is great news Ginger.  Still UND at post treatment 3 months gives you a great chance for SVR.  You are almost there.
Advocate1955

[brianmo]

Good news!!  We finished around the same time and this past week I had my 3.5 month blood draw, waiting for results!! Doctor also wants to do it again at 6 months if UND which it will be.  

[yodennis]

A well deserved hip-hip-hooray. Especially given that a 3 month undetected outcome is such a positive precursor to SVR.

[sandysf]

so happy for you!

[GINGERPAL]

Thanks all for your comments.  I am eager to get the dancing shoes ready...i have them polished, but have not yet been brave enough to practice with them.  But I hope to be dancing at my 6 mo. post mark.  And I hope you all will be dancing too !

[Revalation]

Get your dancing shoes ready for the party.
I think you're going to get your wings.

Reva

[flcyclist]

Very good news.  Great to hear you nailed it this time.

[belle19]

congrats, so stoked for you.  best wishes for your future SVR.  belle

[orphanedhawk]

Congrats, as will and pooh already said, there's no need to worry, your reactions are not uncommon and have nothing to do with the virus returning.

[Dee1956]

Dear Ginger, congratulations!  This is wonderful news
So many people are on here with such good news, it gives everyone hope.
I am 5 months post tx and will test next month for my SVR.  I am confident that the tx has worked.  Hang in there, you are doing to SVR as well

[pooh55811]

Congratulations on your UND status at 3.5 months post EOT.

This first sentence is the last sentence in the following article:

"A significant portion of successfully treated patients experience LDL and cholesterol rebound to levels associated with increased coronary disease risk. Lipids should be carefully monitored in persons receiving antiviral therapy."  


Hepatitis C associated hypolipidemia( low LDL ) has been demonstrated in studies from Europe and Africa. In two linked studies, we evaluated the relationship between hepatitis C infection and treatment with lipid levels in an American cohort and determined the frequency of clinically significant posttreatment hyperlipidemia. First, a case-control analysis of patients with and without hepatitis C was performed. The HCV Group consisted of 179 infected patients. The Uninfected Control Group consisted of 180 age-matched controls. Fasting cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL), high density lipoprotein and triglycerides were compared. Next was a retrospective cohort study (Treated Hepatitis C Group) of 87 treated hepatitis C patients with lipid data before and after therapy was performed. In the case-control analysis, the HCV Group had significantly lower LDL and cholesterol than the Uninfected Control Group. In the retrospective cohort, patients in the Treated Hepatitis C Group who achieved viral clearance had increased LDL and cholesterol from baseline compared to patients without viral clearance. These results persisted when adjusted for age, sex, and genotype. 13% of patients with viral clearance had increased LDL and 33% experienced increases in cholesterol to levels warranting lipid lowering therapy. CONCLUSION: Hepatitis C is associated with decreased cholesterol and LDL levels. This hypolipidemia resolves with successful hepatitis C treatment but persists in nonresponders. A significant portion of successfully treated patients experience LDL and cholesterol rebound to levels associated with increased coronary disease risk. Lipids should be carefully monitored in persons receiving antiviral therapy."

See: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19787818?ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_DefaultReportPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum

[willbb]

Sorry Ginger..

meant to mention also it is not uncommon for people with HCV after successful tx. to have somewhat higher Cholesterol and trig. as the synergy between having the virus  can keep these levels low..I have a link somewhere ..I will find it for you in awhile

The "amylase" is a blood marker used specifically for the pancreas.  Your doctor should investigate further if this marker remains elevated..
Best..
Will

[willbb]

Hi Ginger ..Nice to see you again ..The 12 weeks post tx UND .is an excellent predictor of overall success  approx>99%  Go to the link and look at slide 15 and 16 ..
Best to you and stay well..
Will

http://www.ihlpress.com/pdf%20files/hepdart09_presentations/oral_ii/12_martinotHEPDART%20PC.pdf