Hep C

[Sue195060]

my hepc came back...although i went through 24 weeks of shots and pills never missed one i just had blood test results after 6 months and after showing i beat it now shows it's there again...NOW WHAT!

[babs824]

this news stinks. we all know how hopeful one gets and what a let down relapse is. if we have not experienced this directly we know many who have. i know like any shock it takes time to get your bearings again and figure out next plan. stay close to the forum as u have alot of folks who have been where u are and will give the best advice. mine is just to take a deep breath and put one foot in front of the other and time passes. good luck with the next step. maybe folks here can help u sort out the reason for relapse. hugs, babs

[copyman]

sorry for your terrible news. what genotype are you? Were you tested during treatment, i.e. 4 & 12 weeks? When done treatment at 24 weeks?

Depending on genotype perhaps you can treat with the new drugs coming out later this year?

[Susan_1a_CC]

I can't imagine that there is a person on this board who doesn't feel for you and wish you all the best in your next attempt.  Let us know how we can help.

[fashion345]

Carol,  Not sure why your dr. would want to wait 6 months?  I relapsed and had the test after 6 weeks.
Was there a reason?  I also retested a week later and it was higher.
Hope that is not the case for you.

Sue,, so very sorry to hear of your news.  I am waiting for the new drugs however, genotype is a factor as well.  What is your gtype?

[carol411]

I, too, am very sorry to hear of your relapse.  I've spent a lot of time lately imagining how I will handle the news if it comes.  I finished 24 weeks of shots and pills 9 weeks ago.  My doctor is being obstinate for some reason and does not want to give me a PCR until 6 months post.  I want one at 3 months.  Was your first post tx PCR at 6 months?  

You've come to the right place to sort this out.  Again, I am sorry.  I know what a blow this is.  --Carol

[spectda]

I am very very sorry to hear of your relapse. This is very difficult to take I am sure. many people have experienced relapse on this forum and have gone on to svr after another try. There is hope.

I was unsure of what you meant when you said you beat it since that usually means you were undetectable 6 months after the end of treatment. Was blood drawn and were you undetectable on the last day of treatment? was the next blood draw that you had 6 months after treatment ended and that's when you showed a viral load again? did you have a viral load test at any other time between the last day of treatment and 6 months after the end of treatment?

If you could provide more information you might get better advice.

Did you treat with interferon (which type) and ribaviron only?
you treated for 24 weeks. are you genotype 2 or 3?
At what week did you become undetectable?
How much ribavirin did you take daily and how much do you weigh?
Did you have to reduce medication at any point?

Welcome to the forum. You will get a lot of support and helpful information here.

Take care through this trying time.
- Dave

[James10500]

I'm sorry to hear this, and feel for you.  

What genotype are you ?