what do the numbers mean???

[baby T]

my test results on the PCR test was 9850 what does this mean if you can help out on this one please do. a nurse told me that it would take 6 months to a year for me to even get on the waiting list for this. is this true thank you again trisha

[go-girl]

What exactly is a viral load, does higher mean more severe case of hep-c? I get my PCR results in 2 weeks or so, a week before I start tx, so I take it thats good as I will know when I get the next one if treatment is helping, is that correct? thanx in advance

[GoofyDad]

Well as long as we're jumping on this thread with new numbers, please allow me to throw my hat into the ring. I had my 1st 2/wks CBC drawn today & the nurse emailed that doc wants to start Neupogen to support WBCs and go to weekly CBCs. I didn't get my copy from the lab yet, so I don't know today's numbers. I went into tx low, with 3.7 WBC and 36 Neutrophils.

I'm bummed to be going to Nuepogen so soon. Is that like procit where early intervention can short-circuit your body's natural response? Or do folks sometimes get a couple boosts, and get back on track from there? I guess my body might be responding but the WBC's it's making are backing up into the old spleen,  as I'm an early stage 4. But if that's the case, creating more with Neupogen wouldn't help alot, so never mind.  

I was sailing right along on the early tx leg too, then this AM I woke up feeling like I was wearing a lead-lined suit, followed by the news of the Neupogen this afternoon. Ah well, I sense improved winds from the west in the air.

I think this particular doc's area of research/interest is portal hypertension, so I guess that's fortunate for me.

Goofy <== A couple hairs short of a full coat just now

[GoofyDad]

Well I found fiole's thread from a month or so ago, which put forth the usual well reasoned opinons & debate. I should have looked first. Now, I just need to get my ANC #s tomorrow & I'll better understand where I stand. Given my baseline, it doesn't seem this should come as a huge surprise.  

Kathy (friole), you made a point of going back and adding a follow-up on your progress to the old thread for archival and I want to thank you. Very considerate and helpful.

Now, back to your regularly scheduled thread-jacking.

[jmjm530]

The number to be concerned about is ANC (absolute neutrophils) not WBC.

If your ANC is above 500 you don't need Neupogen yet. I believe H. Hoofnagle and maybe others did a study that showed no increase in bacterial infections on HCV treatment with ANC above 500.

In my case, my ANC was in the 1300-1500 range for most of treatment. About six weeks ago it dropped to 800 then the next week back up to 1100. Then two weeks ago it dropped to 600. Then last week up to 900. In other words, unlike with hemoglobin, a decline in ANC is not always linear. My WBC has been as low as 1.4 and my doctors weren't concerned.

-- Jim

[FlGuy]

Both neupogen and neulasta (pegylated version of neupogen) work fast, unlike procrit (EPO) which is more gradual effect for the reds. Didn't notice any sides with neupogen but neulasta gave bone pain (back and legs) for a couple of days.  ANCs decrease fast too.  I get 'pogen or 'lasta every 3 weeks or so now.  Lot of stuff works on your mind, but I think the 'dragged' out feeling is helped by the neu's.  But, then again, I'm in a fog anyway.

[cougareyes]

You may also consider when you draw your blood in relationship to shot nite. They say the interferon may effect(lower) your ANC and WBC up to 72 hours after your shot.   Peace