Aa
UND 9 weeks post
I kind of cheated -- I just could not wait until week 12 so I took up an old unused lab order and got the test run. Undetectable 9 weeks post treatment by standard HCV RT PCA detectable to 25. I figured if I relapsed, it would be big time and I would not need the most sensitive test anyway.
Last time I had known I had relapsed at about 10 weeks post, not from a VL test, but from bloodwork done for something else that showed my liver enzymes spiked. This time at 9 weeks post, the ALT and ST are 17 & 13. I know I have to wait for the 6 month test for the ultimate title of cured, but I feel this is a pretty good indicator.
History ---
1a, treated in 2005/2006 for 56 weeks and relapsed. My after treatment biopsy (2007) showed grade and stage of 1 to 2. However a 2011 biopsy showed grade 3-4, stage 3 & 4 - a diagnosis of early cirrhosis. So I treated again, this time with Victrelis, for 48 weeks and finished 7/26/12. I cannot tell you it was easy. It was a lot harder than the first time. The anemia was awful and the rash and itching were terrible. But after giving up a year of my life, it looks like I am free.
My thyroid test which showed hypothryoid at EOT (5.04)_ is now in range at about 2.2. Still a lot higher than pretreatment, but nonetheless in range. My HGB is 13 and that is wonderful. I still occasionally fall asleep on the couch early and that might be the thyroid, but I have energy and enthusiasm to do things again. MY ANC is at 1.4 which is still a little low, but it should come up.
The rash on my ankles and legs and the ankle/leg swelling got a lot worse post tx. I would never go to a dermatologist during tx because I did not want him to put me on an oral steroid. This dermatologist was young and although I explained about the rash and the relationship to the C treatment I don't think she "got it." She dx'ed me with Asteotic Ezcema which usually occurs in old people who are dehydrated. It presents like "cracked porcelain." Even if the dx was wrong, the topical steroid and treatment worked (wrapping my gooey-with-ointment legs with saran wrap for 5 nights). Not only did it end the rash and itching but along with that , the edema mostly.
THanks for everyone's support here. I appreciate this forum most than any of you will know.
frijole (bean)
Last time I had known I had relapsed at about 10 weeks post, not from a VL test, but from bloodwork done for something else that showed my liver enzymes spiked. This time at 9 weeks post, the ALT and ST are 17 & 13. I know I have to wait for the 6 month test for the ultimate title of cured, but I feel this is a pretty good indicator.
History ---
1a, treated in 2005/2006 for 56 weeks and relapsed. My after treatment biopsy (2007) showed grade and stage of 1 to 2. However a 2011 biopsy showed grade 3-4, stage 3 & 4 - a diagnosis of early cirrhosis. So I treated again, this time with Victrelis, for 48 weeks and finished 7/26/12. I cannot tell you it was easy. It was a lot harder than the first time. The anemia was awful and the rash and itching were terrible. But after giving up a year of my life, it looks like I am free.
My thyroid test which showed hypothryoid at EOT (5.04)_ is now in range at about 2.2. Still a lot higher than pretreatment, but nonetheless in range. My HGB is 13 and that is wonderful. I still occasionally fall asleep on the couch early and that might be the thyroid, but I have energy and enthusiasm to do things again. MY ANC is at 1.4 which is still a little low, but it should come up.
The rash on my ankles and legs and the ankle/leg swelling got a lot worse post tx. I would never go to a dermatologist during tx because I did not want him to put me on an oral steroid. This dermatologist was young and although I explained about the rash and the relationship to the C treatment I don't think she "got it." She dx'ed me with Asteotic Ezcema which usually occurs in old people who are dehydrated. It presents like "cracked porcelain." Even if the dx was wrong, the topical steroid and treatment worked (wrapping my gooey-with-ointment legs with saran wrap for 5 nights). Not only did it end the rash and itching but along with that , the edema mostly.
THanks for everyone's support here. I appreciate this forum most than any of you will know.
frijole (bean)
Disco socks, and Birkenstocks, any color; let's dance!
Glad you cheated and good luck,
C
Glad you cheated and good luck,
C
Great,u did the right thing for yourself,I would do it too. Looks very very hopeful,good luck!!!
Yeah Bean!!! Good for you. All your hard work and determination has paid off big time. You've had a tough road and sounds like you'll be living a hep free life.
Go Bean! I have a pair of pink Birkenstocks, so I am sure they make red ones also, lol We weill all be dancing soon, congrats!
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