How soon start second round of Harvoni?

[soldieradvocate]

EOT 17 after 8 weeks of treatment on Harvoni. SVR test scheduled for June 17th. I just had a blood test done at another doctor and am awaiting results. If it shows virus has come back and is growing, how long before I can effectively take a second round of Harvoni treatment?

[flyinlynn]

Hi

When you are talking about people retreating have there been relapses? What treatment regimen 8 weeks Harvoni or some other?

Thanks
Lynn

[AWorriedMom]

I can't remember if it was 8 week arm of trial Lynn.  I believe it was some info that came out of the Ion trials. I will continue to look tomorrow. Way too tired tonight.

[flyinlynn]

ok thanks for the direction to look.

:-)

[AWorriedMom]

It was relapse...perhaps it was the co-infected ION trial. I really can't remember. But, we don't have results of what happened when these people were retreated. Hopefully that info will be available after EASL which is in April or DDW which is in May.  The original question was  whether there had to be a washout period before retreating and the answer so far is no, according to Gilead's pharmacist.

[soldieradvocate]

Good news! The second test at another doctor reported the virus "undetected". Now here's hoping for the 3 month test for SVR. By the way, will I always test positive for the Hep C antibodies and if so, will people assume I have Hep C or just be considered a carrier? And if so, that doesn't mean I am contagious, right?

[Livelife777]

Hi there Soldier.   First of all Congrats for being UND.  You are on a wonderful life saving drug and the odds are incredibly in your favor that retreating will not become a necessity.  Wow!
As far as carrying the Hep C antibodies, they will be with you for life.  It's kinda like if you had Chicken Pox.  Once you have it you will always carry the antibodies but will never be infected again.  The same is true with Hep C, as you will show at one time that you were exposed but will NOT be contagious.

With the Hep C virus you can reinfect IF you come across tainted blood.  So even tho you will be cured, you will never be immune. After going thru all of this it's rather doubtful that any of us will take a risk of reinfecting thru bad behavior or bad luck.
My best
.....Kim