Wondering about 16 wk. V.L.

[Mmorgan856]

hi everyone. Just a question an maybe a little encouragement. After pushing for a 12 wk. viral load test, I'm scheduled for that this Thurs...Dr. Has repeated that it's not necessary but he will order.  So here's my concern.  I'm just a ball of nerves an anxiety levels are off the chart.  The reason being a few episodes of upper right abdomen pain.  I know it isn't rational, I guess I'm scared, no petrified that the results aren't what I'm expecting.  I feel I might just skip it till I feel stronger about facing this..  Any thoughts?? What would u do?   In case it's back, there's nothing treatment wise, so....GT2. Tx w/ sol/riba

[Dee1956]

Hang in there, we all go through this period of time wondering worrying.  Good idea of keep yourself distracted.  Drink water, try to move...breathe :)
Take Care
D

[Dee1956]

Hey there!  I am really happy to hear.  If you look at a diagram of the liver and gall bladder they apper to be together.  From what I remember the gall bladder, in pictures I have seen appears to be right under the liver.
My mother in law had gall bladder problems.  She was not a good candidate for removal so what she did was watch her  diet.  She would keep a diary of what she ate to see what bothered it.  Mainly anytime she had a fatty meal she would get an awful attack.  It was scary but once she and the rest of her family realized she had no more attacks.
We also had a member on here who thought her liver was bothering her, it turned out to be gas as our large intestine is up near the liver.
I am happy for you, really happy
D

[Mmorgan856]

you were also correct, MD agrees with you, he's sure it's not liver related.  So real happy to hear that..just hoping he's right.  Still, he mentioned surgery if gallbladder is the problem.  After dealing w/Hep C all these years, that's probably not going to be a big deal hopefully. I hope you're doing good an wishing everyone a beautiful day.  Take care.   Mary

[Mmorgan856]

hey, u were spot on on your recommendations of gallbladder.  M.D. Is doing  an abdominal ultrasound an HIDA scan.  Although in the past I'm almost positive it was liver pain at least some of the times I was having pain over the years.  I noticed before I was helped with pain management, I would take OTC pain meds an certain ones would cause pain in my liver area if I took them over a period, maybe too many.  Of course I stopped any OTC after that an addressed that issue with an Ortho Dr.  But still occasionally....I've also been told my liver was enlarged, hence the hep C diagnosis when they started doing tests decades ago.  I went for VL yesterday an praying I will post good news in a few days.  Stay cool, everyone.  Mary

[susan400]

Mary,

It is 'basically' the same test, just a different method of how they report it. Some on the lab results post it as a PCR and some post it as a viral load and then, again, some post it with both.  But, it's basically the same test.

Copied this for you:
The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a technology in molecular biology used to amplify a single copy or a few copies of a piece of DNA across several orders of magnitude, generating thousands to millions of copies of a particular DNA sequence.

Your viral load is the amount of specific viruses that you have, in a given volume of your blood.

That's the more scientific definition on the PCR.  

Hope it helps.  Susan400

[Mmorgan856]

Susan, is PCR the same as VL?  Think he's just doing a VL.  You're right, not waiting any longer..And Dee, completely forgot, I did have a gallbladder issue like 20 yrs ago but MD decided not to remove because of blood work returning to near normal the AM before surgery, so it's still there. Maybe that's the source of my pain lately.  Thanks for mentioning that.  I just always assumed pain was from liver, an gallbladder problems had resolved itself decades ago.  Petra, Kim, an Deb..YALL are such sweethearts!!!  Such encouraging words, a sweet ending to a good day...thanks an take care.  Mary

[Mmorgan856]

Thank you, thank you, everyone for the tons of encouragement..every since the 4 wk. EOT results an Doc said you're good to go, I've been on a roller coaster of emotions..if I hadn't been educated on this forum about terms like EOT an SVR an treatment options, I wouldn't have ever pushed for another VL . An possibility never went back to GI Dr. Unless my reflux issues acted up..after lots of soul searching an plenty of prayers for strength, I've been reminded that nothing can ever separate me from the love of God, whether SVR or relapse, he's in control of my life an if need be, he will give me strength to fight on if need be.  So, tomorrow, I will walk in there for blood work confident that everything is as it should be.. Prayers always for everyone out there.    Stay cool.   Mary

[Ekkiemom]

Hi there,  just relax and take some deep breaths, you will be fine. Keep positive thoughts Morgan

Take care of yourself, be well
Peace
Deb

[Livelife777]

Mary.   The fear of the unknown is worse then the reality of knowing.  You said your energy is back, and that you've been doing really well.  From what I've experienced going thru Tx, you know if its back.  Almost every discussion on this forum dealing with relapse, they had a sense that it had returned.
Your zapping your strength and putting an undue burden on your immune system with anxiety.  You've faced Hep C head on in the past and can do it again if you have too.  You are one hellova a strong women and can rebound if need be.  Personally I believe you've beat this disease from what you've said.  Get tested.....If only for piece of mind.
Positive energy abounds!
.....Kim
We are here for you 110%.

[Petra59]

Hello Mary,
I understand how you feel. I am type 2 and seem to have more questions and worries now that I have finished treatment than I had before. For me it has only been 5 days EOT. What I have been told is that the only back up we have at the moment is repeating the same treatment.
During the treatment I felt more secure. I felt that I was daily killing the virus with the Sovaldi and Ribavirin now I wonder about the dosage and the length of treatment... I even wonder about the food I ate and the occasional Tylenol, or did I drink too much coffee!
As afraid as I am of the results of further blood work I am more afraid of paranoia becoming a way of life. I am determined to distract myself from worrying as much as possible, exactly because I am a world class worrier.
I have been following your posts because you are G2 and there seem to be other similarities in our cases.
Take care,
Petra S.

[susan400]

I agree with what was said above, you are probably fine and will find your SVR.  But, with that said, I see no reason why you should skip getting another PCR.  It doesn't harm your body any, shot of the simple needle prick-as you know and when it shows you are UND, you can go on, happy and free of this, forever w/o ever giving it another moments thought.  But, you need to get this done, or in the back of your mind, you will keep on wondering about it.  Most doctors recommend getting the 12 wk post treatment PCR, irregardless of what genotype you are.  I think it's important that you just do it and not wait any longer.  Let us know what happens, okay?   Susan400

[Dee1956]

Hi Morgan, like Can-do said you are doing fine.  I think everyone goes through a period of fear after getting to SVR.  You are going to be fine.
Many times what people think of as upper quad pain is actually bad gas pains.  Our upper intestine is near there.  Unless you have a gall bladder problem.   I understand all about the anxiety.  Please hang in there.  Take deep breaths go for a walk.  I have been finding the more active I am the better I feel and sleep.  Take Care Dee

[Mmorgan856]

thanks can do.  It's actually been 16wks, or around there since EOT.  Other than 4 episodes of pain in the 16 wks, I feel really good.  Energy back to normal, back to being kinda laid back..guess I have to get my strength an determination back like I had at the end of treatment..why my nerves are shot now when I was doing emotionally so good, I have no idea.  Thanks for the encouragement.  I hope your doing well. Take care.  Mary

[can-do-man]

Being that your genotype 2 and not cirrhotic and if I remember right you were still und at 4 weeks post treatment the odds that you have relapsed are very low. As for the upper right pain your having would have nothing to do with relapsing. Just have the 12 week post PCR and confirm you are SVR instead of waiting 4 more weeks of worry. We all go through the anxiety bit but in your case I highly doubt you have relapsed. Best to you.