Aa
My HCV count is 44 after 4 weeks - is that good?
What does it mean? The doctor says that's low, very close to undetectable and there's an over 50% chance I'll have SVR after 24 weeks.
I had a viral load test in 2003 before starting rebetron (I was a partial responder) and it was 250,000 and about a year after I relapsed it was 2,400,000. They didn't test it before I started this 24 week Pegatron treatment.
I'm now starting my 7th week. The side effects are not too bad so far except for an annoying itchy rash and small reddish spots covering half my body, including almost my entire back and the back of my neck. When I was on rebetron in 2003, I had the same rash but it was over just a small area on my left buttock.
I had a viral load test in 2003 before starting rebetron (I was a partial responder) and it was 250,000 and about a year after I relapsed it was 2,400,000. They didn't test it before I started this 24 week Pegatron treatment.
I'm now starting my 7th week. The side effects are not too bad so far except for an annoying itchy rash and small reddish spots covering half my body, including almost my entire back and the back of my neck. When I was on rebetron in 2003, I had the same rash but it was over just a small area on my left buttock.
Well, I have my 8 week appointment tomorrow.
I'm not feeling bad these days, since I now have the nasty rash under control with the ointment and strong antihistimines I got with prescription.
Since I'm 9 years older than I was when I had the rebetron treatment, I'm surprised that I have a bit more energy with pegatron this time, at least so far. But then again, in 2003 the most severe fatigue didn't hit until around 10-12 weeks, so the worst may be yet to come.
I requested about ten days ago that my viral load count or at least a positive/negative test should be done tomorrow, but they said they are not sure it's possible. I'd feel a lot more confident in my chances of SVR if I could be sure I'm now undetectable.
I'm not feeling bad these days, since I now have the nasty rash under control with the ointment and strong antihistimines I got with prescription.
Since I'm 9 years older than I was when I had the rebetron treatment, I'm surprised that I have a bit more energy with pegatron this time, at least so far. But then again, in 2003 the most severe fatigue didn't hit until around 10-12 weeks, so the worst may be yet to come.
I requested about ten days ago that my viral load count or at least a positive/negative test should be done tomorrow, but they said they are not sure it's possible. I'd feel a lot more confident in my chances of SVR if I could be sure I'm now undetectable.
Since you seem to be determined to finish your 24vweeks, it probably would be a waste of US$300+ to have the test done now. For myself it would be imoportant if my chances were 87%, 67%, or 29% - especially if I started having problems midway through tx, But I'm a whiny wimp with a lot of (subjetive) extreme sx, even though my blood counts stayed close to norm. The doctor may, in fact, have you pegged as a CT, which would be in line with his "over 50%" statement.
If, in fact, he has not done the test and just pulling fugures out of ,,,,,, well you know, this could also be valuable info in so far as you're being able to trust your docs tx decisions.
If you get or have gotten the test, hope you're CC. Good luck.
If, in fact, he has not done the test and just pulling fugures out of ,,,,,, well you know, this could also be valuable info in so far as you're being able to trust your docs tx decisions.
If you get or have gotten the test, hope you're CC. Good luck.
I'll ask the doctor about CC, CT, and TT on March 9 when I go for my 8 week blood tests and appointment. I know they took a lot of tests before approving me for my current treatment, and I've had numerous tests in past years, so perhaps he already knows.
Honestly, maybe I'm being overly optimistic, but I feel I became undetectable at week 5 or 6 anyway, so I don't think the 44 result at week 4 will make a huge difference.
I have a gut feeling that if I meticulously follow the treatment and complete week 24, I have a good chance of SVR. My gut feelings have never been wrong before.
Honestly, maybe I'm being overly optimistic, but I feel I became undetectable at week 5 or 6 anyway, so I don't think the 44 result at week 4 will make a huge difference.
I have a gut feeling that if I meticulously follow the treatment and complete week 24, I have a good chance of SVR. My gut feelings have never been wrong before.
It would make a huge diference to me which IL28B genotype I was if I were geno3 and did not RVR.
"Differences between IL-28B genotypes were greatest among patients who failed to attain RVR (VD24 SVR rates: CC, 87%; CT, 67%; and TT, 29%"
I would seriously consider having the test done.
http://www.gastrojournal.org/article/S0016-5085(10)00841-3/abstract
Background & Aims
Polymorphisms in the region of the interleukin (IL)-28B gene on chromosome 19 have been associated with peginterferon-alfa–induced clearance of genotype 1 hepatitis C virus (HCV); there are no data for patients with genotype 2 or 3 HCV. We evaluated the effects of IL-28B polymorphisms on response to treatment with peginterferon and ribavirin in a well-characterized cohort of genotype 2/3 patients.
Methods
DNA was analyzed from 268 patients (Caucasian: genotype 2, 213; genotype 3, 55). Patients were randomly assigned to groups that received standard duration (24 wk; n = 68) or variable durations of therapy. Patients who received variable durations (VD) and had a rapid virologic response (RVR) were treated for 12 weeks (VD12; n = 122); those without an RVR were treated for 24 weeks (VD24; n = 78). IL-28B genotypes (rs12979860) were analyzed for association with treatment response.
Results
The frequencies of the IL-28B genotypes were as follows: CC, 37%; CT, 48%; and TT, 15%; 82% of patients with the CC genotype achieved a sustained virologic response (SVR), compared with 75% with the CT and 58% with the TT genotypes (P = .0046). Differences between IL-28B genotypes were greatest among patients who failed to attain RVR (VD24 SVR rates: CC, 87%; CT, 67%; and TT, 29%; P = .0002). Among patients with RVRs (61%), the IL-28B genotype was not associated with SVR (>70% for all IL-28B genotypes). In a multivariable logistic regression model, IL-28B genotype predicted SVR (odds ratio, 1.76; 95% confidence interval, 1.16–2.7).
Conclusions
An IL-28B polymorphism was associated with an SVR in patients infected with genotype 2/3 HCV who did not achieve a RVR. Analysis of IL-28B genotype might be used to guide treatment for these patients.
"Differences between IL-28B genotypes were greatest among patients who failed to attain RVR (VD24 SVR rates: CC, 87%; CT, 67%; and TT, 29%"
I would seriously consider having the test done.
http://www.gastrojournal.org/article/S0016-5085(10)00841-3/abstract
Background & Aims
Polymorphisms in the region of the interleukin (IL)-28B gene on chromosome 19 have been associated with peginterferon-alfa–induced clearance of genotype 1 hepatitis C virus (HCV); there are no data for patients with genotype 2 or 3 HCV. We evaluated the effects of IL-28B polymorphisms on response to treatment with peginterferon and ribavirin in a well-characterized cohort of genotype 2/3 patients.
Methods
DNA was analyzed from 268 patients (Caucasian: genotype 2, 213; genotype 3, 55). Patients were randomly assigned to groups that received standard duration (24 wk; n = 68) or variable durations of therapy. Patients who received variable durations (VD) and had a rapid virologic response (RVR) were treated for 12 weeks (VD12; n = 122); those without an RVR were treated for 24 weeks (VD24; n = 78). IL-28B genotypes (rs12979860) were analyzed for association with treatment response.
Results
The frequencies of the IL-28B genotypes were as follows: CC, 37%; CT, 48%; and TT, 15%; 82% of patients with the CC genotype achieved a sustained virologic response (SVR), compared with 75% with the CT and 58% with the TT genotypes (P = .0046). Differences between IL-28B genotypes were greatest among patients who failed to attain RVR (VD24 SVR rates: CC, 87%; CT, 67%; and TT, 29%; P = .0002). Among patients with RVRs (61%), the IL-28B genotype was not associated with SVR (>70% for all IL-28B genotypes). In a multivariable logistic regression model, IL-28B genotype predicted SVR (odds ratio, 1.76; 95% confidence interval, 1.16–2.7).
Conclusions
An IL-28B polymorphism was associated with an SVR in patients infected with genotype 2/3 HCV who did not achieve a RVR. Analysis of IL-28B genotype might be used to guide treatment for these patients.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Hepatitis C Community
Learn about this treatable virus.
Getting tested for this viral infection.
3 key steps to getting on treatment.
4 steps to getting on therapy.
What you need to know about Hep C drugs.
How the drugs might affect you.
These tips may up your chances of a cure.
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV and STDs.
PrEP is used by people with high risk to prevent HIV infection.
I know we are different Genotypes, but I was <43 but still Detectable at 4 weeks. I was happy to be able to continue treatment but disappointed I was not UND. However, at 8 weeks I was UND. and that helped boost my spirits. I am doing 48 weeks so I know what it means to have to extend the time of treatment.
Of course this is a very personal decision and you will have to come to this decision with your doc. but I hope you will treat long enough to have your best shot at reaching SVR. You are only 56 and potentially have 25-35 years left for living a happy and productive life.
I wish you the very best.