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.
Age < 40 years : I'm 56
Female gender : male
White race : yes
Body weight < 85 kgs : I'm close to 95
Absence of diabetes mellitus : I have type II diabetes, but just over borderline, not serious yet
Absence of steatosis on liver biopsy - not sure - I have stage 4 cirrhosis
Fibrosis on liver biopsy ≤ 2 : yes
IL 28B polymorphisms : ?
rs12979860 (CC allele) : ?
rs8099917 (TT allele) : ?
Viral load : 250,000 in 2003, 2,400,000 in 2005
I think I have about a 50% chance of SVR, because the nearly undetectable viral load shows the drugs are working. From the studies I've seen on the internet, for older people with cirrhosis and genotypes 2 or 3, weeks 17 to 24 are absolutely crucial. There's not much difference in the rates of SVR of 80 to 85% or so for young people with genotypes 2 and 3 with a 16 week or 24 week treatment, but the difference for older people with stage 3 or 4 cirrhosis is something like 18% SVR after 16 weeks to 52% after 24 weeks.
Female gender : male
White race : yes
Body weight < 85 kgs : I'm close to 95
Absence of diabetes mellitus : I have type II diabetes, but just over borderline, not serious yet
Absence of steatosis on liver biopsy - not sure - I have stage 4 cirrhosis
Fibrosis on liver biopsy ≤ 2 : yes
IL 28B polymorphisms : ?
rs12979860 (CC allele) : ?
rs8099917 (TT allele) : ?
Viral load : 250,000 in 2003, 2,400,000 in 2005
I think I have about a 50% chance of SVR, because the nearly undetectable viral load shows the drugs are working. From the studies I've seen on the internet, for older people with cirrhosis and genotypes 2 or 3, weeks 17 to 24 are absolutely crucial. There's not much difference in the rates of SVR of 80 to 85% or so for young people with genotypes 2 and 3 with a 16 week or 24 week treatment, but the difference for older people with stage 3 or 4 cirrhosis is something like 18% SVR after 16 weeks to 52% after 24 weeks.
I'll have some of what Will is having, please -)). The 3 cups of coffee sound pretty good as well.
still not right..
Having a low VL 3 cups of coffee per day
There......I think I have it.....
Having a low VL 3 cups of coffee per day
There......I think I have it.....
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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.