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Viral Load at 4 weeks
My viral load is 84 at 4 weeks of treatment with Harvoni and Riba. I was hoping for undetected but maybe I am just being greedy?
Started off at a million and am only 1/3 of the way through treatment. Perhaps those that achieved SVR could weigh in on their viral loads during treatment?
This refrain keeps playing out in my head - the only number that counts is Zero
Started off at a million and am only 1/3 of the way through treatment. Perhaps those that achieved SVR could weigh in on their viral loads during treatment?
This refrain keeps playing out in my head - the only number that counts is Zero
I did not reach UND until week 8. I freaked out at week 4 and 6. I am now SVR 24-EOT. It matters not when you get there, it matters what the final outcome is.
Got my VL results today with a bit of conflicting info:
NP says: Hep C virus was less than 20 UI/ml
We will check again on May 18th
Then, I got a message from my doc that said congrats! - no virus detected
Whaa??
This is the only test result that I cannot see with my own eyes because it's considered "top secret". I have to rely on a message from my doctor or NP or request a copy of the test result via snail mail
So, less than 20 is not really undetected, right? I did some research and it really does seem that unless one's VL goes up, then maybe it is not so important with these new drugs but a little Undetected, For Sure Undetected would have been nice
I sent messages to my doc and a request for lab result and will just hope that there is no ambiguity in my next VL test
Tired and Confused...
NP says: Hep C virus was less than 20 UI/ml
We will check again on May 18th
Then, I got a message from my doc that said congrats! - no virus detected
Whaa??
This is the only test result that I cannot see with my own eyes because it's considered "top secret". I have to rely on a message from my doctor or NP or request a copy of the test result via snail mail
So, less than 20 is not really undetected, right? I did some research and it really does seem that unless one's VL goes up, then maybe it is not so important with these new drugs but a little Undetected, For Sure Undetected would have been nice
I sent messages to my doc and a request for lab result and will just hope that there is no ambiguity in my next VL test
Tired and Confused...
Bottom line my friend.
Harvoni and Riba do not show UND as quickly as your prior regimen.
You are dealing with different drugs this time and the reactionary period is NOT the same.
You could not be under a better duo then you are right now. Forget about the past results from before and stay focused on this new treatment. Your immune system works "In conjunction" with these meds. Should you self doubt your ability to fight the virus your immune system will be compromised.
Believe and have faith that you've reached the pinnacle of success. The power of positive thinking transcends all that we know!
.....Kim
Harvoni and Riba do not show UND as quickly as your prior regimen.
You are dealing with different drugs this time and the reactionary period is NOT the same.
You could not be under a better duo then you are right now. Forget about the past results from before and stay focused on this new treatment. Your immune system works "In conjunction" with these meds. Should you self doubt your ability to fight the virus your immune system will be compromised.
Believe and have faith that you've reached the pinnacle of success. The power of positive thinking transcends all that we know!
.....Kim
Billy,
Same thing happened to me on the last treatment w/Sovaldi+SOC. I went undetected at 4 wk, und at 8 wk, und at 1 wk after end of the 12 wk treatment (13) and then, relapsed on 12 wk post treatment.
Susan400
Same thing happened to me on the last treatment w/Sovaldi+SOC. I went undetected at 4 wk, und at 8 wk, und at 1 wk after end of the 12 wk treatment (13) and then, relapsed on 12 wk post treatment.
Susan400
I meant to say that when you become not detected during treatment really doesn't matter as far as staying undetected after! I was an early responder and relapsed, while others I know were detected much longer and are SVR today.
I was <15 detected at week 2
< 15 not detected at week 4
no more PCR's until 12 weeks EOT
Viral load at start 3,000,000
I was also an EVR on Incivek triple, not detected at week 4, 8, 12, relapsed
< 3 months EOT.
Long time to go, just take it day by day. For now, your liver has a chance to heal some.
< 15 not detected at week 4
no more PCR's until 12 weeks EOT
Viral load at start 3,000,000
I was also an EVR on Incivek triple, not detected at week 4, 8, 12, relapsed
< 3 months EOT.
Long time to go, just take it day by day. For now, your liver has a chance to heal some.
Penny: I think I am having deja vou all over again! We were typing/ posting at the same time. Great minds run in the same channels, ; -)
Linda: There you go, the point I was trying to make about tx and times, in a nutshell! This is all still so new, we don't have a body of knowledge to measure against and be guided by. Breaking new ground here.
Blessings, Ladies! On to SVR, everyone!
Pat
Linda: There you go, the point I was trying to make about tx and times, in a nutshell! This is all still so new, we don't have a body of knowledge to measure against and be guided by. Breaking new ground here.
Blessings, Ladies! On to SVR, everyone!
Pat
I became undetected week 10 and begged the doctor to try to extend to 24 weeks because I have had 3 prior failures and close to but not quite cirrhosis. He did mention that he is seeing a LOT of people reaching UND after the treatment is done. Even in my situation with prior failures. But he was sympathetic and so I ended up getting the approval for 24 weeks. Now I don't know if it was necessary, probably overkill.
Linda, Good Job! Your family loves you so they are being supportive, but they really don't understand the connotations. They get points for loving you and supporting you.
Now, You must keep in mind you have done this several times before so of course your body is going to react differently from tx naive heppers.
It is going in the right direction and you still have 8 weeks of tx to go! Better it goes slowly and surely. The Goal is erradication of the virus forever, not the erradication of the virus early. Still that was an impressive drop! Keep on doing what you are doing, keep the goal in sight ALL the time, and keep you spirits up! YOU ARE GOING TO SUCCEED! I love Randy's way of making those points. BTW, I was not yelling above - just emphasizing.
This has me wondering if, this very issue is why many Drs are not ordering tests til EOT so the Ins Cos don't have ammunition to stop paying for tx if a person has not reached UND by 6 or 8 weeks. Like I said, WE all know the Goal - but their eye is not on the Goal (erradication of the virus forever), their eye is on the odds of 'wasting their resources (money)'.
Hang in there and keep on keeping on. I truly believe you are well on you way. (Almost tempted to say talk to your Dr about 24 weeks, but it is still a little early for that conversation).
Good luck and warm, healing Blessings.
Pat
Now, You must keep in mind you have done this several times before so of course your body is going to react differently from tx naive heppers.
It is going in the right direction and you still have 8 weeks of tx to go! Better it goes slowly and surely. The Goal is erradication of the virus forever, not the erradication of the virus early. Still that was an impressive drop! Keep on doing what you are doing, keep the goal in sight ALL the time, and keep you spirits up! YOU ARE GOING TO SUCCEED! I love Randy's way of making those points. BTW, I was not yelling above - just emphasizing.
This has me wondering if, this very issue is why many Drs are not ordering tests til EOT so the Ins Cos don't have ammunition to stop paying for tx if a person has not reached UND by 6 or 8 weeks. Like I said, WE all know the Goal - but their eye is not on the Goal (erradication of the virus forever), their eye is on the odds of 'wasting their resources (money)'.
Hang in there and keep on keeping on. I truly believe you are well on you way. (Almost tempted to say talk to your Dr about 24 weeks, but it is still a little early for that conversation).
Good luck and warm, healing Blessings.
Pat
Yay Randy!!
I cut and pasted your message to share with my family and friends who, when I told them that my VL was 84, said things like:
yay, right?
what does that mean?
is that good?
that sounds good, it is, right?
Whew, you made my day girlfriend!
~ Linda
Although I am not treatment naive but still, what a great message to share.
Thanks!
I cut and pasted your message to share with my family and friends who, when I told them that my VL was 84, said things like:
yay, right?
what does that mean?
is that good?
that sounds good, it is, right?
Whew, you made my day girlfriend!
~ Linda
Although I am not treatment naive but still, what a great message to share.
Thanks!
You are right on target. Not even close to everyone is undetected at 4 wks.
I worried about the same thing and as mom said forget about rapid response!
Naive, harvoni 12, VL 9,500,000(pre Tx) gt 1a
Wk 4 550
Wk. 7 <15 DETECTED
Wk 8. <15 NOT DETECTED
Wk 12 < 15 NOT DETECTED EOT
Post EOT 4 wks <15 NOT DETECTED
Post EOT 8 wks <15 NOT DETECTED ( got that today ;)
So, a bit excessive, but detected still at 6 wks & now NOT DETECTED 2 mos after EOT
I hope that makes you feel wonderful & secure in Tx. You've dropped almost a million... JUST WOW. Next lab will be undetected ;-)
All best blessings to you,
Randy
My doc doesn't even want a viral load until EOT because of this type of situation. He said that some people who were detected even at EOT went on to achieve SVR12.
The fact that in 4 weeks you've dropped from a mill down to 84 really is impressive. Harvoni is working its magic.
You're going to be just fine. Positive vibes heading your way from me to you!
Marc
The fact that in 4 weeks you've dropped from a mill down to 84 really is impressive. Harvoni is working its magic.
You're going to be just fine. Positive vibes heading your way from me to you!
Marc
You are doing great. There is no such thing with the new drugs that rapid viral response is better. It just doesn't matter any more. Slow and steady does the job and you are doing a great job!
Hi my friend, you have to look at it as you're going in the right direction..everyone is different and the fact that you have treated before may have different results than others as far as reaching SVR and comparing yourself with their Tx's progress. don't do that!! :)
I understand that you probably expected a diff VL and that's not being greedy, it's being hopeful!, and there is nothing wrong about feeling that way.
With that being said, I'm keeping positive thoughts while you treat as I'm sure so many on forum are.
Keep up the fight!
Peace & great Karma
Deb
I understand that you probably expected a diff VL and that's not being greedy, it's being hopeful!, and there is nothing wrong about feeling that way.
With that being said, I'm keeping positive thoughts while you treat as I'm sure so many on forum are.
Keep up the fight!
Peace & great Karma
Deb
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