hep c

[1234nick]

Hi , Ive been on the treatment with incivic and pegasus . After the 4th and 8th week
I tested neg for the viris . After the 12th week and finishing the incivic meds . I went
to get tested and the test result came back that the viril load was slightly elevated.
Has anyone experianced this and what was the out come , Nick

[Advocate1955]

My husband was also on triple tx with Incivek.  He was UND at week 8 and at week 12, but had a viral breakthrough sometime between week 16 - week 20.  His VL hovered under VL <24 and treatment was discontinued at about week 24.  I agree with the others above.  Ask for another PCR and talk to your doctor about next steps.
Advocate1955

[can-do-man]

I agree with the above, as Hector said if it was not a lab error then its a breakthough. Treatment then should be stopped... Retest ASAP.

Best to you.

[HectorSF]

I would get another PCR test to confirm the results before making any decisions. You may be experiencing a viral breakthrough. "Viral breakthrough: HCV RNA detectable at any time during treatment after being undetectable." If it is a breakthrough your viral load number will increase rapidly over time.

You should talk to your doctor about what options are available to you if it is the case that there is a viral breakthrough.

I hope it is a lab error.

Good luck.
Hector

[pooh55811]

Just to be sure I understand correctly:
You are on Pegasys, Ribavirin, and Incivek (you did not mention Ribavirin).
You were Undetectable at end of week 4 and end of week 8.
You are now Detectable at end of week 12. Is that correct?
Do you know what the viral load was exactly in numbers?

I did not experience this situation but, if I were you, I would ask for another viral load test right away to be sure that there was no lab error. It is possible that the lab made an error.

If the second test comes back Undetectable, then it was probably a lab error.

If the second test comes back Detectable (but under 1000) you can still continue treatment. You would have to be Undetectable at week 24 to continue treatment past week 24.

"For all patients treated with telaprevir, the following futility rules should be employed:
If HCV RNA is > 1000 IU/mL at treatment Week 4 or 12, all 3 medications should be discontinued.
If HCV RNA is detectable at Week 24, pegIFN/RBV should be discontinued. "

Here's hoping the 12 week test was a lab error.

[Idyllic]

Hey glad you made it this far :)

I know VL can fluctuate somewhat but just how elevated do you mean? Were you ever UND?  

Recall with Incivek you only have to discontinue treating if at week 12 your HCV RNA is greater than 1000 IU/mL. I think this prolongs how long you treat though - as in another 36 weeks.