12 Week HCV RNA - Hepatitis Message Board

DallasStar · 10-10-2003, 11:21 AM

Hello Everyone, just wanted to share some good news. My nurse called and said my 12 week HCV RNA is NEGATIVE

I am 42/f, 1a, starting vl 1,300,000, beginning alt/13-ast/14, now it is alt/11-ast/12, I know I have a ways to go 13/48 weeks, but this does give me a reason to keep up the fight.Hope everyone is doing well. Thanks for being here....

thanbey · 10-10-2003, 12:46 PM

Since your enzymes were excellent (not just normal, but excellent) at the beginning of treatment why are you treating?

Did your biopsy come back with liver damage?

I hope you realize your goal of sustained response.

thanbey

DallasStar · 10-10-2003, 01:02 PM

Hi Thanbey, Thank you for your reply, I found out on 2/14/03 that I have HCV, Biopsy on 6/27/03, reveals mild portal fibrosis (expansion of most of the portal areas) without fibrous septa, bridging or cirrohosis. Mild/Moderate activity, not sure what this means- consistent with stage 2/6 fibrosis.I do not have necrosis or steatosis, My doctor said I should treat it aggressively, since my treatment started, I did change gastro doctors, all my lab work has always been perfect, nothing out of range. I actually did not have much time to research before they started my treatment. But so far, sides are mild, I do have them, but I can tolerate them, if you have any info on my biopsy, I would love to see it. Thanks so Much Thanbey....Look forward to your reply

dianasaska · 10-10-2003, 10:05 PM

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Way to GO !!!!

You are fortunate to have such low liver enzymes despite having some liver damage which sounds like it is beyond mild inflammation and fibrosis. It just goes to show that we can't rely just on liver enzymes to assess our viral status, nor viral load.

Are you taking Pegasys or PegIntron and what is the dosage? Was the 12 week test the standard PCR test for above 600 IU/ml?

You might find changing levels of side effects, keep drinking lots of water, exercise, and rest when you need to. Don't stop what you are doing, keep it up, its working for you!!!

Keep thinking positively. When negative opinions and attitudes get thrown your way, cast them off, find ways to boost your morale, feelings and outlook. Have fun and laugh. Any small positive experience helps you and the treatment fight the virus.

I hope your response stays that way forever-more - NEGATIVE.

Diana

thanbey · 10-10-2003, 10:12 PM

A 2 out of 6 on biopsy is very good and shows only minimal activity.

Hindsight is always 20/20, but for anyone else who migh be following this thread, there is no reason to be rushed into treatment without the opportunity to weigh options and do research.

I hope the rest of your treatment goes as well as it has gone so far, DallasStar.

best thoughts,

thanbey