Hi Nancy, My biopsies were in 1982 (F0), 1990 (F0-1) and 2000 (F3-4). Fibroscan in 2007 showed F4 (95% accuracy). I won't bother with another biopsy, as Fibroscan is so accurate with the new Echosens machine. I will get another Fibroscan after treatment, just to have on record. I hope it shows a drop to F3-4 at least.
52baddog said
Oct 6, 2012
Thanks Malcom, you know so much about HEP C and all these medical terms. I am in stage 1 and am going to wait for the new drug. I had a biopsy 2 months ago. Did you get biopsies every 3 years?
mallani said
Oct 6, 2012
Hi Nancy, The usual cycle is virus enters hepatocyte and uses cell compounds to replicate. The hepatocyte is damaged and may die, and releases cytokines that stimulate an inflammatory and fibrotic reaction. If you are undet. on Rx, there is no (or little) circulating virus, so this process comes to a stop. The liver has a remarkable ability to regenerate and heal itself, and many people can produce collagenases that resorb fibrosis. Thus the saying 'Your liver gets a rest' is very true, and liver damage may start to be repaired ( while undetected). If SVR is not attained, the virus returns and the cycle of hepatocyte damage, inflammation and fibrosis begins again. People vary enormously in their response, and some are lucky enough to have minimal inflammation and fibrosis.
So, in answer to your question, after failed Rx, you start where you left off, possibly with a slightly healthier liver. The VL may be lower but this does not equate to liver damage.
52baddog said
Oct 6, 2012
Does your liver get worse if you can't accomplish SVR after triple treatment?
Hi Nancy, My biopsies were in 1982 (F0), 1990 (F0-1) and 2000 (F3-4). Fibroscan in 2007 showed F4 (95% accuracy). I won't bother with another biopsy, as Fibroscan is so accurate with the new Echosens machine. I will get another Fibroscan after treatment, just to have on record. I hope it shows a drop to F3-4 at least.
Thanks Malcom, you know so much about HEP C and all these medical terms. I am in stage 1 and am going to wait for the new drug. I had a biopsy 2 months ago. Did you get biopsies every 3 years?
Hi Nancy, The usual cycle is virus enters hepatocyte and uses cell compounds to replicate. The hepatocyte is damaged and may die, and releases cytokines that stimulate an inflammatory and fibrotic reaction. If you are undet. on Rx, there is no (or little) circulating virus, so this process comes to a stop. The liver has a remarkable ability to regenerate and heal itself, and many people can produce collagenases that resorb fibrosis. Thus the saying 'Your liver gets a rest' is very true, and liver damage may start to be repaired ( while undetected). If SVR is not attained, the virus returns and the cycle of hepatocyte damage, inflammation and fibrosis begins again. People vary enormously in their response, and some are lucky enough to have minimal inflammation and fibrosis.
So, in answer to your question, after failed Rx, you start where you left off, possibly with a slightly healthier liver. The VL may be lower but this does not equate to liver damage.
Does your liver get worse if you can't accomplish SVR after triple treatment?