To be honest the fact these drugs are so effective and the results are now coming in fast to the dr's .......that I'll bet you'll stop seeing these "feel good VL tests" being done.
I know I wanted them too, but didn't push because it wouldn't change the tx outcome, my guess is you will see that it will be a 12wk post tx test and that's it.
If you have the virus there is no real point in getting tested at the start of tx, and after tx is pretty much of no use because the protocol as I understand is 12 weeks, so if it doesn't do it in that time frame it's not going to, so why not just wait till the SVR test...I know if drives you crazy waiting for some good news but it's a mind thing.
And even if you found out it didn't work EOT what would do? ask for 4 or 8 more weeks of something that's not working? or do you think they'd start another tx that soon?
Just sayin.... don't shoot me !
Everything you say is true. I just think 12 weeks is a hell of a long time to wait. Since most relapses occur within 4 weeks I think it's sensible, but not required, to get one done at 4-6 weeks EOT as well. Of course there's a cost so that means the insurance company and anyone else footing the bill should be ok with it, but I'm more than willing to fork over cash for it. Also, if you do relapse there is value in knowing sooner so you can plan accordingly for next steps. If I relapse I will immediately start planning to start a new regimen ASAP.
Dzdayscomin said
Sep 4, 2014
To be honest the fact these drugs are so effective and the results are now coming in fast to the dr's .......that I'll bet you'll stop seeing these "feel good VL tests" being done.
I know I wanted them too, but didn't push because it wouldn't change the tx outcome, my guess is you will see that it will be a 12wk post tx test and that's it.
If you have the virus there is no real point in getting tested at the start of tx, and after tx is pretty much of no use because the protocol as I understand is 12 weeks, so if it doesn't do it in that time frame it's not going to, so why not just wait till the SVR test...I know if drives you crazy waiting for some good news but it's a mind thing.
And even if you found out it didn't work EOT what would do? ask for 4 or 8 more weeks of something that's not working? or do you think they'd start another tx that soon?
Just sayin.... don't shoot me !
patiently_waiting said
Sep 4, 2014
Yes, I have no idea why we're doing the EOT one either, but I've decided not to argue about it so long as they'll give me another at 4-6 weeks.
Fireman Rob said
Sep 3, 2014
PW,
Good for you on completing tx. Let's get this mess over with once and for all! Keep us posted. I can't wait to see some good news from my treatment buddy, PW.
Fingers crossed,
-Rob
OldenSlow said
Sep 3, 2014
Isiscat2011 wrote:
If I had to choose I would definitely have the EOT+4 weeks instead.
Ditto. With almost all Sovaldi failures happening within the first month, this is the one I would insist upon.
PW.. If memory serves, Sovaldi takes about a week to clear the system. Truthfully, I don't see the point in an eot VL and elected not to have one. Demanded the 4-weeker, though.
wayne
Isiscat2011 said
Sep 3, 2014
patiently_waiting wrote:
Yes, Tig, purely psychological. I know the 12 week is the big one, but twice before I've relapsed almost immediately after stopping treatment so I would like to know if that happens again. Not a necessity but would be nice. They may tell me no - we'll see.
I understand the EOT +4 week test; I would want that too. The one that has me puzzled is the EOT because you were just tested a couple of weeks ago. It is extremely unlikely that a relapse would show at EOT. If I had to choose I would definitely have the EOT+4 weeks instead.
Hopefully, you will SVR, PW. No way to predict, and we have seen a few relapses, but I still have confidence in this combo. Most people are going to SVR on it.
Tig said
Sep 3, 2014
Hey PW,
If you want me to dust off my Magic 8 Ball, you let me know! It has been pretty good at predicting SVR's, lol!! Good luck buddy!
Tig
patiently_waiting said
Sep 3, 2014
Tig56 wrote:
Good job PW! I assume the EOT+4-6 VL is just a morale booster right? As long as you're not putting out cash money for it, go for it. If you're UND at EOT, I'd be very confident that you'll be UND at week 4-6. EOT +12 is the biggy though. I'm not sure what the S/O half life is, but the Riba can hang around up to 6 months after EOT. If you're still UND at +4-6, your rate of relapse drops into the nether zone!! Good luck my friend!!
Tig
Yes, Tig, purely psychological. I know the 12 week is the big one, but twice before I've relapsed almost immediately after stopping treatment so I would like to know if that happens again. Not a necessity but would be nice. They may tell me no - we'll see.
Tig said
Sep 3, 2014
Good job PW! I assume the EOT+4-6 VL is just a morale booster right? As long as you're not putting out cash money for it, go for it. If you're UND at EOT, I'd be very confident that you'll be UND at week 4-6. EOT +12 is the biggy though. I'm not sure what the S/O half life is, but the Riba can hang around up to 6 months after EOT. If you're still UND at +4-6, your rate of relapse drops into the nether zone!! Good luck my friend!!
Tig
Groupergetter said
Sep 3, 2014
Happy for all those finishing tx. Onward to SVR.
patiently_waiting said
Sep 3, 2014
LOL Wayne...sounds like a scene out of Office Space. :)
Isiscat2011 wrote:
Well done, PW.
That is an odd VL testing schedule. Appx. 2 weeks before EOT and then again at EOT? Will you have another at 4 or 12 weeks EOT?
I'm going to ask for another one at 4-6 weeks after, but I know I will at least get one at 12. I guess Friday may tell me if I've immediately relapsed but I'm not even sure that's enough time for the meds to clear my system.
Isiscat2011 said
Sep 3, 2014
Well done, PW.
That is an odd VL testing schedule. Appx. 2 weeks before EOT and then again at EOT? Will you have another at 4 or 12 weeks EOT?
OldenSlow said
Sep 3, 2014
Good to hear from you, PW. Congrats on getting to the end of it. I beat my last emptied bottle of riba to death with a hammer. Jury ruled justifiable homicide. Keep us posted.
wayne
patiently_waiting said
Sep 3, 2014
Took my last 2 pills yesterday. After that I threw out everything related to treatment...pill bottles, inserts, everything. I'm not sure why - I guess I just want to feel healthy again and I don't want any reminders. I was UD as of ~2 weeks ago and will test again Friday. Next stop SVR, I hope! :)
Everything you say is true. I just think 12 weeks is a hell of a long time to wait. Since most relapses occur within 4 weeks I think it's sensible, but not required, to get one done at 4-6 weeks EOT as well. Of course there's a cost so that means the insurance company and anyone else footing the bill should be ok with it, but I'm more than willing to fork over cash for it. Also, if you do relapse there is value in knowing sooner so you can plan accordingly for next steps. If I relapse I will immediately start planning to start a new regimen ASAP.
To be honest the fact these drugs are so effective and the results are now coming in fast to the dr's .......that I'll bet you'll stop seeing these "feel good VL tests" being done.
I know I wanted them too, but didn't push because it wouldn't change the tx outcome, my guess is you will see that it will be a 12wk post tx test and that's it.
If you have the virus there is no real point in getting tested at the start of tx, and after tx is pretty much of no use because the protocol as I understand is 12 weeks, so if it doesn't do it in that time frame it's not going to, so why not just wait till the SVR test...I know if drives you crazy waiting for some good news but it's a mind thing.
And even if you found out it didn't work EOT what would do? ask for 4 or 8 more weeks of something that's not working? or do you think they'd start another tx that soon?
Just sayin.... don't shoot me !
PW,
Good for you on completing tx. Let's get this mess over with once and for all! Keep us posted. I can't wait to see some good news from my treatment buddy, PW.
Fingers crossed,
-Rob
Ditto. With almost all Sovaldi failures happening within the first month, this is the one I would insist upon.
PW.. If memory serves, Sovaldi takes about a week to clear the system. Truthfully, I don't see the point in an eot VL and elected not to have one. Demanded the 4-weeker, though.
wayne
I understand the EOT +4 week test; I would want that too. The one that has me puzzled is the EOT because you were just tested a couple of weeks ago. It is extremely unlikely that a relapse would show at EOT. If I had to choose I would definitely have the EOT+4 weeks instead.
Hopefully, you will SVR, PW. No way to predict, and we have seen a few relapses, but I still have confidence in this combo. Most people are going to SVR on it.
Hey PW,
If you want me to dust off my Magic 8 Ball, you let me know! It has been pretty good at predicting SVR's, lol!! Good luck buddy!
Tig
Yes, Tig, purely psychological. I know the 12 week is the big one, but twice before I've relapsed almost immediately after stopping treatment so I would like to know if that happens again. Not a necessity but would be nice. They may tell me no - we'll see.
Good job PW! I assume the EOT+4-6 VL is just a morale booster right? As long as you're not putting out cash money for it, go for it. If you're UND at EOT, I'd be very confident that you'll be UND at week 4-6. EOT +12 is the biggy though. I'm not sure what the S/O half life is, but the Riba can hang around up to 6 months after EOT. If you're still UND at +4-6, your rate of relapse drops into the nether zone!! Good luck my friend!!
Tig
Happy for all those finishing tx. Onward to SVR.
LOL Wayne...sounds like a scene out of Office Space. :)
I'm going to ask for another one at 4-6 weeks after, but I know I will at least get one at 12. I guess Friday may tell me if I've immediately relapsed but I'm not even sure that's enough time for the meds to clear my system.
Well done, PW.
That is an odd VL testing schedule. Appx. 2 weeks before EOT and then again at EOT? Will you have another at 4 or 12 weeks EOT?
Good to hear from you, PW. Congrats on getting to the end of it. I beat my last emptied bottle of riba to death with a hammer. Jury ruled justifiable homicide. Keep us posted.
wayne
Took my last 2 pills yesterday. After that I threw out everything related to treatment...pill bottles, inserts, everything. I'm not sure why - I guess I just want to feel healthy again and I don't want any reminders. I was UD as of ~2 weeks ago and will test again Friday. Next stop SVR, I hope! :)