Hep C Discussion Forum

Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
Chatbox
Please log in to join the chat!
Hep C Discussion Forum -> General Discussion -> viral load
Post Info TOPIC: viral load
pootinlady


Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 31
Date:
RE: viral load
Permalink  
 

He is a specialist so I am lucky there, just had my ultra scan with dye today.... nervous 



__________________
pootinlady


Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 31
Date:
Permalink  
 

went and had a ultra scan done today with dye, have to wait a day before I get results, and I will go check out those web sites thanks



__________________
Cinnamon Girl


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 5629
Date:
Permalink  
 

Hi Robin, I`m giving you a link to a useful Hep C Pocket Guide which will answer your questions and a lot more besides.

http://www.hcvadvocate.org/hepatitis/factsheets_pdf/pocket%20guide%202011_web.pdf

Also, a link to Steff`s post on what are considered `safe herbs` for people with Hep C.  It would probably be advisable to check with your new doctor before you take any herbal supplements, especially when you start your tx.

http://hepcfriends.activeboard.com/t45716438/safe-herbs-for-hepatitis-c/

Best of luck! ~ Jill



__________________

Jill 

(71 yo, lives in UK)

Was Gen 3a, 

24wks Peg Ifn/Riba, Sep 2010 - Mch 2011

UND @ Wk.4, UND @ EOT, 

SVR Nov 2011 --> Still UND @ EOT + 4 yrs.

 

 
Mary Jane


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 523
Date:
Permalink  
 

pootinlady wrote:

I am going to a new dr and I need to ask questions and am not sure which ones to ask, what are viral loads and where should you want yours to be, also if I have hep c does that mean it is chronic? ANd I have noticed some people put ud which I am assuming means un detected so if it is undetected does that mean you do NOT have to have meds anymore and you are cured? Also what do you think about Milk Thistle and horsetail extract for boosting  the immune system?

 

all I know at this point is I have hepc 3

 Hello Robin,  viral load flucates daily or weekly, knowledge is power, may I suggest you use the serach tool at the top of the page for some of the topics or questions.. Many factors to consider as you know your Geno type that's a plus, some school of thought is a biopsy or not, age, male or female, how long you might possibly be infected chronic VS acute, there is disscussion on herbal supplaments as well.   You will only to the duo treatment with your Geno type.. All the best MJ



__________________

Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.Ralph Waldo Emerson

1a - VL 22 million  F2- IL28B- CT / Inck-Riba- Peg triple therapy 9/15/12 UND 4/8/14  8 wks BT ..3/1/2013 done! 3wks Post UND
Mary Jane


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 523
Date:
Permalink  
 

Bills wrote:

Hi

Information is you best defense      and it takes the sting out of the fear  You only mention a doctor  not specialist   Not to waist time  Your best option for a doctor is a hepatologist  there is interesting research that suggests hepatologists achieve better treatment results for their patients with liver disease. However, there may not be practicing hepatologists in your area. In this case, a board-certified gastroenterologist can provide expert care.     This may also be driven by your insurance        basic Link  http://hepatitis.about.com/od/ghi/g/hepatologist.htm

where ever you go  they will  start finding out what stage and condition the Hep C and liver is in

Blood test you'll see that many here identify the geno type 1a-1b 2 and 3 etc that drives the type of treatment you'll get and for  how long.  They will measure the hep C viral load live enzymes and others ( tells how well is your liver functioning today )

  possible liver biopsy how much damage you may have like cirrhosis try not panic  most of us have it and we're still kicking   They will check overall heath for other conditions to be sure you can tolerate the treatment drugs safely.  here's a question to ask  wait? or start?    Once this testing is done they can determine weather you can wait or should start now. Waiting can be a a good thing many new treatments are here now and coming out in the next few years. This doesn't mean you should walk away from the doctor especially if you have a good one you'll need them someday.  If they are not doing most or all of this your could be in the wrong place.

This does take time to get to but it's all necessary  As you are sent for testing post whats going on this form has loads of advice  many people just entering,  passing through, and cured. we are here to help each other.  I hope this gets you started Welcome and Good luck  pootinlady  keep asking questions.

Bill S

 

 

 

 

 

 



-- Edited by Bills on Wednesday 16th of January 2013 03:54:13 AM

 Good one Bill.. I googled the results and know a tad about it but my suggestion is to get answers from her Doctor...



__________________

Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.Ralph Waldo Emerson

1a - VL 22 million  F2- IL28B- CT / Inck-Riba- Peg triple therapy 9/15/12 UND 4/8/14  8 wks BT ..3/1/2013 done! 3wks Post UND
DJ


Senior Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 306
Date:
Permalink  
 

Well I consider myself new to all of this, but I will give my answers and hopefully others will also.

I am also Genotype 3, which is not the most common genotype but I am told it is easier to treat.  For Genotype 3 you only use two medicine instead of the triple treatment.  I just started last Friday and I take Ribaviran twice a day and once a week I have an injection of Pegatron.

From what I have been told, a viral load is not good no matter what.  If you have one, you have an active virus. 

If you test undetectable during treatment that is great because you can continue treatment.  You continue even if you are UND because the virus can come back (undetected only means it is too small for the current tests to measure).  The real key is for you to stay UND all through treatment and then at 6 months after treatment for it to still be UND.  Then you are considered cured (but should continue to follow up with your doctor).

There is not natural cure for Hep C.  There are things you can do to live better with it if you are not treating or if your treatment failed and you have to wait for new treatments.  In those cases, natural things may help your liver.  But none of those things will cure you.

Treatment is scary.  I was so nervous last Friday on my first day.  But so far for me, it hasn't been too bad (but I am only 4 days in, you need to hear from others who are further along).

Hope this helps some and maybe some others will offer you some other information.

Welcome to the forum.  This is a great group.

 

 

 

 

 



__________________

Genotype 3.  Treatment started on 1/11/2013 with Ribavirin and Pegatron.  Week 4 UND.  Week 12 UND.  Ended treatment on 6/28/2013.  Six months post treatment 12/04/2013 SVR.
pootinlady


Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 31
Date:
Permalink  
 

I am going to a new dr and I need to ask questions and am not sure which ones to ask, what are viral loads and where should you want yours to be, also if I have hep c does that mean it is chronic? ANd I have noticed some people put ud which I am assuming means un detected so if it is undetected does that mean you do NOT have to have meds anymore and you are cured? Also what do you think about Milk Thistle and horsetail extract for boosting  the immune system?

 

all I know at this point is I have hepc 3



__________________
Bills


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 648
Date:
Permalink  
 

Hi

Information is you best defense      and it takes the sting out of the fear  You only mention a doctor  not specialist   Not to waist time  Your best option for a doctor is a hepatologist  there is interesting research that suggests hepatologists achieve better treatment results for their patients with liver disease. However, there may not be practicing hepatologists in your area. In this case, a board-certified gastroenterologist can provide expert care.     This may also be driven by your insurance        basic Link  http://hepatitis.about.com/od/ghi/g/hepatologist.htm

where ever you go  they will  start finding out what stage and condition the Hep C and liver is in

Blood test you'll see that many here identify the geno type 1a-1b 2 and 3 etc that drives the type of treatment you'll get and for  how long.  They will measure the hep C viral load live enzymes and others ( tells how well is your liver functioning today )

  possible liver biopsy how much damage you may have like cirrhosis try not panic  most of us have it and we're still kicking   They will check overall heath for other conditions to be sure you can tolerate the treatment drugs safely.  here's a question to ask  wait? or start?    Once this testing is done they can determine weather you can wait or should start now. Waiting can be a a good thing many new treatments are here now and coming out in the next few years. This doesn't mean you should walk away from the doctor especially if you have a good one you'll need them someday.  If they are not doing most or all of this your could be in the wrong place.

This does take time to get to but it's all necessary  As you are sent for testing post whats going on this form has loads of advice  many people just entering,  passing through, and cured. we are here to help each other.  I hope this gets you started Welcome and Good luck  pootinlady  keep asking questions.

Bill S

 

 

 

 

 

 



-- Edited by Bills on Wednesday 16th of January 2013 03:54:13 AM

__________________

Bills

Harvoni started 12-12-14 for 24 wks PrevTX Geno 1 stage 3 cirrhosis - non resp Int/ ribv. Started Trial  in Aug 2011 -July 2012 into Incivek relapsed  Feb 2013 Had 72 weeks on interferon & Riba.

Page 1 of 1  sorted by
 
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.
Hep C Discussion Forum -> General Discussion -> viral load
Legal Disclaimer:

THIS FORUM, IT'S OWNERS, ADMINISTRATORS, MODERATORS AND MEMBERS DO NOT AT ANY TIME GIVE MEDICAL ADVICE AND IN ALL CASES REFER ANYONE HERE TO SEEK APPROPRIATE MEDICAL ADVICE FROM THEIR DOCTOR.