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Tig


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I have a question about medication
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Hi Michele, while I'm not a physician, all I can provide you with are my opinions on things. With that said, I don't believe you have a thing to worry about regarding the prednisone. It's to reduce inflammation and does it very well. I can't tell you how many times I've been prescribed prednisone during the last decade and it never caused any problems. My doctors have all been advised of my HCV status too and I recommend you do that as well. This diagnosis of ours can and does affect many systems in our body. That can make a difference in treatment options, so it's best to let your medical team know about it.

The VL and Log are the same, just listed differently. Use the search function at the top and you'll find a lot of info on it. Your VL is rising, but only slightly. Mine was 5 million for comparison! Right now your's is still considered quite low and if your LFT's are still low and acceptable to your doctor, I see no reason why you can't wait for the new drugs that will be less stressful on your mind and body. That would be my personal choice were I in your position now.

So get well, get some rest and don't worry about the prednisone or rushing into treatment. There are some great things on the horizon! You'll be fine!! Good luck to you smile

I just read Mallani's comment on prednisone and wanted to add that when I was given all the prednisone treatments, I had fractured my neck and had multiple cervical spine surgeries that affected my spinal cord to a great degree. I had problems with inflammation everywhere. Still my Internists and Neurosurgeons (&Hepa) weren't against its use. I wouldn't use it during treatment as it can further suppress your immune system and we already have issues with that during Tx. I hope this better explains my statement.



-- Edited by Tig56 on Sunday 8th of December 2013 02:23:57 AM

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Tig

68yo GT1A - 5 Mil - A2/F3 - (1996) Intron A - Non Responder, (2013) Peg/Riba/Vic SOT:05/23/13 EOT:12/04/13 SVR 9+ years!

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mallani


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Hi Michele,

Log units are just another way of expressing the same number. As you can see from the chart (see link), a VL of 379,427 is the same as Log 5.579.  Hopefully, Log units will soon be phased out.

http://www.hepatitiscentral.com/hcv/hepatitis/loadchart.html

Your variation is quite normal, as the VL does fluctuate.

Generally, prednisone should be avoided in HepC patients. Discuss this with your ENT guy.

Your wait may soon be over.  Sofosbuvir has been approved by the FDA, and for Geno 2, you can have 12 weeks of Sofosbuvir and Ribavirin.  With your low VL, you should do very well. Cheers.



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Geno 1b, IL28B CT,  x3 prior relapser,  ex-cirrhotic, 75 yo, did 48 weeks with Victrelis/Peg./Riba.  VL 1.28m at start, UNDET. at 8 ,12 ,16 ,24 ,30  and 48 weeks.  EOT 15 Feb 2013 , UNDET. at EOT + 28 weeks. SVR!  Still Undet. at EOT +5 years

Malcolm
michele


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Hi guys,I havent been in awhile the last time I was here I got some really good advice and encouragement from some senior members :).

I have a couple things to discuss and hopefully ya,ll can help again.

I recently visited with my ENT because I have been haveing some sinus and throat issues, i have a horrible fear of medications, ANY kind of pharmacuetical (sp) makes me anxious, well he prescribed a 9 day course of prednisone, some antibiotics and of course him knowing my fear some lorazapam (im scared to take that too) my ENT does NOT know my hep c history, my question is, is the prednisone ok for me to take? will it hurt my liver any? My viral load is 197,000

and i have never tried treatment yet (we are waiting for the new one that doesnt affect my anxiety and depression) I suffer from debillitateing fatigue but not quite sure where that comes from probably my anxiety and depression.

My next question is about lab values, in 2011 my liver specialist took blood and genotyped me, at that time my viral load was 197,000 geno type 2b and hep c log 5.29.

Different dr here in Houston did the same test,s last month, geno type 2b, hcv rna pcr quant 379427, viral log 5.579

This is ALL jibberish to me, and i havent had my follow up yet for her to explain ...is viral log the same as viral load? and with the different values are mine riseing? does viral load increase?

My liver specialist back home ( Missouri) said I had time to wait for a new interferon free treatment unless i got my anxiety under control and decided to go with traditional, my liver function tests are ALWAYS real good and besides borderline hepatomegaly a few months ago the only thing that shows my hep c is a positive antibody and of course a viral load.

I really appriciate ya,ll helping me through this but again my anxiety has taken over.

 

Michele



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