The viral count after a relapse can return to pre treatment levels. Once the virus has returned to its active (chronic) form, the reduction you witnessed during treatment is a mute point. The virus can replicate exponentially again and again or in some cases will stay lower due to your own immune response. The viral count has no effect on your ability to achieve SVR, but a high VL, greater than 6 million for example, can mean a longer length of treatment with some protocols.
With the new testing sensitivity, the quantitative can test as low as the qualitative. The qualitative only provides a positive or negative result, quantitative has a sensitivity <15 IU/ml (provides the actual number of viral units per ml). It's very sensitive.
As Malcolm mentioned, the new treatment of Sov/GS5816 may be your solution, if the next test comes back detected. Let's cross our fingers and hope for the best.
I'm glad you found the forum. We have a lot of helpful friends here that are always willing to assist and listen. Stay positive and know that your day is coming soon.
Tig
Mid-Century-Mama said
Apr 4, 2015
Again, thank you for your input. I really appreciate it. I remain cautiously optimistic, understanding that if nothing else, millions of cells have been eradicated, for a time.
I have read that the cells replicate quickly, and so your advice to wait for the new treatment is sound and hopeful.
With my first treatment, I started with over 10 mil. cells, and the second treatment, close to 6 mil. So, this tells me that the first treatment of Peg+Ribo eliminated 4 mil. for good.
I asked the doc. about a new treatment yesterday and she said we'll cross that bridge when we get there....I am still left to wonder if the drug manufacturers require a patient to wait a set amount of time before beginning treatment again?
I also wonder if the quantitative test is more accurate than the qualitative test? In your siggy that you were a three time responder...that is wonderful news! You are a SVR plus! I trust your advice because you've run the gambit and you understand not only the side effects but the emotional and mental roller coaster ride this treatment takes....And so, with tongue in cheek, I wonder and must ask "..is the third time the charm?"
Happy Day and bless you for your time and input in helping others....
mallani said
Apr 4, 2015
Geno 2's have an SVR rate of greater than 90% after 12 weeks of Sovaldi/Riba.
Sounds like you've been unlucky. I'm afraid if you're not Undetected at EOT, SVR won't happen.
If your liver is OK, it would be best to wait for Sovaldi/ GS-5816 which will probably be available later this year.
Have a follow-up VL and I hope I'm wrong. Cheers.
Mid-Century-Mama said
Apr 4, 2015
Thank you! Finally, an answer...even the doc. did not know. I was on 12 week, type 2b. My first treatment in 2004 with interferon and Ribo was negative but relapsed 10 weeks later...."(
I took my labs the last day of my 12 week treatment, and went from nearly 6 mil to 166 at 6 weeks, and the 12 week said <12.. detected....the test is confusing...!!
edit: finished my treatment on March 24th, 2015
-- Edited by Mid-Century-Mama on Saturday 4th of April 2015 05:21:17 AM
mallani said
Apr 4, 2015
Hi M-C-M,
I'm not sure whether you did 12 or 24 weeks of Sovaldi/Riba. If 12, you're a Geno 2. If 24, you're Geno 3.
Sorry to hear you were still Detected. Were you ever Undetected during treatment?
Sovaldi is converted to GS-331007 in the body. This has a half life of 27 hours, so is unlikely to continue to eradicate virus.
Personally, I would get the VL repeated. Good luck.
Mid-Century-Mama said
Apr 3, 2015
Hello,
I am new here....but not new to Hep C. Was treated in 2004, and relapsed after 10 weeks.
Fast forward to 2015, I finished my second treatment with Sovaldi and Ribo in late March, and on the day I took my last pills, I took my blood test.
My hope is that I took it too soon, as it came back <12 detected.
I will retest in 3 months but have a question even the doc. couldn't answer....
How long does the medication work after 12 week treatment? The lab results are discouraging, but I am told it's not uncommon for a non-detected result in my 3 month follow-up. Has anyone else had this experience, or know where to find the odds on this?
Any information, or similar experiences would be most helpful. I was feeling so hopeful, and now a little discouraged.
Hi Mama,
The viral count after a relapse can return to pre treatment levels. Once the virus has returned to its active (chronic) form, the reduction you witnessed during treatment is a mute point. The virus can replicate exponentially again and again or in some cases will stay lower due to your own immune response. The viral count has no effect on your ability to achieve SVR, but a high VL, greater than 6 million for example, can mean a longer length of treatment with some protocols.
With the new testing sensitivity, the quantitative can test as low as the qualitative. The qualitative only provides a positive or negative result, quantitative has a sensitivity <15 IU/ml (provides the actual number of viral units per ml). It's very sensitive.
As Malcolm mentioned, the new treatment of Sov/GS5816 may be your solution, if the next test comes back detected. Let's cross our fingers and hope for the best.
I'm glad you found the forum. We have a lot of helpful friends here that are always willing to assist and listen. Stay positive and know that your day is coming soon.
Tig
Again, thank you for your input. I really appreciate it. I remain cautiously optimistic, understanding that if nothing else, millions of cells have been eradicated, for a time.
I have read that the cells replicate quickly, and so your advice to wait for the new treatment is sound and hopeful.
With my first treatment, I started with over 10 mil. cells, and the second treatment, close to 6 mil. So, this tells me that the first treatment of Peg+Ribo eliminated 4 mil. for good.
I asked the doc. about a new treatment yesterday and she said we'll cross that bridge when we get there....I am still left to wonder if the drug manufacturers require a patient to wait a set amount of time before beginning treatment again?
I also wonder if the quantitative test is more accurate than the qualitative test? In your siggy that you were a three time responder...that is wonderful news! You are a SVR plus! I trust your advice because you've run the gambit and you understand not only the side effects but the emotional and mental roller coaster ride this treatment takes....And so, with tongue in cheek, I wonder and must ask "..is the third time the charm?"
Happy Day and bless you for your time and input in helping others....
Geno 2's have an SVR rate of greater than 90% after 12 weeks of Sovaldi/Riba.
Sounds like you've been unlucky. I'm afraid if you're not Undetected at EOT, SVR won't happen.
If your liver is OK, it would be best to wait for Sovaldi/ GS-5816 which will probably be available later this year.
Have a follow-up VL and I hope I'm wrong. Cheers.
Thank you! Finally, an answer...even the doc. did not know. I was on 12 week, type 2b. My first treatment in 2004 with interferon and Ribo was negative but relapsed 10 weeks later...."(
I took my labs the last day of my 12 week treatment, and went from nearly 6 mil to 166 at 6 weeks, and the 12 week said <12.. detected....the test is confusing...!!
edit: finished my treatment on March 24th, 2015
-- Edited by Mid-Century-Mama on Saturday 4th of April 2015 05:21:17 AM
Hi M-C-M,
I'm not sure whether you did 12 or 24 weeks of Sovaldi/Riba. If 12, you're a Geno 2. If 24, you're Geno 3.
Sorry to hear you were still Detected. Were you ever Undetected during treatment?
Sovaldi is converted to GS-331007 in the body. This has a half life of 27 hours, so is unlikely to continue to eradicate virus.
Personally, I would get the VL repeated. Good luck.
Hello,
I am new here....but not new to Hep C. Was treated in 2004, and relapsed after 10 weeks.
Fast forward to 2015, I finished my second treatment with Sovaldi and Ribo in late March, and on the day I took my last pills, I took my blood test.
My hope is that I took it too soon, as it came back <12 detected.
I will retest in 3 months but have a question even the doc. couldn't answer....
How long does the medication work after 12 week treatment? The lab results are discouraging, but I am told it's not uncommon for a non-detected result in my 3 month follow-up. Has anyone else had this experience, or know where to find the odds on this?
Any information, or similar experiences would be most helpful. I was feeling so hopeful, and now a little discouraged.
Thanks; I've enjoyed reading your Q&A's ...