Thank you RudiRoo, that makes me feel a bit better. I have run into so many snags along this journey, my last pill is tonight, blood test Friday. Will try a different lab, pray for svr and move on with my life.
Stormy
RudiRoo said
May 20, 2015
Hi Stormy,
Not sure about your low platelet count, but hope your doc will help you soon!
I just wanted to let you know that I didn't even do a VL test prior to TX. I don't have insurance so I just trusted the one from the year prior and did my TX with no VL all the way through up until it was time for my 12 week VL test which happily showed SVR. I did do all my other labs, but had to figure out with help from the board which labs to ask for.
Also, I was in the same boat with my non-responsive liver doc so I just had a chat with my PC doc and she agreed to give my my labs. At the end I made friends with the lab folks and they just started emailing them to me. If you are in the US, that's is your information and you are entitled to have access to it.
Sad note on that doc - saw him around town a few days ago and he barley said hi, let alone congratulated me on SVR. He had one of his staff call me, weeks after my results came in.
If you can get a better doc, I suggest it. Feels good to have one who cares in your corner.
Groupergetter said
May 19, 2015
Rest assured TerriT that folks here are happy for you too. :) Be well
TerriT said
May 19, 2015
I just had my 4 week blood test. Everything was within normal ranges. My Dr. seemed pleased. I am feeling better too, not so foggy. They won't do another test til the end of the 12 weeks. Then one more 3 months later. I'm happy.
Stormy said
May 19, 2015
Ok, after a few phone calls, a very helpful woman at Quest Diagnostics, threw up her arms and decided to just send me the lab results. So, at the top of the report, they stated there was a problem. must be the viral load number since I couldn't find that on the report. But my ALT is 18, and AST is 17. Platelet count is 130 (low). All other numbers were in range.
any thoughts on the platelet number
Stormy
sirronalot said
May 19, 2015
Hey Stormy,
My dr. wants a blood test every 2 weeks for the 12 weeks Im on. Im cool with it because I would like to see if its working or not.
Good Luck
Stormy said
May 19, 2015
Thank you, Mallani,
Good to know... Since I had my 4 week test done 4 weeks ago and still haven't heard the results. So frustrating. Seems my docs office has dropped the ball once again. Tomorrow is my last pill and I am so grateful for this board, everyone's experience has helped me not freak out.
Stormy
mallani said
May 9, 2015
Stormy,
Good question, and hard to answer. In the very early Trials, it was noted that Sovaldi was extremely efficient, and most patients became Undetectable quickly, often in a matter of days. Even in the more formal Clinical Trials, most patients were Undetected within 2 weeks. This led to a culture of 'let's do a VL to see if it's working' mentality. We've now seen that it really doesn't matter how long it takes to become Undetected. A few patients take 8 weeks and some need 12 weeks. There is a controversial report that even some patients with a Detectable VL at EOT may go on to SVR.
So essentially, the 4 week VL is done to reassure the patient and the Hepatologist. If you're Undetectable, you'll stay that way. If not, don't despair. It may be the case that the 4 week VL will disappear in time. Cheers.
Stormy said
May 9, 2015
what is the reasoning behind the 4 week blood test with harvoni treatment?
Thank you RudiRoo, that makes me feel a bit better. I have run into so many snags along this journey, my last pill is tonight, blood test Friday. Will try a different lab, pray for svr and move on with my life.
Stormy
Hi Stormy,
Not sure about your low platelet count, but hope your doc will help you soon!
I just wanted to let you know that I didn't even do a VL test prior to TX. I don't have insurance so I just trusted the one from the year prior and did my TX with no VL all the way through up until it was time for my 12 week VL test which happily showed SVR. I did do all my other labs, but had to figure out with help from the board which labs to ask for.
Also, I was in the same boat with my non-responsive liver doc so I just had a chat with my PC doc and she agreed to give my my labs. At the end I made friends with the lab folks and they just started emailing them to me. If you are in the US, that's is your information and you are entitled to have access to it.
Sad note on that doc - saw him around town a few days ago and he barley said hi, let alone congratulated me on SVR. He had one of his staff call me, weeks after my results came in.
If you can get a better doc, I suggest it. Feels good to have one who cares in your corner.
Rest assured TerriT that folks here are happy for you too. :) Be well
Ok, after a few phone calls, a very helpful woman at Quest Diagnostics, threw up her arms and decided to just send me the lab results. So, at the top of the report, they stated there was a problem. must be the viral load number since I couldn't find that on the report. But my ALT is 18, and AST is 17. Platelet count is 130 (low). All other numbers were in range.
any thoughts on the platelet number
Stormy
My dr. wants a blood test every 2 weeks for the 12 weeks Im on. Im cool with it because I would like to see if its working or not.
Good Luck
Thank you, Mallani,
Good to know... Since I had my 4 week test done 4 weeks ago and still haven't heard the results. So frustrating. Seems my docs office has dropped the ball once again. Tomorrow is my last pill and I am so grateful for this board, everyone's experience has helped me not freak out.
Stormy
Stormy,
Good question, and hard to answer. In the very early Trials, it was noted that Sovaldi was extremely efficient, and most patients became Undetectable quickly, often in a matter of days. Even in the more formal Clinical Trials, most patients were Undetected within 2 weeks. This led to a culture of 'let's do a VL to see if it's working' mentality. We've now seen that it really doesn't matter how long it takes to become Undetected. A few patients take 8 weeks and some need 12 weeks. There is a controversial report that even some patients with a Detectable VL at EOT may go on to SVR.
So essentially, the 4 week VL is done to reassure the patient and the Hepatologist. If you're Undetectable, you'll stay that way. If not, don't despair. It may be the case that the 4 week VL will disappear in time. Cheers.
what is the reasoning behind the 4 week blood test with harvoni treatment?
Stormy