Thanks "Uncle" Tig! I personally don't think I have any cirrhosis but since no tests have ever been done, I know I can't be positive. I will check in now and then. While I may go a while between posts these days, I'm usually still creeping behind the scenes to keep up with you fine folks!
Have a great weekend!
Enavigo3891 said
May 6, 2016
Thanks Robert! I remember we started the same time. I've talked previously with my doc about MRI/Biopsy/Fibroscan etc and based on what he has told me and my own research, "protocol" is a little more lenient (?) or different for those born with it. I don't remember all the specifics but it has to do with the body adjusting and stuff. Aside from being born with it, I never had any "risky behaviors" as it's put - no drugs and no alcohol so the only impact on my liver was the HCV itself. That plus the fact my LFT's have always been "normal", my whole life - is the reason i've never had any sort of imaging or biopsies. But like i said, I'm all for whatever he wants to do.
robertsamx said
May 6, 2016
Hi Kristen
Its been two years already!! Congratulations!! You and I started SOF-RIBA the same week in 2014. It looks like you followed directions and got SVR , Wish I would have been paying attention. Lol If you could talk them into a MRI it would give them a very good base line to go back to. MRI cought my HCC early, I'v had hepc3 for 36 years. You shouldn't need to ask for a MRI , it is protocol for someone who has had hcv for 30 years. Thanks for the report . RC
Tig said
May 6, 2016
Hi Kristen,
So good to hear from you again! Those are excellent enzyme numbers and the continued SVR is wonderful news indeed, WOOT! Congratulations! I just got my 2.5 year SVR confirmation, so the viability of SVR remains strong, yeah baby!! LOL!
I was infected 33 years before SVR and haven't progressed to cirrhosis, ultrasounds have remained good as have the biopsies. We have several people here that have shown regression from decompensated and compensated cirrhosis alike. Even an established F4 has regressed to F2-3. So I would be very confident that you're doing fine, especially as a GT2, that's a slow progressor anyway, thank goodness for that!
I fully agree with your doctors statement that relapse rates are so low, they're hard to quantify. The news just keeps getting better and better.
Keep us informed and do check in as often as you can. It's great to hear these upbeat reports from everyone!
Enavigo3891 said
May 6, 2016
Happy Friday good people!
Just got back from my 2 year post treatment visit with my liver specialist and I'm proud to report I am still "HCV Not Detected"! Still going strong and labs are looking good. AST - 12 and ALT - 6.
I will see him again this time next year and if my insurance company approves it he will do a FibroScan at that appointment. He explained that while my labs have always been within "normal" range even before treatment; apparently in people who acquired HCV at a young age (under 10-ish) and/or in my case, were born with it - cirrhosis takes longer to rear its ugly head. He explained that even though I'm healthy and now have been without the virus for 2 full years, I still had it for 31 years and it's quite possible that I do have some scarring that isn't being reflected through the blood work. So ultimately he'd just like to get an idea of where I'm at as a baseline - but it's not urgent by any means. I'm not opposed to the plan - there's no harm in knowing where I stand, good or bad. I've come this far - it would be silly not to do it.
I will also share that I asked if the current relapse %'s are still in line from the Sovaldi/Riba trials prior to FDA approval or if time has adjusted those figures at all and he advised they are still in line. My doctor is part of the Liver Transplant and Specialty team at one of the best Trauma Center hospitals in the state - they get a lot of people who come into the city from surrounding areas. He said that in regards to the new protocols - he has not had any GT2 relapses (however us GT's are less common to begin with) and only had 1 GT1 relapse but that patient has an HIV co-infection. So - good news for everyone!
Keep on slayin' folks! Hope everyone has a great weekend!
Thanks "Uncle" Tig! I personally don't think I have any cirrhosis but since no tests have ever been done, I know I can't be positive. I will check in now and then. While I may go a while between posts these days, I'm usually still creeping behind the scenes to keep up with you fine folks!
Have a great weekend!
Thanks Robert! I remember we started the same time. I've talked previously with my doc about MRI/Biopsy/Fibroscan etc and based on what he has told me and my own research, "protocol" is a little more lenient (?) or different for those born with it. I don't remember all the specifics but it has to do with the body adjusting and stuff. Aside from being born with it, I never had any "risky behaviors" as it's put - no drugs and no alcohol so the only impact on my liver was the HCV itself. That plus the fact my LFT's have always been "normal", my whole life - is the reason i've never had any sort of imaging or biopsies. But like i said, I'm all for whatever he wants to do.
Hi Kristen
Its been two years already!! Congratulations!! You and I started SOF-RIBA the same week in 2014. It looks like you followed directions and got SVR , Wish I would have been paying attention. Lol If you could talk them into a MRI it would give them a very good base line to go back to. MRI cought my HCC early, I'v had hepc3 for 36 years. You shouldn't need to ask for a MRI , it is protocol for someone who has had hcv for 30 years. Thanks for the report . RC
Hi Kristen,
So good to hear from you again! Those are excellent enzyme numbers and the continued SVR is wonderful news indeed, WOOT! Congratulations! I just got my 2.5 year SVR confirmation, so the viability of SVR remains strong, yeah baby!! LOL!
I was infected 33 years before SVR and haven't progressed to cirrhosis, ultrasounds have remained good as have the biopsies. We have several people here that have shown regression from decompensated and compensated cirrhosis alike. Even an established F4 has regressed to F2-3. So I would be very confident that you're doing fine, especially as a GT2, that's a slow progressor anyway, thank goodness for that!
I fully agree with your doctors statement that relapse rates are so low, they're hard to quantify. The news just keeps getting better and better.
Keep us informed and do check in as often as you can. It's great to hear these upbeat reports from everyone!
Happy Friday good people!
Just got back from my 2 year post treatment visit with my liver specialist and I'm proud to report I am still "HCV Not Detected"! Still going strong and labs are looking good. AST - 12 and ALT - 6.
I will see him again this time next year and if my insurance company approves it he will do a FibroScan at that appointment. He explained that while my labs have always been within "normal" range even before treatment; apparently in people who acquired HCV at a young age (under 10-ish) and/or in my case, were born with it - cirrhosis takes longer to rear its ugly head. He explained that even though I'm healthy and now have been without the virus for 2 full years, I still had it for 31 years and it's quite possible that I do have some scarring that isn't being reflected through the blood work. So ultimately he'd just like to get an idea of where I'm at as a baseline - but it's not urgent by any means. I'm not opposed to the plan - there's no harm in knowing where I stand, good or bad. I've come this far - it would be silly not to do it.
I will also share that I asked if the current relapse %'s are still in line from the Sovaldi/Riba trials prior to FDA approval or if time has adjusted those figures at all and he advised they are still in line. My doctor is part of the Liver Transplant and Specialty team at one of the best Trauma Center hospitals in the state - they get a lot of people who come into the city from surrounding areas. He said that in regards to the new protocols - he has not had any GT2 relapses (however us GT's are less common to begin with) and only had 1 GT1 relapse but that patient has an HIV co-infection. So - good news for everyone!
Keep on slayin' folks! Hope everyone has a great weekend!