Aloha D, thanks for sharing your story. Always good to hear another success, and yes what a journey. C
JakeAms said
Sep 4, 2016
Another dragon bites the dust! This is awesome news for you , what an amazing feeling it must be to know you are finally free.
Canuck said
Sep 4, 2016
doodaman,
What nice home(s) you have!
I am glad this boy is feelin some better!
Thnaks for explaining your logistics, and glad to know your ALT's/AST's etc were followed, and will be followed (I kinda thought they would have been to some degree) it was just the lack of mention of them that just made me curious.
Sorry, PCR IS my short for the "viral load" test (the HCV RNA quantitative test)
Info: There are currently three tests used for HCV viral load testing: one is the PCR test - and that was the test I refered to - PCR stands for Polymerase chain reaction - to detect HCV RNA in the blood. This type of quantitative PCR test is very sensitive, and can measure as few as 5-10 IU/mL.
I would have wanted to know my ALT/AST, any other LFT's (liver function tests) they could do along the way, everytime I have a PCR test done (but that's just me). You get a fairly good guess at any major blip in your ALT even if using a dif. lab using a dif. reference range.
I would definitely want to have a EOT+24 week PCR and LFT's done, and I would want these repeated (further along after that) to feel I was well followed (but - that's me!).
You ARE taking very good care of yourself! So good for all of us to know, and for your other friends and your dear parents! Nice. C.
doodaman said
Sep 3, 2016
Hey All,
Thanks for all the kind words. This forum truly does feel like a real 'support' group giving love and encouragement to its members!
To answer your questions Canuck, my doctor that i have been working with for over 12 years is in Hawaii. I remained in the states for my entire 8 week treatment and then flew back to Asia where i live. It was too expensive to fly back to the states just for the Viral Load test so that is why i tested in Thailand which has top medical. I will go back to the states at EOT + 24 for my regular trip back to visit my parents and will have my doctor do the testing through the same lab I have been using for the last decade +. I also chose not to do the basic liver screening tests in Bangkok because I know each lab has its own baselines, especially when it comes to AST and ALT.
As for Enzyme testing history:
AST - My labs normal range AST is 12 - 42 and I have been testing the high side of normal for the last few years. Right before treatment my numbers where 30 and 4 weeks into treatment the numbers dipped down to 22.
ALT - My labs normal range AST is 3 - 63 and again I have been testing the high side of normal for the last few years. Right before treatment my numbers where 42 and 4 weeks into treatment the numbers dipped down to 16.
I get the feeling those numbers will have dropped even more when i do the test EOT + 24. During my 8 week treatment my energy levels were just so good but then I had a crash EOT where my energy dropped down quite a bit. I get the feeling that after 30 + years with the virus, the short 2 month blast of Harvoni zapped the virus plus whatever else. So at EOT, i just think my body has been resyncing and figuring out what the new definition of Homeostasis is for this poor boy. I am thrilled that EOT + 14 my energy levels are really exploding, what a gift for this 57 year old boy!
Again, one question for all you chiseled veterans here. My Doctor in Hawaii i believe just does the Viral Load test to determine if you are cured. The doctor in Bangkok specifically stated they want to do a PCR test at EOT + 24 to consider one cured. I am not aware of this PCR test, are others here involved with doctors that want the PCR test as well as the Viral Load test to determine whether one is cured?
Alohas,
D
Shadowfax said
Sep 1, 2016
Congrats on SVR!
It is a nice feeling. I will comment on your question about when we are considered cured. Yes, I agree with Tig that it is said that EOT+12 is considered cured by many HOWEVER, I have a req for EOT+24 that I convinced my Dr. to give to me.
This is the Lab Req from Public Health in Canada that does the VL testing. At the bottom of the form it say's " You are considered cured when two consecutive tests come back after EOT, 3 months apart. When you meet this then no further testing is required unless you are reinfected.
Whether the form is old or not, Personally I think I am cured but also want that EOT + 24 to take one more look at the poor dragons body!
Congrats again, it's a great day.
SF
wendyo said
Sep 1, 2016
Dan that is quite the journey you have had in every sense of the word. Enjoy your HCV free life!
Sydhanrahan said
Sep 1, 2016
Doodaman,
that 2 hour crash in your Bangkok hotel room must have been the sweetest nap ever. That whirlwind in your head doesn't just stop there though. I finished treatment in May, got to Post 12 in August and still three weeks later am head spinning. I feel better every day.
i never thought I'd live to see a cure, almost didn't, and now find it hard to believe I have!!!
Congrats
Syd
robertsamx said
Sep 1, 2016
Every time you guys kill a dragon I get better. BIG CONGRATS to you Dan. Thanks for the report- your cured for sure!!! RC
Canuck said
Sep 1, 2016
Hey doodaman, Big congrats!
I can imagine the degree of difficulty added, the logistics of completing your 8 weeks of Harvoni with feet in both worlds. (Labs in Bankok, home doc elsewhere). Which doc(s) did you and will you end up using for following and for labs/PCR's? You will no doubt have a 24 week PCR and labs planned/coming up.
I think you were und at 4 weeks and at EOT? Did you also have other labs (LFT's) ALT's/AST's done at the same time as well? I imagine you are making sure you are well followed.
I hope you continue to feel better and better now. That was a very well deserved hard crash rejuvenating 2 hour nap you had! Good job you have done! C.
,
Cheddy said
Sep 1, 2016
Splendid news, Dan! You took action and you nailed it! It's an enormous relief and quite emotional isn't it? There is peace to follow. Well done, Dan.
Tig said
Sep 1, 2016
Hi Dan,
Congratulations!!!! You did it my friend and you traveled around the world to do it! I can read the joy and relief if your message. We couldn't be happier for you!
The SVR guidelines have changed over the last couple of years. The Thai doctor may have quoted the old guidelines which stated SVR was determined by an undetected viral load at 6 months post EOT. The new guidelines are 12 weeks post EOT. Some still perform the 24 week viral load test, more out of habit than necessity.
Jus flew to Bangkok to get my Viral load tested and it came back non-detectable! My understanding is that according to the folks that believe EOT + 12 is the valid time to test, then i do believe I am cured! Its a good day to be alive boys and girls and thanks to TIG and the crew for all of your support during my short treatment.
It was quite emotional when the doctor told me and the first thing i did was call my elderly parents to give the good news. Then i sent Whatsapp messages to about 10 friends around the planet who have or had HEP C to give the good news. Then i went back to my hotel shortly after noon and crashed hard for 2 hours from all the emotion.
The doctor in Bangkok said something curious i did not hear from my doctors in the states. According to the Thai protocol they don't consider you cured until you take a PCR test at 6 month EOT and come back negative. I never heard of this, what do you all know about such stuff?
Aloha D, thanks for sharing your story. Always good to hear another success, and yes what a journey. C
Another dragon bites the dust! This is awesome news for you , what an amazing feeling it must be to know you are finally free.
doodaman,
What nice home(s) you have!
I am glad this boy is feelin some better!
Thnaks for explaining your logistics, and glad to know your ALT's/AST's etc were followed, and will be followed (I kinda thought they would have been to some degree) it was just the lack of mention of them that just made me curious.
Sorry, PCR IS my short for the "viral load" test (the HCV RNA quantitative test)
Info: There are currently three tests used for HCV viral load testing: one is the PCR test - and that was the test I refered to - PCR stands for Polymerase chain reaction - to detect HCV RNA in the blood. This type of quantitative PCR test is very sensitive, and can measure as few as 5-10 IU/mL.
I would have wanted to know my ALT/AST, any other LFT's (liver function tests) they could do along the way, everytime I have a PCR test done (but that's just me). You get a fairly good guess at any major blip in your ALT even if using a dif. lab using a dif. reference range.
I would definitely want to have a EOT+24 week PCR and LFT's done, and I would want these repeated (further along after that) to feel I was well followed (but - that's me!).
You ARE taking very good care of yourself! So good for all of us to know, and for your other friends and your dear parents! Nice.
C.
Hey All,
Thanks for all the kind words. This forum truly does feel like a real 'support' group giving love and encouragement to its members!
To answer your questions Canuck, my doctor that i have been working with for over 12 years is in Hawaii. I remained in the states for my entire 8 week treatment and then flew back to Asia where i live. It was too expensive to fly back to the states just for the Viral Load test so that is why i tested in Thailand which has top medical. I will go back to the states at EOT + 24 for my regular trip back to visit my parents and will have my doctor do the testing through the same lab I have been using for the last decade +. I also chose not to do the basic liver screening tests in Bangkok because I know each lab has its own baselines, especially when it comes to AST and ALT.
As for Enzyme testing history:
AST - My labs normal range AST is 12 - 42 and I have been testing the high side of normal for the last few years. Right before treatment my numbers where 30 and 4 weeks into treatment the numbers dipped down to 22.
ALT - My labs normal range AST is 3 - 63 and again I have been testing the high side of normal for the last few years. Right before treatment my numbers where 42 and 4 weeks into treatment the numbers dipped down to 16.
I get the feeling those numbers will have dropped even more when i do the test EOT + 24. During my 8 week treatment my energy levels were just so good but then I had a crash EOT where my energy dropped down quite a bit. I get the feeling that after 30 + years with the virus, the short 2 month blast of Harvoni zapped the virus plus whatever else. So at EOT, i just think my body has been resyncing and figuring out what the new definition of Homeostasis is for this poor boy. I am thrilled that EOT + 14 my energy levels are really exploding, what a gift for this 57 year old boy!
Again, one question for all you chiseled veterans here. My Doctor in Hawaii i believe just does the Viral Load test to determine if you are cured. The doctor in Bangkok specifically stated they want to do a PCR test at EOT + 24 to consider one cured. I am not aware of this PCR test, are others here involved with doctors that want the PCR test as well as the Viral Load test to determine whether one is cured?
Alohas,
D
Congrats on SVR!
It is a nice feeling. I will comment on your question about when we are considered cured. Yes, I agree with Tig that it is said that EOT+12 is considered cured by many HOWEVER, I have a req for EOT+24 that I convinced my Dr. to give to me.
This is the Lab Req from Public Health in Canada that does the VL testing. At the bottom of the form it say's " You are considered cured when two consecutive tests come back after EOT, 3 months apart. When you meet this then no further testing is required unless you are reinfected.
Whether the form is old or not, Personally I think I am cured but also want that EOT + 24 to take one more look at the poor dragons body!
Congrats again, it's a great day.
SF
Dan that is quite the journey you have had in every sense of the word. Enjoy your HCV free life!
Doodaman,
that 2 hour crash in your Bangkok hotel room must have been the sweetest nap ever. That whirlwind in your head doesn't just stop there though. I finished treatment in May, got to Post 12 in August and still three weeks later am head spinning. I feel better every day.
i never thought I'd live to see a cure, almost didn't, and now find it hard to believe I have!!!
Congrats
Syd
Every time you guys kill a dragon I get better. BIG CONGRATS to you Dan. Thanks for the report- your cured for sure!!! RC
Hey doodaman, Big congrats!
I can imagine the degree of difficulty added, the logistics of completing your 8 weeks of Harvoni with feet in both worlds. (Labs in Bankok, home doc elsewhere). Which doc(s) did you and will you end up using for following and for labs/PCR's? You will no doubt have a 24 week PCR and labs planned/coming up.
I think you were und at 4 weeks and at EOT? Did you also have other labs (LFT's) ALT's/AST's done at the same time as well? I imagine you are making sure you are well followed.
I hope you continue to feel better and better now. That was a very well deserved hard crash rejuvenating 2 hour nap you had! Good job you have done!
C.
,
Splendid news, Dan! You took action and you nailed it! It's an enormous relief and quite emotional isn't it? There is peace to follow. Well done, Dan.
Hi Dan,
Congratulations!!!! You did it my friend and you traveled around the world to do it! I can read the joy and relief if your message. We couldn't be happier for you!
The SVR guidelines have changed over the last couple of years. The Thai doctor may have quoted the old guidelines which stated SVR was determined by an undetected viral load at 6 months post EOT. The new guidelines are 12 weeks post EOT. Some still perform the 24 week viral load test, more out of habit than necessity.
SVR 12 vs 24
Greetings,
Another Dragon dead and buried.
GREAT NEWS! CONGRATS!
JimmyK
Hey All,
Jus flew to Bangkok to get my Viral load tested and it came back non-detectable! My understanding is that according to the folks that believe EOT + 12 is the valid time to test, then i do believe I am cured! Its a good day to be alive boys and girls and thanks to TIG and the crew for all of your support during my short treatment.
It was quite emotional when the doctor told me and the first thing i did was call my elderly parents to give the good news. Then i sent Whatsapp messages to about 10 friends around the planet who have or had HEP C to give the good news. Then i went back to my hotel shortly after noon and crashed hard for 2 hours from all the emotion.
The doctor in Bangkok said something curious i did not hear from my doctors in the states. According to the Thai protocol they don't consider you cured until you take a PCR test at 6 month EOT and come back negative. I never heard of this, what do you all know about such stuff?
Big Hugs To All.
D