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Post Info TOPIC: Tested positive after pegasys
mallani


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RE: Tested positive after pegasys
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Hi Ed,

As already explained, you will continue to test positive for the HepC antibodies, probably for life. If you have relapsed, or become re-infected, you will need to get a Viral Load test.

What side effects are you suffering? They may be related to Interferon. Let us know more and we'll try to help. 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
Huey


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The test you took was to find antigens of the hep-c virus, not the virus itself.   The virus antigen can mutate into a "Wild-Type" or one that is capable of replicating"Sex" . This is vary rare but does happen, With that said, your test is supposed to be a Viral Load, If they can't find enough of the virus in your blood so it is detectible by the limited test they use, (undectible) -( >15 Mul ) The virus is not replicating, The antigens will always be there, and they are killing any virus that turn to wild-type before they have a chance to get going again, And the body is able to keep this up,, That is why they call it a Sustained Viral Response,(SVR)

what we are doing is proving to the doctors that our body can keep that up for a long time, in most cases 12 weeks , Thus (SVR-12).  When we do that , they are calling it cured,  But we will always have the virus antigens in our body as far as we know.  (That fact is still yet to be decided )



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  HCV Genotype 3a , now Psot-Tx was on S/riba. First VL was 5.8 mil on 7-5-13 then "und" at 3.8 weeks. 06/13/14 still und. off meds 3 days back on 7/29 Last pill 08/10/14 SVR+4

 
Isiscat2011


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Hi agamemnon:

Good screen name--after the mythological Greek King who lead the Trojan war, right?  It means "very steadfast."   

You will always test positive for the HCV antibodies.  That doesn't mean you have an active HCV infection, however.  As long as your viral load is undetectable you are considered HCV free.  You can ask doc to run a viral load check if you are concerned.   

Interferon can trigger or cause both short and long term health conditions in some people.  It has been linked to thyroid problems, diabetes, fibromyalgia, and a number of other conditions.  Treating HCV with Interferon has always been a sort of trade off: the possibility of short and long term health problems from the treatment in exchange for the possibility of getting rid of HCV (which is a very serious and potentially life threatening condition).  Fortunately, we appear to be entering a new age in tx where that trade off will be unnecessary.  Unfortunately, the Interferon trade off is almost never explained to us, until the tx has ended.  Some people would gladly do it anyway; others would not.  

 



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Diagnosed in 2011, Incivek triple in 2011, tx discontinued, Genotype 1a, CT, VL 7mill, cirrhosis dx in 2012, age 67, waiting for new DAAs.
wmlj1960


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I believe that maybe what the Dr said was referring to the virus as being gone as far as it not 'being any threat to your health in the future'. Not as in 'completely vanished'.

 There are some post I've seen that suggest suffering pegasys side effects long after end of treatment. I even believe some of the side effects can be permanent, but I don't want to alarm you as I may be wrong about that. It would be wise for us to wait for a more knowledgeable member such as mallani to get the facts from about this. Some members have weekend schedules that prevent them from posting to this forum, but I'm confident you'll get plenty of answers as the week starts.



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60 yo, geno 1a, Dx 1994 HCV-HIV co-inf, Dx 2013 decompensated cirrhosis
Tx #1 - 24wks Sov+Riba /SOT 7-24-2014/UND@EOT/DETECTED@EOT+16 wks
Tx #2 - 24wks Harvoni /SOT 7-25-2015/UND@EOT,+12,+24,+52 = SVR

Mike

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agamemnon


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Thanks so much. The Dr. that treated me told me it would be gone permanently, and after 4 yrs I'm freaking out, never mind still suffering side effects.



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Ed Jones
wmlj1960


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Hi Ed,

I'm not as knowledgeable about the medical facts as some of our other members, but I know this is true. The positive test means that there are HCV antibodies present. Antibodies being present indicates viral presence, but viral presence can be so limited that it presents no problem that your immune system cannot manage. Therefore it will not get to a point that will need any outside intervention such as further interferon and ribavirin treatment.

 I may not be real accurate with my explanation, but I'm sure I'm correct in saying you have little to worry about. I suspect occasional future checks may possibly be beneficial but that suggestion would have to come from someone more knowledgeable than myself. smile



-- Edited by wmlj1960 on Sunday 7th of September 2014 04:55:42 PM

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60 yo, geno 1a, Dx 1994 HCV-HIV co-inf, Dx 2013 decompensated cirrhosis
Tx #1 - 24wks Sov+Riba /SOT 7-24-2014/UND@EOT/DETECTED@EOT+16 wks
Tx #2 - 24wks Harvoni /SOT 7-25-2015/UND@EOT,+12,+24,+52 = SVR

Mike

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agamemnon


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Hello,

I took the interferon and ribavirin treatment 4 years ago and was told by my doctor that I was free of hep c. A recent blood test showed that it's still in my system, and my Dr. (not the one who gave me the treatment said I'll always test positive since I've been exposed to hep c. Does anyone know if this is true. Please help.



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Ed Jones
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