TOPIC:

So... I've just went to the lab after 3 months and 26 days after ending my treatment and did a viral load exam and came back undetected.

Can I celebrate or can the virus come back to slap me in the face? I don't want to celebrate too early.

I was G1 treated with Viekira Pak and Ribavarin and still don't know if I have cirrhosis or not.

CT normal, MR normal, two ultrasounds normal, Philips ElastPQ no fibrosis and Fibroscan 21.6. Go figure. Labs mostly normal except a 1.16 INR during 45 days into treatment and 108 glucose also during treatment from 94 before treatment. I'm waiting for the numbers after treatment. Also ALP went from 60 before treatment to 112 during treatment. The maximum value is 100. Platelet over 250. And still a lot of abdominal fat to go.

The only thing I've noticed after treatment is that my fingernails got pink again. They were kind of white before, which is weird because my albumin levels were always over 4.2 but still good news. Hands still kind of red though.

So, am I cured? What should it be my next steps?

Also, I would like to give something back to this amazing community. You guys helped me a lot, especially Dr. James, and I was wondering if I can help you in any way.

Thanks

Sounds like the good news to me John! Woo hoo!
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Congratulations JohnSmith, that's fantastic news Cure can be declared with 99.7% certainty once a patient is undetectable 12 weeks after end of treatment (called SVR 12). When patients reach SVR 24 (undetected 24 weeks after end of treatment), cure is confirmed. The chances of relapse post SVR12 are 1 in 300, this is very rare, and you are far more likely to be in the 299 than the 1. I'll take these odds. Your next step is take the test in 12 weeks one more time to confirm cure, but I would say that you're pretty much cured

Hi John,

Thanks for the kind words. Here is a cryptic clue...



As Mar says we are 99.7% certain you’re cured so it’s fair to say the fat lady is definitely warming up.

In another 8 weeks (SVR24) undetected is cure. At the moment it is >300:1 in your favour.

That's a classic audition Dr James

What I love about this forum is that's the only place online where you can find kind words backed up by hard science.

Thank you so much you all for your support and for the kind words.

I love this song Dr. James. I love the musical too and it's the best song from the musical in my humble opinion. That is a classic audition indeed.

JohnSmith wrote: What I love about this forum is that's the only place online where you can find kind words backed up by hard science.



Great observation John! One sentence to describe so much....

Just did another test and undetectable at 6 months! YAY!

Thank you everyone for all your help and support. I couldn't have done this without your encouraging words and support. Thank you!

The only thing that worries me is how to not get this ever again. Since I don't know how I got it in the first place, I would like to know more about transmission routes. And as you can imagine, I have all sorts of crazy and weird hypothetical situations in my mind.

For instance, if someone have bleeding gums and some of that blood gets in a fork or spoon and this fork or spoon is shared with another person, can hepatitis C be transmitted by this route? To make matters worse, let's say the blood is visible, just to simulate the worst situation possible. I couldn't find an answer to this anywhere.

Can someone point me to a page or a book so I can learn more about it?

Thanks

Congratulation John, that's fantastic news I know that Hep C can only be transmitted through blood to blood contact, but I'll let other forum members with more scientific knowledge about the subject answer your question.

Hi JohnSmith,

Congrats again.

While I can understand your concern about catching Hep C again the reality is that it's very hard.

Patients with no history of IVDU, blood transfusions or tattoos generally got Hep C either from their doctor or dentist. A few decades ago blood-borne diseases were less well understood. Now they are and doctors, dentists and tattoos and blood transfusions are pretty safe.

You don't need to take any particularly special precautions. Have your own razor and toothbrush for sure, but Hep C is next to impossible to catch from close contact ie sharing utensils. We know this because it's also next to impossible to catch from sexual contact where bodily fluids are exchanged.

Even if there's visible blood on a fork or french kiss with bleeding gums?

Thanks doctor for everything. You helped me a lot and I'll always be grateful.

Also, big thanks to Mar that always replied to my posts with kind words and incentive.

By the way, I'm not leaving the forum. I'm just thanking everybody. My intention is to give it back some of the support I've received here. You guys (and girls) are awesome!

Even if there's visible blood on a fork or french kiss with bleeding gums?

Hi JohnSmith,

Are you from Tansylvania? Here's what to watch for and where the real risks are...

You're very welcome John, thank you, great to have you on the forum.

I think that pretty much covers all infection routes Dr James, nice work!

The Dracula made me laugh. Thanks Dr. James!

Hazel

Can I send you a private message? I would like to know more about your amazing recovery!

Thanks!

Hazel wrote:

JohnSmith wrote: What I love about this forum is that's the only place online where you can find kind words backed up by hard science.



Great observation John! One sentence to describe so much....