TOPIC:

Hi x x x x x

Yes, we are going to get the same results as both the qualitative and quantitative can only determine if there is more than 15 virus detected. This is why we don’t consider patients cured of Hep C until 3 months post treatment when, if there are any virus still there they will replicate enough in 3 months to be detectible. It may not take a full 3 months for this to occur and if your doctors would like we can continue to test for virus every 4 weeks, but there is no currently available test that will tell us if there is less than 15 virus detected.

The above is what my professional GI says: his quant and qual tests he does are identical. Yes we believe they should invest in better testing equipment, a topic for another time.
No matter what, I'll still see it through all of this and know I have experienced a better life so far, hopefully it'll be SVR forever. If not we'll cross the bridge when we come to it.
In good health to all.

I received my verbal results today on the PCR RNA Qualitative test : Undetected.
Even though it is not 100%, I still must say I'm happy about it, so I'll throw a Carton dance to that!

I confess that over time I've become used to the UND and NEG results coming in. Back at the start I can remember patients and I tearing up when the good news started to flow.

I don't think I'll ever get used to relapses. It feels like a kick in the balls and I suspect it always will. Gotta admire the GI guys treating with toxic waste when the SVR chances were 50:50.

Although the current crop of drugs can't deliver 100% SVR they do deliver 100% hope and a damn good shot of finally getting the monkey off your back. I keep that in mind when I get kicked in the cojones

Dr Freeman your words are strong accurate and with a bit of chuckle. I too will never get used to the sound of failure even if it was not mine.

My motto: "it is Not the size of the dog in the fight that matters, it is the size of the fight in the dog"!

I'm a ferocious competitor, I never go down to the floor without getting up, physically or mentally. I was taught that by my father, Thor. He was tried many times due to his name, but it never happened even though he was floored a few times, both mentally and physically. The end result is what mattered most ....22-0 as an amateur fighter, 58 years as a loving husband and incredible father and a teacher to me, forever. That is why the competition to live matters and I'm ferociously protective about it.
That's how I learned to roll and FixHepc rolls just like I like.

May God be with you all.

Hi Sven, I remember requesting a qualitative test over the duration. It was impossible. UK NHS say they are phasing them out and won't offer them any more. I was <15 over 2 tests.

I think I did find one eventually that could detect approx <4 - 6, a private test, but that involved paying around $250+ , plus travel and the results could take up to 3 weeks to come through, so I gave it a miss. But it was the response of medics when I asked if it was possible that got me, ie a cross between bullshit and a response that suggested I had asked to go on a mission to the moon on a 5 star spaceship As Dr Banerjee at Perspectum diagnostics (LiverMultiScan) said "Liver disease diagnostics are at least 20 years behind other conditions such as cancer and heart disease" Nothing much has changed since then as yet, unfortunately.

I feel it's not worth not taking advise at face value from Drs in a health authority or private practise. They may just not be able to access what you need. I have been totally blessed to have MonkMed / Fix HepC Drs D & F to advise me, I would ask any NHS medics (when possible as one deserted me mid tx) and Dr D & F for advise and then make my own decision after some thought to my next way forward, really, I do not know what I would have done without the latter two, I wonder how UK patients in particular deal with the stress of NHS only.

Yes, testing VL seems so variable. My current hospital is <12 Det/Und so quite sensitive but trying to get one these days seems to be getting harder. I know of a UK patient who after one post tx test, now has to wait 6 months for the next!

Meanwhile, I was told no VL test until 12 weeks post tx, so I did 'poor man's ' and have only had LFTs since EOT. Next week brings the hospital multi-test, these last days of waiting are going very slow!

Things are looking good for you, good luck with your next results.
LG

ps Dr F, I see you picked up some choice lingo in Barcelona

You are so right LG about the testing here in the UK. Its a bloody minefield! There seems to be no consistency of testing for VL. It is almost as if samples are sent to a variety of private labs and it just depends on how that particular lab operates. i am probably totally wrong, it is just an impression I have.

My first results through the GP when I needed the base readings prior to SOT were all present in the print off. I just assumed the next tests at 4 weeks would be the same but was unpleasantly surprised to find they were quite different. When it came to VL the lab had mentioned having to dilute the sample as there was insufficient and that there was a possibility the test had been compromised as a result. For me it seemed totally pointless as a lay person. How can one provide results where the sample is diluted I do not see how this works efficiently enough to give any accuracy!!! So requested if my GP could do a form for me to retest the VL. Seems totally crazy that one of the most important elements to seeing if tx is working effectively is so variable for us all. Am waiting for my GP to tell me she has been told not to do so many tests for me, costing the surgery too much!!! Maybe just being pessimistic hope so!

I do also wonder whether all the testing the NHS does isn't being syphoned off by private companies just as other areas are disappearing into private hands! Have never understood the logic behind handing over something to people who are more than likely going to charge more, if not immediately certainly in the long term!!!! If there is insufficient profit will they just water it all down?!

Dr Freeman I hear your pain!!!!!!! I feel it too albeit not in the bollocks!!! It is both frustrating and heartbreaking when tx does not work as one was expecting. Hence all our frayed nerves every time waiting for results. Hope does drive us on and eventually with a little help and support we get there. Thank you for being here it would be an even longer road without you

Sven and anyone having such tests done guess we just keep fighting till we get it. Right? Power to you!
Thank you everyone
Nads

Sven, I appreciate what your GI said. It's what we all know even if we don't say it out loud too often. I'm with you ... we all have good reason to dance. It's our way of kicking the beastie in the "cajones" for a change, as the good doctor James put it.
Matt

I've just caught up with your news Sven and your wonderful undetectedness. Love the fighter in you and also loved your tribute to your father. Enjoy the feeling

Well here is the PCR RNA Qualitative! ok 11 weeks+ down 5 days to go! We'll roll like I like it, a 575hp Cobra rocking your world and only in first gear

Ha! I KNEW it Sven!!!

You're on your way to SVR, brother! Waahoo!!!!

Thanks brother! Let's do this!

Sven! 1st gear, it's alright, 2nd gear, hold tight, 3rd gear, outta sight!
faster Sven! Congrats bro!

GRRRREAT !

Hi Sven, Fitz & Matt,

You are making a great team together! Congratulations!

I like a lot reading your posts and also your sense of humor

BR
RHF

Awesome!
Sending a surfie stoke for Sven!
Splashes from Ariel