Hello 2bornot2b,

26 is ok. About 22% of people return a reading greater than undetected at the 4 week mark. It’s nothing to panic about but does require consideration.

In the original trials <25 was the standard (that was the best we had). We now have better tests that go down to <15, <12 and even <10. I still get some <30 results.

The significance for you is that of patients that fail to SVR 44% will still be detected at this point (like you) against 22% in the group that do SVR.

This produces an Odds Ratio (OR) of around 2. Without boring you with the maths too much the chances of success with GT2 are very high - probably genuinely around 97% so there is a 3% failure rate

For you, being still detected that 3% and OR of 2 looks like a 6% failure rate. Still good odds at about 94% but slightly lower than a patient who is undetected at 4 weeks.

In our data we have saw 32/448 patients still detected at end of treatment. Even then 75% (24/32) still went on to SVR. Your result is much better than theirs.

So what we have seen is a slightly less speedy response from you. It is still a very good response, just a little slower. What it means is that there is going to be less over-treatment buffer in the last 4 weeks or so than there is for someone who has fallen faster. You can probably imagine a faster response gets to absolute zero faster, and that's when we win.

One option to consider would be to add in 4 weeks of extra treatment. You should not need more than that.

What you don't mention is whether you are you on Sofosbuvir+Velpatasvir or Sofosbuvir+Daclatasvir?

We have 38/38 SVR12 with Sof+Dac but the results for Vel are still waiting for enough time to have passed.

Hi 2bornot2b,
Sorry to read about your continuing tummy troubles. One thing you did not say is whether during your DAA treatment, you are continuing to take the traditional Chinese medicines? Some Chinese remedies can cause side effects when combined with other medicines. Another issue is that some Chinese remedies contain unexpected ingredients, and those may interfere with other treatments. Please let me know if you want references for this.
Best wishes!

They all look (are) normal.

It’s possible there is something in the Chinese HRT that is interacting so stopping that is a good idea. The others are harmless, although fish oil does not give the benefits of real fish.

You may like to try reducing the dose of Daclatasvir to 30 mg for 1-2 days. If you find your side effects seem to moderate that would suggest that for your small size the 60 mg dose is just a bit too big. Increase it back to 60 daily and if the side effects come back you could call that a smoking gun.

You are, by weight, getting twice the mg/kg dose somebody of 100 kg gets, so such an experiment is unlikely to cause any harm.

Hi 2bornot2b,

You’ve been getting medical advice from the best so this is just to say welcome. It makes me sad and mad to hear about the way you were treated at the hospital by the consultant. They continue to ignore the life saving and evidence based success of the generic medications.
Well done for finding your way to this life affirming site and your treatment.

Sorry to hear you’re having a rough time with the side effects and hopefully Dr F’s advice will help to ease that a little. Like you I had the virus for a very long time and it is such a relief to not be carrying that burden anymore. Hang in there – all fingers and toes are crossed for you but really the medication works. It’s just a matter of time.
Coral

Hi Carol,

2 words: Pill Cutter!

It is a triangular holder, with a small blade on a pivot bar. Kind of like a miniature guillotine for pills. About 2 quid in Boots or Superdrug

http://www.superdrug.com/Pillmate/Pillmate-Pillcutter/p/244155