Hold on a second... Is it me or am I cured?

This topic has 21 replies, 8 voices, and was last updated 5 years, 6 months ago by Dr James.

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17 January 2019 at 9:13 am #28920
JohnSmith
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- Recovery Champion
@johnsmith
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
17 January 2019 at 12:20 pm #28921
Hazel
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- Guardian Angel
@hazel
Sounds like the good news to me John! Woo hoo!
# #

Genotype 3 30 years, 2x treatment interferon/ribavirin non responder. Cirrhosis 17 years. Fibroscan, decompensating, 40 down to 22 by 29/3/16- now down to 6.5, normal, no cirrhosis. Started Buyers Club Sof/Dac 14 Nov 15. SVR 12 29/0716
17 January 2019 at 12:42 pm #28922
Mar
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@mar
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

Making the world a better place – one patient at a time.
17 January 2019 at 1:24 pm #28923
Dr James
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@fixhepc
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.

YMMV
17 January 2019 at 1:45 pm #28924
Mar
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@mar
That’s a classic audition Dr James

Making the world a better place – one patient at a time.
20 January 2019 at 4:22 am #28932
JohnSmith
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- Recovery Champion
@johnsmith
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.
20 January 2019 at 11:01 pm #28934
Hazel
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- Guardian Angel
@hazel
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….

Genotype 3 30 years, 2x treatment interferon/ribavirin non responder. Cirrhosis 17 years. Fibroscan, decompensating, 40 down to 22 by 29/3/16- now down to 6.5, normal, no cirrhosis. Started Buyers Club Sof/Dac 14 Nov 15. SVR 12 29/0716
26 March 2019 at 9:45 pm #29055
JohnSmith
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- Recovery Champion
@johnsmith
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
27 March 2019 at 1:30 am #29056
Mar
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@mar
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.

Making the world a better place – one patient at a time.
27 March 2019 at 12:11 pm #29058
Dr James
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@fixhepc
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.

YMMV
27 March 2019 at 9:45 pm #29061
JohnSmith
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- Recovery Champion
@johnsmith
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!
28 March 2019 at 3:51 am #29068
Dr James
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@fixhepc
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…

YMMV
28 March 2019 at 4:05 am #29069
Mar
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- Guardian Angel
@mar
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!

Making the world a better place – one patient at a time.
28 March 2019 at 10:02 pm #29070
JohnSmith
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- Recovery Champion
@johnsmith
The Dracula made me laugh. Thanks Dr. James!
28 March 2019 at 10:04 pm #29071
JohnSmith
- Topics: 9
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- Total: 44
- Recovery Champion
@johnsmith
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….
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