Hi again Chejai – Thanks again for your very helpful message.

I am so very sorry to read (in other threads too) the symptoms you have been having to put up with and I do hope they ease for you soon ! It sounds like you have alot on your plate right now re moving etc Phew – Try not to overdo it and go at your own pace I say.

Do you know which week you went UND? I don’t blame you for extending if it improves your chances more for clearing. It’s a good idea to do this without a break from what I can gather, before those pesky mutants rear their ugly little heads and come back stronger. I am sure you have a very fine chance of SVR now, but we are all different and if it ups the % then go for it.

I am a strange one (!) in that I am going in the right direction but at a snails pace. There are concerns re Low absorption (digestive issues?) / Genetic RAVS and / or I am simply a slow responder! The problem is, how can we know which one? Pretty impossible really as not tested for resistance pre-tx , absorption has always been an issue with me, pre tx too, but we have never got to the bottom of it (pardon any pun!) and so, I find myself extending treatment after much consideration and advise from those who help me. Pretty fed up re length of treatment getting longer, it’s not so much that, but add on the 12 weeks EOT and summer will be over and autumn will be approaching, so a much longer ride on the roller-coaster !

This B12 /Absorption thing seems complex, I am considering and reading up on all advise, Yes dt has excellent advise there too and has really researched well.

the high MCV reading can indicate not just low B12 but low Folate”

It is not ‘that’ high, just a little raised, but what is interesting, is that it never was before and the last two bloods it has been.

It sounds to me, your face , eye, pain etc could be affecting a nerve? Nerve pain is just horrible – Poor you. You know Dan had nerve pain problems and tingling hands and feet and hasn’t yet got to the bottom of it.

I am also thinking of you and wishing you well from across the seas Chejai

Thank-you Chejai for your message, interesting re B12, Dr Debasis recommended a course of Probiotics & digestive enzimes post anti-biotic course, will write more when I get on ither comp. Sorry to hear you’ve also been unwell, sending warm wishes to you, back later

Hey Zhuk, hope you’re swiftly on the mend

Hey, BIG to you all from me xxxx

Hi Gaj, Sorry to read all you’ve been through and thank God you got treated. I think I’ve also had the virus a long time and instinct (along with Prof Dusheiko) told me I needed to treat soon for the exact reasons you mention. I believe the virus ramps up quite a bit when you reach age >50 too, I knew I was ‘on the turn’ at that point. This happened to an old friend, I fear we’re going to lose him as he wasn’t monitored at all. He was diagnosed Non Hep A /B years ago and had the odd check up, he was young then and in general good health & still drinking alcohol. His consultant eventually said “You obviously seem in good health, so I don’t need to see you any more” . Preventative is good! So glad you’ve been monitored well and nipped things in the bud. Without the virus attacking you, you can look forward to a brighter, healthier and happier future.

Hi Ariel, Yes I with interest Dr F’s post on out of date meds. Interesting, as here we are often reminded to keep an eye out for dates on meds, maybe they just want us to keep buying more?! I agree with Gaj though, I was going to write that it can cause a ‘loss of confidence” in patients when such details are missed, causing a delayed start of tx after psyching yourself up for it, unanswered calls to hospitals etc ; especially at a crucial time like starting tx and I see Gaj has used a very similar turn of phrase.

As my GP said to me “It’s important to have faith in those who treat us” … How understated yet perfectly put.

HI Ariel, yes, Geoff Dusheiko was my wonderful old consultant. Good old fashioned, hands on Dr who checked BP, heart rate, reflexes, eyes, hands, all bloods in detail (scribbling mathematical notes and equations etc) He was the head of the Royal Free for years and did awesome work – Loved him. Unfortunately, he wanted to semi retire and do part time, although still writing important medical papers on liver disease etc and lecture, speak at conferences etc – but the hospital didn’t want to pay out to keep such a knowledgeable prof on (from what I can gather) – The nurses told me they were all in tears when he left. He answered my emails personally after he left and recommended I get an USound scan when I had a strange heart-beat thing going on center abdomen just below ribs and ‘push for treatment’. He was replaced without warning by the blythe (to use dt’s perfect word) young Dr who totally upset me and refused to listen to anything, just lecture me on how there was no hope of tx in the near future and no more diagnostics and left me very frustrated and upset after our ‘consultation’ – So I changed hospitals as I had chosen that hospital because of the Prof being there. The lovely Prof Dusheiko emailed me and said how sorry he was that he wouldn’t be able to see me . He has written some excellent patient-centered articles which I have enjoyed over the time since being diagnosed. I believe he may be working PT at the other top London liver hospital Kings, but a not up to date re that currently. A great man and the Royal Free will not be the same without him.

LG xx