Harvoni 5 Weeks, Viral Load 22 IU/mL

[maxwellsmart]

Hi All:

Thanks for all the camaraderie. I've read many of the postings on the board.

When I was treated with Interferon and Ribavarin about 10 years I became horribly depressed and had to stop treatment after a month. Began Harvoni 6 weeks ago with a 12-week course scheduled. My original viral load was 7,500,000 IU/mL. Blood test after 5 weeks showed 22 IU/mL. I thought I was doing great. Nurse practitioner called yesterday to say I should get retested because she thought I should be undetectable t 5 weeks. I asked what we would do if still not undetectable after retest and she said we would add Ribaravin. When I reminded her of my terrible prior experience with Interferon/Ribavarin, she said don't bother retesting, just keep taking Harvoni. 

 What do you all think?

[lporterrn]

I think that congratulations is in order. I've seen people go to week 12 and be detectable and still get cured. Plus, even if you have different test results it doesn't change the treatment protocol. I'd save my money and time. You can look up the protocols here: http://www.hcvguidelines.org/full-report-view

[maxwellsmart]

Thanks for the reply. I do have a couple of other questions.

1) If the virus is still present at 12 weeks can the course of Harvoni treatment be extended?

2) Are you saying that the viral load sometimes continues to go down even after the medicine is stopped?

Thanks again.

[lporterrn]

It generally isn't extended, and it can become nondetectable after treatment is over. I had detectable virus at week 6 and was cured. I've seen it all the way until week 12.

[maxwellsmart]

That's a relief. Thanks again.