Author Topic: STILL DETECTED @ 4 weeks - Anyone else have this happen? (Read 29695 times)

Proudgmma · « **on:** January 15, 2015, 03:51:51 pm »

On harvoni now for for weeks and my viral load came back at 30. It was 2 million so I really can't complain. But I fully expected it to be zero. I still have 4 more weeks of harvoni so I'm confident by EOT I will be UD.

Anyone else out there experience this?

Thanks.

Bafru · « **Reply #1 on:** January 15, 2015, 04:57:19 pm »

Just finished four weeks today. Had blood draw today. Started treatment with viral load just over 4 million. Will let you know what results are when I get them. I am on 24 week regimen. I'd call being at 30 WINNING !

nicole_1234 · « **Reply #2 on:** January 15, 2015, 08:17:22 pm »

Yes I've seen quite a few people here who were still detected at 4weeks and I'm pretty sure the next test will see no virus. And I've heard it does not effect your chances of SVR so don't worry too much about it. You're so close!!!!

PaulG · « **Reply #3 on:** January 15, 2015, 10:08:54 pm »

At four weeks mine was 35

HCVDX30 · « **Reply #4 on:** January 17, 2015, 08:08:28 pm »

Hang in there for some of us including myself it takes a little longer for the Harvoni to slay the dragon. Hugs & warm thoughts to all of us!! Better days. Just finished my last pill 5 days ago & awaiting VL & LFT results. I"ll let you know hopefully by next Friday.Thanks everyone for all your encouragement & I'll keep you posted.
Jeanie

67YR OLD NAIVE PATIENT. DX 1995 (INFECTED 1971) . GRADE 3 STAGE 4 -
Started Harvoni 12WK TX ON 10/22/2013.

10/07/2014 VL 2.2 million ALT 143(NORMAL 29) AST 101(NORMAL 35)
11/19/2014 VL <16(NORMAL <15) ALT 27 AST 40(NORMAL 35)
12/30 NO VL TEST ALT 23 AST 36 (NORMAL 35)

Proudgmma · « **Reply #5 on:** January 17, 2015, 08:15:21 pm »

Thanks everyone for your encouraging posts as I really needed some positive feedback. I was having a moment of panic but it's just my overactive, hep c riddled brain. I will be so glad to say goodbye to all of the side effects of this awful disease. Fortunately, I will be getting another VL test next week and I fully expect to be UD.

Blessings,
Pam

Helen · « **Reply #6 on:** January 18, 2015, 12:28:02 am »

They will never read 0. It's my understanding that the tests are so sensitive they only read down to like 15. You will always have a number. I will see if I can find that particular info and post it here.

Lynn K · « **Reply #7 on:** January 18, 2015, 02:32:58 am »

Helen

I have no number

This is what my test result says:
HCV RNA RT-PCR, QT See Notes IU/mL See Below
HCV Not Detected

Which is followed by the following note

The quantitative range of the assay is 15 IU/mL to 100 million IU/mL
using COBAS(R) TaqMan(R) HCV test, v 2.0. The limit of detection (LOD)
and lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) for this assay is 15 IU/mL.
Results less than the quantitative range of the assay will be reported
as "HCV RNA detected, less than 15 IU/mL".

JillLynn · « **Reply #8 on:** January 18, 2015, 10:36:35 am »

proudgmma.
I had the same concern at 4 weeks when My HCV was still detected. I was concerned too because it seems everyone else's was UNDETECTED at 4 weeks.

Had it done again at week 6 and it was UNDETECTED.

Now waiting on the SVR12 news. Can't get here soon enough!

Best to you and all! Jill

Tristan · « **Reply #9 on:** January 19, 2015, 12:11:01 am »

I too was detectable at 4 weeks ( with number of 15) I started geno 1a viral load of 4.5 million, treatment naive, and fibrosure number of 72 which is just below chirosis. I was put on 8 week regimen cause of criteria and made me very nervous, really wanted 12 week but anyway yes was positive at 4 weeks and doc tried to get extention but my insurance denied. So now I have two pills left and I will do labs on wed. I am so nervous and by nature a pessimist ( always expecting worste and hoping for best) so I will let you know what my 8 week end of treatment results are.

HCVDX30 · « **Reply #10 on:** January 19, 2015, 01:10:29 am »

I'm crossing the days off until next Fri for my 12 week VL results.The VL at 4 wks was <16 & this last 8 wks was a long wait. Do I hear a UD oh yeah & a UD for all of us as we approach the end of our 8 wks or 12 wks!! Everyone else my best to you as you head towards the big UD!! May we all slay the dragon!!!!
This week is going to be verrrry long until I get the results.Trying my best to stay positive & not lose it. Hanging in there. I'll keep ya posted. Jeanie

BarbG · « **Reply #11 on:** January 19, 2015, 01:52:22 am »

Just had my 4 week draw. My viral load was 10 million+, and now it is 34. I expect the next number will be even lower.

Lynn K · « **Reply #12 on:** January 19, 2015, 01:57:47 am »

From everything I have read on the clinical trials once the patient was UND on treatment they stayed UND to the EOT there were no breakthrough failures in trials. The only failures were ones who relapsed after treatment ended and were not able to make it to SVR 12

So here is to SVR 12 for all

Lynn K · « **Reply #13 on:** January 19, 2015, 02:03:00 am »

JillLynn

When you say SVR 12 does that mean you completed treatment 12 weeks ago or do you mean EOT (end of treatment) for 12 weeks?

SVR refers to a sustained viral response 12 weeks after stopping all treatments for hep c and seeing if you have a sustained response to the medicines.

bridget · « **Reply #14 on:** January 19, 2015, 08:52:09 pm »

Pam,
After such a dramatic drop in 4 weeks, I'm sure you will be UND at 8 weeks.

Lynn,
That is very encouraging to hear that there were no breakthroughs in Trials!

ma snart · « **Reply #15 on:** January 21, 2015, 11:43:45 am »

Helen just got her Harvoni 8 week labs and viral load test results, shows 22 in the viral load,
Doctor doesn't think its a problem, says that why he has her on 24 week program.
She did have a ruptured appendix 3 weeks back that may have caused her body not to fight as well as it should have been, almost healed from the surgery now.
All of the other results were fantastic, she is making blood platelets like never before and ALT 11 AST 24.
I have tried to find if patients with cirrhosis have more difficulty ridding their bodies of virus or if the virus is more resistant in this case?
Any thought would be appreciated.
Snart.

Lynn K · « **Reply #16 on:** January 21, 2015, 01:58:11 pm »

Hi Ma

Yes people with cirrhosis are harder to cure. That is why the treatment for people with cirrhosis is 24 weeks not 12 weeks. That is why I relapsed after 12 weeks Sovaldi Olysio which the recommendation for people with cirrhosis was later changed to 24 weeks for that combo.

Hope Helen is doing better ruptured appendix wow not good.

Good luck to you both

dragonslayer · « **Reply #17 on:** January 21, 2015, 02:19:54 pm »

Quote from: Tristan on January 19, 2015, 12:11:01 am

I too was detectable at 4 weeks ( with number of 15) I started geno 1a viral load of 4.5 million, treatment naive, and fibrosure number of 72 which is just below chirosis. I was put on 8 week regimen cause of criteria and made me very nervous, really wanted 12 week but anyway yes was positive at 4 weeks and doc tried to get extention but my insurance denied. So now I have two pills left and I will do labs on wed. I am so nervous and by nature a pessimist ( always expecting worste and hoping for best) so I will let you know what my 8 week end of treatment results are.

Hi All...
I finished my last 8 wk treatment pill yesterday morning, and had my 8wk EOT lab test done yesterday afternoon. I should have results in a week. (Btw, while on treatment, I had no labs done.) I dont think in the Ion-3 trials, there was anybody who was in this 8 wk cohort who was not UND at the 8wk EOT marker, so while Im nervous as hell, I have no real reason to expect that to be any different for us. I feel like we are such guinea pigs, as right around now, we 8 weekers are going to be beginning to be the first to report EOT real world Harvoni results. All I need to see is even 1 8-weeker who is not UND at EOT, and any confidence I might have right now, which isnt a whole lot, will be shattered... Hoping that time never comes for anybody here, I'll report back with the results in about a week...

kate0b1 · « **Reply #18 on:** January 21, 2015, 06:55:56 pm »

jezz paul, i can't wait until you get your results, it so exciting to see the first real people getting to this finish line. I will be 12 weeks out from 12 on in june.

kate

Amj1951 · « **Reply #19 on:** January 21, 2015, 07:35:20 pm »

My fingers are crossed for you Paul. I am excited for you : ) Please keep us posted. My 12 wks out wont be until July.. just in time for the 4th!
Meredith

HCVDX30 · « **Reply #20 on:** January 22, 2015, 03:40:05 am »

Today I received EOT 12 wk Harvoni RNA results.
HCV RNA not detected. In the beginning the first 30 days of Harvoni the bloodwork was HCV detected. I'm happy but not ready to dance in the streets. When the 24 wk test results comeback in mid July & reveal a SVR I'll be dancing.
This board has been such an inspiration.Hugs, hope & thank you to all!!
Jeanie Naive Patient 12 WK Harvoni
Grade 3 Stage 4(Cirrhosis) 2.2 Million RNA . Contracted 1971.

Lynn K · « **Reply #21 on:** January 22, 2015, 03:59:44 am »

Hi HCVDX30

Congrats on your not detected that is fantastic!

That was your EOT result and you just finished treatment you are not having an SVR12 test and only doing a SVR24 test is that correct? So you have to wait 24 weeks to make sure treatment was a success? Man I would ask for a SVR 12 test I can't imagine waiting that long to know if it worked.

Wishing you SVR 24 and forever more after

HCVDX30 · « **Reply #22 on:** January 22, 2015, 04:10:57 am »

Lynn I wasn't very clear. They'll do 3 RNA tests. 30days(Feb), 12 wks(Apr) & 24 wks (July). Thanks. Jeanie

HCVDX30 · « **Reply #23 on:** January 22, 2015, 04:13:22 am »

Quote from: HCVDX30 on January 22, 2015, 04:10:57 am

Lynn I wasn't very clear. They'll do 3 RNA tests. 30days(Feb), 12 wks(Apr) & 24 wks (July). Thanks. Jeanie

Lynn K · « **Reply #24 on:** January 22, 2015, 04:31:35 am »

OK whew I can't imagine waiting till July to know.

I am only scheduled to do a 12 week post in late July but plan on asking to do a 4 week I guess that would be June 1st for me. I am assuming we will also do a 6 month and a 1 year for good measure.

BattleTheBeast · « **Reply #25 on:** January 22, 2015, 08:45:08 am »

Wow,

Listening to everyone (reading everyone's posts) it's amazing, I think we are all in the same boat, first we wait for that magic undetected to show on our blood work (mine was week 9) and then we wait to finish treatment and then the really really hard waits, SVR12 and SVR24.

It's a crazy journey we are all on but we are fighters and will win this war. I am just going to continue to be as positive as possible as I continue my TX and hope we are all SVR24 at the end of our journey. What I keep in the back of my mind is that there are tons of more options coming our way and worst case scenario is that we have to do another course of one of the newer drugs, that's a pretty good option considering 12 months ago that wasn't even an option.

Hang on warriors, we are going to beat this beast forever very very soon!

Mel

HCVDX30 · « **Reply #26 on:** January 22, 2015, 02:45:19 pm »

Mel
Thank you for your very enlightening post! You are so right about the SVR wait until the cure word is used! Keep the hope alive & go with flow!

Marijayne · « **Reply #27 on:** January 23, 2015, 10:59:33 am »

Im confused over my results as well and of course Dr is on Vacation till middle of Feb.
I began with-
9,100,000 IU/mL

Lab at 4 weeks-
Not Quantified IU/mL
HCV Rna Quant Inter "detected"

I wish it would have read "not detected" But hopefully by the end of the 12 weeks (Harvoni) it will.

This is the first place I thought to ck for answers..Nurse just called and said they will do Labs again at the end of Treatment.
Is this common to still show detected?

Lynn K · « **Reply #28 on:** January 23, 2015, 11:53:07 am »

Hi Marijayne

While not common not that uncommon either.

You first test said you had a viral load over 9 million.

The second means your level is below the level to quantify (think quantity) basically the test can count them there are too few but can still detect the presence of the virus. The important thing is you had a significant drop and will very likely test not detected on your next test. You are doing fine no worries

Marijayne · « **Reply #29 on:** January 23, 2015, 01:00:20 pm »

Thank you so much Lynn for the response.

I was so looking forward to my 1st lab results and it kind of discouraged me to see "detected" sigh.

BattleTheBeast · « **Reply #30 on:** January 23, 2015, 01:22:11 pm »

No worries, happened to me too! It will be gone soon

Mel

Sweetie1 · « **Reply #31 on:** January 23, 2015, 11:19:19 pm »

Lynn,

You wrote that people with Cirrhosis should take Harvoni for 24 weeks. I read that if you have cirrhosis but have never been treated it is 12 weeks and my GI Doc said the same thing? I am on Harvoni for 12 weeks but got nervous reading that.

Lynn K · « **Reply #32 on:** January 24, 2015, 12:19:06 am »

Hi Sweetie

From the Harvoni prescribing information sheet. That piece of paper everyone throws away when they get a prescription.

http://www.gilead.com/~/media/Files/pdfs/medicines/liver-disease/harvoni/harvoni_pi.pdf

Patient Population Recommended Treatment Duration
Treatment-naïve with or without cirrhosis 12 weeks*
Treatment-experienced** without cirrhosis 12 weeks
Treatment-experienced** with cirrhosis 24 weeks

Yes you and your doctor are correct for treatment naive the recommendation is 12 weeks. I sometimes forget that not all with cirrhosis have been not treated before and are treatment naive my apologies for causing you unnecessary concern.

Good luck on treatment

kate0b1 · « **Reply #33 on:** January 24, 2015, 08:26:46 am »

LOL LynnK, i just threw that out

kate

Bob V · « **Reply #34 on:** January 24, 2015, 11:16:44 am »

My VL pre was 3.7 million and at week 5 less then 15. I too was disappointed but gotta believe the drug will kill the last few buggers.

BattleTheBeast · « **Reply #35 on:** January 24, 2015, 11:38:07 am »

Bob,

That's exactly where mine was at 4 weeks, by week 9 they were history but I didn't have a test in between 4 and 9. My starting VL was 8.3 Million.

They will be gone, count on it!

Mel

Bob V · « **Reply #36 on:** January 24, 2015, 11:46:33 am »

Thanks Mel

I wasn't scheduled to have a VL lab until EOT but I had some labs, CMP, done for my PCP, my BUN was high. Being a dialysis nurse this sent up a red flag so I had my GI doc do another CMP and as long as I had to get labs I did a VL test too. Good news my BUN was normal now just waiting for my EOT labs.

BattleTheBeast · « **Reply #37 on:** January 24, 2015, 12:04:47 pm »

Hi Bob,

How many weeks of treatment are you on?

It's so amazing when I see how the medications impact all of us so differently. I was so sick when I started treatment and got even worse until like week 6 then slowly but surely I am rising more and more out of the fog each day. It was a struggle in the beginning because I felt so awful, had so many side effects (came to find out part of that was an allergic reaction to Olysio) and here are all these people with no sides saying how amazing they felt and coming back undetected at weeks 2 or 4.

Bottom line for me, is that at the end of the road we all make it to SVR. Our journeys to get HepC and be diagnosed are all different so why wouldn't our roads to recovery/cure be different as well.

Are you back to exercising now? I remember you mentioned you were really active before treatment.

Have a great weekend,

Mel

Sweetie1 · « **Reply #38 on:** January 24, 2015, 12:23:47 pm »

Hi everyone,
Every lab is different I guess. My viral load result showed below 10 at 4 weeks but still said positive. The GI Doctor said I am undetected. I thought they were wrong until I did some research. But it says positive because of anti-bodies to Hepatitis C. But the below 10 did mean undetected.
I have about 2 more weeks to go on the Harvoni. It is very strong or I am very sensitive to medication. Usually get tired about an hour or 2 after taking it and feel cold/ but also feel feverish (though no fever). I usually start feeling better later in the night. I will be happy to see how I feel when the Harvoni is over ! Take care everyone.

Bob V · « **Reply #39 on:** January 24, 2015, 12:32:56 pm »

Mel,
I'm on 12 weeks. On paper I should only be on 8wks because for whatever reason they consider Interferon tx x2 in the 90's as NOT previously being treated. So my doc asked for 12wks hoping to get approval for 8. I got approved for 12 so the doc said it's up to you, so I went 12wks.

Pre tx and for the first couple of weeks I felt fine. Then one day it hit me, felt like I was coming down with a cold, very tired. That lasted a few weeks, now I'm feeling better, not great but better.
Yes I'm still exercising I do one swim, bike or run each day. I've only had to take a couple of days off. I'm running a half marathon on Super Bowl Sunday....gonna be a slow one but just glad I can still get out there.
Thanks for asking and yes we'll beat this.

Bob

BattleTheBeast · « **Reply #40 on:** January 24, 2015, 01:09:14 pm »

Hi Bob,

Sounds like the perfect thing to do on SuperBowl Sunday, I will be in the house hiding from the snow in NJ!! I sure do miss Southern California when winter hits in NJ. I am not a big fan of snow but my family is here and so I moved back to be closer to them all.

That's one thing I can honestly say is the positive for me finding out just a few months ago I had Hep C. I eat so much ore healthy than I used to, I pay attention to what goes into my mouth where as before I just ate whatever I felt like it, total carb junkie. So far I haven't lost any weight but as I continue to feel better I am going to bring more exercise into the mix. I wish I had someone close by who would help motivate me but it's something I need to do for myself anyway. I'm not obese but I could lose about 30 lbs, I know I would feel way better physically if I did.

So the plan for me for now is to cut out processed foods, sugars and stay away from the carbs. Focus on eating way healthier, in fact right now for lunch it's Carrot/Celery sticks and some hummus with a pear on the side

I need to work on eating more regularly, I tend to skip meals all together which isn't helpful either. By the time spring hits here I will be close or completed with my TX and my goal is to at least walk every night after work. Once I get up to a couple of miles then we will see what's next, for me it's all about baby steps and a getting up from behind the computer I work at all day!

I'd love to hear any tips you might have to help get me moving!

Mel

kate0b1 · « **Reply #41 on:** January 25, 2015, 07:31:55 am »

@mel, I'm right over the bridge if you need a coach lol, I actually am in NJ quite a bit because one of my kids lives there. I was going to the gym a few times a week but my husband just recently built me one in our basement so now i don't have to go with the sweaty guys lol. I am a total carb junkie (well and coffee), i try to eat good/well for both lunch and dinner. I have never been a night snacker so i think that helps, when i was on triple therapy you had to eat a lot of fat for incivick so i did put on some weight. (i may never eat peanut butter again). Now that I'm done that and feeling stronger, i try to workout 3 times a week (slow cause I'm old lol). It does help me feel strong though and balances out that bagel i eat every morning ! also, on a side note, i am with you and katie about the drinking, i am nervous even taking my multivit with the meds, i can't even imagine have a drink (plus i am the worst drinker ever lol). this is not to say i won't ever have a drink, i probably will but surely probably not until next year lol.

kate

Amj1951 · « **Reply #42 on:** January 25, 2015, 08:31:23 am »

Quote from: kate0b1 on January 25, 2015, 07:31:55 am

@mel, I'm right over the bridge if you need a coach lol, I actually am in NJ quite a bit because one of my kids lives there. I was going to the gym a few times a week but my husband just recently built me one in our basement so now i don't have to go with the sweaty guys lol. I am a total carb junkie (well and coffee), i try to eat good/well for both lunch and dinner. I have never been a night snacker so i think that helps, when i was on triple therapy you had to eat a lot of fat for incivick so i did put on some weight. (i may never eat peanut butter again). Now that I'm done that and feeling stronger, i try to workout 3 times a week (slow cause I'm old lol). It does help me feel strong though and balances out that bagel i eat every morning ! also, on a side note, i am with you and katie about the drinking, i am nervous even taking my multivit with the meds, i can't even imagine have a drink (plus i am the worst drinker ever lol). this is not to say i won't ever have a drink, i probably will but surely probably not until next year lol.

kate

Kate, I am jealous of your HOME gym. That would be so nice. My friend bought me a RED punching bag for Valentines day one year. Considering I'd never used one it took me a bit to figure out that was the candy : ) ha!

Bob V · « **Reply #43 on:** January 25, 2015, 10:57:19 am »

Mel
Walking is excellent exercise and you can do it anywhere safe. Sounds like weather might be an issues but you can walk even when it's cold, just dress for it. I know easy for me to say when it's going to be 80 here in SoCal today. It's great if you have easy access to a gym for ovious reasons but it's not a deal breaker. I do a light strength/core routine 2x a week, this is very easy just stresses me enough to work the muscles. I feel for us "seasoned" adults this is very important.

As for diet, I don't go crazy here I try to keep it simple. The key for me keeping the weight down is portion size. I've gained weight since the fall because I didn't adjust my eating to match my decrease in exercise....working on that now.

Before I exercise/race I tell myself:

"Someday I won't be able to do this, but today is not that day!"

Good luck

Bob

BattleTheBeast · « **Reply #44 on:** January 25, 2015, 01:48:04 pm »

@Kate - Maybe sometime we can meet for coffee! That's so great you have a home gym!

@Bob - I agree and i love to walk but my only option right now is to Mall walk and I am so not ready to be a Mall Walker! I am really working on eating healthier and cutting out the processed crap. What I do wrong is I don't eat regularly, I tend to skip meals even a whole day of eating then all of the sudden I am famished (no kidding). For me I just need to stick to an eating schedule, small balanced meals during the day to keep my metabolism going in the right direction. I love what you tell yourself before you exercise/race!

Thanks all,

Mel

Sangremalo · « **Reply #45 on:** January 27, 2015, 01:16:27 pm »

Quote from: HCVDX30 on January 17, 2015, 08:08:28 pm

Hang in there for some of us including myself it takes a little longer for the Harvoni to slay the dragon. Hugs & warm thoughts to all of us!! Better days. Just finished my last pill 5 days ago & awaiting VL & LFT results. I"ll let you know hopefully by next Friday.Thanks everyone for all your encouragement & I'll keep you posted.
Jeanie

67YR OLD NAIVE PATIENT. DX 1995 (INFECTED 1971) . GRADE 3 STAGE 4 -
Started Harvoni 12WK TX ON 10/22/2013.

10/07/2014 VL 2.2 million ALT 143(NORMAL 29) AST 101(NORMAL 35)
11/19/2014 VL <16(NORMAL <15) ALT 27 AST 40(NORMAL 35)
12/30 NO VL TEST ALT 23 AST 36 (NORMAL 35)

Lynn K · « **Reply #46 on:** January 27, 2015, 02:48:36 pm »

Hi Sangremalo

Welcome to the forum.

If you have any questions just ask and we will do our best to try to answer

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Author Topic: STILL DETECTED @ 4 weeks - Anyone else have this happen? (Read 29695 times)