Last Harvoni Pill Today - Finally Courage To Post Here

[Heather]

First, let me say - thank you to all who participate here. I have been reading, learning, laughing and crying with you for some time now. However, I've only just created a profile. (anxious, I guess) I tried to create my signature with the basic info of my HCV history, although, I really don't know how long I've had HCV. I took my last Harvoni pill today - 12wks. Tomorrow, I'll get my labs drawn and see my GI doc. I know there have been lots of questions about reading results here, but I'd like some feedback regarding mine, if that's okay. The type of lab test was not available through my patient portal - here's a graph of past RNA results:

                             1/11/12     1/19/15     2/2/15      3/3/15
HCV RNA:           Positive      Positive     Positive    Detected
Log HCV IU/ML:   6.64          1.25          <1.08       <1.08
HCV RNA Quant:  4405844    18             <12          <12

Now, when the GI office called to tell me the results from 3/3/15 (8wks into treatment) she said, "Good news, your labs showed you are negative for the virus so you won't need to go beyond the 12 weeks of treatment." I was so excited because at my 8wk appt, GI doc told me that if the labs came back with the virus still detectable, he would ask for an extension to 24 wks of treatment. Bottom line is that I checked the patient portal today and found these results. Can anyone enlighten me as to why she told me over the phone that it was "negative"? Thanks in advance and sorry if I broke any rules - I really tired to follow forum etiquette.

[Lynn K]

Kinda hard to interprete what you have posted the results look jumbled on my iPhone can you just post the last one you received that corespond with the phone message?

However results similar to less than 12 detected are being interpreted negative by some. The important test result is the 12 week post to see if the virus has returned to prior to treatment levels. Here is an article by Lucinda you may have missed

http://blogs.hepmag.com/lucindakporter/2015/03/new_hepatitis_c_trea_2.html

Good luck

[Heather]

Wow...that really helps clear up a few things (both the article and your reply), thank you. I've just left the lab and I'm on my way to my GI appt now but won't know my newest lab result for a couple days. Most of my confusion came from the fact that my result from Feb 2nd said "positive" and <12...then on Mar 3rd, it said "detected" and <12. Both done at the same lab and GI staff called me with a verbal "negative". I did end up having to get drawn at a different lab today due to the fact that my PCP had some fasting labs also ordered there.I figured one poke, you know? It will be interesting to see if that new lab used a different test.

[lporterrn]

Hi Heather,
Let us know what your doc says - this is a very complicated situation since we don't really know what to do because what your doc suggested was a bit off protocol. Technically, 12 weeks was enough, but your doc confounded it a bit by proposing a different strategy.

Finger crossed for a great outcome (and statistically, the odds are on your side)

[Heather]

Hi Lucinda. Okay, this was his statement today: "We have beaten down the virus from 6million copies with every draw and at 8wks, was somewhere between 1-11 copies left in your bloodstream. Then you took 4 more weeks of treatment, which theoretically would find and destroy the last few copies. But we won't really know if you're going to relapse until the 3 month and then 6 month post treatment labs."

He did not clarify why he said that he would ask for another 12 wks previously. I wonder how many GI docs are learning about Harvoni as they go through it with their patients?

[lporterrn]

Thanks Heather, and although he didn't clarify his earlier statement, he is following the guidelines. One thing I'd add is that your 24-week f/u viral load is pretty certain to be the same as the 12-week results.

So now, you get to practice the fine art of waiting game.

[Heather]

I'm going to do my best not to make myself crazy while waiting for the long-term results. But, I'll post back with today's EOT results.

If I may ask one more clarifying question - when we talk about SVR12 (and subsequently SVR24) are we saying SVR12 = today (end of treatment) OR 12 weeks after today? I thought I understood this but the more I read it, I start to question myself. Especially since the doc said he would check VL again in 3 months and then at 6 months.

[Lynn K]

Last day of meds is EOT (end of treatment)

SVR is a sustained viral response at some time after EOT so SVR12 is a susstained viral response (continued not detected) 12 weeks after last med taken

So yes your doctor will be testing for SVR 12 and SVR24
Hope that helps

[Heather]

Yes, it does. That's what I initially thought, thank you. Here's to hoping for the cure...for all.

[Mike]

Congratulations, Heather,

Looks like you're going to slay the dragon!

Best wishes, Mike

[Heather]

So the EOT lab draw HCV RNA test was done by COBAS TaqMan. My previous 3 VL's were done by Abbott assay. This last result came back: <15 and Not Detected! 

[coloradogirl]

Yaaaay! Not Detected!!!! Congratulations! That is good news! I am happy for you!

[Lynn K]

Great news Heather Congrats!

[Heather]

Thank you all. I've been feeling pretty awful the last couple of years.  My docs have said they cant be sure what symptoms came from the virus and which came from other ailments. Here's hoping I'll regain some health now. I'm pulling for each of you as well! We'll be watching and waiting for those final SVR24's...