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Medical Forum / Diseases and Disorders / Hepatitis / December 2004req INFO? PCR blood test Timing
Hi, Of course the holidays has got things all jammed up in the queue, with lab staff time off and the like, so as a result, even though I am due a pcr sample like to-day, I will have to move on into my shot 13 week (for which I have supplies) before the lab is able to do its magic. There will be a backlog all the way thru the system for a week or two. So I have no false expectations, no matter how riba-enraged I might wind up becoming over this. Question is, I am due a blood test at the completion of twelve weeks of combination tx. That day is today but the sample collection labs are closed, which I was told a month ago, would not be the case. I won't be able to get in for a test according to the memo, until one day AFTER my 13th shot. I cannot contact the Hep Clinic, of course until the same delayed date. And so-far unless someone calls out PANIC to me, I don't give two hoots if I am late for this very critical measurement. Rant time: So regardless of the fact we knew this was going to be a timing crunch, the usual Murphy's Law kicked in. I have no reason to believe that I will get any more attention from our med staff unless I collapsed or something. The paperwork has been pretty messy, and we design paperwork to work for us. So I guess that is a dysfunction? Is this a critical issue, or is the PCR screen just a formality? I am guessing that if there is no totally adverse side effects only detectable by subjective QOL or lifesigns, present in the sample, then I should be able to not be too concerned about the late PCR screen? The last thing I should want to do is suspend my treatment for the sake of a square on a calendar. seasoned advice, if any? Cactus Jammies > Is this a critical issue, or is the PCR screen just a formality? I am > guessing that if there is no totally adverse side effects only detectable by [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > seasoned advice, if any? Phew! Calm down. It's not that important. I had mine after 10 weeks of tx because I needed to have it done to coincide with my appointment to see the doctor. He remarked that it was a bit early to test and not to expect an undetectable. I surprised him though. I was 1a and was clear after 10 weeks. The timing of the PCR is not written in stone and 13 weeks is good enough. In the immortal words of Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy--"Don't Panic!" Lana CJ- The 12 week PCR is a critical measurement as far as continuing tx. It is my understanding that if we don't get at least a 2log drop, we should stop tx. The timing of the blood draw, I'm not sure about. I also understand that if we are undetectable at 12 weeks we have a much better chance for a SVR. I personally wouldn't worry about the timing...but you can if you want :-). I would not suspend tx unless told to do so by BCLD. Mark > Hi, > Of course the holidays has got things all jammed up in the queue, with [quoted text clipped - 31 lines] > > Cactus Jammies >> And so-far unless someone calls out PANIC to me, I don't give two hoots if > I am late for this very critical measurement. Smart of you. Don't sweat it. My doctor didn't even do a 12 week PCR. I was more concerned with getting the regular lab results to make sure I wasn't having an adverse reaction....the fact that it was working was just assumed <g>. I am not sure if my doctor just wasn't a fan of the 2 log drop or stop rule or if he felt that since my other labs looked good and my alt and ast was back to normal that it made sense to do the whole 24 weeks regardless. Good luck with the results whenever you do the PCR. AG Thanks, AG and others. It sounds to me like AG is in a similar situation that I am in, LFT numbers wise. I sure don't want to have to go through all this again tx (while I am only 1/4 the way thru). Cactus Jammies >>> And so-far unless someone calls out PANIC to me, I don't give two hoots > if [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > > AG >Is this a critical issue, or is the PCR screen just a formality? I am >guessing that if there is no totally adverse side effects only detectable by [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > >Cactus Jammies Blood tests don't have to be down to the day and the tests will be every bit as valid when you get in later. This test is to determine if you are responding to tx so you might wind up doing a shot you didn't need to but hopefully that is not the case and the virus will be undetectable. Personally, I like Dr. Bennet Cecil's approach (www.hepatitisdoctor.com) who tests even earlier and monitors more closely to see how patients are responding and switching interferon's early in tx if one doesn't seem to be getting the job done. The answer to your question is answered with a question. Would you continue the same course if you went undetectable by the 13th week, or would you quit? I think not! Yeah, it would have been nice to have known in your 12th, but quite frankly, there's not a whole lot of difference. Don't beat yourself up because you weren't thinking straight when they told you a month ago that they'd be closed over the holidays. An 11th week 'undetectable' would have made you feel better, but what the f.ck....don't sweat it. Have a shot on me. LOL Elmo http://community.webtv.net/elmoemerson/DocElmosHepFile http://community.webtv.net/elmoemerson/TheFamilyAlbum Hey hey that's not how it happened. When I started tx back in early october, I pointed the time issue out to the over-worked Nurse in charge of the actual case file. She shrugged, just like she shrugged when I asked her about side effects with my Psoriasis, and when I asked her about the mistakes on the forms and requisitions. but if you think it was my brain fudge that caused this, well like I said, my expectations are pretty low (but expectant, none the less) Cactus Jammies > The answer to your question is answered with a question. Would you > continue the same course if you went undetectable by the 13th week, or [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > http://community.webtv.net/elmoemerson/TheFamilyAlbum Well, that's not how you explained it in your previous post. Regardless, it doesn't matter, nor does my opinion. Elmo /////////// Hey hey that's not how it happened. When I started tx back in early october, I pointed the time issue out to the over-worked Nurse in charge of the actual case file. She shrugged, just like she shrugged when I asked her about side effects with my Psoriasis, and when I asked her about the mistakes on the forms and requisitions. but if you think it was my brain fudge that caused this, well like I said, my expectations are pretty low (but expectant, none the less) Cactus Jammies <elmoemerson@webtv.net> wrote in message news:17793-41D0D6B3-202@storefull-3252.bay.webtv.net... The answer to your question is answered with a question. Would you continue the same course if you went undetectable by the 13th week, or would you quit? I think not! Yeah, it would have been nice to have known in your 12th, but quite frankly, there's not a whole lot of difference. Don't beat yourself up because you weren't thinking straight when they told you a month ago that they'd be closed over the holidays. An 11th week 'undetectable' would have made you feel better, but what the f.ck....don't sweat it. Have a shot on me. LOL Elmo http://community.webtv.net/elmoemerson/DocElmosHepFile http://community.webtv.net/elmoemerson/TheFamilyAlbum Re; misunderstanding date of sample for PCR Elmo, Like you say and others, too. It doesn't really matter anyway. The important issue for me was ensuring the work got done in time for the CDC to authorize the continuation of treatment after the 12 weeks. But there is quite a bit of leeway in the system as I was able to get an advance supply for four more weeks, so that should cover all kinds of time for low expectations, even. cheers and thanks all Cactus Jammies > Well, that's not how you explained it in your previous post. > Regardless, it doesn't matter, nor does my opinion. > Elmo > /////////// |
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