Just wanted to write a short post--albeit a belated one--about my
end-of-Tx results. I haven't got the time to repeat my particulars
right now, except that my HCV viral load was 2.7 million at the
beginning, genotype 3b, high ALT/AST, but otherwise normal tests. I
had been infected in about 2000. I began treatment on May 18, 2007,
with no biopsy, ALT/AST went back to normal at week 2 and has been
normal ever since, undetectable VL at week 4 and 12.

So, I had my last lab test on October 31st, a few days after my final,
24th shot of Peg-Intron. Hg is still slightly lower, but everything is
normal, including ALT and AST. I was happy to find out that my VL was
still undetectable--as usual, the first did the test with the 50 IU/ml
(or whatever the units are), and forwarded the sample for a more
sensitive test, which showed that I had <5 IU/ml...as far as the test
is concerned, undetectable. The Dr. told me to come see him in 3
months. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Life is sure funny post-Tx, isn't it? I've read some posts here on the
subject. I didn't have as severe side effects as many other people
have reported, so maybe the difference is not as profound for me.
Still, I guess there's a pressure of sorts to live my life the way I
want it, rather than the way is expected, and not worry about future
so much. <g>

I wanted to ask if anyone has experienced aches/tenderness in the
liver area even after successful EoTx response, and what it can
possibly mean. It worries me now more than when I knew I had a couple
of millions of that stuff per ml of my blood. Maybe I'm paying too
much attention to the way I'm feeling.

I just wanted to drop in and share this. Any recommendations specific
for post-Tx period, perhaps? Also, I've been experiencing some joint
pain, too--can it be that interferon is lingering in my body 5 weeks
after the last shot?
I hope everyone is doing well. Thanks for all your support. For the
people who recently finished, or are finishing up their treatment (I
know that most people are not as lucky as I was, doing a year of Tx),
my thoughts are with you.
Good luck,