Guest guest Report post Posted May 6, 1999 I copied this from this web site: http://www.promega.com/pcrref/pcrref.html I think that when are blood is tested by PCR they are looking for DNA of the spirochete bacteria.....I may be wrong. Marta PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) PCR stands for " Polymerase Chain Reaction " and refers to a process for amplifying one or more specific DNA sequences contained in a nucleic acid or mixture of nucleic acids. It utilizes two primers complementary to the ends of each specific sequence to be amplified. Extension of each primer creates a DNA strand including a sequence complementary to the opposite primer. PCR is a cyclic procedure in which: 1) any nucleic acids in the reaction are denatured; 2) the primers are allowed to anneal with the nucleic acids; and 3) the primers are extended, synthesizing DNA complementary to the sequence to be amplified. These steps are repeated many times and result in an exponential amplification of the specific sequence(s). Each cycle doubles the amount of the specific DNA sequence being amplified. The most common applications of the PCR method utilize a thermostable DNA polymerase to effect primer extension. This allows the steps to be repeated by simple adjustment of the temperature to effect denaturation, primer annealing, and polymerization without additional reagent additions. >From: SCSullivan@... > >Hi all, >Can anyone tell me exactly what the PCR tests are for? What do they show? >I've seen them written about, but I don't know anything about them. >Thanks, > > Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted May 6, 1999 --- SCSullivan@... wrote: > From: SCSullivan@... > > Hi all, > Can anyone tell me exactly what the PCR tests are > for? What do they show? > I've seen them written about, but I don't know > anything about them. > Thanks, > > > - My LL doc told me PCR will show active infection. But it will only be pos if the sphiro shows up in that sample of blood. Mine was neg but he figured it would be because it was done before tx and those little sphiros like to hide. We are repeating it now that im on tx. Wish I could tell you more but at least this is a start. L(MI) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > Who offers the richest group communications tools on > the Internet? > > Answer: ONElist. Check out our homepage for > details! > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > Please send privately messages unrelated to lyme. > /archives.cgi/ > /archives.cgi/Lyme-Docs > Email: -subscribeonelist > You may substitute " unsubscribe " , " digest " , or > " normal " for > the word " subscribe " ( " normal " is the opposite of > " digest " ) > _________________________________________________________ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted May 7, 1999 susan... check put the igenex site...(www.igenex.com) they explain all the tests.. Reid Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted September 6, 1999 Yes the treatment was very tough for me,I hope I dont have to go through that again.It was the combo thing ribatrol,if my fog serves correctly:). I was only required to take 6 pills per day and three shots a week I had good results in thee 3 months they let me stay on it .It took my viral load from about 220000 to non-detectable ,were as a friend I met was on 6 pills daily and 5 shots a week for 6 months,he was just taken off with the results being no result.I think thats the tough thing about it,all that self inflicted missery along with the symtoms of the virus.I go this week to get my blood work for a new alt check.I dont think I`ll ever do it again(the treatment that is).Not to sound discouraging but only realistic.I really have high hopes for a soon cure(really).At least we can be thankfull that they have found it and are working on it(hopefully)and will make a soon breakthrough(prayerfully).All I can say is God ain`t waitin on nobody!His will shall be done in the end.chuck & lt;) & gt; & lt; Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted September 7, 1999 Chuck .. good luck!! ... alley Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted September 7, 1999 Chuck .. good luck!! ... alley Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted September 7, 1999 PCR is a name of a test called Polymerase Chain Reaction. They take the virus in the blood and<br>multiply it by setting off a " chain reaction " , this allows for enough virus to be present so that it can be detected. In simple words, it is a test that determines the presence of the actual hepatitis C virus in the blood (not only the<br>antibodies), and also allows for quantitation of the virus (how much virus is in the blood).<br><br>That's a dr quote of what PCR is...that test has been out for quite awhile and that's the number we pay the most attention to, over the AST and ALT. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted September 8, 1999 The full name is HCV RNA PCR QUANTITATIVE. The AST doesn't really mean a lot Hepatitis wise but they do look at the ALT. Keep in mind, the ALT can be in the normal range, and you can still have liver damage! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted August 15, 2000 Les We are so happy for you - it is wonderful to hear a success story and know that it can happen - thanks for letting us know. Good luck to you in the future. I can just imagine how happy you are. We are hoping to know that jubilation one day in the future to. We keep that positive attitude going which helps. Winne Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted August 16, 2000 Dear Les, That is great news! Congratulations! And yes, you were fortunate in finding a doctor willing to prescribe high daily dosing. Was that the first treatment you were on? What was your genotype? It is so great to hear some positive outcomes! Take care, Claudine ===== Claudine claudinecrews@... __________________________________________________ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted August 16, 2000 Dear Les, That is great news! Congratulations! And yes, you were fortunate in finding a doctor willing to prescribe high daily dosing. Was that the first treatment you were on? What was your genotype? It is so great to hear some positive outcomes! Take care, Claudine ===== Claudine claudinecrews@... __________________________________________________ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted August 18, 2000 Les, What wonderful news for you and your family!!! Makes being on the treatment hopeful when we all hear good news like that. At least some people are clearing the virus. Good luck and hope it continues. WOO HOO you did it. Suzy ________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted August 18, 2000 Les, What wonderful news for you and your family!!! Makes being on the treatment hopeful when we all hear good news like that. At least some people are clearing the virus. Good luck and hope it continues. WOO HOO you did it. Suzy ________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted August 20, 2000 ---------- >From: LEST2001@... > > Hello all: > Well, at last I received a call form my Doctor today, all the test > results from my 1 year post treatment blood work, my liver enzymes are > normal, PCR came back negative, undetectable less then 100 copies > per-million. I'm envious! Glad for ya! gail Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted July 24, 2001 LOL ~dz~ I liked that! I know just what you mean about having them list all the drugs and saying which ones I'm on. I can't believe the list goes onto a second page (and I'm not even on treatment). Always, SJ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted August 9, 2001 DZ it sounds great. I wish ya all the best. Keep us posted on how things go. If they take you off the meds at least you'll feel better. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted August 9, 2001 Hi Dave That's good news. [ ] PCR > Hi all. I got the test results back from my PCR and > all my counts are in the normal range and the virus is > undetectable. The threshold of the test is 6,000. I > just talked to the nurse 2 minutes ago, and it has > hardly sunk in yet. The nurse suggested that the dr > may take me off the medication, I'm not sure about > that, it seems to me that they usually want to finish > the 48 weeks, don't they? I have been on it almost 29 > weeks now. At any rate I have an appointment to see > him September 5, at that point I'll have 33 weeks in. > We'll see what he says then. -dz- > > __________________________________________________ > Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted August 9, 2001 OOOOOO -dz-!!!!!!! That is great news. Congratulations on your tests and I'm with you . . . I'd be a little leary about being taken off them before the 48 weeks were up but then again, what do I know? Always, SJ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted August 9, 2001 -dz- !!!!!!!!!! I am sooooooooooo happy for you..... It paid off in the end..... I will be saying special prayers for you that you remain undetected....... I am just so happy for you... ;o Hang in there -dz-.......... All that sickness paid off........ YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH Angel Hugs, Diane Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted August 9, 2001 Hi Diane!!!!!!!!!! Great to have you back . . . you've been missed!!! Always, SJ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted August 10, 2001 Great News Dave! I was non-detectable also at 4 mos. but my doc said I had to continue treatment for the full year. I guess each doctor attacks this disease in their own way. I'm at 6 refills (12 weeks as of next week). My current complaint is that all those close to me seems to think that just because I've come so far on treatment that all my sides etc. have disappeared and I'm ok. I may sound like a spoiled baby but I am still having a hard time and that just makes it a little harder. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I feel that no one understands or is as supportive as they used to be. Anyway, it feels good to be posting and I hope everyone is doing as good as they can. Love to All. Vicky Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted August 10, 2001 Vicki I know just what you mean. Hubby says he understands but he don't. He likes to complain of his ailments and I finaly told him last night..Yea we all haveour crosses to bear or have you forgotten I am going through my own hurts right now? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted August 10, 2001 yeah, but then again that was the nurse talking. Dr is on vacation, so I am going to assume that I will complete the 48 weeks. It is going to help me, though in knowing that I'll be off, at least until they retest about 6-9 mos after termination of the tx. It gives me a little window to peep through for now... -dz- --- MrsDHANDSOME1@... wrote: > OOOOOO -dz-!!!!!!! That is great news. > Congratulations on your tests and > I'm with you . . . I'd be a little leary about being > taken off them before > the 48 weeks were up but then again, what do I know? > > Always, > SJ > __________________________________________________ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted August 10, 2001 There's Diane! Thank you. Ultimately all credit goes to God, we must to our part, for me that meant faithfully following the tx plan I chose, even though I accidentally missed several doses, my dr helped me handle the sides. And then I cannot forget the power of prayer, I had a lot of good people here and in my church sending prayers to God on my behalf, as I am here praying for each and every one of you success in battling this dragon. I can't underestimate the power of our group. I think it must please God, to hear us in the midst of our own suffering, raising a prayer for one of our fellows, who may be facing a little extra challenge. -dz- --- diane214@... wrote: > -dz- > !!!!!!!!!! I am sooooooooooo happy for > you..... It paid off in > the end..... I will be saying special prayers for > you that you remain > undetected....... I am just so happy for you... ;o > Hang in there > -dz-.......... All that sickness paid off........ > YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH > > > > Angel Hugs, > > Diane > > __________________________________________________ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted August 10, 2001 Maybe you should DZ. If it helps you out then do what you have to. God knows what U R going through even though they don't..So friend feel no guilt. Only we can take care of us and understand what we are going through not anyone else. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
