4 weeks VL, NOT RVR

[Marcia2202]

what a bummer..... my 4 week VL came back saying....

Hepatitis C (HCV) PCR: POSITIVE                               HCV PCR:  detectable, less than 80 IU/ml, not quantifiable


My hepa was happy that it had gone down from 1.3 million to that... Needless to say, that I wasn't too thrilled, as I was going for UND.

They don't usually prolong tx, but my hepa is open to it, due to the fact that I am geno 3a and partially Black American and that I'm informed and pushing. We had a great discussion and she will do another PCR at 8 weeks. I have stressed that if UND at 8 weeks I would rather add 8 weeks to treatment, than to risk relapse and do this whole thing again.

(I was referring to Dr. D's advice to add 24 weeks of tx after EVR.)

Now she is going to try and find studies supporting the fact to extend, if not RVR and I will supply her with what I have.

So what I would suggest is to go for 32 weeks of tx, if I EVR at 8 weeks. ( 8 + 24)


If anyone has any studies supporting this, could you please let me know... as the more literature I have on this, the better I can argue my point.

Thanks,

Marcia

[epiphiny]

I think it's very important to share how things are going for each person, the good, the bad and the ugly because we need to show a well rounded picture of treatment for all those considering it.  

I know of many people who refuse to treat as they have heard that tx is worse than the illness.  In some cases it is, in some cases it's not.  There is also an stereotype out there that these types of forums and support groups are filled with negativity which is also detrimental to those who might be trying to decide whether to treat or not as there is so much good information here that can actually help the treatment experience for the better.

Personally, I have good days and bad days, some are horrific, some are ok.  I manage to keep working mostly.  I also tend not to share when I'm feeling good, I also minimize what I am feeling because I compare it to what others are experiencing and I think that negatively impacts on my treatment because it's not about who has the worst or most difficult sx, it is relative for each individual and part of getting through this is accepting where we are with it.  We already feel bad, why feel bad about feeling OK?!

I also believe in the power of the mind and how we can influence our experience by keeping a positive and open mind.  Sometimes too much fear makes us paralyzed and let's face it, our perceptions can get pretty messed up with these drugs without adding more fear to the picture.

I'm not saying we should be Pollyanna about it all, I believe in a multifaceted knowledge base, but I also think we need to celebrate the good days to tide us over the difficult days.

I look forward to hearing some positive experiences!!

[Isobella]

Apparently I am not doing as good as I thought.  My neighbor just "popped in" and she kept saying she was sorry to have woken me up....I finally had to tell her I wasn't sleeping...I just look like this...LOL!

[Isobella]

"i.e. people don't talk about what an easy time they're having."

I am glad you mentioned this...it gives me an opening to say something that has bothered me as someone who is tolerating treatment very well.  There are three reasons that I don't feel comfortable telling many how "doable" tx has been for me(so far, lol!)

First-so many people that I care deeply about are having a tough time treating - it just doesn't seem right to talk about my relative walk in the park

Second-I feel part of the reason I am doing well is because of the advice I was given from these very same people.  Not that I am fooling myself that I have any control in this journey-in fact my worst sx are things I cannot control-anemia and neutropenia.  And I know that just because these first 9 weeks have been kind..that can change in a moment.

Third-I know that hearing balanced information is important-but look at me.  Minimal liver damage (1/0) in a clinical trial with all the risks/rewards that carries and having a relatively easy time of it. I struggle with sharing my experience because I don't want to lead anyone down this path and have it turn out bad for them.  

So, I guess in a round about way-that is my way of asking you if you think I should share the my perspective more as well or if it would somehow be misleading???

[comeagain]

Just a tip.
I´ve heard that Matt Chin no longer is juicing and therefore is getting rid of his monkey suit selling it at Ebay.

Think hes about the same size as Jenna, just a tip if you wanna try something different jim.

[comeagain]

Runnig neekkie with meekie in the forest, once you done that there is no going  back I can imagen.

We better ask dr D what he thinks about doing monkeysex while on treatment.
Even if rumors says hes done it twice him self, I´m not sure he will recomend it .

Extended tx with monkey sex in the formula I´m almost sure will be out of the question.
But as said before we better ask dr D.

PS dont get lost in the forests in Alaska.

[FlGuy]

"PAIN - Barfing - PAIN - Couldn't Think - Couldn't communicate - Could hardly move - could hardly breathe... Couldn't walk next door without Barfing or Crying or not breathing well. "

And that's just from the monkey sex.

Treatment was no walk in the park either, I imagine