48 vs. 52 weeks?

[Fubarcat]

I see a lot of people posting that they are on their meds for 48 weeks.  My doc said a year for me.  I am confused.  Did he just say a year as a figure of speech and 48 weeks is the standard, or is 52 weeks or a full year also a recognized treatment period?  I guess I could ask him, BUT HIS OFFICE IS CLOSED TODAY!!!  (Playing golf in the Fla. sunshine, I'm sure!  Where are they when you need to ask an inane question???).  Anyway, just wondering if anyone is actually on 52 weeks.  Thanks.

[BethUK]

My hospital do 52 weeks.  Unfortunately from hanging round on this site too much, I got the impression I was only doing 48, and completely freaked when they told me around week 46 that I had another 6 weeks to go!  I did my homework and found out that it was just consultants personal preferences, not the general standard of care.  I declined the extra 4 weeks and it's worked out for me.

Early on in your treatment you may think "what's another 4 weeks?"  but I can tell you after 40+ weeks you are completely worn down by it.

[DH Bill]

Being a+b don't you think you could talk nurse Hatchet into giving you 96 weeks? She might even pay the dif and give you the shots : )

[Revenire]

Hey, what do you know? I am a 1a Stage 3 ... we're going to go back to Stage 1-2 after tx and get SVRs! Both of us!

Scott

[DH Bill]

The standard is 48 weeks. I'm 1b grade 1 and am scheduled for 48 but like revenire said it could be more depending on your circumstances.

[rudy222]

Yep, the STANDARD is 48 weeks, OR 24 weeks after undetected, whichever is longer.  Some of us respond slower, some faster.  Some do, some don't.

rudy

[raheem]

When I started tx, my doc said "the genotype 1b HCV treatment is currently 48 weeks, but I like to give 52."  I said why's that? And he kind of backed off and said we can just do 48 if that is my preference.  I said yes it is because I was not aware of any data out there that suggests 52 weeks is better than 48.  Moreover, it may even be harmful for all I know, you simply can't keep prematurely killing your cells for a long time without some adverse effects. (anemia, neutropenia, thyroid problems, weight loss, hair loss, skin problems, infections, etc.) I know some folks are going longer than 48 and 52 and for them it very well may be appropriate, for me 48 is all I'm willing to do unless some hard data proves otherwise.

[MajNeni]

I think most US doctors refer to the standard treatments as 6 months for 24 weeks and one year for 48 weeks.  In some countries, they do 50 or 52 weeks as standard for 1's.  Your doc may have his own slant on this, but the NIH Consensus Statement of 2002 gives 24 and 48 weeks as the standard of care. (48 for 1's and 4's).
Maj Neni

[Fubarcat]

Thanks.  I did forget to mention that I'm a 1b, Grade 3.

[DownThisRoad]

I'm 1a and doing 40/48.  My GI has already hinted to me that I will probably stay on my treatment meds for an extension period past my 48 weeks.  How long I asked him.  He said we will talk about that when we get there and then also turned around in another conversation with me and said that he really wants to see me do a 6-8 weeks extension.

I wrinkled up my face and told him to go away and leave me alone. (smile)

[DH Bill]

It's kind of weird my main nurse just resigned a week ago, very abruptly except I don't know if it was her or him. Guess I'll know more tomorrow.

[honey1616]

hahaha Is that where the name Nurse Hatchett came in to place?  I laugh everytime you talk about her and always wondered why she was pegged as nurse hatchett.

[Fubarcat]

That wasn't mean - that was hysterical!  
To everyone:  Thanks for the explanations.  Next time I see my doc I'll ask him if he was just using "a year" as a figure of speech or if he meant it literally.  I've learned he doesn't like to be pinned down, so I'm sure he'll say - "We'll talk when you get to that point".  No big deal.  If I can do 48, I'm sure 52 isn't going to do me in.  Good night all.  Pleasant, relaxing sleep to all!

[honey1616]

Yep...if we can make that big 48..whats another 4 weeks?  Heh  we will have to remember this time next year and ask each other and see if we can go the extra 4 if needed.  LOL  ok happy sleeping.  I'm on my way to a hot bubble bath and comfy bed.  Nite All!

[Revenire]

I did 50 weeks, full tx, then switched to peginterferon alone (no riba). The standard is 48 weeks for type 1s but a lot of doctors go longer in a variety of cases: the severity of the liver damage, when a person clears (if you don't clear by 12 weeks a lot of times tx is extended). There are a few others I can't think of.

I extended the tx to attempt to reduce fibrosis and Pegasys can and does do that.

Take care of yourself,

Scott