ALTERNATIVE Treatments if NO SVR after TX

[NYgirl]

Well I saw my doofus doctor today (told me he's NEVER had anybody before who had NO fever or body aches during tx - I was a bit surprised) but I might be anemic now so did the blood work.

Anyways I asked him what we would do if I was not responding. HE said we would NOT base it on the 4wk PCR (which I had to beg for) - we would not get all suicidal but continue onwards. Duh.

SO I said what if I am not responding at 24wks.  What will we try next?

He said nothing. That would be IT.

I said wait I know a lot of people who continued onwards...

So here is my question which I think might be useful for others later too just in case:

What are the next treatment regimens that others have been put on if they did not respond to the first tx?

this way I can begin to have my argument completely ready - otherwise I will find a new doctor who will agree with the next phase.

He told me the only thing he would try is to find a trial = protocol or something I didn't understand.

I need all the ammunition I can get and all the proof that longer/new whatever treatments DO LEAD TO SVR.

Just in case!

Thanks,Debby

[NYgirl]

Thank you for your words.  I am lucky that I am in NY - this guy just doesn't seem enough "up on the latest" really to me and a bit laid back.

I'm sure it's just cause the 4week pcr is coming - and I started to think hum...what if?

This whole disease is not only physical it plays some mind trip on you as well. that is a fact!

Just got to get my gusto back.  This week I've been physically DRAINED - and fainting and having this buzzing in my head that it's been a bit difficult.  Of course he seemed to think the buzzing WAS in my head but I am here to tell you it is not.  ;-)

[sunspot]

I went through the same anxiety as you, one week before my first PCR. I was bouncing off the walls with.

[FlGuy]

If you go to www.thebody.com and find the forum on hepatitis treatment you'll see Q&As to/from Dr. Douglas Dietrich who is at NYU school of medicine.  He has frequently told questioners/people in treatment to contact his group for treatment/consultation.  Just one of many in the sea of Drs. Not sure if you're in the city - but he could be an option.  The Q&As are interesting - but brief.

[NYgirl]

I am always looking to read more. I find is fascinating having some clue about what's what.  i'm a kind of nosey in person I guess in real life now..I want to understand how everything works.  Maybe since my body is so tired my brain is trying to make up for things!

Going to go read there now, thanks again, thanks a million!

[susan400]

There's always off label treatments if you can find a doctor who is willing to be more aggressive in treating you.  There's higher doses of Ribavirin, which is what I'm doing now.  And there's always the wait and see approach if you're able to do that.

Susan

[PasoPerson]

Just wanted you to know that my VL pre-tx was 1,300,000.  My 4-week PCR found me every bit as anxious as you, probably worse.  Results, of course, take over a week after the test, too.  When they came, I was so disappointed.  My VL at 4 weeks was 427,400.

This was only a .66 log drop.  I got so depressed, convinced myself I would never be SVR, etc.  What a twit I can be!  A dear person on this board pointed out to me that, sure, I was not SVR at 4 weeks, but a .66 log drop is one-third of the way to SVR.  

Four weeks is one-third of the way to 12 weeks.  Well, duh duh duh ... this little ole lady picked herself up and on we go.  The folks here are closer than anyone I know, except for my wonderful hubby.

So, even if it's not what you WANT, it will be what you need to know at this time.  Keep on keeping on.  The chance we take with a 4-week VL test is just that - a chance.  The truth can be painful, or it can be just what we hoped.  But it's the truth nonetheless.  God is in control.  God will help you.  But He will do that in HIS time, not in our time.  (He's pretty sneaky about that in my life, anyway.)

I will pray for you daily, NYgirl. God bless you.