The prove 1 trials

[Upbeat]

I can't wait for the results of this trial. Even I would think about doing the treatment if I only had to do 12 weeks.  In my case with the odds so low of clearing with standard treatment I can't amagine going through a year of what I hear from people on this board. Lets hope this pans out as I would like to be rid of the virus as much as anyone.

                                                        Ron

[goldyn]

Thank you for your prayers ,and welcome to the forum....
My son is in the Navy were you?

[52TELE]

Upbeat , I really dont think your approach is unreasonable or even pointedly dangerous  . When  I asked my hep doc about prognosis if I dont treat , his answer was "probably 20 yrs before you get into trouble (grade 2 stage 3 non drinker). At 49 ,that seemed kind of reasonable to me , but there was no way I could justify non treatment to my family . All things being equal ,I would have to do some serious thinking about whether or not I wanted to spend the next year putting my 60 year old , all be it, well taken care of body through all of the hell that you have read about here from all of us. Thats just my opinion , I could be wrong.

Good luck , and If your best fight is the one of non treatment , take that fight to the disease with all the conviction you can bring to bear.
What ever you do , it will be the right decission.
Eat some BBQ.

[NavyChick]

Praying for your son and you..
GodSPeed
NavyChick

[goldyn]

Thanks Dyce he needs all the Heavenly protection he can get..

[Upbeat]

Thank You both.  I feel both of you made your comments out of concern and understanding. If nothen else  you have convinced me to at least go the fibrosure test.  I more than likely have a certain amount of liver damage maybe even a lot. Since my odds of SVR still are nill it might not change my decision on treatment. Again thanks for the concern.

                                                     Ron

[can-do-man]

whether a person decides to tx or wait is up to them. And i fall more on the watch and wait end if a person has little or no damage. But will back whatever they decide.

The only thing is feeling good does not mean theres no damage. I was hardly ever sick, worked long hard hours, played on our softball team, played full court basketball with my much younger sons. Found out thru a routine blood test i had hep-c. Felt great, no pains around the liver, thought no big deal. After 3 years of my wife and doctor nagging me. My doctor ask me to at least have the fibrosure test. So i did, it showed stage 4 and grade 2. Decided to see a hepatolgist. Had a bx. and it also showed the same. I still felt great but had cirrhosis that was advancing. Also ended up a type 2 diabetic.
And 48 years old.

I back whatever you decide. Just wanted to let you know feeling good don't been theres not trouble going on down there. Wishing you the best.

[goldyn]

Thank you for your good words and Blessings for my son .

[cuteus]

i would be petrified of waiting without a biopsy, even if normal enzymes readings, but that is just me.
good luck

[honey11]

Ron,,,,Sounds like to me that you would have a great shot at tx.  Seem to be in good health,,,slim,,,Viral load is not really a factor and in fact mine was 8.5 mil right before beginning tx.  You are just now 60 and it has been said older then 60,,,could be a point against but many have treated older then that so doesn't look like a negative factor at all.  And you are so right,,,,everyone needs to make the decision that they will be comfortable with!  Best Wishes to you!

[dyce]

Ha goldyn , your son will be in my prayers .

[Mister beagle bailey]

What geno type are you?  How long ago did you treat the first time?  Was it the old meds of 3 shots a week?  I know a lot of questions but just wanted to know.  I'm a 2B and that doesn't mean I'll clear.  I've seen 2's and 1's both clear and relapse, I guess it is what it is.

Happy Holiday

[Upbeat]

After doing the research all the odds are against me.  My age 60  my viral load 7 mil my geno type 1b  the length of infection 30 years.  I don't know about the liver damage as I never went the bx way. I found out 5 years ago I had the virus and after looking at the pros and cons of treatment I decided to change my life style and try and live with the virus. I run ever morning for 1 hour without fail.  I am 6.0 tall and weight 165 lbs. My scale shows a BMI of 17. I feel great and find it hard to change the quality of life vrs the quanity of life. I in no way suggest anyone go the way I did. Everyone has to make their own decision on their own stats. I respect anyones decision on how they deal with the virus and hope they respect mine.

                                                          Ron

[goldyn]

Thanks , Can-do he is a good boy....

[can-do-man]

Tell Bryan thanks from me and be well. To tell a mama not to worry, well i won't. But be proud of him. Sounds like you did a great job and raised a fine son. Our thoughts will be with bryan and all the other fine young men and women.

Sad but it seems we hear all the bad about young people, and not enough good about alot of them. Take care, and have that xmas dinner ready. Home cooking will sure sound good to him.

[goldyn]

Thanks for your comment My dad was in the military and my 21yrold son leaves for Iraq in 2 weeks he will be guarding the oil wells . He will be gone for 6 mths, I will miss him greatly,I talked to him a couple of days a go and i told him how worried i am for him but i know the Good Lord will watch out for him and keep him safe, he told me mama the only thing you have to worry about is makin sure you have my Christmas dinner waiting for me cause ill be comming home.....
Please those of you who pray his name is Bryan please say a couple of good words for him and those of you think good thoughts please keep him in those too.....

                     Blessings
                                  Angie

[jmjm530]

I've long since given up trying to make this place into what I think it should be and even discussing why.

But I will make a general comment outside of your discussion with Space Coast -- as long as I remember, you've demonstrated character, guts and determination sticking up for folks here. You really should be commended by all, because it is truly a thankless task.  

-- Jim

[honey11]

Upbeat,,,,why do you think your chances are so low? Geno type?  overweight?  Liver biopsy showing advanced damage?  Lots do treat here,,,,granted,,, but there is others that have decided to wait.  Those are for the most part,,,,little or no damage so time is on there side and seem to be in great health and keeping the enzymes in check on a regular basis.  Its not that our goal is treat or highway,,,,its just at this point,,,that is only way to get rid of disease and also many are not getting younger.  Chances seem to slim down as you age also.

[Upbeat]

I gotta tell you.  It seems like most who opt for treatment have this need for everyone to be in the same boat with them.  There seems to be no room for others that approach this virus differently. Maybe you feel more secure in numbers and it helps you justify your decision. All I know for sure is the attitude of this group is our way or the highway. That in itself is of concern.

                                                      Ron

[can-do-man]

Happy holiday to all. And a special thats to long forgotten vets. Past vets. and current military people for making it possible for all of us here to have our freedom of speech.

[jmjm530]

I think everyone has a good point depending on where they are coming from, when they treated, as well as their own individual stats.

BB, I agree with you that we really don't know when the new drugs are coming down the pike -- in fact we don't know for certainty IF they will come out of trial.

However, there is a reasonable expectation that preliminary Vertex SVR data will be available early 2007, with six month data to follow 90 days later, and with more complete data to flow throughout most of 2007 from both the Prove 1 and Prove 2 trials.

Based on this reasonable expectation, it would also be reasonable for some to factor this reasonable expectation into the decision to treat versus watch and wait. In other words, watch not only our liver condition, but whatever trial data is forthcoming over the next year or so.  Of course, so much depends on the amount of liver damage as well as other factors.

-- Jim

[Mister beagle bailey]

Ron,
There are those who treated more then once and have cleared the virus the second time around, with a combo of different meds.  It's a gamble I know, but we don't really know when the new drugs are coming down the pike.  

BEAGLE

[cuteus]

well, don't tell that to dollface, Doubledose and mikesimon for starters, they did more than one and got their goal! they don't have to wait for any results of trials, ever. I think the actual SVR rates might be higher than the studies show, if I go by this board...
happy waiting...

[Upbeat]

Wow
     If it didn't work the first time why in the world would you try it again?  All thinks being equal the odds say it won't work the second time.  My hats off to you Iam to much of a pantywaist to try it one time much less twice. If my odds of sucess were higher maybe.  Good luck I wish you the best.

                                                          Ron