More test results

[MrsC]

Hi to all:  Got more blood tests back.  Need an opinion on them, please.
AFP = 10.9
Viral load = 800,000
genatype = 1a

So what does all this mean?  Have so much to learn.  Have learned that PegIntron (which I was on for only 5 wks becasue of such bad symptoms) vs. Pegasys is that Pegasys has a problem with white & red blood cells but that the symptoms are abit easier.  Anyone of you tried both, if so, what is your story on the difference.  I have a choice whether I want to go back on PegIntron (Probably won't) or Pegasys (haven't decided yet)
My prayers and thanks  :) MrsC

[NYgirl]

wow THAT IS THE FIRST TIME I'VE REALLY SMILED IN A LONG TIME!

No WONDER my doctor is insisting that it's 72 weeks and not 54 or 60 or 68 it's 72!  Hey...for the BOOST for hard to treats and relapsers and non-responders - YOWZA does this give us a MUCH MUCH MUCH BETTER CHANCE than even regular!  I would consider doing the 72 now even IF I hadn't not gotten UND to somewhere between 12 and 24 weeks!

Seriously - thank you.  It's the first time I haven't been seriously depressed about having to do MORE time~

I'll do 18 months standing on my head!  And now I owe it all to you!  :)

The relapse rate was reduced by prolonged duration of therapy for 18 months therapy from 48% to 13% (p=0.005). For genotype 1 patients sustained viral response rate was 28% for 12 months vs 44% for 18 months of therapy.

I had a 3log drop by week 4 an been UND a while so this really SHOULD up my percentages big time!

LETS GO YOU AND I CAN DO THIS!

[Kalio1]

Yeah! Glad it gave you a boost! It did me too. This long haul wears on us but we are chopping away at every day! We are 2/3rds of the way through!
Don't work too hard, hope you are hanging in there.

[NYgirl]

I'm hanging in much better than I was...just looking at the numbers made me FEEL better psychologically you know?  it's SENSIBLE the longer you treat the better the chances it won't return...but seeing data just helps you FEEL better for some reason (LOL some good reason).

I don't feel bad about doing the 72 as long as you are still around too (misery LOVES company dont you know!)

As a geno 1 x 2 myself...I think it's the right way to go (although I admit I hated it so much when Cuteus said it I could barely BREATHE...but at that point I think I'd only been treating a few months and it seemed like forever away...now...just another 7 months no biggie ;)

And I see why my doctor insisted it was 72 or nada extra.  I was so mad that he wouldn't agree to just 60 weeks or something - but he IS looking out for what is BEST for me (whether it's easy or I like it or not).

With the facts supporting it it would make no sense to do 58 or something........the facts are 18 months so I am GO!

[GrandOak]

Thx for sharing Kalio!

At least now if I can achieve UND there may be hope of SVR.

[susan400]

I did drank gobs of water, but I also drank juice in the morning, milk on my cereal, a glass of Sprite at lunch and a glass of decaf. sweet tea at night. Remember I'm a Southern Gal and got hooked on sweet tea when I was little. Here in Florida is so warm about 9 mon. out of the year(or so it seems) and to me when it does get cold it feels REALLY cold so I'm running the heat.  A/C when it's hot, Heat when it's cold, very seldom do I feel that the temp is such that I want to open up the windows.  Usually in Fla. we're known for the extremes, IMHO. But, both of these things make you feel more dried out, too.  Usually, when I didn't drink enough my throat felt pretty scratchy.

Susan

[susan400]

Oops, I put this in the wrong spot, I meant to post this 2 posts up. Oh well!

[MrsC]

Thanks for the help.  But still don't understand the viral load 800,000.  Where am I with this number and what does it mean?
Thanks again.  And best wishes  MrsC :)

[GrandOak]

Geno 1a is considered the toughest to treat, I forget the precentages which attain SVR.

See http://www.hepatitis-central.com/hcv/whatis/vl.html for information of VL.

I recently researched PegIntron vs. Pegasys because I was asked if I would consider switching from Pegasys to PegIntron because of the weight based dosing.  What I found was:

   1) Weight based dosing does not seem to make a difference
      in attaining SVR.
   2) The sx's seem less severe on Pegasys.
   3) A study indicated that Pegasys maintains a more consistent
      level of IFN in the body between injections and even
      recommend that PegIntro be inject twice weekly to maintain
      a consistant level of IFN in the body.
   4) The rate of relapse seems to be greater for those who
      used Pegasys than PegIntron.
   5) A study is currently underway which has as one objective
      a head to head comparison of PegIntron vs. Pegasys.  
      However, this same study is also being sponsored by the
      same company which produces PegIntron, so I for one will
      probably be more of a skeptic of the results.
   6) Very few folks have switched during tx, but some have
      used both when they relapsed and switched to the other
      regimen for tx.

[NYgirl]

From what I have heard and read PegINTRON is a better choice for tough strains of Geno 1 - although doctors will always have their own opinions and that is just how they usually decide WHICH treatment you go on is the one that their center supports the drug company of.

I have Geno 1A and also 1B and two doctors insisted on Intron.  

But again it's probably personal perspective.  I don't think there is really that big a difference between them with sides at all because I have read a lot of people in here that have had it much worse than I in here.

[Kalio1]

Hey NY ( and anyone doing 18months+) I came across this and thought you would want to see it!
Maybe you have seen it before but I hadn't and it gave me a boost. I sure like a 70% reduction in relapse rate and a 50% increase on the odds of SVR!
http://www.natap.org/2004/EASL/easl_06.htm

[Kalio1]

Here is one chart that shows what viral loads are, low, high, etc. Keep in mind the V umbers do fluctuate so you might want to have one done right before you begin tratment (if you do treat) beause that is when it wil be important. Having a "low" VL increases your chances of success in clearing this virus with treatment. Your numbers put you in the "low" category.Sounds ike you are learningmore every day, it is confusing and a lot to learn in the beginning but eventually you become familiar with the terms and understanding of this disease. Glad you are still visitng here. DO you know what you plan to do yet?

200,000 to 1,000,000 low

1,000,000 to 5,000,000 medium

5,000,000 to 25,000,000 high

above 25,000,000 very high

[MrsC]

Thanks for the chart.  Does clear things up in my mind on that 800,000 number.  Made my husband feel better.  He's more nervous than I am (I think). Don't really know what to do.  It's like I have always said that I would never do Chemo if I had Cancer, seen to many friends not be able to enjoy there time thats left to live.  IThe first time I did PegIntron the doctor took me off, way to sick to stay on it and only after 5 weeks.  Couldn't function, let alone enjoy my grandchildren
So I don't know what I am going to do. Really a quandry. Right now I feel pretty darn good and hope it lasts FOREVER....but don't know what to expect down the road.  I would guess that there's alot of us here that are in the same situation and I'm sure alot that are worse, which makes me feel sad.  My prayers and best wishes to all, Thanks again. MrsC :)