I did the standard treatment: Peg and Riba and responded by 12 weeks (2 log drop) and was undetectable after 14 weeks. Unfortunately, I relapsed one month post TX. Ont he good side of things, inflamation subsided and I felt better for a year and a half. Now I am starting to feel sick again, so this is just in time.
I only hope I don't get a placebo, since I know what that outcome will be. I hope you succeed in getting in the trial as well.
Believe me, I hear you about turning your life upside down! What treatment were you on that took you from a Grade 4 to Grade 1?
I continued to work and raise my three daughters alone the first two times I went through treatment, both of which I failed to respond. Based on my July '05 biopsy showing Grade 2, Stage 3 with bridging fibrosis, my doctor urged me to treat ASAP. I wanted to wait until May '06 for my youngest to graduate from high school, and he said I didn't have time to wait. I agreed to start Infergen/Riba January 9, '06 and this time went on full medical disability from my job, and my husband and I moved our wedding date forward by several months so that I would have my long hair in my wedding pictures, not the bald head I expected to have after treatment. I also wanted my new husband to be able to make decisions for me if I wound up in the hospital, etc.
I needn't have bothered. Nine weeks into Infergen/Riba I was pulled from treatment due to non-response and retinal hemorrhaging, and have been on disability ever since. I'm bored out of my mind, but don't feel honestly I could work right now. I'm willing to go anywhere in the world to get this over with!!! My husband and I have so many plans and things we want to do, and all I've been doing for over a year is waiting, and waiting and waiting and waiting.
I didn't buy my usual season's pass for skiing for the '05-'06 season because I thought I'd be in treatment, nor did I pay my fees to launch my boat last summer because I thought I'd be in treatment. It just goes on and on and on. I hope for your sake you're in and you clear! My thoughts are with you and your wife both! I'd gladly live in a hut if I could just get into this trial!
I am not in for sure; I have to wait for the bloodwork to come back. I don't anticipate anything to prevent me from participating, so I am probably in.
I believe I contracted HepC in 1961. I am stage 3, although the last Biopsy, two years ago, said stage 3 transitional. I am not sure whether transitional is a standard description of stage 3 or means I am moving to stage 4. My last viral load was 1,600,000. I was grade 4 for many years and then moved to grade 1 after my last tx.
I turned my life upside down in order to participate in this; I retired last January and expected to be living the good life, sailing and relaxing in Florida. Instead, my wife and I are living in a tenament in Manhattan for the next few months paying a rediculous rent! Seriously, it is wort it if I can get rid of this after 40+ years.
Hey, thanks for this info. Are you in for sure? If you don't mind my asking, what are your stats, as in grade/stage, VL, etc.? This is PROVE 3, right? I didn't think they'd be doing any placebos in a trial for non-responders. That seems cruel to me.
Good luck to you! I was in group c 24 weeks, had my 8 week post test 2 weeks ago and still clear. Vertex cleared me by day 4! again good luck.
Pam