Doc Lets me Double/Use for Other Posts

[jaroman]

With tomorrow's shot, I get to double the Pegasys. Kind of scared, but it is my only chance to hammer the beasties right now.
I will do it for a month(unless my platelets go to 30000)and then draw a PCR>
Happy HOlidays to Everybody!  Thanks for all you do!

[NYgirl]

My 4 week was 411 and now my 12 week is 419 < 50

I don't know what HCG Quantatative Serum is  but that is 2.4 <5
Same TSH Ultrasensitive TSH 1.67

AST and ALT up only a few.

Bah humbug.

Well...on and on just keeping trying since I don't have to stop unless nonresponsive at 24 weeks I guess!

[friole]

jaroman - this is good news, right?  I know you almost had a 2 log drop at 12 weeks - did you have a 24 wk pcr run?  I must have missed it if you did.  If so , what was it?

NY - bummer.  How odd that you stayed almost the same in 8 weeks.  What was your pretreatment VL?  Like you said, you are a responder and will overcome.  I would ask for a 16 week pcr and a 20 week too if your insurance will pay for it, and they may, since it may affect the length of your treatment.  

frijole

[NYgirl]

Started at 568,000 4 week 411 12 week 419.

I will get a couple more pcr's for sure.  I go to the doctor on the 29th and will see what he says.

I was so SURE it said zero. Oh well onwards and upwards now is when FAITH becomes a really big factor and my attitude can't give up I suppose or some life lesson.  But darn so CLOSE and yet so completely FAR.

If it had gone down I would have been ok but up? Even 8 is too many it just stayed the same all this time?

[cuteus]

every time I read that is an advantage to have low VL, I feel my skin crawl.  I know of at least 7, me included, with low initial VL that were still detectable at wk 12. I know we are a mini cosmos of the general population, but that is the reason I should not be reading so many detectables at wk 12. If I read the above one more time, I am going to scream. And now you. I was so sure for your negative also. But the bug is still down, and holding on to the ropes, you can pry it off them, with time. On with the fight!

[Forseegood]

you've got such a great positive attitude, you'll get your svr, by hook or crook.

[jaroman]

Yep,bummer, my 24 week was up 2.5 times the 12.  Told the doc we had to change something and this is the only thing I can do.
Oh yeah, 360mcg.

[GoofyDad]

Sorry for the dissappointment. I would hope you don't need to wait till wk 24 for a VL. If VL is not heading in the right direction between weeks 12 and 24, you might want to ask the doc about changing something.

Best wishes

[GoofyDad]

Hang tough, Pal. Feel good knowing that you are doing all you can. It's inspiring to watch you taking charge.... sound the trumpets, jaroman is on the ride!

[mistybean]

I wish you the best on your double dose.  For some reason.. that does not sound fun. Let us know what the ride is like.

Best to you

[NYgirl]

You know this doc of mine seems to not believe in changing anything so I guess once again I might need to uh "educate" him and convince him to do something perhaps. I will NOT wait for a 24 week pcr that is for SURE. 12 weeks would be a waste if nothing was going on.

I just honestly have no CLUE what I am supposed to do now except keeping doing the same old same old - which seems stupid if I am stalled.  

You would think with so FEW to kill off it would be so much EASIER but somehow it seems so much harder to get them when the starting vl is low.

I'd be willing to do 72 or more meds or different meds or whatever IF I can convince this doctor to do it. I guess I'll see.

All I know for sure if nothing changes by 24 he'll kick me off and throw me to the wolves right now. I can't let THAT happen!

I almost feel like pulling a "Jim" right now and bamming myself up to 4,000 Riba a day ;-)

(Just kidding jim and you know it).  Got to keep my crappy sense of humor I was so SURE.

[Califia]

Rev,  it's so durn good to see you here.  (Myself, I'm not really here, y'know.  Lurking.  Invisible.  Living on in Spirit Only.)    So would you mind bringing your adoring public up to date about your post-tx situation?  Has the alleged AIH resolved?  Gawd, I really hope so.  Got to say it's encouraging to hear you express interest in treating again, because it means you're back in fighting shape and ready for your next championship bout.  

Jaroman,  brave soul,  have a safe journey!  & give those virions hell.

[bobbyullc]

it sounds like you have an agressive dr. i hope it works. i have been taken my normal 120 mg on sunday and then shooting the remainder of the vial 70 mg on thursday on my own. here is the med paper i use to justify this. the sides have been much less severe in my case.
luck.
  http://www.hivandhepatitis.com/2004icr/ddw2004/docs/0516/051604_hcv_h.html

http://www.natap.org/2004/DDW/ddw_04.htm

[bobbyullc]

also forgot to mention my 12 weeks pcr was UNDECTABLE.

[iceboy]

Not what I wanted to hear today. You guys are tough and will battle this. Thats for sure. Jaroman, do you have any links on study

[sindog]

I'm confused. Started at 568,000, now at 12 wks at 419. Is that a 3 log drop?

[iceboy]

THATS RIGHT - congratulations NY Girl..... 3 log drop. This is right. It

[NYgirl]

Thank you so much guys.  You are helping (no scratch that forcing me) to stay positive when I really want to have a pity party.

I don't know why it stalled but of COURSE I am going to keep on fighting away.  If I hadn't had the 4 week I would have been totally jazzed...it's just knowing that the last 8 weeks of treatment didn't accomplish anything that makes me mad.

Iceboy - I was put on 1,000 Riba after asking my doctor to up it from the weight based 800 he wanted to put me on.  I really don't think at 5'7, 117lbs I can go any higher really.  I started at 125 and gainned five pounds pretreatment so I'm down really 13 pounds already...lookin pretty skeletal.

I tell you I would give myself the shot every 5 days and up the Riba (i am crazy you know) BUT I already botched up two of them somehow and am struggling around that calling my script in early every four weeks.  I had major resistance returning it at the pharmacy so now I am waiting to replace one pen into the other box so the date is more current.

They didn't want to hear that I pick up 4 at a time and it was a month old on the box. Dolts who cares?

I will get to UNDETECTIBLE eventually one way or the other.  You just call me CUTEUS JUNIOR cause I'm hot on her tail following along one way or the other!  ;-)

THANKS SO MUCH FOR THE ENCOURAGEMENT YOU ARE GIVING ME AND JAROMAN.  IT MEANS MORE THAN THE WORLD.

WE SHALL OVERCOME.....WE SHALL OVERCOME....   ;-)

[roxxiroo]

Hi, I've been a lurker for months. I just did my shot 10 on last Thursday night. It's been going relatively well on sides. I have needed the forum for info, support, humor, and the constant reminders to drink water. Thanks to all who post. The variety of thoughts has been fun.

[NYgirl]

Roxi I'm glad you posted!  As much fun as it is lurking it's more fun jabbering away! :)  I hope that this is the start of a good thing and we see you more in here!

Chev - as always thank you more than words.  You know i love ya big time.  PS Ice cream is my best riba friend and I'm NOT afraid to admit it here and now!  ;-)

Question/Comment: I have noticed in my charts that every week my ALT/AST were going DOWN a few points.  I got the 12 wk pcr back and voila...up a few points for the first time since treatment began. So...something damaging the ole liver.

Do you think monitoring what's going on with them is REALLY a good indicator of what is going on with the virus as a general rule?  I never really thought about THAT direct of a correlation (and I can't be sure that the virus came BACK compared to was always at the same number)...but it seemed curious to me, the insane chart staring wonder that I've become.

But at least they aren't in the 200s anymore - now 24 and 20 (20 and 16 last week).

[roxxiroo]

My age 56, had HCV for 34 years, biopsy was 2/2, geno type 1a, starting VL screen for treatment was 1,078,488, has been over 3,000,000 before dropping the wine, and 4 week pcr was great.  thanks for asking..

[jmjm530]

Before I double-dosed Peg early in tx my doc told me most people don't notice a difference in side effects. Now doubling the riba is an altogether other story. :)

-- Jim

[couldn't think of a nickname]

Yes, I believe that is a 3 log drop. 1 log would be 56,000, 2 logs 5,600, and 3 logs 560.

Looks like a good number.

[sindog]

My doc warned me not to focus too much on the 4 week pcr results. She said the important test is at 12 weeks. Sounds like nygirl is responding to tx and that's good!

[sindog]

Have you or your doctor explored infergen? I think it is a synthetic interferon and possibly stronger.