Finished treatment 2 days ago and now sure how I feel!

[Jane_s]

Have just had my last lot of pills 2 nights ago (after 48 weeks)and am feeling a little lost. I keep reachiing for my pills to take and am feeling a little nervous now that they aren't there any more. I was clear at 12 weeks and I guess I figure if nothing else while on treatment I weas keeping the virus at bay or at least under control and now nothing to keep it away anymore - I'm sure as time goes on this will change but its hard to let go of habits you've had everyday for a year

[Honey15637]

Jane,,,I think that is perfectly normal. Its an old habit but you will find as time goes on,,,a habit that you gladly are rid of. I was also very scared as the meds were also the safety net for the virus to be gone but as time goes on,,,you will feel better and then soon be so happy to be off of that routine schedule.  It took me about 7 days before I could start feeling different.  Hope you get a speedy come back to feeling normal!

[twotells]

I felt the same way when I finished tx 6 mo ago.  After 96 wks it had really become a way of life, then the certainty was gone and the uncertainty of waiting for the PCR's and waiting for my energy to return was unsettling.  I have heard many people say the same thing.  You can feel a little lost.  Hang in there- you'll adjust and begin to focus on feeling better and moving on.  Congrats on completing your tx,  Dave

[layla]

It was the same for me and I was surprised how long that feeling lasted. Always searching for your meds and thinking about your shot. Thanks goodness it does eventually go away. LL

[mikeymike2]

I hope you dont' mind me butting in on this thread but people may be interested in the recent interim results of clinical trials of MN285 - they seem promising.  Amy thoughts anybody?



ENHANCED ANTIVIRAL EFFICACY FOR VALOPICITABINE (NM283) PLUS PEG-INTERFERON IN HEPATITIS C PATIENTS WITH HCV GENOTYPE-1 INFECTION:  RESULTS OF A PHASE IIA MULTICENTER TRIAL
N. Afdhal, M. Rodriguez-Torres, E. Lawitz, E. Godofsky, G. Chao, B. Fielman, S. Knox, N. Brown  



Background

Only 40-50% of HCV-1 infected hepatitis C patients respond to pegylated interferon (peg-IFNα) plus ribavirin therapy.  NM283 is a novel nucleoside analog that as monotherapy reduced serum HCV RNA by a mean 1.2 log10 (94%) in a recent 15-day trial in HCV-1 patients, most of whom had previously failed antiviral therapy for HCV infection.  NM107, the parent compound of NM283, and interferon alfa exhibit synergistic antiviral effects against BVDV models in vitro, prompting the current investigation of  NM283 combined with peg-IFNα in treatment naïve patients with chronic hepatitis C.



Methods

A multicenter, open-label phase IIa trial is evaluating whether NM283 plus peg-IFN&#945;-2b has enhanced antiviral activity compared to NM283 alone in HCV-1 infected patients.  Key entry criteria are:  HCV RNA >5 log10 IU/mL, ALT <5 xULN, compensated liver disease, treatment naïve.  Eligible patients are randomized 2:3 to NM283 or peg-IFN&#945; + NM283 (combinationRx).  NM283 is dosed orally QD for 24 weeks in both groups, escalating to 800 mg/day over the first week and then continuing at that dose. The group randomized to combinationRx receives peg-IFN&#945;-2b (1.0 &#956;g/kg weekly) starting on Day 8.



Results

Presently 19 of 30 planned patients (age 22-65, 68% males) are enrolled and have received 10 or 12 weeks of treatment.  Tolerance of both treatments has been satisfactory.  Mean HCV RNA reductions (log10 IU/mL) from baseline to the last patient visit are 1.0 for the NM283 monotherapy group and 3.2 for the combinationRx group.  Eleven of twelve combinationRx patients treated for at least 10 weeks have had substantial HCV RNA reductions (range 1.2-6.2 log10), and 8 of 12 patients have achieved >2 log10 decrease in HCV RNA, which has been associated with sustained response to current standard Rx. Presently 4 patients are PCR-negative (<10 IU/mL).  12-week early virological response data will be presented at the meeting.



Conclusions

NM283 combined with peg-IFN&#945; shows consistent, rapid and marked anti-HCV activity in patients with HCV-1 infection, a historically difficult-to-treat group.  Initial EVR rates with combinationRx are encouraging and support continued investigation of NM283 and NM283 + peg-IFN&#945;, which may offer improved efficacy and tolerability for patients with HCV-1 infection

[miked]

NM283 is definetly one to watch.  As the clinical trials go on it will be interesting to understand if ALL of the patients go undetectable and if so will they STAY undectable.
My son has cystic fibrosis and we've watch gene therapy trials that correct the cellular problem but then reverse back.  Also this is a Phase II clinical trial that is testing a slightly larger group of patients for effectiveness and doseage tolerance.  If it goes to Phase III there will be a much larger patient population enrolled and the outcome will determine if it gets a nod from the FDA for approval.

[cuteus]

it looks as if interferon will continue to be in the picture, so we should not wait for anything without, right?

[miked]

I failed peg/rbv but am fortunate to have good liver stats.  However I strongly desire to kill this virus.

Daily Infergen seems to be kicking people's a** and I'm not choosing this route unless pressed.  If NM283 goes clinical, I'm on it with or without INF.

New EASL news on NM283 out today at http://www.hivandhepatitis.com/2005icr/easl/docs/042205_a.html

"Week 12, patients receiving combination therapy had a mean reduction in HCV RNA levels of -3.01 log10 compared to -0.87 log10 in the valopicitabine monotherapy arm. At week 24, the 9 patients receiving combined therapy had a mean reduction of -4.5 log10 IU/mL. By Amplicor (LLOQ 600 IU/mL) and TaqMan (LLOQ 10 IU/mL) 8/9 and 6/9 subjects, respectively had undetectable HCV RNA.Those patients allocated to the combo arm who had detectable HCV RNA at week 12 experienced subsequent drops in their HCV RNA levels by week 24. Breakthroughs have not occurred in any patient."

[nanniegea]

Sorry to change the subject but when reading through the threads someone mentioned being careful about dogs or animals jumping up and causing damage to some of the organs, spleen ect. I had to have an endrometrial biopsy the other day and the doc did it in her office. She told me it would not hurt much but she was very mistaken, it hurt like hell!!! Since that happened my insides feel like someone jumped up and down on my guts and I'm having spurts of liver pain and pain on my right side too. I'm wondering if my tensing up from pain has caused some sort of damage? Or is it just sore from the trauma and nothing to worry about? I do know that if the need to repeat this procedure ever arises, she will have to give me something or I will refuse it. Do you think I have anything to worry about or just wait and see how it goes for the next few days? I am not in constant pain, just sporadic spurts and feeling tender in the abdomen area.

[Docsgold]

Hi jane,

I am right behind you.  I take my last 3 ribaviron tonight and am through after 48 weeks.  I was also clear at 12 weeks.  It feels good to be through, but also scary. I look forward to feeling good again--whatever that was like.  Now onto the dreaded wait for the 3 month PCR.  Good luck to you and me.  

Wouldn't you know this last week of tx 3 of those stupid dry patches developed on my forehead?  Hadn't had those in 4 or 5 months.  I am sure I have something in the drawer of pills, elixirs, creams, oils.............LOL