How long to wait to re-treat? Post TX PCR.

[jmjm530]

Feeling very positive finishing my 2nd week without Peg and my first without riba -- but being the pro-active soul I am, a couple of questions:

(1) Some of you like Calio, have jumped right back on the treatment bandwagon within days/weeks of relapse. Goofy, I believe has indicated he'd do the same thing in case of relapse.

Others, have indicated their doctors wanted them to rest/heal like 6-months or so before re-treating, as mine once suggested.

First, for all those who re-treated, how long did you treat and how long did you wait before re-treating, and what logic if any did your doctor give you?

And related, did any of your doctors discuss in detail the why's or why nots of re-treating sooner or later. I ask this second part because one way of looking at it is to hit it hard again before the virus has time to get strong. Another way, is to take a rest and let the immune system get strong before re-treating.

(2) So when exactly is the 4-week post-tx PCR/TMA?
When we count our treating weeks, we start with the Peg shot. So our treating week 4 PCR would be the day before our 5th shot. I'm assuming it works similar post treatment, except the difference is post tx we already start with drugs in our system. So do you start counting from the day of your last shot. Or, do you start counting from the day of your last riba?

Here's my example. Last shot Wed March 8th. Last Riba Wed March 15th. I therefore think my week 4 PCR/TMA should  be Tuesday April 4th. But counting from last riba would make it April 11th. Any input welcome.

Thanks.

-- Jim

[GoofyDad]

IMO the PCR/TMA s/b PDQ!

I'm thinking 4 weeks, but we'll see.

I think Kalio's doc is viewing this as a continuation of her tx, because they caught it in time. That certainly sounds attractive to one who was considering extending anyway.

I'll maybe email into the doc and get his opinion on that strategy. I know he's reluctant to test too much when there is no clinical significance - and I tend to agree. We'll see.

As far as when to retreat, I guess it in part depends on the above. If that didn't pan out, I'd probably wait a few months, then fire it up again. Maybe would try a taste of the peg-intron next time.... it seems so popular...

Of course this is all academic. I honestly am not stressing it. I was stressing the decision to stop, but now I'm cool.  

Hey Tate. Yup I stopped. Hoping for the best now.

[mikesimon]

Susan, you really are an inspiration. I think of you often and not just HCV related areas. I wish you good lick Susan. Mike

[mikesimon]

I meant "luck" not "lick" - I wasn't trying to be cute that time. Mike

[jmjm530]

Goof said: I think Kalio's doc is viewing this as a continuation of her tx, because they caught it in time. That certainly sounds attractive to one who was considering extending anyway.
-----------------
So using her doc's logic, that would argue for weekly post-tx PCR's for those planning on re-treating. OK. I'll let the whole post-tx thing drop for now since we're both gonna SVR anyway.  



-- Jim

[jmjm530]

Thanks for the well wishes. I actually am very positive (although no one seems to believe me LOL) it's just my nature is to to keep fighting until the deed is totally done -- and in this case that would be SVR. The only reason thing I'm researching now is if there's a time-sensitive reason to re-treat sooner, and I'm starting to come to the conclusion there isn't. A more plausible scenario in the statitically unlikely event I relapse -- would be to watch and wait for the newer drugs. BTW I did get a little surge today of that "new found" energy which got me going on this. But now I think I'll take a nap. LOL.

-- Jim

[NYgirl]

Boy aside from all the extra Riba...is it any wonder I turned out with this disease like I did?

Jim said: just my nature is to to keep fighting until the deed is totally done

And people wonder why I'm so gung ho?   :)  One of the problems of falling under the Jim Squad - you become absolutely the craziest most determined person on the planet...and that is a good good thing.

Jim you are done - you know it stay positive and soak up all those little extra energy bursts ahhhh I can't even imagine how marvelous they must be?  :)