Incivek failed

[lucky64]

I just got that call as well.
My viral count with incivek went down to 300K from 4 Million but then at week 12 shot up to 500K so LUZUR !
My doc gets the big bucks - I don't know why he gave the bad news job to his nurse . . . chicken ****.

I want to stop it all. Why bother running it out to 24 weeks more weeks of being a zombie.
I have 4 shots left and a bottle full of ribivarin, rather have a glass of wine.
This is the second time through this and a tad disheartening.
I am all for throwing in the towel and waiting till another "miracle" drug falls off the shelf.
But by then - precious "Obamacare" will have me before the death panel
because I am over 60, conservative, good drugs cost plenty and lord knows I ain't worth it!
Just venting

[frijole]

not so lucky 64 -- I am so sorry Incevik failed you. In your previous treatment did you ever get to UND?

I agree with you -- the doctor should have called you himself.

but don't have the glass of wine....

frijole

[jules2551]

Sorry to hear the news lucky!  I can't imagine how you feel....you need to keep on venting.  Go outside and scream or something but the glass of wine won't help.  You will be in the same situation tomorrow but maybe with a headache.

Hang in there..

Jules

[lucky64]

thanks
good luck to you.
I don't know what UND means.
I did interferon and ribivarin in 2003
this time we added incivek
same results -  viral count not low enough.

[lucky64]

thanks
and best of luck to you.

[pooh55811]

I am very sorry to hear that your viral load went back up. It is the news we all fear and dread.

What does your doctor say about continuing treatment?

Hopefully you will eventually be able to treat and clear the virus.

UND means undetected. Were you ever in either treatment undetected or were they always able to count a viral load.

[can-do-man]

Sorry to hear about your news, as for staying on treatment Im not sure why a doctor would want that. To me it would be a waste of time and torture.

Don't give up hope though, wishing you the best.

[Boobert]

I'm sorry also lucky64, don't ever give up there's a lot of new drugs in the pipes that are looking very good. Hang in there.

[willbb]

Sorry to hear about  your result and yes stopping treatment is recommended at this point..
Probably won't help you to feel any better right now,however there are quite a few of us waiting for something to try again  and I know you have heard this before ,however I believe the future will bring even better modalities.
The best to you..
Will

[hrsepwrguy]

Actually she should have stopped at week 4

Treatment Futility Rules: All Patients
HCV-RNA  Week 4 or Week 12: Greater than 1000 IU/mL Discontinue INCIVEK and peginterferon alfa and ribavirin (INCIVEK treatment complete at 12 weeks)
Week 24: Detectable Discontinue peginterferon alfa and ribavirin

http://pi.vrtx.com/files/uspi_telaprevir.pdf

[katla]

I'm really sorry to hear this. I also don't understand why you would have continued past week 4 if your VL was over 1,000. Unless I'm missing something, something sounds seriously wrong and I would find another doctor going forward.

Wishing you all the best.

[crossroadsec]

I'm sure you're having a bummer night. I agree w dr shopping.
The new Rx look promising. Don't give up.
Try and take ultra good care of yourself so you'll be in top form to retreat! Karen :)

[LookingForward12]

Sorry to hear your news. Disheartening to say the least.

I am surprised they kept you on tx as long as they did. I was told in no uncertain terms that if I am not UND at 4 weeks, I am off treatment....period.

[willbb]

I was told in no uncertain terms that if I am not UND at 4 weeks, I am off treatment....period.
------------------------------------------------
Incivek dosing protocol states that you continue if you  are <1000at wek 4 and 12 ,however must be UND. at week 24.
Best....
Will


IDiscontinuation of Dosing

Patients with inadequate viral response are unlikely to achieve SVR, and may develop treatment-emergent resistance substitutions. Discontinuation of therapy is recommended in all patients with (1) HCV-RNA levels of greater than or equal to 1000 IU/mL at Treatment Week 4 or 12; or (2) confirmed detectable HCV-RNA levels at Treatment Week 24 (see Table 2).

Week 24: Detectable Discontinue peginterferon alfa and ribavirin
If peginterferon alfa or ribavirin is discontinued for any reason, INCIVEK must also be discontinued.

http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ByAudience/ForPatientAdvocates/ucm256328.htm

[willbb]

sorry arrow the wrong way:

Incivek dosing protocol states that you continue if you  are 1000

[willbb]

It is late ...:)        should be   >1000

[LookingForward12]

Maybe I need a new doctor too..... I know the protocol stats.... maybe they just figure I don't do the research too ;) I'll ask for clarification Friday.

[nowhine]

Also sorry the treatment failed you. You are not alone. Stay well and take care of yourself. This forum will keep us up to date on the new meds and things looks encouraging.

[Advocate1955]

My husband was told the same thing:  must be under 1,000 by week 4 and must be UND by week 12.  Week 4 and Week 12 are stopping rule points and the guidelines are very clear about following the stopping rules.  It's unfortunate that your doctor had you continue after week 4 as it was futile.
Advocate1955

[rockymoe]

Sorry to hear the news. I know how you feel I have heard those words 7 times before. For me it's like a death and it takes me awhile to grieve and then I get back on the horse. Eventually the Warrior comes out in me and I say next treatment I am going to slay this DRAGON!!!
I broke thru on telap trial at week 6 and they immediately stopped treatment.

[lucky64]

they could always count the load.
I don't know how this "reply" box works  - so I hope I am not repeating myself.
God Bless and good luck to all of us.

[lucky64]

THANKS - SAME TO YOU and all of us

[lucky64]

I guess we just sit and wait for another drug to "appear".
I figure I have time - my docotor didn't want to give up on the incivek until week 12 because the viral count had dropped so radically - but not anywhere near 1000.
Oh well
good luck to you
Maybe we should call ourselves "triple timers" and ask Dr Lok to run clinicals on us ! Stop wasting time with the newbies !! (only joking);-]

[lucky64]

same to you - good luck and God Bless