Incivek relapse

Was on Incivek triple therapy for 2 months out of the 3.  Blood work after 1 month on therapy was non detectable.  After 7 wks on therapy got terrible rash, itching & sores.  Had to stop Incivek.  Then went off all meds 1 week after that.  Had to go to hospital.  Swelling & itching were awful.  Open sores in perianal was the worst of the symptoms.  One month later I'm finally almost symptom free.  Bad news is my last viral load was 4 million.  Before treatment I would run around 1.5 million.   Wonder if the virus is having a hayday now that my liver was cleaned out.  Feeling great physically & emotionally, just wonder abou the count.  
Anyone else have this happen to them?

[gene53]

Terry, awful sorry to hear about all the problems you had on this stuff. I am just about 4 and a half wks into same treatment as you and so far no major issues other then the usual fatigue, nausea, headaches and light itching
( nothing severe yet ). I am always waiting for the rash and itching to start but obviously hoping it wont.
I don't know why your viral load is so much higher now but maybe someone else here can answer that.
What did your Dr. say about the higher viral load? I am curious too.
anyway,
Sounds like you have a great attitude about this and keep your head up because hopefully there will be something else available soon.
Wishing you all the best bro!
Gene

[Idyllic]

You cleared the virus after 7 weeks and then one month later you viral load 'rebounded' to 4 million? Did the doctor tell you that you would likely not remain UND or affirm that you are out of the woods, so to speak? I am glad you are symptom free now however I truly hope you were not mislead. I am certain one of the season vets will weigh in on this post and provide more insight than your doctor seems to have imparted.

[pooh55811]

I am very sorry to hear that the virus is detectable again and at such a higher VL than before.

From your post, it sounds to me that you really had no choice but to go off treatment or risk the possibility of a potentially life threatening situation. Hopefully you will be able to treat in the future with one of the new drugs now in trial phase.

I am not a seasoned pro so I don't know have any idea why your viral load would be higher except that it is my understanding that the viral load changes often, on its own.

I wish you the very best for the future.

[Advocate1955]

Sorry to hear you weren't able to complete triple therapy.  Since the course of treatment is 12 weeks with all 3 drugs and at least 24 weeks with Interferon and Ribavirin, I'm sure you're not surprised to have the virus detected again.  To my knowledge, a VL of 4 Million is still in the "medium" range.  VLs can vary quite a bit in one individual when one is not currently in treatment, and there isn't any correlation to VL and progression of liver damage.  I'm not sure if this would be considered a "relapse" though, since you weren't able to complete treatment.  It sounds as though Incivek was working for you, but you had to stop due to adverse events.
Advocate1955

[willbb]

Sorry to hear about you not being able to complete your therapy due to adverse events.
In trials with Inci. "severe rash "(skin breakdown/ulcerations) was reported in approx. 4 % of patients
If this was the case your doctor made the right call as the protocol then is to discontinue the Inci,and continue on with PEG/RIBA and monitor closely for 7 days. If there is no improvement in that time to discontinue all treatment.

As far  as your status now ,the  amount of viral load is really of little significance. Is the viral load having a"heyday" as you mention? As long as there is HCV viral load  there is the potential for progression of liver damage(fibrosis) ,however the amount of load has been shown to have very little correlation with how fast that happens.

Anyone that is deemed "UND" at anytime during therapy and then upon cessation of therapy (whenever that may occur) and shows VL again is considered a relapser. That is not surprising in your case doing only 8 weeks of therapy.

Glad to hear the symptoms you experience have abated and now it is important to ascertain  another plan of action with your doctor ,keeping in mind  there may be possible resistance mutations to the "protease "type drugs and this will need to be evaluated before treating again..
Good luck...
Will

[terryg51]

Thank you, Will.  You were very helpful and reassuring that this VL is not that big of a deal.  I've been on Peg/Riba tx  3 times in the last 30 years.  Always undetected by the end of therapy and then came back.  That's why I thought this would surely wipe it out.  Really appreciate your insight.
Terry

[willbb]

Hi Terry.

The good news .as I see it ,is the protease "did wipe it out"(UND. at week4),,just unfortunate you could not continue.

Whatever you treat with in the future most likely will have the same result...
Best to you..

Will

[Gerbils]

I am so sorry that you had that experience with the incivek. I am glad you are feeling better now. Please keep us informed here on how you are doing.
Take care,
G

[Dee1956]

Hello, I am so sorry to hear about all the pain you went through.  I hope you are feeling better now and can wait for the all orals.
I wish you the best
Dee

[Revalation]

Sorry your sx were bad, but there will some new meds
that you can try in the future. Just be sure to take good care of yourself
until you get another opportunity to treat.

Be strong!!

Reve

[starshine1ca]

Sooo sorry to hear all the side effects you had to endure and that you had to be taken off treatment.  :-(  I am on Victrelis and no rashes other than dry skin spots and mild itching but manageable.   It seems that Incivek seems to have more cases of rashes than the Victrelis.  Not sure if that is actual fact, mind you.   Good to hear that you are almost rash free now and feeling great physically & emotionally.  Keep the faith and positive attitude and best wishes for UND again in the near future!    

[caudco1]

I had similar reaction. I hung in with treatment 3.5 months and had to quit treatment due to side effects. Viral load was non detectable for 3 tests 1 after each month of treatment. Virus was back 2 weeks after ending treatment. 1.5 million viral load now. LIFE IS DIFFICULT! I just have to adjust to it!