More sides (thrush!) and thinking of shortening treatment for Type 3. Advice?

[Algernon]

Week 11/24.  The sides are really getting to me:  anemia (now on procrit and anemia improved), headaches, hair loss, all the usual stuff.  And, now, upper respiratory infection (on antibiotics) and thrush (really disgusting and painful--I can barely swallow water).

Some of you seem like real experts (trihepguy, jmjm, you know the crew) and I really want your advice.  Recent research on Type 3 seems to be suggesting that durations shorter than 24 weeks may be sufficient.  I'm thinking of quitting at 16 weeks and crossing my fingers. I think it might work.  If it doesn't, my liver is in decent shape and I'll wait a few years for something better.

Stats:  Type 3a. one doc said stage 1, another said early stage 2 (same slides).  VL 16.5 mill.  Undetectable at 4 weeks (<10).  48 year old female, weight 112, in good health (or at least, I was before treatment).

Please advice this desperate woman. Thanks.

[FlGuy]

Tough decisions. I think you said previously that you are a college prof/dept head with a couple of kids which I'm sure makes it in to the decision scheme.  School year ending soon? Sabatical a possibility? Assistance with kid care if you decide to continue? Good luck Algernon.  Mice are tough critters.

[jmjm530]

Some new meds for my prostate are causing more upper respiratory/sinus problems.

Over the past few weeks, my difficulty in determining treatment length is weighing my increasing desire to be off these drugs (So VERY tempting) versus an "objective" assessment of what is an "optimum" (yet reasonable) treatment length -- given my genotype, age, histology, etc.

It doesn't help that a couple of doctors I respect have different opinions on this. So, it's in my court now and I'm mentally taking it one day at a time. But if I had to guess, the end of tx is getting near. Thanks for asking.

-- Jim

[Dale_Ray]

Are you still feeling well and energy still up?

I've been feeling so much better for the past three weeks. My old car that I told you about that sits up on stands. I backed it out of the garage under its own power. My standard line now about working on it is that I'm digging up a stump. At 15 of 48 and counting. All test are at great levels and the nupogen has been cut from 300 to 150 because my system reacted so quickly and the nuetrophils jumped back and went high but within normal categories.

Take care and thanks for the insights through this treatment time. Dale

[FlGuy]

Thanks for asking. 3 months post-tx now and feeling great. Staying busy around the house and no longer exhausted at the end of a work day. Beginning to notice subtle changes, no longer the crankiest person in the house, more patience with kids around school, homework, projects, chores.  I had a bunch of spider nevi (spider-like blood vessels chest, neck, face that seem to be dissipating to a small degree. Back to coaching girls' softball team and expanding exercise (longer brisker walks about to give way to a running stride). Gained about 15 lbs back - which is about what I lost during tx. Playing weekly golf again. I went from zombie with HCV to zombie on tx and probably have not felt this good in a few years. 6 month pcr in a few months but knowing I was UD at tx end was a big lift and relief.  Don't know how much this was in my head or body. Insulin-required diabetes gone during tx (coincided with 12 clear pcr, I think). In normal ranges post-tx. Blood pressure meds still required but now in lower ranges when I suspended meds a while back to test a theory with the doc. 55 y/o, 3a, VL 600,000,  was 1/2, pegintron - redipen, 800 mg riba, 24 weeks, 100% med compliant,  neupogen/neulasta during tx, no procrit. Clear at 12 and 24.

[fresnoborn]

Hello everyone. I was reading the above comments and and I am wondering: What exactly is Thrush? I am mainly wondering because I have 13 weeks left of treatment and thank goodness for that cause I have had 35 long weeks of tx already but I have noticed in the past 2 weeks that my tongue is red and feels irritated. Can someone tell me what the symptoms are? I know we have no doctors here but I'm wondering if this could be the begining of thrush? Any comments would be appreciated. take care and have a healthy day

[GoofyDad]

This is certainly a difficult decision on your part. As amommy points out, one factor to consider is your Riba dosing. Assuming you've been on 800, that's a relatively high dose for your weight.

Based on your weight, it's probably also fair to assume no faty liver? That's another factor in your favor.

I looked at the study posted by Jim, but I couldn't make sense of it. It seemed to say all patients with VL >600,000 were treated for 24 weeks, then it went on to say that G3 patients with VL >800,000 didn't do so well when treated for 16 weeks. I can't reconcile that in my softish brain. Also, there is a theory that a 4 wk RVR, overrides other predictors, but this abstract didn't really break that out. In otherwords, by acheiving 4 wk RVR, you may not be in the population of 'under acheivers' identified in this study. It's hard to tell.

I would try to look at some of the other studies, then give serious consideration to risk vs reward. How difficult would a relapse be for you, vs how much better off will you be to get out at 16 weeks. The difficulty of course lies in quantifying what the extra 8 weeks buys you in terms of improved odds. That's the million dollar question.

BTW, I was in your shoes and chose the 24 weeks, but my treatment was not causing too much trouble, and I have advanced liver damage. Last shot this week.