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[vik97]

I am in treatment for Hep C for the first time and I would like to get some sense of how well I'm doing so far. Presently, I am in week 10 of a 48 week treatment of Pegasys and Ribavirin 1200 mg per day. Genotype 1a,  started with a viral load of 8,000,000.  After 4 weeks it was 104,000.  After 8 weeks it was 6,000 IU/ml.  Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

[jacksonpotter]

4.8 million or so I think

[vik97]

Congratulations!!!  I am happy for you.  What was your viral load before you started?

[jacksonpotter]

I am geno 1a  and just got back my 12 week test!  Undetectable!!!!!   I also do 1200mg a day riba 180 of peg once a week.     Sounds like you are doing okay. This is my first time and I don't know what comes next my self.

[vik97]

I will follow your indications. Thanks a lot for your help.

Vik

[jmjm530]

Given an indication of early cirrhosis, a more agressive approach such as increasing the riba might make sense if your doctor feels you can tolerate it. Also, to optimize riba absorption, the riba should be taken with food -- preferably a meal with at least a moderate fat content in it. This is more important than spacing the doses 12-hours apart, as I've been told. Also, do not take antacids within 3 hours of the riba. Same thing for fiber supplements such as bran, flax, metamucil, etc,  or cereals heavily fortified with either.

-- Jim

[vik97]

I will talk to my doctor about increasing the riba dose.  I didn't have a biopsy but I had an MRI of the liver which showed a "slight nodularity of the inferior right lobe" indicating early cirrhosis.  Also, I am 56 years old and I was infected about 35 years ago.

Vik

[jmjm530]

Given your weight and what appears to be mild side effects, it might be reasonable to ask your doctor about increasing your riba dose to 1400 mg/day. That might help drive the virus down to UND sooner.

The risk, of course, could be more side effects, but again feeling "tired and lazy" at week 8  is pretty good by normal standards. . In any event, something to talk to your doctor about, as he has your full medical history. I would also ask for at another viral load test before week 12, if you can squeeze it in. A few of us in fact have had weekly viral load tests until UND.

Curious, did you have a biopsy and how much liver damage do you have?

-- Jim

[vik97]

Thanks for the welcome.  I am 5' 11" and I weigh 194 lbs.  I take 1200 mg ribavirin per day.  My pre-treatment hemoglobin was 16.7.  After 4 weeks it was 13.6.  I don't have the 8-week data with me right now.  Side effects have not been too bad, just feeling tired and lazy.  I will be tested again at week 12, but how realistic is it to expect a drop from 6,000 to zero in just 4 weeks?

Vik

[vik97]

I'm feeling not too bad. The only side effects are that I'm always tired and crabby. Thanks.

[jmjm530]

First welcome to the discussion group.

You almost had a two-log drop at week 4, but then only around a one-log drop between week 4 and week 8. Your goal now is to be UND ASAP and hopefully before week 12.

What is your height and weight and how much ribavirin are you taking daily? Also, do you know your pre-treatment hemoglobin and your hemoglobin readings since you've started treatment. How are you feeling btw?

You are definitely responding, so you should be hopeful. Ideally, your viral load will be tested before week 12 to give more information.

-- Jim

[MrsOckert]

It certainly sounds like your on SOC track.  How are you feeling?  Tolerating the TX fairly well?

Nice to see your dr is doing so many VL tests.

Good luck.