Aa
Sould I seek a second opinion
Coming soon the all important 12 wk viral load. My doc is rec. stopping treatment if not undected. I am type 1, minor liver damage, started 1,700,000, 4 weeks 140,000, 8ks 4800. My doc is GI, I think he is the expect in the office for liver disease. But before I stop I'm thinking about getting a second decision by hepologist. My sense is people can clear later but tend to relapse over the long haul.
so you are proof that if not cleared by week 12, you are likely going to relapse after all is said and done. My doctor said 5% chance to clear if not clear at 12 weeks.
Thanks for the response.
Thanks for the response.
I’m not so sure you’d want a second opinion on something like this. If the results indicate there is residual viremia present at 12 weeks, I think your doctor would discuss the situation with you and offer a choice to either get away from this treatment session, or somehow change it up to get you better odds of long term success. I do think the AASLD Practice Guidelines still minimally require a 2 log reduction in viral load from baseline at the 12 week juncture.
From personal experience, the first time I treated, I had a low viral load; only 120,000 IU/mL. Not only did I not clear at 12 weeks, I didn’t get the minimal 2 log reduction at that point. After talking with my doctor and trying to salvage the treatment investment to date, we extended treatment to 56 weeks, and increased my ribavirin from 1200 to 1800 mg/week. That done, I still relapsed within 30 days post treatment.
If your doctor suggests a different path, whether it’s starting over or altering the existing protocol somehow, he’s only trying to save you grief and disappointment down the road. Not to mention additional exposure to some not-to-pleasant drugs :).
Good luck; be sure to let us know how it goes—
--Bill
From personal experience, the first time I treated, I had a low viral load; only 120,000 IU/mL. Not only did I not clear at 12 weeks, I didn’t get the minimal 2 log reduction at that point. After talking with my doctor and trying to salvage the treatment investment to date, we extended treatment to 56 weeks, and increased my ribavirin from 1200 to 1800 mg/week. That done, I still relapsed within 30 days post treatment.
If your doctor suggests a different path, whether it’s starting over or altering the existing protocol somehow, he’s only trying to save you grief and disappointment down the road. Not to mention additional exposure to some not-to-pleasant drugs :).
Good luck; be sure to let us know how it goes—
--Bill
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If UND, you may still want to get a second opinion from a hepatologist, in case you want to switch to someone more experienced.
With minor liver damage and in today's climate of rapid development with stat-c drugs, I wouldn't hesitate to stop treatment if detected at week twelve; I'd watch and wait under the care of the best hepatologist I could find.
So best wishes on your PCR - the waiting is hard but be sure to tell your nurse to phone you asap and not let the lab report kick around on her desk.
And make sure to get your 12 week PCR done on the day of your thirteenth shot but before you actually do the shot. Or as close to the day as possible.
Regards,
Susan