Stopping TX/No viral load change

Hey all,

Well I am now a firm beliver in the theory that bad things come in threes.

1. My viral load has dropped 'hardly at all'. (it was 7.58 log 5 and is now 2.58 log 5 after 15 weeks TX).

2.  My job was outsourced last week and I loved where I was working.

3. A close friend where I live died 2 days ago.

Oh  well , does anyone know what the outlook is for treatmet options availble in Canada in the future ? How about studies ?

Thanks and good luck to you all.

[zazza]

So sorry to hear your bad news. We will just have to hope the triple therapy with Vertex means good news for non-responders.

[meki]

Why are you stopping?

Insurance or choice?

If it's insurance Both the pharmaceutical companies have payment assistance.

Good luck --- and please keep your head up --- I'm so very sorry about the bad things that have been happening. Many hugs to you!

Meki

[Mister beagle bailey]

So sorry to heard the bad news and about your friend.  Don't know of any new treatment in Canada or the US, only the trials on Vertex.  I'm a relaper, so I'm waiting also for something better.

Beagle

[applez]

Hi, Meki

I am stopping b/c there has been hardly any change in my viral load after 15 weeks of tx. I was looking for a 2 log decrease in my viral load and I didn't even  have 1.

[meki]

But - but - but --- You might just be a LATER responder instead of an early responder.

Talk to your doctor First.. Please.

Look around - there are a lot of folks who have to take 78 weeks.

I did 24 weeks.

You can do it if there is hope.

Hope is a GOOD thing to have.

Meki

[copyman]

sorry for your non-response. forget about being a "later responder". you are right for stopping now, why subject your body to a tx that will not work for you. whatever the reason it did not work, not enough riba, interferon, etc it was the right choice. personally i would have stopped at 12 weeks if not sooner. if you have little liver damage then waiting a few years sounds like the right choice. the other options if you have more serious liver damage and need to treat again without waiting is trying a different peg then you were tx'ing with and more riba or perhaps trying Infergen (consensus interferon/interferon alfacon-1). best of luck

[meki]

Copyman may be right - But I believe in HOPE...

[applez]

I have no physical symptoms of Hep C even though my PCR says I have it and have had it for 25 years (antibody tests positive and I had a PCR a few month ago and before that I had another  PCR 3 years ago). My liver enzymes are normal. I know that this doesn't necessarily mean anything but I'm told it can be reflective of your liver's condition. My hepatologist says the odds of my responding to TX are extremely low and, in Canada anyways,  the drugs cost $ 2000/month. I am only at week 15. I lost my job and no longer have insurance. There is no program for financial assistance from any drug manufacturer so I'm pretty much done financially.


I thought the TX was working and had tried to follow any advice I could find but it isn't working. Personally, I think this blows but I don't seem to have any choices other than waiting.

[Cheesegrater]

I think you should get a proper printout of your viral load and have a second opinion.

I do not recall viral loads being ever reported as Log  base 5.

Going from 7.58 Log to 2.58 Log is a 5 Log drop.  

Cheese

[zazza]

Cheesegrater has a very good point here. Viral loads are usually expressed in IU/ml (international units per milliliter blood) or in log 10.

Definitely worth looking into. Reading the printouts yourself gives you invaluable information. You can post the exact phrasing of the viral loads on the forum and we will help you interpret it.

[zazza]

P.S. You can also call the labaratory which performed the viral load test and ask to speak to the doctor in charge. He will help you interpret your test results.