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Anyway, that's just me and pds, most people did not get a super nasty rash like that, so the odds are in your favor that won't happen to you. Plus, at this point in time, presumably Vertex has collected enough empirical and possibly analytical data (from rash sufferer bloodwork) from the hundreds of participants in both prove 1 and 2 to have some sense of how and when the rash comes on. And hopefully the doctors that will be managing prove 3 will be properly endoctrinated with this information, thereby giving them the "cliff notes" they'll need to properly diagnose the rash early on, and to take appropriate steps to effectively manage it before it gets out of hand. Also, if there are blood markers in those who get the rash (which was indicated as a point of study/inquiry in our consent form), then the head Vertex study doctor might also play a role by analyzing your bloodwork and providing helpful info to your study doctor in his diagnosis and management of any potential rash. So I wouldn't get too worked up over the rash, true it can definitely happen, but overall the odds are in your favor you either won't get it at all or if you do it'll be both manageable and transient.
As far as these drugs damaging our brains thereby resulting in cognitive damage...dunno about that, although I do notice lately that it takes me longer to come up with names and factoids that usually come very quickly. Of course I'm knee deep in treatment right now (week 34), so I'm not going to get too upset about it. Plus speaking for myself, I've had HCV for almost 25 years. It had to go before it really started working on me. I simply had to take the risk, and if it ends up deteriorating my memory or cognitive abilities in some way - well, I won't like it of course, but it beats steadily marching towards ESLD and/or HCC and/or death. I think of it as a situation where I simply have no choice, and what comes will come. Like the old saying, I just do my best to not worry about things that are outside of my control. And I'm not suggesting your concerns are illegitimate, especially considering you've already done 52 weeks and also have a near perfect liver. Sounds like waiting is definitely still an option for you. Plus I'd read over that consent form REAL closely, do your independent research and ask lots of questions before agreeing to it. If you're worried about IFN/riba overexposure, enrolling in that trial could result in that very thing (if you were to end up in the control group). If telaprevir is really going to work out and go to market, there will be later phase 3 trials you could have access to in just another year or two. Those phase 3 trials would in all likelihood have no placebo group, plus you might also have access to rescue drugs, plus the average treatment duration will likely be considerably less than 48 weeks. Obviously all of those factors would maximize your odds of success and thereby minimize the risk of any further unnecessary IFN/riba exposure.
My $0.02 anyway, best of luck whichever road you take.
You are in week 34- that's great- just keep going. I don't know how you are coping or what your situation is, but when I went through treatment I was single and lived by myself. That was good and bad. Anyway, I'd be more than happy to share my experience. I kept a journal that I wrote in everyday- this really helped with depression- because I could look back and show myself that in a day or 2 I would feel fine again. It was also a good place to vent. You are on Pegasys, I did PegIntron and the two have different pharmacokinetics. The symptoms with PEG-Intron were definitely cyclical. Anyway...to battle forgetfullness, I kept a "to do" list and wrote everything down so that I wouldn't forget. I never found a solution for the itchy scalp (except to scratch it!) - but hot baths became a ritual to soothe achy joints. I lost about half of my hair- but no one ever noticed and it all grew back just fine. I lost 20 pounds- but being a woman this was a good thing- and I did it while eating all the candy and ice cream I wanted! Staying active (ie. exercising) actually helped with the fatigue, I rode my bike and lifted weights. I also decided to learn a language so as to exercise my mind in a way that was different from my usual routine. Maybe that's weird, but I really think it worked. Mind you- I have yet to master it. I also had insomnia, but became immune to Ambien. But by 8 months that sort of went away. Anyway- I started to feel better almost immediately after I completed treatment- and just kept feeling better everyday- everything has resolved, just the lingering question. I say this because I used to ask myself...Am I ever going to be the same again? And the answer is yes. You sound as though you are in pretty good shape. So good luck to you! and Thanks again.