VL UD at week ??

[PokerRon]

If my VL at start of TX was 8,500,000
639,000 week 4
16,600  week 12

When do you suppose i could HOPE/EXPECT to become UD

I have a hep doctor that wont test my VL until week 24...

However my PRIMARY CARE doctor said he'd test it for me,
im wondering what week would be best to get checked again
............week 16, 18 or 20  ???

man i hope i go UD at some point

what do you guys think?

thanks for all your advice and help
Ron

[Upbeat]

Its not when you become UD its if you can stay that way.  From what I understand you stand a better chance of SVR if you get to UD at week 12.  Everyone is different and I wiah you the best.

                                                                                                     Ron

[sunspot]

If your insurance will pay, have your VL checked every week or two. Do tx for 36 weeks after you become UND. The longer it takes to get UND, the longer your odds of being SVR.

[wyntre9]

I'm a member of the slow responder's club, too.

Started at 1,140,000.  week 12 was 3,800.  Reached UND between week 16 to 18 and still UND at week 26.

I'm on the extended 72 week program as is advised for those who have at least a 2 log drop by week 12 and reach UND by week 24.

You're close to a 3 log drop now, but I would DEFINITELY try to get tested as frequently as possible, at least every 2 weeks, so you have the best idea of exactly when you reached UND.

That's important to know because some of the studies recommend TX extensions based on when that happens.

it's also, psychologically, a good thing to be aware of.

If you don't reach UND by week 24, the recommendation is to stop TX if you're genotype 1.  (I'm not sure about the other genotypes)

What's your genotype, stage and grade of damage?

Wyntre

[Bill1954]

Although you’ve achieved a log-10 drop of 2.71 at the 12-week juncture, you might want to talk with your doctor about turning up the heat a little bit; either a change in interferon flavor or an increase in ribavirin might be justified, especially if you’re a genotype 1 patient (unless you’re a gambler :o)).

Take care,

Bill

[BThompson4]

I would wait until week 18 to get another pcr, as you had I think still a pretty high viral load at week 12 or so, about 16,000 if I remember right.  I think it's unlikely you could get close to UND much sooner than that, so I would not measure until then.  

Think also about going 72 weeks.  Given your size and being a slow responder, you would probably stand a pretty high chance of relapsing even if you clear by week 18 if you only do 48 total.

Good luck!

[bobbyullc]

you had a 2.7 log drop at week 12 which is not great but acceptable. if you are willing to extend tx you have a shot. it is up to you and you should decide on how your biopsy showed up. if you can wait you may consider holding on till new drugs are approved which should be soon. sorry, wish you were und at week 12.

[nygirl7]

AS long as you are UND by week 24 you are ok.  You will most likely need to extend treament to 72 weeks though.  I had to and am now post tx 5 months and UND so far.

If at 24 weeks you are still positive, more than likely you should stop treatment as the meds just are not working and move on to a different treatment.

I had a baseline of 568,000 (very low) and at week 4 was 411. At week 12 I was 419.  I was UND at week 24 (my doc would not bother with a PCR earlier than 12 and 24).

Due to the Berg Study and the Sanchez Tapias study - using that data that had just come out I went and had a second opinion with the doctor at the forefront of all the new data that comes out, Dr. Ira Jacobson, in New YOrk City.  He suggested that yes it was a good idea to do the 72 weeks as it gives you a much better chance at not relapsing.

I am praying that it pays off.

So, just pray you aer UND by week 24 and plan that you probably will be extending treatment. Otherwise your chances of relapse are 50/50.  If you extend it drops the chance of relapse to only 30% or so. That's a HUGE 20% isn't it?

Good luck