Vertex - Prove 3 - "Onward!"

[miked]

I just got the n ews today that I've met the criteria to continue with the Prove 3 trial, which means that I got the appopriate Log drop regardless of what Group they have me in!  I'm really happy to continue and hope that I'm in Group B or D to kill this thing once and for all.

Does anyone have any stats on the percentages of RVR for Prove 1 and Prove 2?

[Forseegood]

thank heavens for you mremeet, letting us get the real skinny on this stuff...so glad the vast majority of you cleared, that being said, I know it wasn't easy and many of you had your hardships...but the risk/reward ratio seems to go up with that stuff as time wears on....ne pensez-vous pas? thanks so much to all of you for relating your experiences...some of us are really benefitting!!! SVR for all you guys!

[mremeet]

Congrats, you're on your way. Everyone that I'm aware of from prove 1 and 2 that turned out to get VX and riba (along with IFN) cleared by day 22 (<10 IU/ml). And many (if not most) cleared earlier than that, pln went UND by day 4. I was UND by day 15, but pretty much everyone on triple therapy cleared it by week three. I think purplecat(?) didn't manage to clear permanently, but I think even she at least temporarily knocked it down to UND levels (correct me if I'm wrong purplecat). Odds are you're getting the good stuff. If your VX/placebo pills have a real nasty metallic like taste that's almost nauseating, then I'd take that as a good sign. ;-)

[lab-rat]

Congratulations mike...that's encouraging news.  I hope that you're feeling well this time around.  I'm not sure about the actual stats for Prove 1 but it seems that most from this forum that got the real thing cleared very early.

[APKhaos]

Great news, Mike. RVR is the most postitive sign that Telapravir is doing its thing on the virons, and the SOC drugs then clean up the stragglers. The heavy hit on VL in the early weeks of tx is the key. It would be interesting to compare your VL results from Prove 3 with your first tx on SOC. It should show a marked difference in the first few weeks. Not sure when you are unblinded and see VL results, but it would be good to look at this comparison when you do.

The force is with you!

[miked]

Thanks all for the encouragement.

Verdungo - My first tx was SOC using the Interferon Peg-Intron (Schering's brand) versus Pegasys (Roche's Brand).  The Pegasys seems much more manageable (I'm not stupid to know that things can and do change over time, sometimes day by day) with little to no headache and the brain fog is not as bad (yet).  Ribavirin is Ribavirin....I haven't had huge issues either time with it but it causses anemia which causes you to be weak same stuff, nothing new.   Because the study is blind I don't know what arm I'm in but I do know I'm getting Ribavirin and that leaves the palcebo group then Arm B (I think) that is 48 weeks of VX950+RBV+INF or Arm D which is 12 weeks of VX950+RBV+INF.  I don't think I'm placebo but we'll find out, right.  One huge change is that my skin this time is very sensitive to sunlight.  They have me on antihistimines that help.

I've posted before that my doc this time put me on Provigil which is for naclepsy but being prescribed extensively for chemo patients.  I feel great from 7:00 AM until about 4:00 PM then I want to curl up and sleep.

Susan400 - About the itching...NY Girl was right on the money when she recommended across the counter available "Gold Bond" anti-itch cream.  It's expensive and you  use it everyday but it works.  Also stay out of the sunlight if possible (I have a huge garden that will be an 8' weed patch if I don't stay on it so like that's happening).  Wear sunblock and long sleeves if possible.

Web52 - I think that RVR is the key to this whole VX950 thing.  My study nurse said that she had some Prove 2 peiple go negative by week 4.  I hope I get that.

Shot night...oh boy!

[GrandmaA]

That's great news. I'm very happy for you. You are on your way to undetectable and then SVR. Best wishes to you. You are a pioneer.

[Verdugo]

Congrats!  Very good.  

Question:  Do I assume correctly that you went thru the standard TX and did not attain SVR?  If so, can you compare the SX between the two?

Thanks, V.

[Forseegood]

hey glad your soldiering on, really good to hear you had that news, and some of us here really appreciate all the trial participant news, really appreciate it for all those who go behind you....thanks so much!

[web52]

hi mike & congrats! im in prove 1 (week 44 of 48)& cleared by day 21. i didnt find that out though till week 27 or so due to the blind. i don't have any stats, but i "hear" that early clearance was quite common in those who got the vx, for prove 1 at least.

[viaduk]

Thanks for sharing the info and giving me some hope.

[w.c. missy]

mike - yep, we're a few days apart, i go next week for my 6 wk. - wish me luck!
w.c. missy

[susan400]

I'm happy for you and hoping that you have the real Telaprevir, but in any case this is a good positive indicator!   : )

[miked]

Thanks guys.

Yes, it was from my 6 week checkup.  You and I started only a few days apart, right?

[cajunlady]

Congradulations, and good luck.  Keep us informed.

Cajun

[w.c. missy]

mike - great news!!! was that from your 6 week check?  i'm really happy you get to continue - cheers to svr for all of us!
w.c. missy