Viral load? Med Dose?

[katerika]

starting viral load 2 million,
week 4 = 300 thousand.
dr. said I didn't make the log drop. Will check again week 8 and may up the Peg Intron. I have fatty liver not due to weight/ or Hep C-3.
I now take 1200 Riba then Friday Shot o.5ml/ 120 MCG
My hemeglobin is at 11.4.
I am a genotype 1a stage 3/4 fibrosis 2/3. BLAH BLAH BLAH

Wondering what other people are taking for med dose.
Thanks
Ter

[FlGuy]

I was wondering if you weigh more than about 185 pounds.  Your riba implies that you are in that range of weight.  If so, or more, you might ask the doc if using if 150 mcg (rather than 120) is a more appropriate dose.

[katerika]

You hit the nail on the head. 184- 186.
So do you think the higher dose will make me much more tired?
Yawn, as I wake from my mid-day siesta.
I

[FlGuy]

I've had a fair amount experience with IFN and I don't think I'd accuse it of making me tired.  I blame that on the riba and the effect that riba has on hemoglobin.  If you have lab reports from along the way, you'll probably realize that tiredness and other stuff likely coincide with the ramp up of riba and the reduction of hemoglobin in your blood.  That's how I've mapped it out in me.
Go to pegintron.com and click on prescribing information, you''ll se how you are on the edge of 150 mcg range for your weight.  As a elapser, my inclination is toward stronger, may not be applicable to you.

[FlGuy]

When you look at the rx info make sure you're looking at the dose chart for 'combination' and not 'mono' therapy.

[katerika]

Thank You, I think I will push for the higher dose after I finish these next 2 shots, and it's time to reorder. Hey, I am all for lets hit it with "shock and awe" We can always go backwards. I just posted a question about AFP test. Sorry so many questions, saw the Md. today and asked questions, I am  looking forward to this treatment helping me lose weight. Dr. said it may help the N.A,S.H.  

[FlGuy]

Asking questions is good, having forward thinking and astute doc team is is even better.  Looking at some of your other posts it seems that you have significant fibrosis, a tougher geno type (1), probably less than optimal BMI.(not sure about your age)  These aspects might contribute to being 'tough to treat' and probably warrants a planning session with the doc with an aim to getting to undetectable rapidly and staying that way for a big majority of tx.  Good luck as you go forward.  By the way, your hgb of 11.4 after 4 weeks(?) sort of implies that it's getting lower and if it continue to drop you might feel more effects of anemia.  Another good discussion to have with the doc is how to deal with anemia if it comes your way.  I don't think that 'reduce riba' is the number one answer to that.  If you have an expereinced hcv doc, he should be all over it.

[katerika]

Thanks so much for all your info. How are you? I really appreciate your replies. Someday's I feel like a big baby, and there I times when I look at my tests and stuff and say, hey you are sick! I am 56, working, taking care of parents, 2 daughters in their 20's ( I love lots and have spoiled. Plus 1 spoiled husband.)Sort of that "old school" family except I work!  I have cut back at work. and am managing to find some nap time, or just sit around like a zombie at the dinner table and grin appropriately. Somedays that is getting harder and I just go to bed.
Again thanks for listening. I am planning on getting a therapist soon as I get a round tuit!

[FlGuy]

No matter what the family situation is, tx is tough stuff.  I'm same age and we have a teen and a pre-teen that keep us hopping.  Sometime all you want to do is shut it all out and get some 'self' time. Would be easier if it was just the meds, but life's not that simple.

[katerika]

where are you in your tx. Are you on or have you had to use procrit?

[FlGuy]

Just did 37 of 46.  First time was 24 weeks.  Have been on Aranesp (procrit-like stuff) since about week 8.  By arrangements with docs early on, we deceided to be pre-emptive with the stuff, not wanting to let the hgb go below 11.   Couldn't afford (work reasons) to let it take a big dive, so the docs have played along.  This week there were rumblings from insurance that continued Aranesp might be some sort of issue.  Not too worried.  Although I'll go the full 46, the minimum I've had in my head is 38 weeks and that's next week.