When do I start tx

[toughluck]

I am Geno 1a, biopsy stage 2 level 1, last viral load 760k. My Hepatoligist is trying to get me started after the holidays on the standard tx riba, peg interferon. I told her me being 1a I would like to wait for some better drugs, she said get it now before it gets worse, my gp who is a Oncologist also is asking me why I am waiting, this could turn to liver cancer he says, I'm confused.

[toughluck]

Thanks, I will start TX very soon January or February I hope you don't relapse and show und in blood work.

[chevyelcam79]

I also had a very low vl 96K when starting tx.  1a stage 2 fibrosis. female 41 years old.  I was also a RVR at 2 weeks and reamin UND the whole tx and doc only had me do 24 weeks.  Did last shot on Nov 16.  Will have first post tx blood drawn on 12/17.  So we will see if the shorter tx worked.  Yes, relapse would not be good, believe me.....  that is on my mind.

I did peg/riba, made out ok.  Good days, not so good days but kept on going like the little bunny!  

Shari

[wyntre9]

FWIW,

You might want to check this thread from the other side.  If you scroll down to comment 24 or so you'll see KCMike's comments about the progress of his hep-c.

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/357756

wyn

[toughluck]

That sounds promising, living a healthy life eating good and no body harming vices helps also.

[goldenrule]

i, too had a very low viral load. I became UND at 4 weeks which made me "RVR(rapid responder) . There are studies that suggest that 1a;s who become UND by 4 weeks can become SVR with 24 weeks of treatment. I chose to do 36 weeks of therapy and am now SVR.

[toughluck]

Thanks I will be very familiar in this forum for quite sometime.

[wyntre9]

Well, your VL is considered on the lower side, your damage level isn't  that bad, yet, but just to let you know, Geno 1's usually treat for 48 weeks with SOC.

And if you don't reach UND by week 12 but you do get there by week 24, it's possible you'll be asked to extend to 72 weeks.

If I was going to approach TX with your perspective, I would want to do at least the first 12 weeks, which is a major milestone.  If you're UND at 12, you'll go 48.

I'd advise you to factor those stats into your decision.  Chances are good that you'll be UND by week 12, I think, and that means you'd be looking at a year of TX, and it ain't always easy.

that you have flexibility in your job is a huge plus.

wyntre

[toughluck]

I am a self employed Auto Technician I will try to wing it if I feel bad I will go home, time to look for an employee.

[wyntre9]

Well, that gives you a good idea of the toll TX has taken on me during the last 50 weeks.  :(

Here's the Dietrich link.  it's 45 minutes long.  The first 10 minutes are slow and complicated animated explanations but the last 35 minutes was great.  (IMHO)

I'm not gonna lie, TL. . . . TX is tough for most but that's a good attitude; try for a month and see what happens.  Just a word of advice;  You might want to line up some vaction/sick time, just in case.

Wyntre

http://www.liverfoundation.org/education/webcasts/.

[toughluck]

Reality is starting to sink in I have been ignoring this since diagnosed January this year, something tells me just do it, if not under after 4 weeks I was told they would stop TX I have nothing to lose.

[toughluck]

you mean 2006 dx, any links would be great.

[wyntre9]

II  understand your confusion.

I was DX December 15, 2007 and started TX Xmas Eve.

When the Dr. told me I should treat now I asked why i couldn't wait for a more convenient time, like the summer, when I don't teach.

He asked me "How Long i wanted to Live."

I started treating.  I'm genotype 1A, Grade 1, Stage 1, starting VL 1,140,000, UND since week 16-18 and on the last 22 weeks of 72 week TX.

Did you see the post on the other side from KCMike about how quickly his condition worsened?

I don't know, some people advise waiting for the new drugs but no one knows for sure when they will become available.

Have you seen the Dr. Dietrich video about Hep-C?

It's an excellent source of info about whenand why to treat.

I'll post the link if you're interested.

wyntre

[toughluck]

I will start tx after the holidays if vx is a distant choice

[toughluck]

K stands for thousand so 760,000, sorry for the confusion. The OCD is being treated by professionals and are aware of my situation, they will be there during tx if any problems occur. My concern is when to treat because being 1a I am looking at a minimum of 48 weeks that is one year, it would suck to relapse or non respond.

[desrt]

760k would be 760,000. k as in kilo.

[desrt]

In your profile you state that you suffer OCD. If you are currently being tx'd for that, you might want to also get that professional's advice on when to start treating. Just a thought.