Who has lost 20>lbs during TX

[geterdone]

Who has lost 20>lbs during TX

The reason I ask this question is because there are many here that have from what I’ve read in the past threads. I have also lost 20+ pounds and it seems to me that some of my sx have intensified to some degree. I had talked to the doc about lowering the riba from 1200mg to 1000mg until the end of September because of the heat and my personal work situation. But back to the question, if you started tx at a certain weight and during the tx and you have lost x number of pounds wouldn’t there be an effect of riba overload to some degree on the body? Now, I know everyone is different and it may not affect everyone but to some it may.

I had lowered my riba to 1000mg after consulting with the doc. to 2 in the am and 3 in the pm which has worked so far and the coming week will tell the story because the heat and humidity will be coming back. I have noticed my energy level is better in the am at this point.

Again, anyone who has lost 20+lbs and reduced riba or reduced riba and felt somewhat better after the reduction?

Ps, like to thank all who have replied to my other posts.
Disclaimer, consult doctor first before changing meds.

Thanks
Jasper

[jmjm530]

I lost over 30lbs on treament and was RVR. My side effects btw were from h*ll.

I decided not to decrease the riba because did not want to monkey around with the formula that got me to RVR. My doc was in agreement, my NP told me I should drop to 1000mg (from 1200mg) because of my side effects.

It appears that most studies set the riba dose based on pre-tx weight. While there's certainly a logic in reducing the riba when one loses weight, my guess is that there are no studies on that.

My personal feeling is that a lot depends on how much liver damage you have, and therefore how agressive you want to fight and how many side effects you are willing to tolerate. At the time I was a 58 year old geno 1 with a good chance of stage 3 liver damage (or even worse), so I was motivated to fight very hard. Except for one week later in treatment (I dropped down to 1000mg to see if it would help my sfx) I stuck with 1200 mg/day even though my weight was down to almost 140 pounds from 176 pounds pre-tx. BTW the drop to 1000 didn't seem to make much difference but then again, I only gave it a week.

Lastly, there are studies that show reducing riba later in tx is less harmful than earlier in tx. (And I think some studies on geno 2's where it might be less important). I read those studies during tx but they were not persuasive (to me) probably because I was a fan of the small pilot study by the Sweeds which promoted higher dosing of riba throughout. Haven't heard much from the Sweeds lately.

-- Jim

[mustangshelly]

I have lost around 30 plus pounds and still txing, it seems the last 2 months here I have been dropping weight faster...I did play aroung with the riba/copeg..started on 1000 mg then upped it to 1200 for a few weeks but noticed sxs and thought should stick to original plan..svr at week 17 and only 1 left of 72...praying for svr afterwards...hugs :) shelly

[honey11]

Wow Shelly,,,30 and still losing?  Thats a lot of weight for a woman.  Geter,,,I didn't lose quite 20 but my husband lost about 30 lbs.  From the time I treated and just observing,,,seems like for the most part,,,men are losing more then women,  Could be they have a much hardier appetite normally and of course the tx cuts that in half.  His sides were at a minimal and he was on 1200mg.

[mikesimon]

I lost 40+ but I was on TX longer than most. Mike

[MrsOckert]

I lost 55, didn't reduce riba, and gained all of it back after tx.  I relapsed.  Don't know if that means anything or not.

[l-horn]

I've lost exactly 20 lbs and I have two days left on tx.

[cigaso]

The first time on tx, Ilost 35 lbs. This time around I have lost 27 lbs and dropping. I also gained it all back after 2 months on first tx.

MrsOckert, sorry to hear you relapsed.

[geterdone]

Jim- I was and still am in the same camp, but for the next month I will do the reduction in the riba after consulting with my doc. for multiple reasons and the ultimate one was not to bail out on the tx totally. When it comes to putting meat and potatoes on the table and the ability to do so, one has to make a choice and how best to accommodate both issues. I am geno 1b and at week 20 and have been UND <10 at week 8 and 12 and feel very, very fortunate to do so, and yes by god it has been a rough ride to say the least but I’ve made it this far and rest a sure, come cooler weather, it will be back up to the 1200mg because failure is not an option at least in my view.

Honey11, Shelly, Mikes, MrsOckert, and I horn, man your mama sure loved you, lol

I feel like a wimp, I lost 25lbs but have maintained at 185. I have lost most of the spongy liquids and fatty tissue that once surrounded me and dropped a pant size in the process, as I’m sure everyone else has also and maybe 2,3 uh.

Shelly you are there svr all the way baby, all the way!!!
Honey11 yeah, us guys are like deer in the head lights at times, did I tell you the one about …. No never mind, lol.
MrsOckert, sorry to hear of the relapsed for the next time will be the charm, wishing you the best.
Mikes kudos to both you and jmjm to tough out the sx of the tx and appreciate your very informative posts.
I-horn, you must have been a beautiful baby, you must have had a beautiful smile fore I know what they mean about TX’ing, cuz you are one ugly dude right now… lol!
cigaso, another relaps! you have got to make it this time.

Thanks All

jasper

[dperry10]

I have lost 75 lbs as of today.  I had appt with Hemo today.   I am on week 31/48.  Still hanging in there.   My doctor says if I lose 15 more lbs he may consider reducing Riba, but I don't think I want him to.     I lost about the same amount last nite (14 years ago, on tx) but gained it all back plus alot more and became diabetic.    So the weight loss to me is not an issue.. I want to lose more.  But its the excess skin I have that has me concerned.  I am not going to let myself gain it back this time.  

[HappyDeb]

I have been on ribba  @ peg. itfrn. for 5 weeks now and only lost 3 lbs. Which kinda sucks because when I knew that I was going on treatment I began to eat everything that I would not be able to eat during TX. Well now I am 15 lbs. over weight and pissed at myself .I am to tired to exercise in the summer heat. I sure hope that I will lose these 12 more lbs.

[cigaso]

HappyDeb,
The heat is a killer. Make sure you stay hydrated.

geterdone,
Thanks for the encouragement. I'm staying on tx no matter what.

[Sunny37]

Hi Jasper,

Thought I would say hi again!! I am on week12 now (as of today) genotype 3a....1000 0f riba and 180 of pegasys....and lost 25 or more since starting tx.....I just don't feel like eating! How are you? Do you not feel like eating either? got any ideas? What week are you on now? I am worried that if I keep losing weight they'll stop my meds!! Iwas UND at week 4 but will definetly try and do all 24 weeks. We just moved so I am sure the stress didn't help but the pool we have now certainly helps :) hope you are managing okay!!

[Sunny37]

oh yeah, I almost forgot :) ....I would love to know the answer to your question since I almost feel toxic now taking the meds....is it the weight loss? should I discuss this with my doctor? Would love to hear back from you!!!

[tomofficial]

The high numbers might also from the number of us who quit drinking before starting tx and have moved to a more normal weight.

[Sunny37]

That's is a legitimate suggestion but in my case I have never drank or done drugs....used to have glass of wine with dinner every now and then. I live well and exercise (or did until few weeks ago)

[dperry10]

I have not had a drink in 7 years.  So I know the weight loss is not the  from lack of alcohol in my system.

[geterdone]

Hey sunny37,

Congrats on the 12 wk marker, You! My friend, are half way there and it is an accomplishment in itself. Yeah, you lose the apatite rather quickly in the beginning because of all the changes going on inside and lets face it, no one, I mean no one knew what they were getting into with the TX no matter how much we’ve read, heard, was told or otherwise. We are individuals and unique un to ourselves and what may work for one may not work for the others. But getting back to eating, after the second week and the belly gurgling and because of my love affair with the porcelain palace and not having any energy I started to force my self to eat anything and everything good and bad just to slow the loss of weight. I still at week 20 I make myself eat three meals a day and snacks in between and you know what? I haven’t lost anymore but I’ve not gained any either which is very strange to me. I think it may have to do with the meds burning the food faster than normal leaving a constant void, but I’ve been wrong before. Stress can add to the effects of the meds as well as our own physic but a POOL can sure reduce the level but take the dips after dark because the riba and sun do not mix well. I doubt if they would stop your meds unless you want them to, besides you are half way there, and you’ve made it this far and the train has crested the top of the mountain. If it is still bothersome check with your doc to see what can be done. Hope all else is well with you.

jasper  

[geterdone]

WOW! 75lbs!!! I’m not even going to let that one sink into my some what battered brain. If I lost that much weight I would be seeing a shrink for bulimia. If you feel better with the loss keep going to get to where you want it to be. Diabetes is not good either way you look at it. Did this come as a result of the first round of tx?

Stay well
jasper

[GrandmaA]

I lost 17 lbs. and glad for it. Now I'm a size 8 and I want to stay here. Yes, I talked the nurses into lowering the riba because after 3 days of 5 a day I would vomit. It was an overdose. I take 2 twice a day now. I'm on the peg intron therapy that is weight based. But I took the full amount for over 30 weeks. 4 1/2 weeks to go now. Almost done.

[geterdone]

You are making ready for the launch pad and retired ta boot. I think I would be starting to get spastic right about now. Looking for next February myself and will come in time.

All the best
jasper

[geterdone]

Forgot to mention in my main post that while doing this riba reduction I had blood work done and will have it again in a month and a half just to make sure I’m still on course with the tx.
jasper