early out

[joey48]

Dose everyone have to complete the 23 week even if you are  [ non detected ] after a couple week are so , if so that would be like a wast of  normal living,

[JasmineT]

If you research the early trials you can find a few numbers on svr rate on 12 vs 12 plus 12 for evr responders. I seem to recall seeing a big difference in svr percent. For my particular circumstances i seem to recall seeing it could be a 30%+ better chance to follow the rules. Not coming this far to take that kind of gamble.

The early trials are what helped set the rules for duration and futility.

[HippyHal]

Yup.. I knew I was 48 going in as a prior (1990) inteferon non responder.. heck.. that is not even a year!  Be done on my 61st Birthday!  What a present!

To me, it would be much more discouraging to get a stop order!  (even though that is what any sane person would want) it also means it did not work.

Hang in.. I am taking my second shot same day as you.. tomorrow evening!  woo hoo!

[Advocate1955]

My husband will be in this for 48 weeks because he is a prior partial responder to two therapies and because he has Cirrhosis.  My understanding is that Incivek kicks the Hep C and the additional weeks of SOC keep it away!
Advocate1955

[indy531]

I was less than 43 at wk 4 and und at 8 and 12; hopefully also wk 16 coming up. I'm in this as per my hep doc for 28 weeks w/Vic.'s 4 week lead in.

[1oftheclub222]

Hey, you'll be 2 shots down and half way to your first blood test to check for viral count!  Woo Hoo!

[joey48]

Thanks everyone for advice and exsperances, You know that we all need people who knows what were going through,   2nd shot tomorrow   and im doing ok with this so thanks again joey

[fretboard]

Actually it's only 24 weeks if you meet specified criteria.  Unfortunately you gotta finish the specified time given if you want to be cured=SVR.  Trust me, many have tried to take or make a short cut but unfortunately were quickly hit with a terribly ugly reality.  HepC is relentless!  good luck!!

[pooh55811]

I know you are in your first week of treatment and I know you feel like crap. Some things will ease. You will learn how to best schedule your time, days, weeks. You will also learn what works best for you in terms of dealing with the side effects.

I think trying to stay positive about treatment, even considering the side effects, will help. Try to look at the up side of treatment, SVR. I think you have to do this or it will become a grind. Look at the glass as half full, not half empty.

I try little things that make me feel like I am getting there (like my comment, 14 weeks down, 36 to go). I also consider making it through Incivek a milestone. It is psychological, I know, but it helps me stay positive. Sometimes when I think that I have 36 more weeks (well, 35.5 to be exact, LOL) I get discouraged, but then I think that I will be free of this virus if I complete treatment and that makes it all worthwhile.

(And, yes, there is a chance I could still relapse, but if I follow the treatment protocol, I have the best chance of getting to SVR.)

Hang in there. You can so it.

[willbb]

Not too sure what you meann by doing the proper therapy regime  ,"is a waste of normal living"
I would rather think  possibly not doing the therapy recommended would be "a waste of  time" by not doing everything possible to eradicate the virus for good"

Good luck.. and hang in..
Will


Treatment Duration
Duration of treatment depends on HCV-RNA levels

Triple therapy: telaprevir, peginterferon alfa, and ribavirin

Dual therapy: peginterferon alfa and ribavirin

Treatment-naïve and prior relapse patients

HCV-RNA levels undetectable at weeks 4 and 12: Administer triple therapy first 12 weeks, then dual therapy an additional 12 weeks

HCV-RNA levels detectable at weeks 4 and 12 (ie, <1000 IU/mL): Administer triple therapy first 12 weeks, then dual therapy an additional 36 weeks

[ceecee444]

I am 100 % with hrsepwrguy on that..
don't mess up at good thing  if your already @ 23 even 17 or whatever week I say finish what you start they did these trails for good reason.

[pooh55811]

It is my understanding that the shortest treatment time is 24 weeks. If I am wrong, someone will correct me.

Those who are  UND at 4 weeks get to do 24 weeks treatment. Those who still show virus at 4 weesk, even if it is under 43 or 25, have to do 48 weeks of treatment.

Just because the test shows undetected does not mean the virus is gone. It could still be there but just not enough for the test to be able to count. There are some people who have treated and been undetected while in treatment and then the virus is back  a few weeks/months after treatment stops (relapse). (That is why they do the 6 month post treatment lab to make sure one is stil undetected 6 months after treatment is finished.)

It seems like we are wasting parts of our lives (weeks, months) doing this treatment. I know I figure I have about 18 months down the tubes by the time all is said and done. But this is really all relative. Yes, it is true, I feel like crap and really cannot carry on my life normally. I am lucky to get done the absolutely necessary things. I don't even try to do anything that is complicated any more. However, if the treatment is successful, we have gained the rest of our lives, which may be decades. So, the way I see it, I am losing a year and a half but will gain decades. I think that is the best scenario and I think it is well worth the time spent treating.

Stopping treatment early could cost you and you could relapse. Personally, I don't think it is worth the gamble.

I am not saying you are planning to do this as your post does not imply that. I am just giving you my rational and also my view that everything is relative. For me, SVR outweighs any desire I may have of stopping short of the recommended treatment time. (And I am doing 48 weeks, LOL.)

I am sure someone will post the treatment guidelines that will back up treating for 24 weeks.

[1oftheclub222]

i think you are type 1, is that right?  Most type 1's i have read about, have to do at least 48 weeks, some people do more, some people have to do the treatments more then once if it doesn't take the first time.  there are a few people on here who are doing the triple therapy now, cause the dual treatment  a few years ago didn't work.   Some people are on on their 3rd try at treatment.  

I think if you get to SVR, it isn't a waste of normal living...just my 2 cents.

[hrsepwrguy]

All of the trials and years of study put into getting these drugs available to us have shown that 24 weeks is needed to rid you of the virus and 24 wks is not a for sure deal only if you are UND at wk 4 and 12, I wasn't and am doing 48 wks which is nothing compared to some of the older members who treated before the PI's doing 72 wks some as high as 130+ weeks. If you choose to stop early you are taking a gamble I personally wouldn't take, I am in it to beat it and following treatment protocol set forth by the drug companies will give the best chance of doing that.