what is geno type 2B relapser protocol?

[brokerboy]

hi all...i treated with 3x-weekly interferon and ribo 6 years ago and i responded quickly, but relapsed one month post treatment...
i just finished 24 week tx with peg and ribo and my nurse mentioned  that 2B protocol is now 12 weeks to 24 weeks.does anyone know what the current thinking is?...alan

[Lindaz]

I am geno type 2b and had a 3.7 log drop by week 2.  I was undected at week 4.  I am going to complete the 24 weeks of treatment and I don't want to do any less than 24 weeks.  I have heard lots of new info about stopping treatment earlier but personally, I prefer to complete the 24 weeks.  For some reason, I feel I am giving it my best shot.  

[RenaJean]

my husband has HEP C and cirrhosis and he cant take any meds for it. He tried the ribivron and the interferon. It made his platlates so low that we had a doctor call our home and told him that if he took one more shot it would kill him.its been a year since hes been off the meds. He is begining to feel the effects of the diease. may of 2008 they told my husband he had only five years to live. It scares me everyday. We know what your going through. God be with you.

[lilvern]

Hi Im a woman of the age of 50. I was diganoised with hep c and B both which are chroinic.in i999. I did the interferon and ribivron for 6 mtns. still viral load was extrememly high and so was my white blood cell and platlates were low. I was handle a statement from the Dr. to take to an onoglogist because it said I was termial. I was pulg into this for one year the pegintron and ribivron.It was horrible the poison that they pumped into me I was told after all this 3yrs of this **** and I did not go into remission but there was no more that they could do. I was a genotype b treatble with the drug. but from them stopping and starting me on this it mutated my virus to 1a. None restiant to the posion. its a study and Im affraid I fit the critera which pays for the study I would tell you in all good faith that its not helpful and it has long term side afects that they the Drs. have no idea what it can do to you. I am into the natural side of this horrible thing that the inerferon did It works diet and a regiment of vitiams and c-silver. there is no cure for this diease the only thing is to eat right and stay with that Im still here!!!!If youd like you can respond to this comment.

[GoofyDad]

I didn't realize the riba combo has been around 6 years already. The newer pegylated interferon is better than the old 3x a week because that left too many troughs and peaks in saturation - your body would clear the old stuff very quickly.

Also, as noted, the ribaviran dosing is a big issue too. How much riba were you taking?

My guess is that what happened 6 years ago with a different class of INF has little bearing on what will happen to you today. I also think we tend to remember cases of relapse more vividly than we do SVR's, hence the sentiment that there are more relapses in geno 2/3 than SVRs. The published data from every study I've ever seen contradicts that. My guess is that you have an excellent chance at SVR. Good luck!

[Pauly Boy]

I am a 2b too, just finished tx and was UNd at week 4,12, and immediatelr post tx was UND as well. As I started winding down my doc started talking to me about a change in their protocol as far as testing for VL at weeks 4, 8, 12, this might support the contention of some folks previously noted about a possible switch to a 16 week tx if UND at week4 and 12. Best of luck in your efforts.   Pauly

[Myown]

scuba,,sorry didn't see your post above, just read it now so my question is answered. hope you have smooth sailing all the through!

[Myown]

hi everyone,

Scuba, congrats on starting tx. I'm 2b also. still doing consults and looking to choose a doc. Just curious, are you on weight based riba? Pegasys? I made an appointment to see a hematologist in a couple weeks also. Seems like quite a few members had hematologists keeping an eye on things too. My vl was 5 million, now 10million. 0 fibrosis(fibrosure test). The doctor up in Boston wrote out a plan for the doctor, whoever that may be (don't know yet) to follow.

brokerboy, the doctor I went to up in boston said for me to tx for 24 weeks,(my first and hopefully only round) but he'd be happy with 16 if I couldn't make it through. he wants a pcr the 2nd and 4th week to see how i am responding. after that i don't know, i am waiting for his written plan to arrive. i don't know what they reccomend for geno2 relapsers.

wish everyone the best...

[ladybug52]

Re: viral load-Were you tested at 4 weeks? When does your doctor test and what have your results been?
Just curious, I am 2 also, don't know if it is a or b.
Bug

[scubadiver30]

Hello guys
I'm also 2b and I started today. I was wondering if you remember your baseline stats before the 24 weeks? I mean , right before you relapsed?
thanks a lot

scuba

[settecasi1]

I am Geno-2 qnd relapsed after 24 weeks TX. I was clear at 10 and 24 weeks but did not test before week 10.
No I have to go 48 weeks. I tell you I would go 48 weeks if I could. From what I have learned, more relaps than SVR.

[brokerboy]

Gauf..i have treated before and i relapsed...do you think that would effect the time of tx, because my nurse stopped me at 24 wks, but now my dr. is implying (via voice mail)that he ordered me to to treat for a full year?  i can't reach either because of the holiday weekend...
i have been off tx since oct 24th so it doesn't make a difference now, but i am going riba crazy over this...thanks,alan

[gauf]

I am a 2b also and currently at 16 weeks of scheduled 24 weeks. The concensus here is to go a minimum of 24 weeks if UND at 12 weeks. Newer studies suggest possible 16 wk TX if UND at 4 wks. GOOD LUCK.

[brokerboy]

i forgot to mention that i have been virus free since the 3rd week of tx and am going for a one month pcr next week...thanks in advance....alan