Off Hep C Tx After 12 Weeks - Waiting for the New Meds

[jsf52]

Hi All,

I want to thank everyone for their support and insight whenever I have posted a question. My doctor (Dr. Saab at UCLA Pfleger Liver Inst) took me off tx last week as my 12 week viral count didn't make the 2 log marker - it went down from 5 million to 149,000.  He was positive and said that I had what he called a partial response especially since my AST is at 42 after starting at 126 and my ALT is at 70 after starting at 221.  I am a gentoype 1a and my last biopsy in August has me at a Grade 2/4, Stage 3/4 (bridging fibrosis, suspicious for evolving cirrhosis).  I have had Hep C since the early 80's and have been clean since 1985 (had the occasional like once a year drink but stopped that in 1995).  I did start taking Vitamin D the last 3 weeks of tx and take 1,000 IU per day of D3 - my Vit D test showed me at 24.  My doctor plans to put me on the new drugs when they are released in June or July - he said that they will increase my chances from 4% with current tx to roughly 50%.  Don't know if doing tx was the right thing or I just should have waited as it sounds like the new drugs work the best for tx naive folks and I am no longer in that crowd - my thought is that at least I gave my liver a little break and that can only be good.  Wanted to find out if there are folks in my situation who have done trials with the new drugs and how it has worked - also is there anything that I can do to add to my diet or supplements that will help the tx work better and get me the fastest drop in viral count.  Also, any information as to what a stage 3/4 really means - according to my doctor I have 10 to 15 years before severe damage can occur.  I am still drinking tons of water and my doctor told me to drink 2 cups of coffee per day as there are studies that show the caffeine from coffee helps to manage disease progression in folks with my stage.  Thanks for your thoughts.

[Ozgirl707]

Sorry it didn't work this time, it happened to me too,week 12.I know it's real dissapointing.

Just try to get your body healthy again,eat well and try to exercise. So you're fit and
ready when the new P.I.'s come along.

I'm going to try to get on a clinical trial,the Ifn & ribas don't work on my virus at all. It's a hard strain the genotype 1 isn't it.
But better chance with the new drugs!
Good luck,
Ozgirl  x

[scaredycat7]

Sorry about going off treatment.  
Everyone is right.  Dont drink no matter what.  Find liver friendly foods. Re-treat when the new stuff comes out.  It won't matter that you've treated with the current interferon/riba.  The new chemistry won't even notice.  

Don't forget to breathe.  You will be okay but you have to be careful with your little livie.  It's not feeling so good -but your enzyme levels are great and some damage is reversible.  

Focus on the summer. Get in the best shape possible.  Get ready to rumble! (I read that somewhere else and it's great!)
SC7

[it'sallgood]

there are members who have failed multiple times with SOC but went on to clear with the direct acting antivirals during clinical trials.  one that comes to mind is addiamo, though i am not sure of the exact spelling of his name.
keep the faith,
eric

[Trinity4]

Good call by your doctor.

Stage 3/4 means the train is much closer to the end of the track than say 2/3 but it's moving slowly for now.  It's considered advanced fibrosis but not frank cirrhosis.

Even though you've treated with interferon and ribavirin you still have as the same chance of achieving SVR with the new drugs as someone who is treatment naive.  We do not develop a resistance to interferon and ribavirin.  That only occurs with the protease inhibitors and failed treatment.

Trinity