Mind****, bizzare but true?

[Mr. Pink]

I have two shots to go, but I have to admit, that being <600 on day 24 and un at week 12, has gotten me to the point were I am now both wanting tx to be over, but anxious as well. G3s, I heard, are the ones that relapse the most. If so, being on tx is, dreadfully like a security blanket. I am un now, but will I be so in the future, can't I just have 1 riba, and 90 of peg, every two weeks for life, to make sure that the virus doesn't come back??? Has tx and the disease gotten to me  as a kind of mind****. Is it just my psychological constitution that is prone to this, or have others harbored similar anxieties???      

[jmjm530]

Everyone is fearful when it comes time to stop. I certainly did. It's a natural feeling because tx is a security blanket in that we know that the chances are the virus will not come back as long as we keep taking shots and ribavirin. That said, there's a reason treatment lasts for only "X" months, unless your doctor has put you on mainteance treatment which is an altogether different issue. Don't drive your treatment by fear but by a logical assessment of studies, protocols and what your doctor advises.

All the best,

-- Jim

[OnAPrettyPoison]

I, too, was scared to stop the madness....I think it is normal.  Now is the time of truth for you...You just kind of have to put it in the hands of your higher power.

[Kalio1]

Just think, you could already be free of the virus this minute!
If it turns up that you do relapse, then you can cross that bridge when you get there, you might not ever have to worry about it again. Your chances of SVR are really good. There is nothing I know of showing 3a's relapse "more" than they used to, all I have heard on the subject is antecdoctal. Studies show 3a's have more stetatosis than other genos, maybe that compromises SVR somewhat.
It could be that there was an unusual number of relapsing 3a's that visited here. I have heard that more and more 3a's are advised to go 48 weeks, but again, that is antecdoctal. Your chances are very good to SVR.

To answer your question about taking a small dose of the drugs to suppress the virus? Yes, I think maintenance therapy does that.

You don't want to have to take these drugs if you can help it!


Either way, SVR or no, you know you can keep it under control and keep it from replicating with tx drugs and that alone is a blessing. You know you have suppressed the virus during tx and given your liver a break.

[wyntre9]

First of all, GREAT NEWS you only have 2 shots left!!!

"Has tx and the disease gotten to me as a kind of mind****. Is it just my psychological constitution that is prone to this, or have others harbored similar anxieties???"

From my (thus far) limited experience, both personally and communicating with others on forum, it seems this treatment can drive you close to the edge at any and every stage.  

So in that respect, I'd say you're not alone.  

It's like your world shrinks while you're on the drugs and sometimes it seems nothing and no one else exists aside from you, the peg, the riba and the syringes.

Thje drugs are VERY powerful, even mind altering.

[GrandOak]

Congrats on weathering a round of tx and on being able to achieve UND.  Try not to worry too much about a relapse.  If it should happen, it is not the end.  

Actually, having achieved UND is a big accomplishment that makes you more fortunate than those who had tx failed to  in provide that mile marker.  Should relapse occur, you still have play options which nonresponders do not keeps you further ahead in the race to attain SVR.

Believe me, I know the feeling of seeing a finish line in the distance and sorting through all the what ifs while still under the mind altering effects of tx meds.  Try not to dwell on it to much as it can cause you more stress than you probably will realize until the effect of meds begin to clear your system.

At least you get to finish the race instead of getting tapped on the shoulder and pulled from the game before crossing the finish line.