test for viral load after 4 weeks

[Clyde4360]

Hi, have been on the pegasus, ribivarin and telapuir for almost 4 weeks my Doctor tested my
viral load and said if it's not down to 1000 will have to stop treatment. My blood work came back today everything is dropping and he told me to cut back on my ribavarin. Is anyone doing the new 3 medication treatment? I thought they waited 3 months to test viral load before they would stop treatment for non response.

[Clyde4360]

Hey Joe: They have to lower my dose because the Hep C has affected my kidneys now the treatment is making them worse. That is great that you are und after 4 weeks, I see the doc Tues I am going to ask him about the rescue drugs to help my levels.. Sounds like you are doing pretty good keep it up and Good Luck with the rest of your treatment!! Clyde.

[joemc34606]

I'm doin triple therapy and I'm on my sixth week. My sides haven't been real bad, but I have my days where I don't want to do anything but sleep, still make it to work though. I was und at 4 weeks and all my blood levels are good. Have they given you the reason for lower your dose? Any mention of rescue drugs? Good luck. Joe

[Clyde4360]

Thanks for your prayers good luck with the start of your treatment let me know how you are doing.

[beeblessed]

Hang in there Clyde.  Thanks very much for posting your first shot experience.  I start one week from today, on triple therapy with Victrelis.  Best to you and I pray your kidneys will be okay.  I almost think your doc wouldn't have approved you for treatment if he thought otherwise.  But I'm guessing.

[Clyde4360]

Hi, thanks for words of encouragement I am so happy for you. My results should be in any day. So I guess you are taking the new drug also. What week are you in and how do you feel? So the deal is only 3 months for the telaprevir and 6 months for the pegaysus & ribavirin is that your treatment plan also? How are your blood levels? Mine have dropped pretty fast and he cut my ribavirin down. Hep C has affected my kidneys so they have to be careful the Ribavirin can hur them worse I am in stage 3 kidney failure already but was holding steady until started treatment now they are getting worse. I hope I get rid of this virus before I loose my kidney function. Take care of yourself I'm sure I will talk to you soon! Clyde.

[Clyde4360]

Hi Deb:
Well here it goes the whole truth. I did my first shot Aug 5th waited for the side effects to hit. Around 11:00pm started shaking real bad put some warmer clothes on and went to bed. Every muscle and joint ached had a splitting headache. Was in bed all weekend sometimes I would think I was better and I would start shaking again. Would get dizzy if I took a shower or was up for to long. And the fatty meal thing before your pills you don't want to eat so you have to force yourself to eat a fatty food. Diareaha for the first 3 weeks better now. 2nd shot didn't hit me until Sat same symptoms as the 1st shot. Thursday and friday seem to be my best days I guess the pegasys wears off a bit. Oh I forgot bad pains in my stomach I take prylosec and Imodium, sorry probably not spelling correctly. The best way I can describe how I feel is disconnected from everything. I am starting to get depressed I can't workout right now I can't walk my dogs I own my own bussiness so I'm lucky I work a half day and come home and all I want to do is lay down. I have alot of support from my wife and family some days I don't think I will make 6 months and some days I want to fight this. I still have red marks from my shots none have gone away. I have been lucky so far no rash from the telaprevir that is a positive. I haven't lost any hair yet. The Dr has me doing blood work every 11/2 weeks my levels are dropping rapidly so he lowered my ribavirin. I hope this helps you I to would like other people to tell me how they are doing on the new 3 med treatment plan too. It is still new to me also. Waiting for results on my viral load they say if after 4 weeks you are not at 1,000 they stop your treatment hopefully it has gone down to 1,000. Take care and good luck with the start of your treatment I didn't mean to alarm you everyone is different and you may get less side effects take it day by day. Have a good night. Clyde

[dixiechicdana]

Clyde,
My viral load went from 14,900,000 to 43 at week 4 so you should do great!!!!! :)

[Clyde4360]

Hi Susie, thanks for the help my test should come in today got my fingers crossed. My load started at 550,000  hopefully its at 1,000. Thanks Clyde

[SusieS2010]

Clyde they tested at week 12 and 24 when just interferon and ribavirin were used. Adding telaprevir they know that if your viral load isn't below 1000 at week 4 it isn't going to work and resistance will build if you stay on the protease inhibitor (telaprevir). They stop treatment so that you can use other protease inhibitors later if you need them.

[crossroadsec]

I think they do 4,8, n 12 weeks. Did he say why they were dropping you back? Hang in there!!! Karen :)