viral load and tx

[mbnh]

My doctor says my viral load is 45,000.  I started Peg/Riba on Friday.  Should I be optimistic about the tx because the viral load is so low?  Anyone else had a similar experience?

[cheddarhead]

I started TX in June '06 with a viral load of 110,000. Geno 1a. Pegasys 180 and 1200 ribavirin. I was in the IDEAL study (Pegasys vs. Pegintron for bragging rights as to effectiveness) At the end of week 2, my VL was 240 and at week 4, UND. Because of the nature of the study, I couldn't end the treatment at week 24, but I was told this was protocol in Europe for 1a treaters reaching UND status at week 4.

Six months post-TX, I reached SVR. Be optimistic and good luck to you!

Bruce

[mbnh]

Were your viral loads also low?  I am praying my viral load test will be good at week 4 because I'm paying outright for the meds.  Thanks for your response.

[goldenrule]

i was also a 1a and became UND @ week 4. I chose to do 36 weeks of treatment. and cleared the virus. Some Dr wil agree with 24 weeks of treatment for 1a's who clear by week 4.

[mbnh]

I am geno 1.  thanks for the encouragement.  I will be tested at 4 weeks.  thank you again.

[zazza]

What genotype are you?

If you are a geno 1:
You should be optimistic about tx'ing, since a low baseline viral load gives you a 70% chance of SVR, compared to less than 50% for the entire genotype 1 group. 50% of geno 1's with a low baseline viral load attain rapid viral response (UND at week 4), which bodes well for SVR - 90%, if I remember correctly.

Good luck, and be sure to get that week 4 viral load test to see if you are an RVR.