setting the alarm clock for the new meds

[SnoWav]

Finished 48 weeks of TX last January relasped withen 12 weeks.Had second BX a few weeks ago went from grade 2 stage 3 before TX to grade 0-1 to stage 1-2 after TX viral load at 450 thousand, the checks before had all been over a million. A thread I posted a few weeks ago someone had said I should forget about the virus and set my alarm clock for 2 years. I will try and do just that.The TX even though I relasped has bought me time. After having hep for 35 yrs and drinking until I was pretty hammered usually every Friday night the virus has not really progressed much.After reading this board for years now It seems even people who SVR are in the back of there minds every little pain are wondering if the virus is returning so are you ever really free.Best of luck to all you people on TX,just remember it is a 50/50 roll of the dice so live work laugh and love the whole TX journey so you don't waste a yr of your life if your not in that 50% that SVR.Aloha

[bobbyullc]

i finished tx 4 months ago and wish i could get one more bx. i read that the chances for a reduction in stage of one or two points is not uncommen. i was a stage 3 a start of tx an if reach even stage 2 would be thrilled. even at stage 3 i feel no symtoms of hep whatsoever?
all i hear is the new drugs will be revolutionary and far far more affective and softer. i also hear 2 years is a good estimate on completion of trials as the fda is helping.

just think, if vx950 dropped vl to und why could one not take it for the rest of their lives. even if it is not a cure it would drop the virus to a point where it could not cause any damage??? obviously i am not a dr. even though i did write a lot of perscriptions in my younger days and have a terrible handwriting.
my life went on hold for that 45 weeks as i could not function with the fatigue.

[APKhaos]

Its highly likely that one or more of the new drug wave will be proven and available in the 2 -3 year timeframe. HCV moves slowly, so time is on your side if your bx shows anything less than stage 4 or really late stage 3, assuming no other liver complications.

The protease and polymerase inhibitors use a pathway that is very specific. They are designed to lock onto the virus in a way that prevents replication. The protease approach allows replication, but the replicated virus cannot infoect new cells. The polymerase approach prevents replication. In both cases, mutated virus copies will be missed. They are being paired with Peg Interferon to sweep up the mutants.

Hard to say if monotherapy wil be a reality in 2-3 years, but much shorter tx duration with a much higher probablity of SVR looks a real possibility if some of the current crop of trial drugs pan out. Good news for fellow travellers, especially you folks who have done the hard tx miles once already.

Remember that we are all fellow travellers, not doctors, so you should use all this as a starting point for discussion with your own doctor. Some are more aware of current treatment trends than others. The advantage us amateurs have is that we are highly motivated!

[Kalio1]

If tx bought you time and reversed some of your liver damage, wouldn't you encourage others to tx for the same reason? getting rid of the virus is not the only goal of tx. If a person has existing liver damage and they follow the advice to wait on better treatments that aren't even through drug trials yet, their liver damage could potentially worsen in those years. Had they done Interferon/riba tx, even without clearing the virus, they very well could have poitive results like you did and reverse some of the damage and "buy time" You reversed your damage by HALF, to me that is a tremendous benefit you gained by doing tx.
I don't see it as a "50/50 roll of the dice" that implies that if you don't clear the virus tx was a "waste" and especially in your case, it clearly was a huge benefit to you in spite of the fact you still have the virus.

[Pdilly]

Hello there lady.  I agree.  Everyone that wants to treat should because it does help even if you don't reach SVR.  Hey remember my pink palms?  I always linked it to me doing pottery.  Well they are not very pink now.  My finger tips still are but that is probably because I use them alot against the clay (which is very sandy so its like a big emery file).  
I did shot 4 last night and it went pretty good.  Don't have as much energy as I normally do but making it.  FInd that at work I poop out about 3pm but I make it to 4pm with not to much of a stretch.  What week are you on now?

[SnoWav]

Yes TX did help me even though I did not SVR. 50/50 my wife cleared I did not. The doc told me I could retreat at a 30% chance for relapsers if I did stronger and longer 72 weeks. I would have considered it if I was grade 3 stage 3 or more but now my little virus friend and I will just try and live togather and chill awhile .Not trying to be negative to anyone doing TX just want to encourage them to live life to the fullest and push yourselves to do more than you think you can while on TX.Aloha

[Kalio1]

Hey that is great news your red palms went away! Mine are still red, but all the spider nevi disappeared, yippee. I am on week 56 or 57 I think. Im glad to hear you are hanging in there, I poop out about 8 am LOL
I think the sheer duration just gets to you after awhile.
What kind of pottery do you make? Do you have a website? I love pottery.