6 month post TX

[sunbelt]

just wanted to post for the about to start crowd or those just starting, just got my 6 month
post viral loads and they remain undectable..it is indeed a great feeling.
I have been with the virus about 35 years. geno 1A. with moderate fibrosis.
i did standard 48 weeks, 180 interferon and 1200 riba. made it thru with no rescue drugs.
worked with my GI and PCP, both who took an active interest in getting me thru this.
cleared at week 12. did standard PCR's however did throw in 1 Heptimax to get a more precise look at the numbers.
what I would have done differently, I would have gotten 1 month Viral load, not that I would have changed my regime, but it would made me feel better nowing that I was an Early responder.

felt pretty good until week 32 or so, then got pretty ugly for awhile, had just about every SX described, but muddled thru, working part time, and as little as possible the last 16 weeks, I think not pushing, just do what you can do attitude, at least for me, helped tremendously in my case.
I wish I had done this a few years earlier as I procrastinated and kept thinking about it, reading & educating myself thru this web site for years, while all
along once the fibrosis was progressing I actually saw a 1 stage move within less than two, confirmed by 2 biopsy.
I wanted to add, i think the stats get misinterpreted at times, there are the "intend to treat" categories which is where the 50-50 odds stem from and then there are those who do treat, are able to tolerate the drugs, do maintain the doses and stay the course. I think those odds are substantially higher and in my own circle of 10 who treated, only 8 did not clear. 1 continued to drink during therapy, not sure about the other, but they were 1B.
we even had one gentleman who was a !A, very low viral load, who only did 24 weeks at 1/2 the riba dose (due to a herat condition) and he cleared and is SVR.
it took me about 3 months to start to feel better post TX and at 6 months I must say i feel great energy high, less aches and pains than before, no longer test positive for cryoglobmenia (spell)
which had effected my skin color on my back and for the first time in 20 years my very ugly toes
(of all things) have started to grow new & pink , that make some wonder what harboring this virus all these years has done.
there are lots of folks who are fortunate to have success with these current therapies.
so thanks to all who contribute to the site, it carries many of us thru this.
back to life!!

[IAmTheWalrus]

Thanks for clearing up the "intent to treat" stats versus the "per protocol" stats. It was always a little confusing for me and I was often not sure which way the stats indicated. So, it looks like finishing the extended treatment can give "slow responders" a similar outcome as the faster responders. They just have to put up with TX longer (not easy I am sure). Great envouragement! :)

[sunbelt]

yes, those were stats in the small group I interacted with, maybe just a coincidence of sorts, but thats how it played out.
My PCP who does a lot of infectious disease and has had about 20 heppers over the last two years, felt those were somewhat consistent in the 70-80% range, but the constant was the ability to finish, and as we all know not everyone can.
good luck!!

[comeagain]

thx for input very accourageing. You are a conqueror kepp u head up high and go on with your energetic victorius live.
Keep you toes up high aswell.  GOD BLESS

[alagirl]

did you mean to say that out of your group of ten who made it through treatment only two did not clear?  I'm hoping that's what you meant...

At any rate, thanks for posting this.  I personally think people generally wait far too long to treat and until too much damage has been done to their body when they could put a year aside, clear this virus, and have a better life with fewer health problems.

[Myown]

Congratulations. Very happy for you!