Genotype 1a/1b

[Trish77]

Hi...this is what I know.  
I've had HCV for 20+ years and found out just under a year ago.  I finally got into the specialist last July and found out 09/05/07 that I'm genotype 1a/1b with a high viral load (doctor's words).  From reading these forums briefly, I already know that I should find out exactly what my viral load is and what is considered high.  The doc has recommended 48 weeks of Pegetron and I have a liver biopsy scheduled for 09/17/07.  Then I'll know what shape my liver is in.

I've been doing some research and spending the weekend reading as much as I can and trying to be smart about this.  
Did anyone get a second opinion?  (Here in Canada it doesn't cost anything to do that but it sure takes a helluva long time.)
Did any of you have treatment recommended and decide to wait and why?

Not sure what else to ask because I don't know what I don't know.. if you know what I mean!  Wondering what any of you can recommend to be sure I find out before I start any treatment.  

Thanks in advance and best of it to all of you.

Trish

[nygirl7]

I am a geno 1A and 1B also.  Technically they say it doesn't matter if you have one or two, although geno1A is harder to kill off than 1B.

Don't get too up in arms before you have the biopsy report back - viral load won't help you decide if you really need to treat now or if you do have time to wait and see how well the Vertex trials work out.  It seems like it can be truly helpful however there are it's own set of side effects that come with adding it to the interferon and ribavirin.

You've come to the right spot for information.  I treated for 72 weeks - it's not the easiest thing in the world but you can do it.  You just gotta gear up your head and your heart and get them in the right place and go for broke.

Good luck.

[APKhaos]

I was G1b, infected for around 30 years, VL 26,000,000 range, liver histology late stage 3. Diagnosed in 2005, started the Vertex Telapravir [VX950] trial in mid 2006.
- VL dropped to UND around day 15 of dosing, and stayed UND for the full 24 weeks of dosing.
- SVR at 26 weeks post-x. 36 weeks post tx PCR will be done next week, but it would be extremely unlikely to see a relapse at 36 weeks.

The bottom line is that this dragon CAN be beaten, and that there are new drugs coming that are looking promising for a shorter treatment and a higher rate of clearance to SVR. While its never good to discover you have HCV, this just happens to be a time when the prospects are better that they were just a couple of years ago.

[Andiamo1]

I am currently in the Telepravir trial.  It is blinded, so I won't be able to see the impact on my viral load until my 26th week in the trial.  I am currently in week 21.  Results from earlier trials are very promising.  The drug is being developed by Vertex pharmaceuticals ticker: vrtx.  

There will be a phase III trial of Telepravir starting late fall.  It is for treatment naive patients, so you might be able to get into it if there is a medical center near you that is participating.

[Trish77]

No worries, Andiamo.  What I know is that my own decisions ultimately rest with me.  I value the information that other people have to offer but it's up to me to sift through it and educate myself and see it through the filters of my own life priorities and circumstances.  I may pursue a second opinion, that has worked in my favour in the past and it will cement things for me.

I'll look into telepravir ... thank you for that.  All information is a good thing for me right now.

Awaiting the biopsy and results at this point and that will bring things into better focus for me.  

[Andiamo1]

One option you might want to consider is to wait for the new drugs to get approval.  Telepravir is a shorter duration treatment with a higher SVR rate.  If your biopsy shows little damage, you can certainly wait years for new treatments.

High viral loads may not be an indication of the speed of progression of the scarring and although tx is easy for some people, it is brutal for others. Please get a second opinion.  Non of us are doctors, so we should not give any advice other than to seek good medical opinions..

[Trish77]

Thank you so much, paddy and all, for taking the time to pass on all that information.  I do much better when I'm well informed.  At this point, my biopsy is in one week today so I'll not have to wait long for the remainder of the results I need.  In the meantime, taking the necessary steps to be ready to proceed with treatment if indeed I decide to go ahead.  Good luck paddy and all.