Success!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Vertex will lift the blind for 48 week people when they reach week 26.  What a great company!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[jmjm530]

That is good news indeed. So I'm curious, with all the discussion we've had -- what are you plans in terms of treatment length if you find out you're in the triple therapy group and what are your plans if you find out you're in the placebo group (double therapy).

-- Jim

[mauilady]

After scrolling through your previous thread, I can see that this is great news for you!!  I'm keeping my fingers crossed that your PCRs have been undetectible, and that soon your life will return to normal, and you'll be sailing down to the Carribbean~ sipping PinaColadas (non-alcoholic, of course ;-}).

[Andiamo1]

mauilady: You are all welcome to meet up in the caribbean and go for a sail!  I am dreaming about it already.

Jim: The first step is pretty much the same in all cases: I will review the test results with my doctor and get his opinion on what to do, then make my own decision.  I know that he thinks that standard methods of determining treatment length do not apply to protease inhibitors and that there is not enough data to understand the probabilities that are determined by rapidity of response.  I am sure he will take a cautious approach as will I.

If I became undetectable much before week 4, I will probably stop.  If it was week 12, I will continue to the full 48 weeks even if I was in the 24 week arm.

If I am in the placebo group, I will probably drop out, since there is no chance I will achieve SVR.

[Andiamo1]

Correction: when I said Vertex swill lift the blind, I meant that they will release PCR results, not that they will say what arm we are in.  I don't see much difference, since we can deduce the arm from the PCR results, but just to be precise I not the correction.

[mustangshelly]

Great news..hope the vertex trail goes well...

[Forseegood]

Yipeeeeee! pulling for you all the way, was going to inject some sailing puns, but they were too corny even for me!

[Andiamo1]

You are a sweetie!!

[orphanedhawk]

  Congratulations !!! I wish you the best of continued success. You always bring the breeze of the seas to this forum.  

[FullOfHope77]

I was told that they will lift the blind at 20 weeks just yesterday and came directly from the coordinators communications? That means all viral loads everything... so that may come sooner than you expected...

[web52-1]

i'm glad it is working out for you.  i can't imagine how you must feel tx 7 times.  i hope your sx get better soon. i know the vx950 is rough, and the probability is that you have been getting the drug.  there should be more data released in september, which may have bearing on your decision to stop or continue. i'm hoping the data will show that the 12 week triple plus 12 weeks soc is optimal. this will really benefit alot of people. you are a real warrior and i admire your tenacity.    

[Andiamo1]

That is funny,  I was told yesterday that the test results (PCR) will be faxed to the medical center on the 26th week.

[wyntre9]

I'm so happy for you.

Congrats.

wyn

[frijole]

This is good news.  I am still thinking - even if you were clear at 4 weeks - you should continure thru the 48, but I am glad you will have the data to make an informed decision.

When you say you will review with the doctor - that couldn't be a trial doctor, could it?  How could he say anything but to continue thru the end of the trial?

frijole

[Andiamo1]

He couldn't tell me to drop out, but he could tell me his feeling on the odds of SVR.  He will take a strong position that I should stay if he believes that it is necessary.  He will say nothing otherwise.

Everyone has opinions, no one has facts yet about this trial.  It always raises the probability of SVR to stay longer with the drugs, but by how much?  Surely you must recognize that no one can know at this time.   This is my last chance for SVR, so I will err on the side of caution.

[Andiamo1]

Thanks for your warm support and good luck to you.  Here's to SVR!!!

[GrandmaA]

That's GREAT news! Congratulations. I'm so happy for you. It has been a very long struggle and your tenacity has paid off. Fingers are crossed for your SVR. I have 6 more weeks of treatment. I was one week off. This is my first time treating.

[meki]

Andiamo---you keep your hopes up - the laughter rolling no matter what way it goes.

You're an inspiration to us all!

Meki

[ladywhy]

That's great news! I'm so glad you will be able to make some informed decisions in the very near future. You're in my prayers, Eric.

[Willy50]

There may be even more success coming.  I see that the stock actually raised over 9% (it briefly topped $36 dollars, highest in 3 months) today.  When you consider that many people are taking or have taken their 12 week PCR's one might be able to start drawing some conclusions about telaprevir success rates amongst prior treatment failures.

I hope this bodes well as good news for all of you on trials.  Thanks for your contributions.

best,
willy

[Andiamo1]

I agree.  I suspect something is brewing!

[meki]

Ooooooh - time to buy stock... LOL!