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Interferon...that old familar feeling - Prove 3 begins for me
by miked, May 04, 2007 12:00AM
Today I went for my first Prove 3 appointment.
They took a blood sample, watched me give myself a shot of Pegasys and take three VX-950 (placebo?) and three Ribaviren (RBV). Next they gave me three weeks of drugs and a comlimentary (and stylish if might add) softside Prove3 cooler to carry the stuff in.
I've also been given a diary to record that I've taken each dose at the correct time. From here out I'm to take two VX-950 pills every eight hours and three Ribaviren 2x per day. INF every Friday.
It's been reported here that Group C is obvious if you are in because it only issues VX-950 and INF. I got RBV along with the VX-950 and INF so that means that I now have a 67% chance that I'm in a group with the real thing.
Group B would be good because it gives 24 weeks of VX-950 but bad because it then gives another 24 weeks of SOC for a total of 48 weeks. Group D would be good because it's only 24 weeks but only 12 with VX-950...I've read here that some people think 24 weeks of VX-950 is the optimum.
It's also been reported here that VX-950 has a bitter taste. Is that true? A horse would have issues choking these puppies down.
The shot of INF was this morning and I'm beginning to have that old familar crazy feeling. Speedy, clenched teeth, headache, body chills. Has anyone else found it ironic that Interferon feels like the bad effects of cocaine? I'm a Christian family man now-a-days but long past feelings are similar.
I hope Round #2 works and kills this virus once and for all.
Mike
They took a blood sample, watched me give myself a shot of Pegasys and take three VX-950 (placebo?) and three Ribaviren (RBV). Next they gave me three weeks of drugs and a comlimentary (and stylish if might add) softside Prove3 cooler to carry the stuff in.
I've also been given a diary to record that I've taken each dose at the correct time. From here out I'm to take two VX-950 pills every eight hours and three Ribaviren 2x per day. INF every Friday.
It's been reported here that Group C is obvious if you are in because it only issues VX-950 and INF. I got RBV along with the VX-950 and INF so that means that I now have a 67% chance that I'm in a group with the real thing.
Group B would be good because it gives 24 weeks of VX-950 but bad because it then gives another 24 weeks of SOC for a total of 48 weeks. Group D would be good because it's only 24 weeks but only 12 with VX-950...I've read here that some people think 24 weeks of VX-950 is the optimum.
It's also been reported here that VX-950 has a bitter taste. Is that true? A horse would have issues choking these puppies down.
The shot of INF was this morning and I'm beginning to have that old familar crazy feeling. Speedy, clenched teeth, headache, body chills. Has anyone else found it ironic that Interferon feels like the bad effects of cocaine? I'm a Christian family man now-a-days but long past feelings are similar.
I hope Round #2 works and kills this virus once and for all.
Mike
I'm working hard with my doc to have the same exact experience you had today, isn't that ironic. Sometimes, cosmically, this whole experience makes me think I will be reborn as a galaxy or a supernova or something celestial, since I have worked off all my bad karma, my neighbors bad karma and most of the western worlds karma too, from IFN and the virus and there is no experience left here for me to go thru.
Then I remember I have dishes to do and dog barks at the mailman and life goes on. Stars aside, good luck to you, much much good luck.
Willows weary
Willows: great insights and observations!
I am nearing the end of my third week on Prove 3 and I am not in group C. By the way, your probability of the real thing is 75% not 67%. You had a one out of 4 chance of a placebo and that doesn't change even though you now know you are not in group C.
Some one asked about the initial dose: it is a loading dose of 3 pills; a regular dose is two pills.
Tomorrow will be one week since I started Prove 3..although I'm switching my shot to Saturday evening as I work 2 Sats. a month.
Did you use Pegasys or Peg-Intron last time? I used the Peg-Intron and I have to say, first shot night and day after were much worse this time with the Pegasys than my first shot of Peg-Intron but on the other hand, the last few days I have felt better than I ever did on treatment the last time. This interferon is mysterious stuff. I do feel my hemoglobin dropping though. I dropped very quickly last time. I went for labs yesterday assuming they would be doing a CBC. My treatment nurse called me today about something else and I found out they didn't do a CBC. The first CBC is at week 2 I guess. The upcoming week should be interesting.
I'm looking forward to comparing notes.
dointime.
Andiamo - I'm looking at like Group C is off the plat for sure so that only leave three more groups and I know that 2 get VX-950 and one doesn't therefore 67%. Actually it's 100% because SOC failures get rolled over....only you get up to an extra 6 month Interferon/RBV ride that didn't work before you start the VX-950. I want to avoid that one.
Joseijo - Thanks for biting the pill :-) Mine tast bitter but maybe it's just me.
Forseegood - They said the standard is 2 pills 2x per day. I hope that they are not reducing dosage from the 750 ml because in the early trials that dosage showed the best results.
That initial probability stays with you even when it is revealed that you are not in one of the real drug arms.
If you want to research this, there is an interesting probability puzzle called the game show dilemma. It is widely talked about on the net.
The puzzle: You are a contestant in a game show and you are on stage with only you and the host. There are three doors, behind one is a prize and the others are empty. They are labeled a, b and c. You choose c. The game show host opens b and shows you that it is empty. The host asks you if you want to switch to door a. Should you switch?
Good luck with the trial and I hope you tolerate all this well!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monty_Hall_problem
I'm still not sure I agree with it. :) (Then again, he's the one with the degree in math.)
The great numbers debate is all based on how one frames (and even more likely, perceives) the question, eh?
It's interesting to juxtapose the randomization to trial applicants with the game show format. That is just a bit too surreal to comment on, however tempting. : )
best,
Willy
I doubt if a drug company would be stupid enough to make the real deal tast bitter and the placebo taste like sweet tart :-)
Good luck and let's keep in touch.