Stopping Treatment

[Peteshine]

Guys,

I'm sure there are a few of you who have had the privelege to go on treatment then told you will be coming off it because your results have turned out really positive. If so, how did you cope with coming off? Firstly my hep doc has recently told me because my DNA has gone UND and my ALT is sitting comfortable at 21 i would be only having a years supply of combo-treatment as i have met what the docs have hoped for. I originally started on interferon which, although brought down the VL it didn't do much for the ALT or decrease enough for me to stop medication altogether.

In July i will be coming off my combo treatment of Adevoir/Lumudivine and i'm petrified. I have got myself into a routine of taking these little tabs at 7:30 each morning and have done it pretty much religiously on the min every day for near the past year. I'm now thinking i might really miss those gems! The underlaying reason for my worries is that my DNA level will shoot up again.

I literally have 2 weeks of tabs left then its a matter of taking regular blood check-ups. I have a blood test at the beginning of July, an appointment on the 24th of July then not sure what after. What should follow? Should i be monitored as regularly as every month to see if my VL does go up or do i see the hep doc every 6 months after?

Finally is there anyone out there who stopped treatment and remained on the UND status, or rather the VL didn't suddenly go shooting up? I would also like to communicate with those on the opposite scale where their VL did go up and they had to go back onto treatment. I would really appreciate any advice and help to enable me to prepare for either outcomes.

Thanks guys, really appreciated.

[zellyf]

I have known of several cases where people discontinued antiviral treatment and have gone several years without trouble.  Remember that to some degree you are a test case, Pete.  Antiviral therapy is largely unproven for Hep B but appears to be the most promising thing out there.  I would continue to monitor frequently.  Two week intervals seems like a good idea and then monthly and then maybe every 8 weeks.  And then I'd stay at 3-month intervals after that. That's not based on anything scientific...just my druthers. But will your nationalized health care allow that frequent testing?  

I know you've had a failed treatment with interferon so I understand your nerves.  Just do this and see how it goes.  

[cajim]

I'm now thinking i might really miss those gems!

--We are such opposites!  I have read so many case reports that the gems gave the eaters normal ALT/AST and UND HBV-DNA yet they went on to cirrhosis, ascites, HCC anyway that I would do anything to avoid the gems.  People are different and their views are hard to change.  I hope you will continue to share your experience so that the people after us benefit.  Thank you.