When can I stop Baraclude treatment?

[qor]

I am female, 28 y.o. I have known being the carrier for about 10 years (probably since birth).
I first started treatment since Jan 08, due to very high load of DNA (almost 600m copies) and high AST, ALT (200, 600 respectively). Echographie abdominale shows Liver were functioning well (all following tests showed same result).
As prescribed by doctor, I have been using Baraclude since. After 6 months treatment (Jul 08), ALT, AST were back in normal range. Virus count dropped to less than 30K copies . Anti-Hbe tested Pos. I was told that the treatment objectives were achieved but advised to continue with the medicine to bring back DNA to lower level.
6 months later (1 year after treatment), my DNA test was done again and showed the undetectable level of the virus (<500copies/ml). I expected then the treatment might be able to stop. However I was advised to continue to taking the medicine being afraid that the resistance to the medicine might develop if I stop using. I have since continued the treatment and all follow-up check-up shows very good result.
Most recently, test in Dec 2009 shows AST 16.2, AKT 11.2. HbeAg Neg. Non-detectable virus count (<500copies/ml).
It looks like it is advisable for me to use Baraclude for life, which is although not too much a problem on the finance aspect, but is extremely inconvinient for other aspects of life. This is because I would like to use contraceptive pills for birth control but it is advisable that anyone taking treatment for Hep B shouldn't use pills.
My questions are therefore, in my case, when can I stop Baraclude? My second question followed, if I have to continue w the medicine, what are the options I can use for birth control (beside usage of condom everytime, which is not a prefered choice)?
Thank you very much for helping with my case.

[stef2011]

genotype A has the highest response on intf, give etv mono few months and then recheck hbsag, if decline is fast no need for peg add on while if slow it is best to have peg add on

[samarium]

hbv genotype A

[stef2011]

on the contrary peginterferon add on it is needed in your case exactly because you are sure to clear hbv by etv+pegintf (not so sure on etv monotherapy) while higher hbsag cases have nothing to predict response.if hbsag continue to decline to less than 500iu/ml pegintf will be much faster to finish and clear

what was your baseline liver damage?f3 is not precise at all if you have the kpa value it is much better to see the recovery, 7.9kpa is still high value try to have a perfect healthy life style it will decrease slowly anyway

what is your hbv genotype?

[samarium]

Here are my results after 24 months on entecavir monotherapy:

At the beginning of the treatments fibrosis level F3, nowadays 7.9Kpa

After 12 months of entecavir therapy:
ALT 29
HBsAg 1178
HBeAg 1.80
HBV-DNA negative

After 24 months of entecavir therapy:
ALT 24
HBsAg 916
HBeAg negative
HBV-DNA negative
antiHBe negative

I am waiting for the apparition of antiHBe. On the other hand my doctor impressions are quite possitive in the sense that he has told me that it is very probable a complete negativization of VHB. Any suggestions? is there any way to help to the aparition of antiHBe? He told me that a combo with pegasys, in my case, is not recomendable, since it is very sure I will not need it...
Thanks

[Bandepart]

Thank you for your reply.

As written in my first reply to another member I have yet to receive the first results.
What I do know is that no scarring on my liver has been shown from two screenings made.
I hope I can provide more detailed information beginning of next year.

All the best and Merry Christmas!

[Bandepart]

Hello and thanks for your reply.

I have yet to see my doctor to get the first results on how I am responding after three months of treatment. I will see him in January and ask for a detailed lab result.

All the best and Merry Christmas!