Thank you & a plug for tapering

[aiuta]

Dear Forum Friends, I have not posted for probably 6 - 9 months on the Forum.  It's not because I don't care, rather it's because I don't like to remember the circumstances of how I got the Hep C or the difficult period of my life that it all represents for me.  I know some of you will remember.  In any case, I was reminded of you all recently and wanted to say hi and thank you again for all the help you gave me during that difficult time.  You posts, responses, notes and support truly helped save my life.  I came up UND at 6 and 9 months post treatment.  I finally was able to work on a full-time project recently.  I honestly did not know that it could happen after how hard the treatment hit me.  It was a miracle.  I wanted to share with you that it was (unofficially) suggested by a renowned Dr. in the field that I taper off the Interferon at the end and I did.  While I am not an M.D. and don't understand all the complexities of why that might work physiologically, it did "work" in the end and I think frankly, with the serious depression problems I had during tx, I don't know that I would have survived a cold turkey withdrawal.  I just wanted to share that in case it could help anyone else.  Thank you again and take care of yourselves. Most sincerely, Aiuta

[dointime]

Thank you so much for this detailed description of how to taper.  It is the best I have come across.  Your doc seems to be really switched on to this subject.  I'm keeping a note of this for when I treat again.  I am so glad you posted this,

dointime

[aiuta]

I treated at full-force for 24 weeks (Peg 180/week and 1200/day Riba), because that's what the Dr. said to do. Then I tapered for 2 months.  I did it under a Dr.'s (unofficial) guidance and it went like this:  the 1st & 2nd week of the extra two months cut by 1/2 of Peg, the 3rd and 4th weeks cut to 1/4, and then I did a very small amount for the remaining 4 weeks.  The Dr. said the Interferon taper was more important than the Riba taper and that the Interferon taper needed to go in a bell-shaped curve, with the initial cuts taking place rather abruptly (so our own immune system can kick back in) followed by a little bit of help each week from the Interferon, until it's done.  I cut the Riba to 800 for weeks 1-4 (post-24 weeks) then 400 for weeks 5 & 6, then 200 for weeks 7 & 8.  The Dr. explained to me that perhaps many people relapse because their immune system has been "replaced" for so long by the Interferon that if they cut Interferon "cold turkey" their own immune system is not strong enough to fight any remaining Hep C particles that could still be lingering (and the Interferon was strong enough to ward it off when it was still present).  So, it's best to do a GRADUAL reduction of Interferon, so my immune system gets used to SLOWLY working again rather than expecting it to be "dormant" for so long and then back ready to run a marathon.  According to the Dr. this could be a really important reason why people keep relapsing.  UNFORTUNATELY, no one has the money to pay for research in this area.  No one wants to pay for this research rather.  They all want to discover the product that will finally replace Interferon.  I hope this helps you, dointime.  Maybe one of the Dr.'s on here can help you even more.  Technically, a Dr. cannot officially endorse doing this, because it is not FDA approved.  Good luck to you.  

Most sincerely,

Aiuta

[dointime]

Hello - thank you for posting this.  Could you give details of the tapering please, ie. did you start to taper after your 48 weeks?  How long did you take atogether and what were your dose reductions and timetable?

Many thanks,
dointime

[Rosebud41]

Thanks for the info and for allowing us to share in your
victory.

May God be with you...

Rosebud

[hepcD]

congrats on the und. I know you traveled a hard journey. You can now try to turn the page and begin living your life.

[meki]

WTG on the SVR!!!!

I dunno about tapering - but I do know the sides both on and immediately following tx for up to 1 year - were amazingly hard for me.

So CONGRATS - and thanks for coming back...

There are others who could use hearing from you once in awhile - if you have time.

NONE of us know for sure --- where we "got it".

Much luck to you - forevermore.

Meki