26th week - Not sure the sx are worth it

[jr_jupiterfl]

Have learned to cope with the fatigue, brain fog, insomnia, the mood swings (somewhat), thought I could handle the rash , but every week it's another autoimmune symptom that is obviously related to the treatment. First it was vitiligo and both my gastro and my dermatologist deny their is any known association to the Tx. Guess they've never heard of the Internet... Now I'm waiting on biopsy results from the derm's office on what I think he described as Necrotizing Vasculitis. I thought the rash had just changed .
I am an early responder to the Tx but with all of these other ailments & the overwhelming anguish that I can't seem to conquer I just don't know if I can continue. I know it's just one day at a time but some of these new side effects will not go away once treatment ends.
I' d really like to know what the statistics are for an early responder who discontinues treatment at 28-30 weeks to have a SVR in six months?

[viaduk]

Also sorry to read that you are having such a hard time.  On a positive note, most --if not all-- of the symptoms you describe will disappear post tx.

Good luck!

[desrt]

Low baseline viral load and favorable results on the IL28B gene test would give you a good probability of SVR even with shortened tx.

[Bill1954]

Sorry to hear you’re struggling so much, but welcome to the discussion group.

Have you been tested for cryoglobulinemia yet? If the vasculitis is associated with cryo, there’s a pretty good chance it will resolve with successful HCV outcome.

The AASLD practice guidelines address abbreviated HCV therapy for genotype 1 patients with Rapid Viral Response; although I think it pretty much requires low baseline viral load (<400,000 IU/mL) for reasonable chances of success:

http://www.hivandhepatitis.com/hep_c/images/hepatitisc.pdf
(Pgs 1343, 1344; see specifically ‘Utility of RVR in patients with genotype 1 infection)

Are you taking advantage of adjunctive meds to manage depression, red and white cell reductions, etc?

Good luck and take care-

-Bill