2nd round HCV treatment

[Bill1954]

Okie-Dokie;

It took me 6 months to get this together, but I've finally got the 2nd round of Tx going again. Here is a brief overview of round 1:

51 year old Caucasian male
Genotype 1a
Grade 2, stage 3/4
254 lbs
Diabetes M. type 2
Dx with HCV 12/04
Treated with Pegasys/ Copegus total 56 weeks, from 2/05 through 3/06.
Slow viral response at 12 week assay, so increased riba from assigned 1200 mg/day to 1800 mg/day.
Became undetectable to <50 IU by week 20.
Relapsed within 30 days post Tx.

I started round 2 on 9/15/06 with Peg-Intron 0.50 mL/150 mcg/week, and ribavirin 2000 mg/day. For the first three injections, I've been drawing up the entire contents of the IFN vial, after reconstituting with 0.70 mL of the supplied diluent. This has given me an extrapolated dosage of 202 mcg Peg-Intron/week, based on a 0.68 mL injection. Although this IFN dosage isn't officially sanctioned by my new doctor, I have an appointment this Tuesday, and I'll disclose at that time. My three-week labs should be available for review by then, and hopefully will show some positive trends; if not, there's always dose reduction... :-).

Subjectively, I feel fine after three injections; no side effects have shown themselves yet, however this is still *way* early in the game. Last treatment, I was good until week 9 or 10 before this cr@p started creeping up on me, so I guess time will tell the story.

It's probably worth mentioning that I've made some changes regarding exercise and diet as well. As a diabetic, it's important that I maintain tight blood glucose control- particularly while on treatment. Over the last six months, I've managed to lose approx. 50 lbs; walking 8 miles daily in the hills here along with removing most processed foods as well as meats (salmon only now!) from my meals has been really helpful. More and more evidence is suggesting that obesity and insulin resistance are both negative prognostic indicators for SVR, so we'll see if this has any effect in the long run.

I don't expect to be posting very actively; however that just might change if these meds begin slowing me down. Until then, I'm trying to stay as active as possible. I think attitude is an effective tool for Sx; during my last treatment, I resigned myself to the fact that I'd get sick from these meds. This time, I'm going to keep going until I get Gumby-Legs and can't walk... In other words, if the side-effects knock the door off the hinges, I guess they're coming in; however, I'm not going to wait around for them.

My very best to all those folks that I recognize from days past, in addition to a whole lot of new ones as well. Keep plugging away at this stuff, and we'll eventually prevail--

Bill

[BJ1fish]

Bill I just finished my 5th round of treatment the latest being 72 weeks of infrgen. I agree with you about staying active. For me it was a mental game the more active I stayed the better I delt with the sides. The worst rounds I went thru was my first about 7 years ago.I felt sorry for myself and that made things worse. I hope things work out for you. I am in the waiting game now to see if I stay svr. Stick with it

[cuteus]

may this be your last round!
good luck to you and on to SVR!

[Kalio1]

You are right that weight can negatively impact our chances of SVR but plenty of skinny people relapse too. It is good you lost weight for the next round but that is not necessarily the reason you relapsed in the first place. With chances at about 50 percent give or take lots of people relapse, unfortunately. You could lose the weight and still relapse sad to say. Scarring from cirrhosis hinders clearing the virus also as do many other factors known and unknown. I don't mean to sound pessimistic but weight is only one of the many factors that contribute to patients relapsing and you can do "all the right things" and still relapse so don't beat yourself up thinking because you had those extra pounds you relapsed.

[painterlady13]

Hey there fellow native Sacramentan.  Good to see you, it's been a while since I have seen you in a room anywhere. I started TX on 7/28 just took shot 10 of 48.  Good to see you started again.  I like the idea of hitting the virus hard and heavy at first and then backing off a little after being on TX for a while. Maybe it will work for you.  will keep my finger crossed and even say a lil prayer.
Take care
Nicki

[Penelope1911]

HAHAHA...this has been one of my best days so far on tx...who woulda thunk it!! All because of ya'll. Yup, I am sooooo one of those "cornfed girls" out here on the border of Nebraska, Iowa and So. Dakota...hahaha. Gee I sure missed bieng up and up online. This has been a great day 4 me...I went thru such a time this past few weeks, just couldn't hardly lift a finger to type and didn't have the brain capacity to think even if I could write! Luvs ya, Luvs ya, Luvs ya!!!

[fishdoc]

yup, some of us are just marvels of efficiency!!!  Food gettin scarce...don'worry lil girl, we're gonna take care of you...300 calorie a day liquid diet...don worry lil girl, we'll save your @ss, I mean fat for you...I am just happy not to be gaining...especially with the thyroid issues... oh yeay, hyperthyroid, maybe i'll lose a ...don worry lil girl, we save your fat for you!!!