72 weeks treatment

[Peter48]

Hi there,
This is the first time I write.
I am being treated for the second time for the genotype 2 B
First time I relapsed after 3 months.
I had a biopsy and my liver is fine, my alt/ast are 16/17
Now I have had 6 months of treatment and I am not cleared.
When I started treatment my viral load was 6.200.000
After 4 weeks 425.000, after 3 months 7880 and after 6 months 135.
My Dr advised me to continue for 6 months after I cleared. Now I am confused and would like to know if there any statistics for cases like this. I am 60 years old and in very good health, except for this virus, which bothers me only mentally. Thank you and hope to hear something.

[jmjm530]

Sorry, I was looking at your 4-week numbers when I said you didn't have a two-log drop. That said, it doesn't alter my opinion as the majority of geno 2's are UND at week 4. You really have to get another professional opinion before pushing on.

-- Jim

[jmjm530]

Not having a two-log drop at week 12 and being still detectible at week 24 does not favor a good result even with 72 weeks of treatment. Has your doctor justified his position continuing on given your non-response (presumably twice) and very little liver damage? If it were me, I'd seek a second opinion from a liver specialist (hepatologist) before committing to any more time. These drugs are not without potential serious consequences and just don't see how they are justified in your case. Newer drugs now in trial are showing promise in prior treatment failures. My guess is that a good liver specialist would advise you to stop treatment and wait for these drugs.

-- Jim

[HCA]

Generaly speaking if there is viral serum detectable at 24 weeks the chances of SVR are very low-worse than 5% chance of success.
How long have you had the infection?
If it is many years you may be one of the lucky ones who don't fibrose.
If your liver is as you say 'fine' on biopsy you may continue in good health until you die from another cause.
You would need regular monitoring as progression does increase in older patients.
Geno 2b patients often maintain normal liver function even with persistent viremia (so I read on Googling it).
Your viral reduction at 12 weeks was a 2.9 log drop which is not very good for geno 2.
Only you can decide whether you wish to continue.