Need advice on restarting HCV Treatment

[CrazyTrain]

New here, bear with me as I try to properly structure question and background info.

>> Q'n - Give me your advice / opinions on my going back on
     PegInt/Rebetol Tx (disconinued 9-11 due to PLT drop to 43K)
GIVEN THE FOLLOWING:
> Hep C Genotype 1a  diag 4-16-06 following Esoph Varices bleed
  1st & only episode, banded the next day.
> Found a Dr willing to prescribe Peg/Reb Tx based on age (43)
  health (rel good), ALT & AST~145, HCV-RNA 8,650IU/Kl (log3.94)
> 7 weeks of .5 Peg/wk, 1200 Reb/Day, started end of July. YUCK!
> Started taking Lipoic Acid, Milk Thistle, Dandelion Root,
  Selenium and Liver / Thyroid / Messenchyme proteins 9-18.
> Lab tests from 10-02 showed ALT 38, AST 44, HCV-RNA negative
  (PCR type det. down to 50)

I believe Peg/Reb killed off the virus, Herbal stuff prolly helped function recovery somewhat. Dr. wants me to restart Peg/Reb Tx (drop Peg to .2/wk). I'm asking "why not just keep routinely testing for virus?" Based on my "decompensated" liver status I dont feel risk outweighs benefits unless signs of return

[FlGuy]

First thing I'd do is wait another month to see if your still undetectable.  If so, go to church and say a big thank you. If not, I hope the new doc is a little more aggressive.  I went to a big-time liverhead and he said ignore platelet til they get down to 30.  The hematologist says he won't blink til they're dow to 25.  If you start again and the platlets tank, to whatever level, what's the plan then?  But, I certainly don't know all the risks of low platelets and a recent bleed/banding. If you go back to tx you should do as much ifn as you can tolerate. .2 is not much pegIntron, how much do you weigh?  I think you and your doc need a plan with a lot of 'what/ifs' built in.

[Rastiss]

There are lots of studies out there indicating that you need to treat for around 9 months after reaching UND to have a good chance of not having the virus resurface.  The tests are only accurate down to their level of sensitivity and the most accurate test I've heard of only goes down to 5 IU/mL.  With this test you could have 4 IU/mL and be reported as UND.  You need to get to 0 and there is no way to test that.  

You hit the lottery, don't fail to cash in your ticket.

[Kalio1]

Congratulations on being undetectable. It could be helpful to continue treatment with Interferon even if you remain SVR because it has been shown to cause histological improvement and reduce the incidence or intensity of portal hypertension as well as reduce incidence of varices in decompensaed patients. As with anything about HCV, there is some controversy about it. I wanted to mention to you that I have read that those with decompensated livers should not use herbs. I will try to find that article for you.
good luck with your decisions

Here are a few links about continuing with maintenance interferon. I believe some on maintenance use a reduced dose, but your doctor will know about dosages.

http://janis7hepc.com/cirrhosis_research.htm#peg

http://www.natap.org/2005/EASL/easl_15.htm