Aa
treatment for a second time
I found out I was hep c positive in 2005. after two test....ultra sound and byopsy I found out I was stage two and also had more than just signs of a fatty liver. my viral load was something like 4.3 and it didnt lower or show any change after 16 weeks of tratment, both pills and injections. Best I can figure is that I contracted it back in 2000 but that is a guess could have been 92 either way it would be from tattoos.......I just had another ultra sound and liver shows little change but the fatty liver tag was mentioned yet again....My viral load is in the average range , not hi not low...cant remember the numbers.... I have never been yellow and always functiond well with little or no sleep...I hardly get sick and although I had a few side affects from the hep c treatment the first time I tolerated it well. Up untill 2005 I was very hard on my body with alcohol and drug consumtion. since 2005 I have had over 3 years of clean living and 2 years of using off and on. I am gyno type 1 and have an appointment with the clinic on june 28th. i am trying to explore what options are there for me and if there is a true possibility that i could clear the virus after 2 years of treatment...I was just informed that I should have been left on the treatment for 6 month back in 2005....Also wondering if clinical trials are worth considering. I have hid from this long enough and I no longer can go on acting like this condition is not a part of me or my life and the people in it. i own ti to myself and everyone in my life to try and rid myself of this burdon and I want nothing more than to give it my best shot. I thank you in addvance for any comments , advice or sugestions you all might have....I hope I gave enough detail if not feel free to ask anything ty
Rick
Rick
For some people there are more side effects; other people seem to have about the same side effects that you would have with standard of care. There are definitely additional side effects associated with the different protease inhibitors, but not everyone gets them.
To the original poster, I agree with Trinity. You are a null-responder if your viral load did not change at all in 12 weeks of treatment, your doctor was correct to stop your treatment, and therefore you should wait for the new drugs (Telaprevir and Boceprevir) to be approved, or try to get in on a good clinical trial.
Good luck to you!
To the original poster, I agree with Trinity. You are a null-responder if your viral load did not change at all in 12 weeks of treatment, your doctor was correct to stop your treatment, and therefore you should wait for the new drugs (Telaprevir and Boceprevir) to be approved, or try to get in on a good clinical trial.
Good luck to you!
I heard that side that there are less side effects, with a new drug!
Will the new drugs add to the side effects?
These are two drugs currently in trial. Protease and Polymerase Inhibitors. I'm not smart enough to give you the exact chemical breakdown of these drugs but what they do is target and kill the hepc virus. The current standard of care, interferon and ribavirin do not kill the virus by themselves but accelerate our own immune system to kill the virus.
The PI trials include the use of interferon and ribavirin also known as triple therapy.
The results have been excellent and are showing a 75-80 percent chance of SVR for geno 1's and higher for geno 2.
Trinity
The PI trials include the use of interferon and ribavirin also known as triple therapy.
The results have been excellent and are showing a 75-80 percent chance of SVR for geno 1's and higher for geno 2.
Trinity
What is PI?
If I'm understanding your post correctly, you are a geno 1 and after 16 weeks of treatment your viral load did not change. If that is the case you are considered a null responder and your immune system does not work effectively with the interferon and ribavirin to clear the virus so you should not have continued treatment for 6 months. It was wise of your doctors to stop treatment if that was the case.
Had you cleared the virus by 12 weeks the normal treatment duration would have been 48 weeks. Had you had at least a 2 log drop in your viral load by 12 wks which you did not and cleared the virus by 24 wks extending treatment to 72 wks could have been a consideration.
In my opinion, a trial with the PI's would be your best bet since you do not respond well to the interferon and ribavirin alone.
Also, since your liver stage is 2 you do have time to wait until the PI's are released if you can't get into a trial at this time.
Trinity
Had you cleared the virus by 12 weeks the normal treatment duration would have been 48 weeks. Had you had at least a 2 log drop in your viral load by 12 wks which you did not and cleared the virus by 24 wks extending treatment to 72 wks could have been a consideration.
In my opinion, a trial with the PI's would be your best bet since you do not respond well to the interferon and ribavirin alone.
Also, since your liver stage is 2 you do have time to wait until the PI's are released if you can't get into a trial at this time.
Trinity
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