Decision I made, Incivik

[brianmo]

I made the choice to go with Inc. with Int and Reba and now I am wondering that I made the right choice. Its keeping me awake at night. I don't start tx until 3rd week of September and I continue to  go on this sight to see how folks are doing with the tri therapy and the more I read the more i think I should just do SOC. My choice was made because the doctor said if all clear at 24 weeks I can stop tx. At the time that sounded fantastic now I am not so sure that this happens for very many people. If I am going to go the full 48 why not just do SOC? Adding one more drug sure comes with its side effects and draw backs such as 3x a day with 20 g fat. Any insights?? I called my doctor today to go over all this so I could sleep tonight but she is on vacation. HA! Good for her....

Mo

[lynda607]

Was were your 4 wk PCR results?

[vanl]

I waited for Incivik to become available so I could start the shorter-term regimen. Now I get by thinking of it as two 12-week increments, and how fleeting the 24 weeks will seem when it's all over!  

Just starting week 10 of the triple-therapy, and I don't need tell anyone it's no cake walk. Started out healthy; in my case acquired just a few really bad symptoms, such as maniacal itching/scratching and anemia. I sleep/rest all day long.  I think in terms of weeks.

(The 8-week blood test showed a viral load that might draw it out another 24 weeks.  Had another test today and expecting a negative viral load!)

[Diane12855]

Just popped on here to post some interesting info I had found on the internet and saw your post. I agree with the others, go the course you are planning to go and don't change it. I remember when I was at week 24... realizing that if I had waited for the new drugs I'd be done, and now I was only half way and still had 24 more weeks to go. UGH!!!!!!!!!!!! My last 3 months were SOOOOOOOOOO HARD. I seriously wondered if I'd live to see the end. If you can clear without feeling like that... go for it!

Try not to worry about what happens to your body fat while on tx... you can fix that later... just keep telling yourself that you are saving your liver so you can be your active self for many more years and the price is worth it.

Diane

[coeric]

With your labs it looks like you will most likely only have to do 24 weeks, and you will spare yourself an additional 24 weeks of interferon and Ribavirin.  And hopefully with 24 weeks less of interferon you will reduce the risk of autoimmune disorders that are so common with interferon.
Blessings
Eric

[streamline569]

Go with the incivek and hope to do only 24 weeks. Just think only 12 weeks incivek with a high cure rate. That's not long at all and the incivek truly seems to have less sx then the Riba or interferon.

Good luck

[Gerbils]

I was scared too before, during and after making the decision. When I learned I was undetectable at 4 weeks I was over the moon! I feel that the triple therapy was the best shot (given the numbers) and I wanted to take that best shot on my first effort. I am glad I went that route. I take shot 9 tomorrow night. I have sleep issues too and honestly have to take something because sleep is necessary but had the problem before the tx. I understand insomnia is a symptom of hepc. Good luck with your decision!
G

[brianmo]

I am curious if your doctor said you are to do 48 weeks even if you are clear at 4 and 12 weeks and doing a triple tx?  Mo

[brianmo]

You all made me laugh!  Which is a good thing. So, this is the tx I will do, In the meantime I have time for a few more half marathons, one more tri, walks with dogs, and, off to Hawaii I go!!! Aloha...

Geno type 1a
High vL
IL28B    cc which is great
2/2

[screaming48]

You won't be going in alone, there are several of us going to start soon, I will do teleprevir and asked about only doing 24 weeks doc said 48 didn't want a relapse. Hang tough I am having nightmares about treating as well.

[lynda607]

With Victrelis there is a 4 week lead in with P/R and the Victrelis is added on the 5th week.  If you are having an excellent response to P/R which would be RVR at week 4 or perhaps sooner, you and your doctor may decide the PI isn't necessary.  

Something to think about.

[Lifenet62]

You did great choosing!!!! TRUST and believe!!!  Go kick somebutt!  

[meakea]

Go girl, go!  Take the leap and don't look back.  :)  

[willbb]

Yep... shoulda coulda what if ? and all the rest of what goes thru your mind before starting.

You have made a very good  desicion...jump in and don"t look back :)

Good luck
Will

[crossroadsec]

Yeah, a lot of self doubt. Geez! It's such an important decisions! I'm at the 1/2 way mark w/ Incivik and am glad I made the choice. My worst side effects have been nausea n I think that's from eatin all the fat. Little bit of itching, mostly when it was 113 outside. Sleep peaceful tonight..... I lay my hand on my ribs at night and tell my liver I'm doing all I can to help. My Dr. cracked up when I told him that. Karen :)

[flcyclist]

I'm sure your head is spinning with the thoughts of side effects and options to consider before you start.  Being in good shape should help you through trt.  No one can tell you what your sides will be, but if given the choice to start over with triple therapy @ 24 wks vs. SOC @ 48 wks, I'd go for the triple in a heartbeat.  However, that choice is behind me.   I also think you're making the right choice.  Sleep well Mo.

[can-do-man]

Sounds like you have the normal "pre-tx-jitters", you will do just fine and soon it will be over. Wishing you the best.

cando..... and so can you:)

[hrsepwrguy]

SVR ratio go's from 40% to 75% with the addition of incivek in gt 1 patients also with the possiblity of only 24 weeks. Sound like a good decision to me.

[joemc34606]

I worried about the incevik too but now after 4 weeks I'm glad I did. I think you made the right choice. Joe