new vs old

[Bill287]

Have been given a choice from my doc. Wait for3-4 years for new drugs or try interferon with a 50-50 chance of success.Is anything coming that would be worth the wait?I would value all opinions, Thanks

[zazza]

You could do 12 weeks of interferon and riba and see what your response is.

Roughly one can say, that with geno 1s:
20% are UND by week 4 and have a 90% chance of SVR with 48 weeks,
40% are UND by week 12 and have an 80% chance of SVR with 48 weeks,
20% have a 2-log drop by week 12 and are UND by week 24, and would probably benefit from extending treatment to 72 weeks,
20% are non-responders (i e partial responders, null responders, breakthrough) and should not continue treatment after this has been established.

A word of warning:
Once one starts fighting this virus, it is hard to quit. So say you decide to only go on if you are completely UND by week 12, but then if you are almost UND by then, it will be hard to quit. Ask me. This happened to me and I just finished 72 weeks of tx, but I am also UND at 12 weeks post, so if you ask me it was worth it!

[Kristina538]

Hey Bill,  I've been struggling with that decision for the last 3 years (My Dr recommended I do the treament sometime ago).  My biopsy showed stage 2 but the specialist said it was more likely stage 3 and possibly further because of the small and fibrotic nature of the 2 specimens (I was so scared I think my liver shrunk in fear :-).  I've had the assistance of a great naturopath and other natural type remedy people in my build up to tx and was hoping for a miracle (such was my fear), but now I have started I'm putting all my energy into the tx and being grateful for at least having the option.  I've been told a 50/50 chance in my case, but the nurse said that at least I'm giving my liver a rest, and, with luck, some regeneration.  It really is up to the individual regarding this treatment, but with the help of this site, hopefully you can make an informed decision (p.s. the fact that I've had to put some aspects of my life on hold has actually been a positive for me and my stress levels are really down compared to 6 months ago).  Good luck.  I hope this site and the people in it bring the same assistance to you as it has done to me.

[jmjm530]

Last post should have been addressed to "Bill", but what's in a name :)

[jmjm530]

Like Marc, the decision for me also was based on liver damage. I decided to wait until stage 3 -- actually] between stage 3 and 4 -- although I'm not suggesting anyone else wait that long.

As far as "treatment more effective the les liver disease has progressed", this is not true in total. The last study I read stated that all stages have an equal chance at SVR (cure) except stage 4,which had less of a chance. In general, at stage 2, that certainly gives you some wiggle room should you want to wait for the newer drugs which hopefully will be here sooner than the time line you mention.

-- JIm

[Bill287]

Thanks,appreciate the info.I have a 2.This will help in trying to decide what to do.

[Marc1955]

For me, the question hinges on the level of liver damage shown on a biopsy. If it's 1, then I'd be inclined to wait. It it's 2 or higher then trying the treatment makes more sense since they say that the treatment is more effective the less liver disease has progressed.

I just met with my doctor, he is a heptology researcher at a major university. He was not particularly optimistic about a major breakthrough in treatment in the next 3-4 more years. It may take longer than that for a major stride.