Aa
HR - Question about retreatment
HR, if you have finished digesting your Thanksgiving turkey, I have something to ask you. I am a male, 56, 300lbs, 6'4 Geno 1a, Biopsy, is 2-3 - completed treatment on June 1, 06 after 48 weeks of Peg 180 and Riba 1200. Cleared at 4 weeks, and stayed clear througout tx including clear on Heptimax on Sept 1. PCR on 11/17/06 indicated a HCV RNA of 66,200. All other blood levels within normal limits. During tx had some reduction of Hgb but not treated for anemia. No rescue drugs at all. Most blood tests were OK during tx. Doc says to lose weight, down to 200 or so and retreat for 72 weeks using same protocol.
My first question, is it possible that this result is in error? Am I wrong to want this confirmed by another test? My doc thinks so. Is it possible that this is a spike that the immune system could handle? In other words, is it possible that these small spikes occur but are handled by the immune system or is this amount (66000) an indication that the battle is lost? Have you ever seen a viral load at the end of tx that goes back to undet without tx?
As to retx, losing weight is going to take a while for sure. My thought is that I would like to go back after this thing while its down. I dont like the idea of letting virus do more damage and making me harder to treat. Seems like it would offset the weight loss. Upping the Riba is not popular because of toxicity. What about using same amount for longer period of time but start it now? Is that a resonable way to approach this? Any thoughts, ideas would be most welcome.
My first question, is it possible that this result is in error? Am I wrong to want this confirmed by another test? My doc thinks so. Is it possible that this is a spike that the immune system could handle? In other words, is it possible that these small spikes occur but are handled by the immune system or is this amount (66000) an indication that the battle is lost? Have you ever seen a viral load at the end of tx that goes back to undet without tx?
As to retx, losing weight is going to take a while for sure. My thought is that I would like to go back after this thing while its down. I dont like the idea of letting virus do more damage and making me harder to treat. Seems like it would offset the weight loss. Upping the Riba is not popular because of toxicity. What about using same amount for longer period of time but start it now? Is that a resonable way to approach this? Any thoughts, ideas would be most welcome.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
The notion that treatment at a lower vl has better chances for success is alogical and accepted one. And beyond that, as I outlined above, there are conceptual enhancements to the SOC like "induction" therapy that are sometimes being used by individual HCV treaters - they come also with increased pain, risk, and expense.While some of these enhancements have been tested in small trials, the participant numbers are usually too small to allow firm enough conclusions to add them to the SOC.SOC also takes off the burden of responsibility for such treatment enhancements/variations from the Dr. so it is understandable that most just stick with it. It is always some game of chance with very high stakes and noone wants to take the blame for a negative outcome.
Just a thought, not a suggestion. If you go for more tx I imagine it would be for more than a year. How many consectutive tax seasons could you do on tx? Actually, it's a question, not a thought. Take care Kathy.
Yes, I have a tentative appt. set for the beginning of Dec. From all I have heard and read, it would be best to tx while the VL is low and before you have a flare up. From hearing here about many VL flares, higher than before tx, after tx ends when the immune system is weakened it seems it would be best to get to it while low for a better chance of SVR. Why don't you ask HR. He explained it to me, but I dont' want to mess it up!
I can't do any more tax seasons on tx -- or at least I think I need this one year break. Then If I start in May 07 I would only have one tx during tax season. I am going to ask for that PCR to see if the vl is rising or stable. When they say hit it when the vl is low - I am just not sure --680,000 almost a month ago - may be more now -- just doesn't see all that low.
kath
kath
When did you relapse? I know it wasn't long ago. My take is to hit the virus again before it has a chance to flare up again. Therefore causing less fibrosis etc. I don't think I would wait until April. Not meaning I wouldn't go to that appt., but if your VL is low now hit it now! just my two cents. I am probably in the same boat and still wondering about extending....rather than doing it again.
As far as I remember, the women that became PCR pos after 8 years being undetected, shortly afterwards became neg again and has remained neg. She also had a condition called hypergamma something.
I am not certain that was the case you are referring to.
Ivette, we just talked about that case. Anything else you can remember?
Ina
I am not certain that was the case you are referring to.
Ivette, we just talked about that case. Anything else you can remember?
Ina
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