Has anyone completed treatment on reduced meds?

[jordie47]

I was wondering if anybody knew anyone who completed treatment on a reduced dose of riba and were they able to acheive an SVR?
Thanks, Jordie47

[cuteus]

just for clarification purpose. SVR applies only to post tx, specifically, 6 months post tx negative PCR.

[jordie47]

did not have a biopsy, unfortunately I am a fainter they could not do the procedure with out me fainting. I tried to find a doctor who would do it with me asleep but no luck. The GI dr said not to worry about the biopsy at this time because all levels at the start of treatment were so low.

jordie47

[NYgirl]

Said: I just found out that my viral count when I started was only 465,000 compared to other people it seems really low. I am just upset with the whole thing.


My V/L was not much higher than yours is but remember...the viral load has nothing to do with how much liver damage we have or anything and can't be used as a measure on whether we should treat or not.

It seems HARDER for those with a LOW viral load (contrary to what they say) sometimes to achieve SVR than someone who starts with 25 million.

I don't know your biopsy results but...

[jordie47]

That's what I am going to do.
According to what the doctor told me this was going to raise the HGB so I could go back on the 5 riba a day and then 2 months later the HGB is not any better.
Thanks

[Hepkitten]

My husband is on a reduced dose but blood is not normal yet (he has 3 months+ to go) but he has had svr for over 6 months. Doc said he's not going to up the riba till the red blood goes up some more.

[FlGuy]

The reason I asked your gender is because women seem to tolerate, or in general, have lower hgb than men.  Many women go through tx at that level and even if it was a significantly lower than the baseline (around 14.5?) people do acclimate somewhat at the lower levels.  I guess I'm not clear, is the problem that low hgb is significantly affecting your quality of life and a distinct inability to function or is it that after the ananesp you expect 'the number' to be higher.  Either in this thread, or another, Jim (I think Jim)gave you somme suggestions to follow up with your doc, that may be a very good idea to help you and the doc get to the bottom of the riddle.

[jordie47]

32 weeks to go. The sx I'm having are anxiousness and I feel like I am going to burst it is bad for about 16-17 days a month. It has started to interfere with my job. I am suppose to see the doctor again Fri. to discuss my options. I am a woman.
I'm thinking about getting a second opinion at HUP. I just found out that my viral count when I started was only 465,000 compared to other people it seems really low. I am just upset with the whole thing.

[FlGuy]

I think you wrote you've been on tx for 16 weeks.  How much time do you have left? If your hgb is at 10.1, with aranesp, how is it affecting you?  Can you get out of bed, walk more than 10 feet, go to work?  Functional or completely debilitated? Have you discussed transfusion with the doc?  Are you a man or woman?