HepResearcher reg. Alinia

[ladywhy]

Hi HR
I am @ 38th week of tx. At 25th wk  (vl 1350)  my Hp Dr. doubled the pegasys. At my 10th week went from riba 1000 mg to 1400 mg. What I would like to know...is do you think Alinia, at this juncture, may be a benefit? ...and if so...is there some paper that I could bring to my dr.?
This is my 3rd time txing. I did monotherapy Intron-A, I was in clinical trials with riba/interferon bundles and became UND...I would appreciate your opinion.
In a little over 10 years...I went from zero liver damage to Stage 2, Grade 2-3 bridging fibrosis. I am 44 y.o and the future doesn't look so bright.
Thanks for anything you can tell me...or any suggestions will be much appreciated.
Sincerely
Yvonne

ps. Getting a PCR this week

[ladywhy]

That is who has been txing me...the Hep Dr. in Philadelphia. I see him on the 17th of Dec. When I got the 24th wk. PCR done. I went in and said I guess that's that...ready to stop tx
.
Hep Dr. advised at that time to DD..

[jmjm530]

I'm surprised then -- and it's unfortunate -- that you didn't have weekly viral load tests after you started DD at week 25. Not that it would be my personal choice, but if one does choose that unbeaten path, then at least weekly viral load tests will give you some indication of how the virus reacted to a change in meds. If you're UND at your next test ( I assume sometimes after week 38) one dilemma for your new hepatologist is how soon after week 25 did you actually become UND. As long as you're going this road -- what you might want to do right now -- is get a very sensitive viral load test, the day before your next injection, or the day of your next injection, but before the injection. I would either get a "Heptimax" test from Quest Diagnositics or the test HR has recommended from LabCorp which is a Quant that goes down to 2 IU/ml. That way you will have something to walk in with. Lastly, if there's any way at all you can speed up your appointment with the Philadelphia Hepatologist, that would be great. I'd hate to see you stay on these drugs, at these doses, unless there was a reason. Appointment secretary's sometimes only can do so much. If you can't speak to the doctor directly, ask if you can email or fax him a letter in which you would outline your tx history and ask if he could squeeze you in a little sooner.

All the best,

-- Jim

[ladywhy]

at my 6th week of tx...I changed from a gastro to a hep Dr.. primarily 'cause I had to fight/beg for a 4 wk PCR..........

[ladywhy]

I also have an appt. with another Hep...couldn't get in to see him 'til January...

[ladywhy]

I did start @ 25th week DD
and I am travelling to see a Hepatologist at a Univ. Hosp.in Philadelphia

[ladywhy]

Thank you