relapse after treatment

[debicakes1]

just got a call from husband's doctor, saying his virus went from undetectable to 1,804,340. He has been undetectable since early in his 48 wk treatment which was complete in June. They mentioned starting him on incivek? I have not researched any of this yet... Does anyone here either have experience or knowledge re: this drug and its effectiveness in this situation?

[debicakes1]

Thank you all so much for the information and your encouragement; so helpful! He saw a new specialist yesterday who says he's a good candidate for triple therapy, but for some reason wants him to consider being involved in a trial study. We have good insurance and his side effects during the first round were minimal, so I'm not sure why he's encouraging this... I guess we have more research to do! I wonder if the trial drugs have enough evidence behind them to consider taking a chance on them when this incivek looks so promising?

[SunShineGirlie]

I relapsed after 48 weeks of interferon and ribavirin - I just started triple therapy 4 weeks ago using Incevik, so far so good.  I am hoping to be undetected at my next PCR.  I let my body heal for 2 years when I relapsed (my liver damage allowed me the time)

It's a hard phone call to take, sorry you and your husband had to hear that kind of news, but don't give up hope - The new PI's show so much promise

Sunny

[scoleman]

Don't lose hope.  As Will says there are 2 new drugs on the market that greatly increase the odds of a cure for those of us with Genotype 1.  I'm in my third week of treatment with Incivek and while I'm not going strong, I'm going.

Take care,
Sherry

[willbb]

Hi there...Sorry to hear about you husbands relapse. There are currently 2 new drugs approved for use in the U.S. for geno type 1HCV,  being Incivek and Victrelis.

I would take it he has Genotype 1 ..seeing as the doctor recommended Incivek.

For relapsers the addition of Inci should give him an excellent chance of success.  In trial results relapsers had SVR rates of about 85% and if early results are good he may only have to do 24 weeks.

If you google "incivek dosing" there is  lots of info. on this drug  ..and also there are currently many members here who have just recently started...with it ..and most with encouraging results

You didn"t mention how your hubby was doing mentally and physically from his treatment ...as sometimes it is advised by doctors to give  some time to recuperate before starting again...possibly 6 months or so.. possibly a discussion to have with his doc.

Good luck..and welcome to the group..

Will