Houston, this is 13...

[gauf]

I am beginning to think about my end of treatment plan and looking for thoughts on the subject. HR has discussed the tapering topic in the past.....

by HR
     "It needs to be understood that when stopping IFN, a new form of antiviral defense against possible HCV remnants needs to take hold and establish itself - the adaptive Tcell response, that up to this point was greatly aided by the direct effect of IFN on the hepatocytes and the local intrahepatic immune cells.  With this IFN aid gone all the burden is on the Tcell response, that will typically get stronger if more remnant viruses are seen ( if they can be seen now, because new epitopes are now present)  - with incredible sensitivity, but it takes time to come to full swing and it can furthermore,  at this very critical moment,  be paralyzed by the prominent absence of innate signals needed to get adaptive Tcell  responses going  after IFN is abruptly missing from the equation. Here is one more specific EXAMPLE how the Tcell effect depends on the presence of some Interferon: The presentation of the viral epitopes is performed  - as described in detail in an earlier post- by the cellular proteasome and the class I MHC molecules that bind the peptide and bring it to the surface for recognition by the "cognate" Tcell receptors of the "cognate" Tcell patrolling the liver."

He also recommended adding Lactoferrin at this time to help the immune system come "back online". Has anyone tried this?  And any opinions on other immune enhancing supplements?  Thanks.
---------------------------

"Houston, we need to go over those re-entry procedures so there are no foul ups, so here is what you are going to do, give us whatever you got so we can look em over.  We are all a bit tired up here... and the earths getting awfully big in the window...."

"13... this is Houston, we are going to get those procedures to you just as soon as we possibly can. Ken Mattingly is in the simulator as we speak..."

"Roger that Houston... Kens working on it..."

[nygirl7]

There are pro and cons side to the whole tapering issue however - I would only even consider it if I got additional weeks and did not take them out of SOC. I agree with Zazza on that one.  We need every full course week we can get - and since this idea while it makes great sense really isn't proven.......it sounds chancey to me.


As far as taking an chinese herb to "keep the interferon going".  No no and no again. You do not know what that drug really is going to do the end of treatment response.  Since there are no studies to prove it won't hurt anything - it's completely not worth it.

Your body at some time has to take over and manage it's own immune system.  Guessing on such complicated body functions.....when scientists have been studying for years.....not worth it. NO way.  You could end up undoing whatever 'training' has already been done by treatment in one shot.

[pjpie]

so has anyone thought or heard of the chinese herb that has natural interferon in it , i cant think of the name right now oh astrugula (sp?) it has natural interferon and you cant take it prior to tex cause it makes you get used to interferon and the shot , at first is supposed to shock your body ad the virus, hence your ud by 4 weeks, if lucky, what is after tx we went on the astrugala and kept the interferon going? again just wondering

[zazza]

I can't understand why anyone would want to stand on the virus' side and reduce SOC by tapering off before EOT. Sure, if you want, taper off by adding shots after doing the full course, but to reduce the full course by tapering before EOT is beyond my comprehension. We need every full week of SOC we can get to get the best shot possible at defeating this virus.

Our immune system couldn't get rid of the virus before tx. Too low doses of the drugs don't get rid of it. What makes you think the immune system can get rid of the virus by tapering? Either it is gone at the end of SOC or it is still there. That is my firm belief.

[Rockerforlife]

Interesting

[Myown]

One of the ideas that came into my mind a while back concerning EOT is that being the drugs are pulled from us - even if slowly tapered,,,,,our White Cells, lymphocytes and  whatever are very low and if there are left over virons or any type of infection that we may have, unknown to us - tooth, ear whatever,,,our white cells/Tcells etc will be trying to fight that and that in turn will give any left over virons time to replicate,,,,,,,,,SO what I was thinking of doing was asking my Hepatologist IF giving me a shot or 2 of Neupogen EOT so that my body will have an extra army to fight left over virons etc......I can NOT understand why they don't do the Neupogen at the EOT for EVERYONE,,,,not only for reasons of dangerously low white cells/fear of infection,,,,BUT to help build up DEFENCE against the left over virons.....

Maybe I am off base, and maybe thats why its not done. Because as I said, the only reason I have heard of people getting Neup was during the tx IF the whites went under a certain amount to try to prevent infection,,,,,,I think give an EOT shot of Neupogen even if you aren't dangerously low - just to bring in a defensive army.....IF that makes sense -  dunno, but I will ask my doc next visit.

[comeagain]

"He also recommended adding Lactoferrin "at this time" to help the immune system come "back online".

What time is that I started to take lactoferrin a month ago and are planing to continue with that until at least  3months post.

I have 4 more shots taking the 45th on thursday.
Also benn thinking of tappering down 180 next then 135 then 100 then 50 what do you think of that, or is Hr only recomending that if I take four more shots after 48w
what you think major Tom.

ca