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Avatar universal

Need some advice

I went in last week for the blood test to find out my viral load..24 week test.  I had the test about 6 weeks ago and I only had a 1.5 viral load drop.  So for the past 6 weeks the doctor upped my pegintron shot from 4mL to 5 mL each week. He says if the viral load hasn't dropped then that's it.  I'm off the tx.  I will find out tomorrow when I have the lab fax me the blood report and then I go to the Doctor on Friday and he either takes me off or what happens?  Do I beg to stay on or do I go off and start again in a few months?  He says there is another treatment of a shot a day..for a whole year...(and worse sides)....wow, how do you get through that?  If the load hasn't dropped he says I am a slow responder....has anyone gone on with the treatment and had an undectectable test at the end of treatment.  I am 56, female, Hep C 1b...stage 3 grade 2.
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Avatar universal
It may be insurance driven. For instance my insurance company will not extend treatment past a certain point if I have not achieved that 2 log drop.
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Avatar universal
I am not ready to give up.  I just wanted to know if this is normal to be taken off if not a 2 log drop.  Now if I find out there's a 2 log drop tomorrow when I get my results, do they usually keep you going? Or do you need an undetectable?
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Avatar universal
i would definately not give up so soon especially without another hepatologists opinion...that's just me!!! infergen is always an option why not try stronger pegasys for a month or two and see what happens before stopping???
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Avatar universal
Your doctor seems on track. I wouldn't beg to stay on a losing horse. The once-a-day shot is consensus interferon (infergen) and shows promise for slow-responders or relapsers. Someone earlier posted something like 30% success rate? You can check the studies out or ask your doctor.

Your third alternative is to do nothing and wait for the newer drugs now in trial. As a stage 3 this carries obvious risk. I'm close to a stage 3 myself and currently in tx. Frankly, I'm not sure if I'd re-treat in the near future should I fail to SVR. Interferon/riba and I just don't get along. That said, a number of people in this discussion group have re-treated with success using various strategies.

-- Jim
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