stopping tx early

[davidon]

Does anyone know where I can get info on stopping tx early?  my MD wants me to complete 24 weeks but symptoms are getting worse not better.  I had a quick response and by eight weeks had an undetectable viral load.  Shouldn't 3 months virus free be enough?  genotype 3a and low initial viral load of 36,000.
thanks
dave

[spectda]

Eight weeks is not a rapid viral response, 4 weeks to undetectable is. I would not quit unless your sides are a serious threat to your safety. Statistically you will reduce your chance of sustained viral response, but there are times when there is no choice or a person just can not deal with it. Many of us that are gentype 1 have to treat for 48 weeks and some have treated twice that long.

what kind of side effects are you having that are compelling you to stop. Usually the doctor would be telling the patient they have to stop rather then the other way around because they usually know if you are safe and your bloodwork is good.

Let us know more specifically what's wrong, perhaps people can help you make it easier so
you can get through this?

I am dave also,
take care!

[HCVguy]

An undetected viral load does not mean that there is no virus in your liver. It just means that the level of virus in your *blood* is below the test's sensitivity. Because of this, you want to continue taking drugs well past undetected. Some recommend taking four times the dose of drugs that it took you to get to undetected. According to this method, in your case this would mean treating for a total of 32 weeks.

Personally, I had the hardest time with treatment around month 3 because it required some lifestyle adjustments as symptoms began but it actually got better from there on. If anemia is bothering you then by all means get on procrit. If your hemoglobin level is not where the doc would recommend procrit yet or the insurance gets in the way then you may want to press harder or find another doc because that's actually easier than toughing it out. You want the doc on your side and not be some shill for the insurance industry.