Started Tx, need advice

[JackABCD]

Hi friends,
Long time since I last posted, just wanted to see how will I go with the treatment.
Infected on: 1980 from Blood Transfusion after injury.
Geno: 1b.
Last bx on: April 2007,  Stage: 2-3, Grade: 2-3
Started tx on: 31/01/2008, 1200 riba, 180 pegasys.
Side Effects – None.
Blood Tests – all OK.
14/8/2007   Viral load 4,110,000, ALT – 372, AST – 187 (before tx)
17/12/2007  Viral load 2,120,000, ALT – 217, AST – 115 (before tx)
8/02/2008    Viral load 246,000, ALT – 217, AST – 115 (end of week 1 with SOC)
29/02/2008  Viral load 105000, ALT - 108 AST – 65 (end of week 4 with SOC)
Supposed to be on SOC for 48 weeks if everything will go fine.
I have not talk with my doc on last Blood Test.
Could anyone please tell me what does those VL results might tell ?  
Thank you
Jack

[JackABCD]

Yes, I will try to.
Jack

[desrt]

Wil you be trying to get PCRs at 6, 8, and10?

[JackABCD]

Dear Zazza,
Thank you, helped me a lot, wish you the best as you reach the end treatement.
Jack

[zazza]

Criteria to continue tx after week 12 is preferably UND but at least a 2 log drop. If not UND by week 12, the lower viral load at this point the better chance of success by extending tx.
Criteria to continue tx after week 24 is at least a 2 log drop by week 12 and UND by week 24.

I am genotype 1a. Had it since 1981.

Baseline: 120'000 IU/ml = log 5.079
Week 4: 2900 IU/ml = log 3.462
Week 12: Detected but not quantifiable with a test of the sensitivity of 15 IU/ml (= log 1.176). Doctor said this means between 5 and 20 IU/ml. The laboratory called it "Borderline".
Week 15: UND

Log drop by week 4: 1.617 log
Log drop, from baseline, by week 12: approximately 3.903 log.

No biopsy possible because of clotting issues due to a genetic factor. The lack of biopsy is one reason my doctor wanted me to treat, he couldn't say what stage my liver was at.

I am tx'ing right now, week 70 out of 72.

[JackABCD]

Hi nygirl7 , pleassure to talk with you again,
Do you know what is the criteria to continue tx after week 12 - UND or 2 log drop ?
Jack

[JackABCD]

Hi nygirl7 , pleassure to ralk with you again,
Do you know what is the criteria to continue tx after week 12 - UND or 2 log drop ?
Jack

[nygirl7]

I had an almost three log drop at week 4 and then got "stuck" with a count of 400 all throughout until somewhere between week 12 - 24 when I finally got UND.

I thought I'd had it made RVR but ended up hitting that plateau and being a slow responder.

Just goes to show you never really can anticipate what is going on.

Good luck Jack I hope you are UND at 12!!!!!!!!!!!

[JackABCD]

Thank you,
Could you please tell what was your log drop after 8 and 12 weeks, stage and grade at baseline and geno, also what us your status today ?
thank you,
Jack

[zazza]

Before tx: 4'110'000 IU/ml = log 6.614
Baseline: 2'120'000 IU/ml = log 6.326
Week 1: 246'000 IU/ml = log 5.391
Week 4: 105'000 IU/ml = log 5.021

Your two viral load results from before tx are within the variance of the tests taken as they differ less than half-a-log from each other.

By week 1 you had a decrease in viral load of 0.935 log.
By week 4 you had a decrease in viral load from baseline of 1.305 log.

By week 4 you want at least a one-log drop, so you got that. I myself had a log drop of 1.62 by week 4. I believe many of us who have between a one and a two log drop by week 4 turn out to be slow responders, and thus will need to consider extending tx to 72 weeks.

But keep on going and let's hope for a good result at week 12! You will know better then where you are at. Good luck!