Saw The Doc - Have Some Answers

[FlGuy]

Went to see doc#3, one of those

[NYgirl]

It's not easy news to hear but it does appear that from all indications - the longer you treat the more it changes your odds so that you will not relapse - no matter WHICH genotype you are.  

I'm geno 1A and 1B - This is the reason that I have decided to go straight through to 72 weeks (I get my TMA results today as long as I am still UND that is...*shaking and biting fingernails*...)

People do NOT want to hear this information and often will say "well my doctor said I am lucky I am a 2 or 3 and only have to do 24" but what you have to remember is...how CURRENT in thinking IS the doctor or do they just prescribe without reading studies etc?

The doctors who are on the cutting edge and really dedicated to healing us have a much more aggressive ideal it seems - and they are starting to really believe the longer you treat the better your chances at SVR.  From all the data they have studied...that is how it looks.

My doctor(s) said the best thing when I started I did was to up my Riba to 1,000 even though I should have been only at 800 and also not allowing any dosage reduction until now (at the end of the original cycle).  

I don't WANT to stay for 72 weeks - but it will change my odds from 48% chance of relapse (geno1 after 48 weeks tx) to 30% (genotype1 72 weeks tx).  That is almost a full 20% extra...and those odds are WAY too big to ignore.

[tulsatime]

Yes I agree. I wish I could see another dr. I have called everyone around none will see me. I was lucky to have found this one, if you could call it luck. He just isn't up to the new info. He has never treated anyone with cirrhosis or even a relapser geno 2. Maybe I can educate him as we go. He did put in my chart that I insited on going 48 weeks. And maybe by the time I get 24 weeks done. He will write another scrip for 24 more. He did say he wanted to help any way he could. I just think he is behind the times.
Bet you feeling good now. How much longer till your 3 mo post test?   Take care, Debi

[roaming]

Curious, Did you hear something about using riba a week before the shot? That was how my hubby was started even though dr. office said it didn't matter if that week of riba was before 1st shot or after last shot. The coordinator just thought it would be nice to take the last riba with the last shot.

[tulsatime]

I bet you can't wait to get your computer up. I know it seems to me that I post most on weekends and you post most on weekdays. I have missed seeing you. You are such a caring person and also made me feel welcome here when I started posting after relapse. Thanks again, hope your feeling Ok, Talk to later, Debi

[Mister beagle bailey]

This is a tough answer to give.  How long to treat???  This forum is the best place for a study to be done because no one is hand picked here.  I look at amommy who treated less then 24 weeks and being a 2B has cleared the virus and is still clear at 3 months post tx and then other 2B's relaped right after completing the tx.  Don't know if anyone, even Drs can really answer this question and be right.  

All we can hope for, is someone out there will find the answers to this and a cure for all that will be guaranty.

beagle

[Mister beagle bailey]

Will do 3 month PCR in about 2 weeks as it will then be 3 months since my last one was done.

You live  Tulsa, OK, right?

Beagle