Stopping treatment at 6 months for anemia?

[Syllee]

I have another bunch of questions. My 12 week vl is still undected. But after 6 wks of 10,000 unit of Procrit, my anemia is worse. So they are doubling the dose to 20,000. They also lowered my ribavirin to 800 from 1000. I can stand all the side effects so far, and they seem to just keep popping up with new ones, but the anemia for so long, I can't stand. So today the Dr. says that if I can make to 6 months I have a very good chance of remaining undected. I didn't start this tx to ever do it again, so when I was so lucky to be undected I was ready for the long haul. But the anemia could stop this. Anyone ever heard of 6 mo. treatment and remaining undected? I am confused and torn as to what's going on now. Thanks>

[Odin999]

How sensitive were the VL tests you have had? Make sure that you are truly undetected!

I have heard of GT1's who get lucky after 6-months. I don't know the exact odds - they are certainly much lower the earlier you stop. They are also lowered by dosage reductions as well though, so you have to weigh that up too. What was your state of health when you started? I know you don't want to go through TX again, but it could help you decide whether strategic withdrawal is the better option.

Your VL numbers sound fantastic, sorry to hear about the anemia. I know how tough it is. Have you asked Dr. Deitrich on the "Ask a Doctor Forums"? He would give you a good experienced opinion on your numbers. He is someone who is strongly pro-treatment and has experienced it himself. Tell him your actual blood counts.

[HCA]

If you are 1a you only have a realistic chance of clearance of clearance if you were UND at four weeks,If you had detectable viral serum at no matter how low at twelve weeks you would almost certainly relapse even after forty eight weeks,

[Andromedae]

I am sorry I do not have a reference for this so you will have to research it out yourself but in the last week I recall some discussion (possibly by a European agency??) saying that there may be indications that genotype 1s who go undetectable within the first 4 weeks may only need treat for 24 weeks.  Once again:  I may be mistaken but what I recall was some very preliminary results from a study that I googled across somewhere that I (vaguely) recall seeing.

On my list of things to do:  Start printing out and actually filing these things I come across.  I actually brought a laser printer to do just that last week but I've been too tired to actually do the work :)  

Andromeda

[Syllee]

Sorry bout that, I'm a 1a.

[HCA]

The key factor is your genotype which you don't mention.If you are geno 1 the odds are against you achieving SVR with six months treatment.For 2 and 3 it's a different picture.Genotype 3a is also prone to re-emerge with the shorter treatment.There are other factors as well.The more info you provide the more informed the responses you get here will be.