length of tx for 2b

[bootcampbilly]

I have been on double therapy for 12 wks and my last viral load came back undet. over 45.
My doc says I will be on the peg/rib supplemented with aranesp for the rbc and neulasta for wbc for 1 year.
It seems like a long time for genotype 2, does anyone have any info on this and the long term damage caused by these 4 drugs?

[orphanedhawk]

Are you seeing a hepatologist? Some people here have had GIs treat them who really haven't been as on top of it as a good liver doctor.

Perhaps your doctor wants you to do the longer treatment because of your cirrhosis. Treatment can't be done in later stages of cirrhosis.
Then you are looking at a liver transplant.

In response to how damaging these meds can be you can look at the long list of possible side effects and easily get scared.
Nobody can predict how the meds will affect you.

Make sure you are drinking lots of water, more than you think you need.
Also is your doctor having you take vitamin D?
Research shows this is important.
here's one link:

http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/features/study-vitamin-d-could-help-fight-hepatitis-c-1.261432

[bootcampbilly]

My mistake, my pre tx load was 16,000,000

[bootcampbilly]

my viral load at 4 weeks was 2000 down from 318,000 . Pre tx it was 1,000,000

[bootcampbilly]

I was undeteced at 8wks, with early stages of cirrosis when they did the liver biopsy.

[orphanedhawk]

Did you have a viral load at 4 weeks or was the 12 week your first viral load ?

Normally, genotype 2 does 24 weeks of treatment unless there is cirrhosis or sometimes if they don't clear the virus quickly the doctor will suggest extending treatment.

I'm genotype 2, undetected at 4 week and doing 24 weeks of tx.

[bootcampbilly]

My mistake, undetected <45 iu/ml and this is my first tx for hcv.

[1oftheclub222]

Have you treated before?  did you relapse or something?  I think that is the only time I have seen or heard of extending treatment for a type 2, but I'm certainly no expert.

I would like to hear form those who are in the know...I am also a type 2, doing treatment for the first time, will do my first VL check in 1 week from today.

Also I am a little unclear on your VL results...you were undected, but had a VL count of greater than 45?  Doesn't mean you have a detected VL?  Like I said I am still learning, so just trying to understand...