When to resume peg injections....

[willie_mcgee]

I was in the 2nd phase of a polymerase inhibitor study and went about 14 weeks until i was told to stop the study drug.  i was told a little later to stop the peg until my lymphocyte levels got back up to 500 - i was under 200.  i'm a male in my mid-30's and was undetectable by week 4.  oh yeah, i have hep c type 1b.  my last injection was back on May 15 of this year.  last week was week 22 since the beginning of treatment and did a VL test and am still undetectable.  i have continued on the ribavirin.

this is probably a stupid question, but i haven't heard back from my nurse practitioner yet today.  should i resume the peg ASAP or wait a couple of days to resume my old schedule?  i feel like i haven't experienced any peg side effects since i've started treatment.

[willie_mcgee]

turns out that my nurse practitioner advised me to wait to resume the peg until at least today which is my scheduled week 24 visit.  i decided to cooperate.  also, i found out that i wasn't in that arm of the study to stop all drugs after week 24, so i will continue on the standard of care treatment for the next 24 weeks.

thank you for all of your feedback and i'll keep you posted with any results.

[comeagain]

Hi congrats to very good results.

I`m very much in to the same thoughs as proactive why continue with meds if you home clear!! ??

Non of us on this forum except hepatit researcher HR is a doctor though, not even Proactiv even if he has the word pro in his name LOL.

I asume since your in a study that you have skilled docs that can adwise you.
I also asume youve done a biopsy and that the vl tests provided is high quallity sensetive.

You can always pop a question to dr D at the expert forum.

Con once again and also a big con to you PRO, for your post 12 week UND result.

Take care.

ca

[Trish77]

Whatever day you start becomes your scheduled day, if that helps.  I'd resume and keep at it.  I'd see it through the duration to make sure you have your SVR and that you never have to do this again. It does sound like this can be your one-shot deal. Also, if you stop now, you're effectively out of the trial. If that matters to you, take that into account.

Did you clear by Week 4?  If yes...you may be done at Week 24 anyway, there is that one arm in this trial.  

I'm in the same trial.  Good luck.

Trish

[Fl_Gator]

start the shot asap...and call the nurse to verify when. Sounds like you may have killed your dragon. Good luck

Gator

[Proactive]

Let me get this right...you said your last peg shot was on 5/15 and your vl was still negative last week? (6 weeks post your last shot?)...Maybe I will be the only one to throw this out there-----maybe you should discontinue the riba, and continue with monthly vl tests...consider your treatment finished...My understanding is that the majority of relapsers do so within the first 2 weeks of ending treatment, you may already have the beast whipped...Just food for thought.
Is your nurse practitioner under the guidance of a hepatologist? Maybe you should question the hep doc directly about your unusual situtation.
Just food for thought...

[willie_mcgee]

I apologize for leaving out this info:  I was told today that i could resume the peg injections, but did not discuss with my nurse practitioner in detail as to what day i should resume.

do you think i should resume ASAP or go back to my normal schedule which would be a Wednesday night shot?

willie mcgee