i think i have had viral breakthough due to huge interferon reduction at week 5

[alico222]

I think I have had a viral breakthough when I was reduced at week 5 to 90mg interferon, as I had night sweats etc.
Does anyone think this is the virus out in the open. Is it worth me carrying on with treatment.
Thanks
Alico.

[Trish77]

Do not worry yet about a viral breakthrough - wait on a PCR result for that and don't borrow trouble before it's time.  Your immediate issue is addressing the low white counts so that they don't drop any lower and so that you can resume normal dosage if possible.  Your doctor does need to address your neutrophil count dropping to 500 this early in treatment in some way.  Do you know what neupogen is and have you discussed this with your doctor?

Have you had a biopsy to tell you how much liver damage you have and is this your first treatment?

[willing]

you'll need to gather more information to make that decision:
- what vl tests did you have since start of tx (at what week did  you und)
- why did Dr. reduce ifn by 50% at w5 rather than prescribe neupo and how long was reduction?
- what fraction of full-dose meds have you done so far?
- have you in fact had a breakthrough (sensitive PCR needed)?

with that in hand you may want to discuss options with your Dr. and get a 2nd opinion. At worst, considering the reduction a "do-over" and extending by 4-5w may be the way to go. However it sounds as if you were und before w5. In that case your odds are so good that as log as you can keep up 80% or better adherence there's no reason to change anything.

It's not the sort of decision anyone will be able to give you a clear yes/no answer to, but the discussions may help make your  choices  clearer.

[AKHepper]

once again, ask about using neupogen to raise your neutrophils. Also, are you set up to try either of  the new drugs that just got approved?

[alico222]

I need to clarify. My treatment was reduced because she thought neutrophils too low and would keep dropping. but her mistakes was cutting by half i now realise..not experienced.
The night sweats occurred after..I pressume they are hep c related as didn't have them first 4 weeks.

[alico222]

for any clearance should i give up now and save my body or plough on and hope?

[alico222]

Yes I have asked for pcr its a bit of mess now and i am afraid I will have lost my chance.