Viral Response Question -

[CM1]

My Viral Response has been as follows:

Baseline- 3000000
4 Week - 238000
8 Week- 4600
12 Week - 146

I'm down a little over 4 logs but did not clear at 12 weeks, so I guess this classifies me as a slow responder?  Is that correct?  Do I have any options to adjust my treatment so far - up the Riba to 1400?  My stats are as follows:

Female - 42
1a
G2-3, Stage 2-3
Pegasys / 1200mg Riba

I'm getting another viral load at 16 weeks.  I guess this also takes me to the 72 week treatment.  Luckly I've only suffered minimal side effects.

Thank you to anyone who can help me out with my questions.

[nygirl7]

It's too bad you couldn't have upped the riba earlier.  As someone who was in the same boat that you are now...I did the 72 weeks and have been SVR for over 18 months - it's a long road but it does work.

[jmjm530]

Sorry for the senior moment :) I saw "G2-G3" and, well....

As to the riba, if your doing OK with your sides -- and esp if you didnt get at least a two point drop in hgb from baseline --  it might be worth discussing upping to 1400. You still might ask for Dr. Dieterich's input.

[HCA]

CM1 is saying she is 1a so don't get your point ( unless I'm missing something!)

[jmjm530]

The 72 week studies are for genotype 1's, so don't confuse the two genotypes in terms of treatment length. As to response, unlike geno 1's, most genotype 2's are UND by week 4, so yours is slow and definitely requires evaluation by a liver specialist (hepatologist) in terms of moving foward. You might post your stats to Dr. Dieterich in the professional forum, but better would be to see a hepatologist for evaluation if you aren't already.

[HCA]

You are not a bad responder by any means.
I feel confident that you have an excellent chance of SVR but should treat for 72 weeks.
1200mg riba for a female is probably optimal if your weight is fairly normal.
Ribavirin does not actually eliminate virus it partially disables it's survival tactic of mutating successfully.
Others may tell you to up the ribavirin but it's key role is during the early weeks of treatment.
Considering your fairly high RNA baseline I personally think you are doing well.