Thanks for clarifying that for me.
I know few tp patients but I know of one who had to stop cellcept prior to doing hep C tx.
This is a good reminder that we are all different, with different bodies, health issues and doctors. What's good for one isn't necessarily good for all.
Pegasys/Rivavirin treatment doesn't necessarily mean you stop cellcept. I'm a case in point. In my case, I just had to reduce the interferon dosage.... but everyone is different. I only do what my hepatologist tells me :-)
I think you have to stop taking cellcept before you can do interferon treatment.
The link that was censored above is to a site called "transplant buddies". If you search "transplant buddies" you'll find the site.
A guy named Jeff posted that.
I am not Jeff.
Mike
Mike
From: http://www.*****************.org/tbx/messages/5358/502693.html?1316445521
Posted on Tuesday, September 13, 2011 - 05:50 pm:
"I am about 3 1/2 years post transplant. I tried the usual interferon/ribavirin therapy both pre and post transplant and was a non-responder. I have been on Incivek for 5 weeks now. It is still considered off-label use but my doctor knew I would would follow his directions so I was his first patient to try it. First I had to get off Prograf because the interaction makes the Prograf 70x more potent. I was switched to cyclosporine and Myfortic. When the Incivek was started my cyclosporine was dropped to 25 mg once per day due to their interaction. Due to my previous non-response and to the multiple variations of the HCV I carry my odds were considered to be about 30%, maybe 40% at best. At the end of week 4 the HCV RNA was not detectable. The only additional side effect is that the anemia came quicker this time. I will start Procrit injections probably sometime this week. Incivek reacts with many other drugs and my doctor insists having approval over everything I take including over the counter."
Mike
Congratulations on your transplant!
Since you will be under the care of the transplant center for the rest of your life. you should be taking to a hepatologist there regarding what is happening with your hepatitis C virus reinfection in your new liver. It will be up to them as to when you will need to retreat, with what meds and how you will be monitored during the treatment process.
If you are geno type 1 there are new more effective meds to combat the virus but there have no clinical trials that included post transplant patients and the only study I know of that is going on is at my transplant center here in Northern Cali and that is only just beginning.
Your immunosuppressive agents
There are also drug interactions between Cyclosporine A (CsA) and INCIVEK when administered. So Cyclosporine must be reduced to 1/10 of its current dosage.
Also a medicine like cellcept could be an issue too. Your treating doctor will tell you all this.
Talk to you hepatologist and find out what the plan is for you treating your recurrent hepatitis C.
Good luck. Glad to hear you are 7 months post and on the road to recovery post transplant.
Hector