For those post tx-Post Interferon / Ribavirin Treatment Symptoms Survey

[shastri20032003]

found an interesting survey for those post tx,thought i would share it

All those post tx are welcome to share their thoughts and experiences on the same

Heres the link below
http://www.zoomerang.com/web/SharedResults/SharedResultsSurveyResultsPage.aspx?ID=L22KYULCZHEN

[mremeet]

jimquote: "I just don't think it makes sense for Katerika to extend to 72 weeks (with or without Alinia) if detectible at week 24."

Well, even if she were detectable at 24 weeks, the possibility of trying Alinia is still a viable and good option in my opinion. Considering she seems to be moving towards cirrhosis rapidly (according to her biopsy results), time is of the essence. And assuming she already has a very low VL at this point (which I assume she does), if Alinia is truly a potent HCV antiviral (again which prelim results suggest it is), then she'll know if it's likely to work within 4 weeks after taking it. If I were in her shoes and were still detectable (either at week 20 OR 24), I'd look into Alinia. If it looked pretty good (based on the the earliest reports), I'd try it and be tested with a 2 IU/ml PCR at week 1, 2, 3 and 4 (starting from week 20 or 24 etc) after starting Alinia (while continuing on IFN and riba). If all of sudden the virus went UND, especially at week 1 or 2, I'd take that as a real good sign and keeeeeeep going. Keep going and keep getting those PCR's along the way (to ensure an UND status is maintained). Going out to 72 weeks from there would tack on a full 48 weeks more of UNDetectability, which should forbode a likely SVR. If I didn't achieve an UND status within 4-8 weeks after starting Alinia, then I'd consider quitting altogether. That is, unless I opted to provide my liver with therapeutic maintenance dosing for a while longer (not a bad option while I thought about how to get into a protease inhibitor trial etc later).

Anyway, that's my $0.02. I think Alinia is worth a good solid college try under these circumstances, be it week 20 or 24, even if not UND by week 24.

[jmjm530]

Let me re-prhase that because it's getting confusing.

I just don't think it makes sense for Katerika to extend to 72 weeks (with or without Alinia) if detectible at week 24.

However, if she does make the decision to extend, then adding Alinia is reasonable. Hopefully, she will get in contact with a good cutting-edge hepatologist beforehand, who will help with the decision.

-- Jim

[jmjm530]

Mre: If I was in week 20 and still not UND, and was strongly considering going 72 weeks, even if I didn't achieve UND status...
----------------------------------------------------
Can't disagree there. But I'm not sure that Katerika is considering treatment beyond week 24 if still detectible.

But if you're saying -- and I'm not 100% sure you are -- that if Katerika is still detectible at week 24, then she should add Alinia to the current mix and then extend treatment to 72 weeks, then we disagree on this on.

-- Jim

[mremeet]

No, I didn't mean try Alinia only if you're UND by week 24. If I was in week 20 and still not UND, and was strongly considering going 72 weeks, even if I didn't achieve UND status...then damned right I'd look into alinia, and I'd look into taking it right away. Especially if I were teetering on the cusp of cirrhosis, and possibly largely squandering 72 weeks of hell with virtually no hope of scoring an SVR. I'd try my very best to get the skinny on Alinia, and as long as things looked at least reasonably promising (with no other information), I'd take it and take it with gusto (under my doctor's close supervision, of course). Sometimes in life you have to act and act boldly with very limited information. Obviously it's Teri's call, but depending on how she personally sees things, this just might be one of those situations.

[katerika]

Thanks I am on the upped dose of Interferon 150, and as I said I have a few more weeks till next blood work I am real antsy, trying to keep hopful for week 24 and UND. I am also pushing for the meds for Insulin resistance.  I figure if I can't beat the Hep right now I will focus on the fatty liver. Plus whine.whine whine.... I stumbled a few weeks ago and am scheduled for an MRI, Torn miniscus?  2 weeks ago abcessed tooth, my face blew up so bad the ER did a CAT scan. There is more, It's alway's something!
I really value your input.
Teri

[jmjm530]

Don't want to talk for anyone else, but I'm assuming "Mre" means try Alinia if your UND by week 24. I  don't know if that will benefit you but I see no harm. But whatever he means, I would not extend beyond week 24 if still detectible at week 24 with or without Alinia.

Alinia may have some future promise but as far as I know there currently is no SVR data on the drug and certainly not in situations like yours.



-- Jim