SOC = standard of care = pegylated interferon and ribavirin
PI = polymerase inhibitor (for example Boceprevir) or protease inhibitor (for example Telaprevir)
Best wishes,
Za
Why does no one ever mention that treatment and failure can result in a stronger mutated virus the next go round.
Is this not true?
bandman
Hi,
There is no clear answer to you question. It depends how you see things. We know that you have better chance of response to treatment when you are young and at an earlier stage of disease. There are many drugs in the pipeline. The ones that will be approved first are protease inhibitors (telaprevir and boceprevir) and they are pills that are taken, for now, with the present standard of care, peginterferon and ribavirin. The combination of the 3 is superior to the present treatment. We think that approval is for 2010 or 2011. The viral load fluctuates and the lower, the higher chance of response to treatment. Below 800 000 increases your chance of response.
So treatment is not an emergency, but why not give it a try and if the present standard of care does not cure your husband, you know that you have future options. Good luck! DTD
Treat now while the virus is weak and you are young and strong. There will always be excuses to wait- not sick right now, need to work, busy with life, etc...go after it now.
That is an excellent question, and often discussed on the Hep C Medical and Community Forums.
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Thanks Zazza!
Being an nr that makes me feel a little better!
I know SOC... interferon and riba.. correct?
But what is PI?
jp
Only true with the PIs, not with SOC.
I would get treatment and go to another Dr.get a second opinion.