Am I a non-responder?

[sunshines76]

Hello! Got diagnosed with HCV, genotype 1b two years ago. Looks like I've had it for at least 30 years now - had a blood transfusion in 1970s... I am now on week 14 of TX (pegasys + ribavirin). Don't feel any side effects at all, except for some mild hair shedding. I also drink plenty of water, and feel very good, actually better than before the therapy. Got more energy. Yet, my PCR test results are ... a buzz killer:
- 3 weeks before therapy- 280,000
- 1 week before therapy - 1,060,000
- week 4 of therapy - 13,000
- week 8 on therapy - 2,575
- week 12 on therapy - 66,742
- week 13 on therapy - 103,000

Looks like a roller-coaster ride to me... Am I a non-responder? My doc is suggesting keep on the current meds will week 24 and then if the virus is still detectable, switch me on infergen.

I am still hopeful... but my optimism is kind of down now when I got my labs done for week 12...

Anyone had the same happen to them as far as viral load climbing up? Is pegasys not working for me?

[copyman]

Yes, I did misunderstand. I should have known that you of all people would know the importance of Riba.
Take care

[HCA]

You have completly misunderstood me-I did not say ribavirin is not important early on.
Qiute the opposite in fact.
I have been advocating the pre-dosing of ribavirin for years as my old posts reveal.
I simply said that it does not eliminate the wild type virus,but rather it prevents the design of a successful variant.

[sunshines76]

Bill, I will definitely hang in there :) This week is going to be important in assessing my current situation and deciding what's next, can't wait to see my doc now. Will probably seek a second opinion too. But thank you so much for all your comments - and everyone's comments here - and sharing your story. You probably are fortunate, but you are definitely fortunate because you fought the beast fearlessly :) I am now much better prepared for my next appointment, have some good questions to ask.

[sunshines76]

Increasing riba now will not work because of a chance that virus has mutated or developed resistance by now? Is that why?

[copyman]

No, I do not think increasing Riba at this time will help.

I disagree with the other poster that  Riba is not important early on. There are studies that show it to be almost as important as interferon, i.e. studies that did not have Ribavirin and the interferon did not have much effect at all by itself. On the other hand pre-dosing ribavirin showed great promise and the new PI drugs even need Riba "early on" to work. So it is obvious that Ribavirin plays a MAJOR role in any TX combo right from the beginning. Granted it does take some time to build up in someones system but it starts working immediately.

[sunshines76]

Very best of luck with your PCR results! We'll be waiting for good news!