Back again - sort of....

[Magnum]

Went through 5 months of triple therapy with Victrelis. After 5 months I went from 2.3 million to 300. However, that was at week 16 of Victrelis. The protocol was to be undetectable at week 12. So now I wait for the non-Interferon drugs.

I have to say the treatment was tolerable until the last 2 weeks. Then it hit the fan. About a month after quitting, something extraordinary happened. I lost 22 lbs in one month. Dr. Gish was concerned and said most was muscle mass due to the non-proliferation of protein enzymes by the liver. So three months now after quitting, I am still only only one pound heavier, while forcing myself to eat more. This is a concern to be sure. I feel nauseated at times and with a lack of energy. I lost 2/3 of my curly full head of hair, which is now straight. Lost all the hair on my legs.

I just hope the future Heppies appreciate the fact that us Guinea pigs are going through this to make it easier for them one day, when the cure will eventually be one pill daily for a month...

Magnum

[Willy50]

Well, sorry to hear about outcome of this last go-around.

I'm glad that it was a shorter treatment and that you came close to making undetectable.  There are several great new treatments coming and I believe that things will continue to shorter, easier and more effective.  
.....I know, the broken record.  
EASL is only about a week away and you will see proof of what some of these treatments will hold.

Very sorry that you didn't make it.  Still sounds as though it was easier than the infergen, am I remembering correctly?  Next stop may be no interferon.

Wishing you a speedy recovery.

best,
willy

[Bill1954]

Hi Magnum,

We haven’t seen you around in quite a while; sorry to hear of these latest developments. I have to believe Gish ‘n company checked your thyroid, although sometimes that’s responsible for alopecia (hair loss). Is your cirrhosis still well compensated?

My sincere best wishes to you; I hope the wait for better treatment modalities is short. Be well,

--Bill

[beeblessed]

Hi.  Sorry to hear this Magnum.  I'm curious then.  Have you had your VL checked since then to see where you are now??  I ask because I was told that it is a great achievement to have your VL go down significantly, as it takes stress off your liver.  But I'm not sure that holds true if the numbers go back up.

Blessings,
Bee

[HectorSF]

"I feel nauseated at times and with a lack of energy".
Have you tried any drugs for your nausea? Does anything seem to help.

"I lost 2/3 of my curly full head of hair, which is now straight. Lost all the hair on my legs".
How are your labs? Anything out of the ordinary? Could the treatment have been stressful on your liver (fatigue, nausea) and aggravated your liver? Or does it seem to be a reaction to treatment?
What does Gish say about these developments?

Hang in their buddy!

Hector

[crigger]

  Sorry the treatment was not sucsessful.

[BoceprevirGal]

Ahh, I'm new on this Forum, but have read many posts of yours, since I started trying to cure my Hep C, about half a year ago.
   I did see a YouTube video, where anopther guy said he lost alot of weight after an unsuccessful tx, but it was just SOC.
   I'm on triple tx, with the Victrelis, week 9 (and 3 days) and I can tell my teeth are gonna be goners..I cant tste it and feel it. I still dont have the hair loss thing yet, do you remember what week yours started to thin? I have heard "12 weeks"...but I dont dare redye mine...so I have grey roots, to add to my anemic complexion~
   I'm hoping your hair will get thicker, over time, and that the 2nd generation PI's and other new meds, will be ready, even quicker then the Doctors are saying. Mine is saying "3~5" yrs, but that's not quick enough~ so many people need them now