Dropping out of Tx at 8 weeks...

[Virusbuster]

I just got my 7th week VL result: 2.6 million. Given that I started with 13.7 million, a 0.72 drop. Well below the 1 log that I had agreed with my doc as a stopcriterion. Hence, I stop, right here, right now. It was a horrible 8 weeks, and I can only say I'm happy the result is black or white (albeit black in this case) and not grey.

Hopefully, I'll be me old self again soon. And even more hopefully, my liver will last until the new meds come out.

Thank you guys for all the support you have given me the past weeks. I'll try to reciprocate.

VB

[jmjm530]

this suggests 17% SVR (not 5%) assuming two-log drop at week 12

http://www.hcvadvocate.org/news/newsLetter/2009/advocate0309.html#1

[jmjm530]

Is the 5% figure with 48 or 72 weeks? Do you have any study back up? I thought the 72 week figure (assuming UND by week 24) was pretty decent although did not look at any co-infected studies. As you know, fibrosis progression is greater if you're co-infected so personally, given you're a stage 3,  I'd think twice about stopping now unless you can verify those figures. Ploughing on until week 12 might make some sense as your doc suggests.

[Virusbuster]

My WBC have dropped from 5000 down to 2300. I understood that below 3000 it becomes tricky.

I don't know about neutrophils, I only have the complete WBC and my CD4 cells.

[RCM829]

Just curious...what are your WBC and Absolute Neutrophils? I'm trying to get a read on what levels are bothersome to people. My understanding is that you multiply them and if you are between 300 and 500, you considered low and if you fall under 300, you need rescue meds ASAP.

[Virusbuster]

"l assume that your quoted 5% chance of SVR is because you are co-infected and that this number is accurate and clinically documented, right?"

Indeed. In fact, that information was part of the protocol that I received prior to treatment.

"If this figure IS correct, I sincerely applaud you for making an extremely difficult decision with an admirable degree of certainty. You seem self-directed and confident, and that will serve you well always."

I take that as a really nice compliment. Thank you, I feel flattered!

[Virusbuster]

" assume you probably do not have significant liver damage and have ruled out controllable factors such as proper dosing, compliance, etc."

I do have a moderate stage 3 fibrosis, so it's not an easy idea to have to wait perhaps two years for the new meds. My dosing was fine (riba 1000 mg @ 68 kg)

"A couple of newer factors to look into are Insulin Reistance and Hemoglobin drop from baseline. Has your doc ruled out IR and do you know what your pre-tx hemoglobin was and what it was on treatment including now?"

My doc hasn't ruled out IR. I just brought up the subject, and we'll look into that. However, my glucose values (check my tracker) didn't worry my doc, esp. not since I had eaten when I got tested. I know what my HG was pre-Tx (14.7) and is now (10.9). I'm very easily out of breath now.