What to expect next

[somuchmore2]

I have two more days of INCIVEK. Looking forward to not having to awake Saturday 6 AM in order to eat 20G of fat and take open that day's blister pack.

WOW!!!! What a ride that has been, but thinking worth it. Week 4 RNA =12, week 8= undetected and so I expect week 12 will be undetected too.

Currently Procrit is keeping the Anemia in check.

What is likely to come during next 36 weeks of PEG/RIBA?
Will side effects be less and if so which?
What is likely chances of viral load coming back?

FYI----This is my 3rd treatment since 1997. First, interferon & RIBA and second peginterferon & RIBA. I am older now so perhaps that is why this INCIVEK, PEG & RIBA has kicked my butt so bad.

[somuchmore2]

Thank you.....it has been a long strange trip with HCV, but I am feeling like these new treatments are wonderful.

[libzo1]

You are doing such a great job getting to this milestone in the process.  You are already cured in my eyes.  As long as you maintain protocol your SVR is inevitable!  So happy for you and every one that has endured.  Better days are coming.  

[somuchmore2]

Yes. WE should keep our focus on SVR. My doctors are very positive that we will have success this 3rd time around. I am not getting any younger so expect this is my last best chance of SVR.

If not SVR sooner than later I expect TP would come into play. Not an event I look forward to at 56 am starting to see other health issues.

Best to all of you.

[tazkat24]

Good luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[tazkat24]

i start inciek tomorrow, i am a non responer so if by week 4 i haven't responded really well then off i go of the treatment.. bummer. i did the SOC back in  2005 & 3 weeks of the tmc435 treatment trial last yr but had a rash so the study took me off of ot.. found out rash had nothing to do with the meds.. My luck. here's hoping i respond..

[taccs4]

I end the Incivek this week also and this is my third time doing treatment. I treated in 99 and 07 and was a null responder both times. I am also UND this time around but it has for sure been a rougher ride. I am also excited to be done with Incivek and all the fun it has brought to my life. :) Good luck and I hope the next 36 weeks are easy breezy for both of us. Looking forward to SVR!!!

[somuchmore2]

thanks

[willbb]

It has been talked about here, the diarrhea /hemorrhoids and nausea are fairly common with the Inci. so in all probability  you should get some relieve from those when you stop it.
It would seem because of your prior response 48 weeks will give you the best possible chance.  There is an old saying " three times lucky" and this very well could be that time  for you.
I wish you  the best of luck..
Will

[somuchmore2]

Earlier non-responder. If I recall the numbers it was like 6m, then 800k at week 12 so stop because not 2 log. It was a long time ago '98 & '02.

This time around my pretreatment RNA load this time was 2.5m. The doctor shocked me with news at week-4 of RNA 12 some folks told me others doctors consider 12 UND. However, my doctor says 12 is still 12, but then at week 8 RNA UND. Next draw for week 12 is tomorrow.

Side effects:
-rash, dying skin, etc....
-low grade (99.4 to 100.5) fever nearly every night
-anemia so fatigue
-diarrhea
-nausea
-hemorrhoids (with itching)

I am trying to be very hopeful.

[willbb]

Glad to hear you are coming to the end of the Incivek part of this. You don"t mention exactly what your sides have been..however those that were caused by the Incivek should certainly start to improve just by the elimination of the drug.

As far as what are your chances of success..A lot of that depends on what your response was this time ...you say you wereUND. at week8 and 12 at week4(was that <12 UND.at week 4)
Another factor  is what was your prior response were on SOC. Were you a relapser both times or a non or null responder.

All in all the fact you are UND. and early ..either at week 4 or 8(not sure from your post)  things look positive for you.
Hope some of the sides dissipate now that you are finishing up the Inci.

Best..
Will