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Genotype 3a Starting Peg/Rib Treatment
Husband starting treatment; 30 years with hep c. Genotype 3a, stage 3/4. Does anyone have similar situation? Anyone have positive results from treatment? We're worried about long term effects of Hep C, and whether treament will actually help. He has lots of Hep C symptoms and complications. Appreciate any feedback. Thanks,
Has anyone gotten relief of cryoglobulin-anemia and other hepatic manifestations by under-going treatment??
Thanks,
Thanks,
http://www.virologyj.com/content/5/1/78
Paper discussing specifics of 3a genetics and response. Probably wayTMI but good stuff to help put you to sleep if you ever run out of Ambien.
Paper discussing specifics of 3a genetics and response. Probably wayTMI but good stuff to help put you to sleep if you ever run out of Ambien.
About 160-165 lbs or so would be a good cut-off between 1,000 and1,200. If over 165, go for 1,200 would be my guidance. Expect hemoglogin to drop fast.
Buckle up and good luck!
Buckle up and good luck!
The Riba dose depends on his weight. As long as it is weight based he should be fine.
I was on 800mg, but only weighed ca 56 kg (ca 123 lb) when I started.
I was on 800mg, but only weighed ca 56 kg (ca 123 lb) when I started.
Thanks so much for all your comments. Insurance is all good (thank God!), and we already have a plan in place to test 2 weeks after starting treatment. As far as RB dose, they're starting him on 100mg (5 pills) daily. How does that compare with all of you- sound like too much ? too little?
Most important question we have is about the Hepatic Manifestations. Have any of you cleared or reduced things like cryoglobulins and rheumatoid factor???
Thanks again!!
Most important question we have is about the Hepatic Manifestations. Have any of you cleared or reduced things like cryoglobulins and rheumatoid factor???
Thanks again!!
I am a geno 3a and am now in my 2nd round of tx. 1st tx I was stage 3 and didnt clear till somewhere between 12 & 16 weeks. The testing they used I later found out wasnt senstive enough 615< I finished 48wks UND then 3mos post the virus showed back up. I am now retreating with higher dose riba 1200 and different interferon pegisis shot I just got my results 12 wks UND they are now using TagMan HCV test with a lower limit of quantitation is 43 IU/mL. I am looking at tx for 72 wks this time. I have very mild side effects I take an antidepresent and a sleeping pill. I have had hair loss and weight loss both txs but have managed to run a salon business and work behind the chair full time.
Good advice from Marcia and G'Dad. I was geno 3 for almost 30 years and have been clear of the virus for over 6 years. Good Luck.
I wanted to add that it is IMPORTANT to get a PCR after 4 weeks of treatment, BEFORE doing shot 5. That is the most important PCR for a geno 3 to do, while treating.
(after 4 weeks)
(after 4 weeks)
I am/was a 3a. FibroScan AFTER treatment showed F0-1.
I treated for 32 weeks bcause I didn't clear by 4 weeks.
I wanted to add that it is IMPORTANT to get a PCR after weeks of treatment, BEFORE doing shot 5. That is the most important PCR for a geno 3 to do, while treating.
If he doesn't clear by then, he will have to extend treatment. 24 weeks will not be enough. The formula on extension my doctor used, and which was also suggested to me by one of the leading hepatologists in the US, was the time of achieving undetected status PLUS 24 weeks.
I cleared at 8 weeks, so I did 32 weeks.
I don't know if that would also apply to someone who is at the stage your husband is. But you could discuss this with your doctor.
The good news is that I was stil clear 18 weeks post treatment and will have my 6 months post PCR end of the month.
Treatment was debilitating for me, as I was mostly bedridden for the whole time. But obviously it was well worth it. I was able to recover from treatment quite fast, so I was lucky in that regard.
I treated for 32 weeks bcause I didn't clear by 4 weeks.
I wanted to add that it is IMPORTANT to get a PCR after weeks of treatment, BEFORE doing shot 5. That is the most important PCR for a geno 3 to do, while treating.
If he doesn't clear by then, he will have to extend treatment. 24 weeks will not be enough. The formula on extension my doctor used, and which was also suggested to me by one of the leading hepatologists in the US, was the time of achieving undetected status PLUS 24 weeks.
I cleared at 8 weeks, so I did 32 weeks.
I don't know if that would also apply to someone who is at the stage your husband is. But you could discuss this with your doctor.
The good news is that I was stil clear 18 weeks post treatment and will have my 6 months post PCR end of the month.
Treatment was debilitating for me, as I was mostly bedridden for the whole time. But obviously it was well worth it. I was able to recover from treatment quite fast, so I was lucky in that regard.
3a is generally easier to treat than the more common (in the US) genotypes 1a/1b. I was early stage 4 and zapped GT 3a with 26 weeks. I was scheduled for 52 weeks, but got clear at week 4, and cut the tx in half. Good thing too, cause I never really recovered from that 26 weeks. It's been 3 years.
I think stage 4's get a nastier whallop from the drugs. possibly since they likely don't clear the drugs effectively. Blood counts are definitely affected more in the stage 4 population.
One thing to be sure of is that the Riba dose is high enough. Sometimes GT 3a is prescribed a meger Riba dose - you don't want that. Also, be sure you are schduled for a 4 week *sensitive* viral load - and discuss what it will mean to you treatment plan if you clear/don't clear. The prevaling wisdome is that if clear by 4 weeks GT 3a is pretty responsive - if not clear - then that could be a problem.
At stage 3-4 this won't be a cake walk, but it can be done successfully. There are a few former 3a's here with advanced damage who reached SVR. PLan on needing rescue drugs, and understand how that will work w/ insurance for the get-go.
Don't be afraid to delay the start by a week or two to get these questions answered. Good luck.
I think stage 4's get a nastier whallop from the drugs. possibly since they likely don't clear the drugs effectively. Blood counts are definitely affected more in the stage 4 population.
One thing to be sure of is that the Riba dose is high enough. Sometimes GT 3a is prescribed a meger Riba dose - you don't want that. Also, be sure you are schduled for a 4 week *sensitive* viral load - and discuss what it will mean to you treatment plan if you clear/don't clear. The prevaling wisdome is that if clear by 4 weeks GT 3a is pretty responsive - if not clear - then that could be a problem.
At stage 3-4 this won't be a cake walk, but it can be done successfully. There are a few former 3a's here with advanced damage who reached SVR. PLan on needing rescue drugs, and understand how that will work w/ insurance for the get-go.
Don't be afraid to delay the start by a week or two to get these questions answered. Good luck.
Was diagnosed after 25 years with hep c. Now going on 3 yrs with a non detectable viral load. With the peg/rib treatment. Will go in Oct 12th for my final load test. It wasn't easy but it can be done . Went through 18 months of treatment. Be faithful to the schedule you sent up for taking the medications.
As for some of the long term effects, i believe they are different for everyone . As for myself, my teeth are very sensitive now and i have a lot of cavities, when before going through treatment my teeth were in perfect health. I also may have some fertility issues which i am just finding out now. I kinda look at it like this.......I'm alive because of the treatment and only because of it.
My viral load was over 25 million and was only given a 25% chance
Thank you roche for saving my life
As for some of the long term effects, i believe they are different for everyone . As for myself, my teeth are very sensitive now and i have a lot of cavities, when before going through treatment my teeth were in perfect health. I also may have some fertility issues which i am just finding out now. I kinda look at it like this.......I'm alive because of the treatment and only because of it.
My viral load was over 25 million and was only given a 25% chance
Thank you roche for saving my life
Was diagnosed after 25 years with hep c. Now going on 3 yrs with a non detectable viral load. With the peg/rib treatment. Will go in Oct 12th for my final load test. It wasn't easy but it can be done . Went through 18 months of treatment. Be faithful to the schedule you sent up for taking the medications.
As for some of the long term effects, i believe they are different for everyone . As for myself, my teeth are very sensitive now and i have a lot of cavities, when before going through treatment my teeth were in perfect health. I also may have some fertility issues which i am just finding out now. I kinda look at it like this.......I'm alive because of the treatment and only because of it.
My viral load was over 25 million and was only given a 25% chance
Thank you roche for saving my life
As for some of the long term effects, i believe they are different for everyone . As for myself, my teeth are very sensitive now and i have a lot of cavities, when before going through treatment my teeth were in perfect health. I also may have some fertility issues which i am just finding out now. I kinda look at it like this.......I'm alive because of the treatment and only because of it.
My viral load was over 25 million and was only given a 25% chance
Thank you roche for saving my life
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