I don't know how long I can do this treatment

[Rose1IN]

Hi all! I don't know how long I can do this treatment. for 6 months I did the Pegasis & Ribaviren, then the doc switched me to Infergen shots dailey and rivaviren. I feel so ill after the shot and run a low feverand terrible aches and pains during the day. Any perk I have goes to work and by the time I get home its time to get the flu.  Its getting hard to cope with and I just want to stop and try again in a couple of years. I feel like a big quitter but my kids are pretty much raising theirselves and I am definatley not there for my husband. Do peaple ever stop treatment and try again at a later time? I just don't know what to do.

[Trish77]

I'm wondering how long ago you had a biopsy, Rose and what the results of that were?  As in what stage / grade you are, if you don't mind the asking.

Trish

[jmjm530]

I agree with the others. If you're still detectible six months after starting treatment then you owe it to yourself to get another opinion whether or not treating any more will be helpful. If youre already seeing a hepatologist, then consult with another one at a different hospital. If youre not seeing a hepatoloigst (liver specialist) then seek one out.

--- Jim

[epiphiny]

Hi Rose, I echo what everyone above has said about seeking a second opinion.

In answer to your question re stopping tx and waiting for awhile - that is certainly a good option as there are several promising drugs in trials.  

I first treated 5 years ago with IFN & Riba and was still detectable at 24 weeks. Treatment was stopped and I was considered a null responder.

I was able to get on a PI trial for non-responders in May last year and I became undetectable within 4 weeks.  I've been treating with IFN & Riba for 44 weeks now and I'm still UND.

So, with the help of a new drug, I was able to go from non-responder to responder!! Fingers crossed for SVR!

Don't give up hope!

Epi :)

[GoofyDad]

It all depends on the condition of the liver. If it's in bad shape - well then you could justify going to extraordinary measures to clear the virus, even against long odds. But if there's not a great deal of accumulated damage to your liver, it would be wise to stop treatment and try again with a new class of drugs in a few years or so.

[Rose1IN]

Thanks you all for responding!
I did have a liver bio, but not a very good one. I had a hysterectomy and the sample was taken at the same time. It wasn't a very good sample. My Doc wants to try this for three months and if it is not undetectable by then, he wants to wait for the new drugs. I just dont know if I can make till the end of May.
Thanks again

[Trish77]

Curious what made it not a very good sample?

That's two months with daily Infergen.  I'd like to see you get a liver biopsy again, a decent one, asap.  And a second opinion thrown into the mix with a good hepatologist connected with a teaching hospital.  

As GoofyDad says, there may be some justification for extreme measures with advanced liver damage.  An *accurate* assessment of liver damage is always the key when making treatment decisions along with other factors in companion with this but not the absence of this detail.

Please ask for another liver biopsy asap, Rose - and get copies of everything.

Trish