Just got my viral Load of week 12. Not good I think.

[yoyoma123]

Hey guys I just got my viral load of the 12th week and I think its not good news.

I started at 8.6 million with genotype 1a and just got my viral load back at 12 weeks at 8,300.

What does this mean. I am not UND? Does this mean I have to do treatment for 72 weeks?

PLease let me know guys. Thanks

[Marcia2202]

If I was in your situation, I would stop treatment and wait for the PI's.

[copyman]

great advice from everyone that responded. you received some great advice from people that have been on the "front lines" of this disease. probably better advice then your doctor gave you!

by you saying you don't have any side effects is probably why the treatment is not working that well for you. Your doctor probably went by the book and gave you what someone your weight should get, but an up to date doc would have tweeked the dose after seeing no anemia or not being unde at 4 weeks. This disease replicates up to a trillion virons per day! it has to be eradicated from someone quickly for meds to work. This is why being unde by 4 weeks brings the odds way up. This 4 week test is when tx options should be looked at, i.e. increasing meds, etc.

all we can do is offer first hand knowledge here. no one is trying to talk you into stopping tx. that is only a decision you can make. just keep in mind your chances are less then 30% that you will rid your body of this virus. And extending treatment almost gurantees some type of "permanent" side effect.

Waiting one year for the new drugs offer 75% cure, and possibly only 24 weeks of treatment.

Personally I would put down the sworde and live to fight another day

good luck

[sunshines76]

If I were you, I would switch immediately to daily infergen and riba. And then - if you don't get UND by week 8 on infergen, I would stop and wait for newer drugs. You mention that you almost don't have any sx. Are your blood tests pretty normal too? If your hemoglobin is not dropping and other values are still within the norm, it could mean that the drugs you are currently on, simply don't work for you. I had ok CBCs while on pegasys and I didn't respond to it, but on infergen I saw different results.

[Bali05]

- specifically for your genotype designed Telaprevir is coming out soon
- you have little to no liver damage
- you have no EVR with SOC

Makes no sense to go for a 72 wker to me.
You have little sx now there is no garantee you feel like that in future.
You are risking weakening your system and adverse events for sub
optimal odds.

[mikesimon]

Maybe he should ask a question or 2 or 3.

[Trinity4]

So go for it then.  As long as you go into it knowing your odds are considerably lower at achieving SVR even with extending and that you realize just because you feel good now doesn't mean you will down the road.  72 weeks is a long time to be exposed to those very powerful drugs and by the end of my 72 weeks my a-ss was dragging all over the place along with some serious low blood issues.  Maybe you'll breeze though it, who knows, but just be prepared before entering into the zone of the unknown.  

Whatever your decision, I wish you much success.

Trinity