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

[yoyoma123]

Exactly Trinity4, I don't pay for treatment its for free. That is why my decision is this one. Let see what happens at week 24 and I'll take my decision.

You guys are amazing, thank you all

[Trinity4]

Yoyoma is from the Dominican Republic.  Doubt insurance factors into any of this.
He previously stated: "I know the price of the treatment is a lot. In my country the insurance does not cover the treatment as well. Thank God I have some friends that know some people and got the treatment for free through them."

I'm sure all this factors into yo's decision to continue with treatment.

Trinity

[Diane12855]

I'm wondering if your insurance company is going to let you make these choices anyhow. I'm on AETNA and they did a review on me at week 12 before they would pay for another week of meds.

I'm at week 24, and I'm thinking that you should consider waiting for the PIs. I'm saying this because even though my physical sx aren't any worse than they were at week 12, there are things going on in my brain that are getting me a little scared that I may not be the old me when I get done. Since I was UND at 12 weeks, I'm not going to stop... of course, but if I wasn't I don't think I'd expose my body to these drugs for any longer than necessary without better chances of success.

I wouldn't have said this at week 12... but that was before I experienced what I have the past month so please consider this.

Diane

[nygirl7]

There are no studies that say that doing 60 weeks is of any benefit. You either do the 48 or the 72 and still it's a gamble. Adding weeks here and there makes no sense as it is not documented to do anything to help. Most qualified doctors wouldn't even consider it.

[Trinity4]

Good luck yo.  As info, my vl was 793 IU/mL at wk 13 and UND at wk 24.  There is very little difference between 793 IU/mL and 8300 IU/mL.  I did 72 wks of tx and relapsed.
Yes, there are those who SVR with extended treatment but I wanted to put my stats out just so you know your odds of SVR diminish the longer it takes to reach UND.  Personally, had I known then what I know now I would not have extended but then there are those who did and were successful.  It's a gamble my friend, I hope the odds are in your favor.

Trinity

[yoyoma123]

Hey guys. Thank you very much for all your comments. This site is amazing and all you as well.

At week 12 my viral load is 8,300 from 8.6 millios.

I do have some minimum symptoms like tiredness. I get tired easy but nothing too much. Also all my blood test numbers are down. But have maintain down borderline where that is no problem. Its normal that my numbers are down. So don't think my blood test is ok and I have no symptoms at all. But with evberything that I've heard about tx then these symptoms are nothing compare with some people.

I know that many people have not been cleared at week 12 and yes at week 24 and have achieved SVR. Why it can't be me?

I'm thinking of keep going cause the sides are not that bad. Already in week 15 and maybe I can achieve SVR. If I don't teleprevir will be out by the time I finish tx.

I can do 54 or 60 weeks to give me more chance. I know that many have bad sides but also there are some people that have no sides and achieve SVR.

If I achieve UND at week 24 I think I will keep going.

Thank you all for your comments.

[Cory255]

I'm gen 1a, I cleared the virus week 12 and then relapsed one month after tx.    

I'm white and have less severe liver damage as well.  These are positives during tx.  With your response I would stop tx, and wait for the PI's.  I know it's difficult to accept.

[jmjm530]

maybe I'll just do 48 weeks and see. If i get SVR perfect if not Telaprevir will be almost out.
---------------------
You might want to take some time and read about some members experiences with interferon before committing to a program with very little chance of success.

The fact you have little or no symptons now doesn't mean that you won't have symptons down the road, even after you stop taking the treatment drugs.

These are very powerful drugs that only make sense when the rewards outweigh the risks. You are the hardest to treat genotype --  you are not responding -- you have no liver damage --  and there are better drugs around the corner. Respect the facts and respect the stories of the people in the link below. I would stop treatment now and wait.

http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Hepatitis/Members-Comment-on-Side-Effects-of-the-Treatment-Drugs-During--After-Treatment-/show/530?cid=64

[copyman]

good points and I understand what you are saying. this disease is so hard to get a feel for and nothing is consistent. for the most part everyone reacts different.

Take care

[Bali05]

i don`t think how you "feel" is an indicator of anything on tx
in terms of tx success.
especially with INF impacting your serotonin levels  ect...
Some feel really bad in the beginning only to "level" out
later on , others start easy and get hit with a "truck" later on
it all has no meaning for SVR chances.
I sometimes get great labs feeling like s**t and not so good labs
but feeling great.

[SusieS2010]

No, I am not saying that being detected at 24 weeks is reason to stay on...absolutely not. I'm saying over a 3 log drop at 8 weeks, especially when feeling ok, is reason to really give it some thought. Since the patient is feeling well, if he/she clears, it may end up worth it not to have to do a protease.

You are right about the studies showing anemia is a good indicator of response. That wasn't my point either. I think I am not explaining myself too well today. What I am saying is that a lot of people have at least a 2 por 3 point drop in hemoglobin and feel just fine. My first combo treatment, I started with a hemoglobin over 16. It dropped to around 12 and I didn't feel anything concerning. No cough, no out of breath, etc. That's all I meant. I'm really sorry I confused you.

Thanks for your patience

[copyman]

Study after study have shown anemia to be a positive indicator of SVR. If someones HGB doesn't have at least a 2 point drop early on then they are not getting enough Riba.

Not sure I understand, are you saying the original poster should continue tx even if they are still unde at 24 weeks?

I'm sure you are aware that someone still detectable at 24 weeks has less then 2% chance of SVR. And I don't think most doctors will continue tx or insurance will pay for tx if that is the case.

the only way tx will benefit someone that is still detectable after 12 weeks is if they have cirrhosis. Otherwise stopping is the right choice. Risk outweighs benefit in this case.

[lolitriqui]

I think it's ridiculous to continue Tx in yoyoma's situation. This is poison we are taking. I'm done for close to two years now and I'm still dealing with what I contribute late effects of the Tx. Well it's nothing unbearable, but this medicine has consequences. If you have no organ damage, why not wait for more effective Tx????? All you do in your situation is give the pharmacyticals and your GI money, risking long term consequences for you; with gen1a and your logdrop, 48 weeks probably won't get you there, and the longer you take this poison, the higher the probability that there will be consequences.
Chris

[SusieS2010]

I agree with everyone here as well. Although your statement that no sides mean it isn't working is not really true, We speak to many patients who are fearful of the fact that they feel well but they do respond. Most, if you question them, will tell you that their hemoglobin, platelets and white counts have dropped but not enough to give them side effects.

Another way for yoyoma to look at this is to stay on treatment since there are few sides and it won't make him do less well on telaprevir if he needs it in the future. But if it does work, he won't have to use telaprevir which makes the treatment that much harder with more sides, particularly rash. A 3 log drop would have been celebrated at 8 weeks previously. My question though, is if you are now doing the same exact treatment that didn't work the first time, why are you doing it again. In that case, I would wait for the protease to come out.

[spectda]

Good luck! Either way I would not worry about your hcv, If your plan doesn't work new drugs will cure you before you ever get sick from hep c in my opinion. Your lucky to have no damage.

[FlGuy]

In the absence of anything else, at least you're optimistic. Most people would consider the syringe as half empty.

[yoyoma123]

maybe I'll just do 48 weeks and see. If i get SVR perfect if not Telaprevir will be almost out. I'm already in week 15.

[Gordo1977]

I agree with copmen. I carried on a full time job exercised; all with minimal side effects through our entire treatment…I tolerated the drug fairly well but regretfully did not respond. My doctor went by the book as a matter of fact he pulled the book out and began reading it in front of me explaining my options. He did this on several occasions…Folks on this sight have much more valuable information than most docs.

Gordo

[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