just a question

[lean745]

my husband has had hep c for about 25 yeas he found out abut 11 years ago, he had a biopsy and it was stage 1 dr said he would die of old age before
hepc would bother him.  We moved and our new dr. sent him to liver dr now he is at stage 4 /4. They started him on peg/riv treatment he is a slow responder so 24 week check he was under 15 so there isn't a # now we have to go to the dr'd because she might want to switch him to the new triple therpy that  was just approved in Canada . He says he has gone this far he wants to continue with the peg/riv and see if he can clear that way since there still is a chance and if it doen't work then try in 6 mos time with the new drug. I feel he should just go on the new drug since the success rate is much higher . The treatmeant is really hard on him and he is working construction everyday  just wondering what everyone thinks thanks

[fretboard]

Sounds like he absolutely needs triple therapy in order to beat it down and out.  That's the only good option he has and it will increase his chances immensely.  
Good luck!!

[willbb]

If the  <15IU/ML at week 24 was considered Undetected viral load by the sensitivity of the test  and he had a 3.8 log drop in load at week 12, he would be considered a slow responder and the fact he had still viral load at week 12 would lessen his chances somewhat of success.
Having said that the continuation protocol on SOC(Peg /Riba)  were to be UND at week 24 ,,which he was (if that is what the lab report said.)

Again.  If he is UND. and half way thru and because of the chirrosis personally I would continue on ..

Always to be discussed with a knowlegable(in the treatment of HCV) doctor and follow their advice..
Good luck..
Will

[lean745]

he started at 4 million 300 thousand, at 4 weeks he was 15,200 at week 12 he was 610 but he was in hospital with cellulitus so thats why they went to week 24 which was under 15

[willbb]

I would take it ..as scoleman asks ..if he is considering the triple therapy ,,then he is Geno 1?

Was the test at week 25 <15 UND. and also do you know what his preveouis PCR"s showed..especually the one at week 12.

If he is UND at seek 24 ,given he is half way thru and has stage 4 damage I would Personally want to continue . If he does happen to relapse once finished treatment then he could give himself a bit of a break and  try again with one of the new meds.
The week 12 PCR   ,like I said ,,would influence the success possibility on this  particular treatmentt.

Good luck
Will.

[scoleman]

What genotype is your husband?  Is the detection limit of the PCR test 15 IU/ml? There are more sensitive PCR tests available such as NGI Quantasure that measures down to 2 IU/ml and Heptimax that measures down to 5 IU/ml.  On triple therapy, under 10 IU/m is considered undetected.  

Take care, Sherry