RELAPSERS Unite Poll

[beeblessed]

Hey Cyber People,

As some of you may have read, I went through tx with noteable good news but at 6 months post now, I have relapsed.  I'd like to thank EVERYONE who has been so kind and offered comfort to me.  I am doing better today.  I thought a poll would be in order now.  Please participate if the criteria applies to you.  Thanks in advance.

Be blessed,
Bee

[jules2551]

"I did re-treat (my third attempt) and increased my ribavirin dose and extended treatment to 73 weeks and achieved SVR. "
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Hi Mike, just curious about your previous 2 attempts.  What were your previous dosages for Riba and timeframe.  And what was your increased Riba dosage when you achieved SVR?

Thanks!  Jules

[mikesimon]

I think relapse occurs much sooner than 3 months.
I went from undetectable per Heptimax <5 IU/ml to 6.85 million IU/ml in 2.5 weeks.
Most people don't test until 3 months or 6 months after discontinuation of treatment. I believe that if relapsers tested earlier with a very sensitive test they'd see the virus much earlier than 3 months. HCV replicates so rapidly that it doesn't take long before you have a detectable viral load.
My only experience was with Interferon/ribavirin and pegylated interferon/ribavirin but I suspect that we'd see the same thing in triple therapy relapsers.

I did re-treat (my third attempt) and increased my ribavirin dose and extended treatment to 73 weeks and achieved SVR.

Mike

[can-do-man]

I agree with OH as most of the time its the harder to treat people such as race, cirrhotic, and so on that seem to relapse at 6 months post more often then others.

[orphanedhawk]

Triple tx has only been approved for the general public since May 2011. That's not a long time.
With SOC, interferon and ribavirin treatment, usually if someone is going to relapse it happens by 3 months post tx. Not always but usually.

Our dear friend Bee here has the added problem of being in a population that is harder to treat. Lets hope this will not be true with the new orals.

[gerard11]

I too am a non responder to thriple thearpy. There is new data and research that those who attained SVR and relapse do benefit from there treatment. The newest Hepitatis Central ( online)  has a great article "Are There Shades of  Grey in Hepititas C Treatment Sucess?" It goes on to say:" new research suggests that even previous  non-responders to Hepitatis C treatment  could benefit from the medications they once took."  It goes on in detail of the research done.
I know first hand how devastating it is to have a break through when on tx. This might provide some comfort to you.    Good luck in future tx's.

[8nickers8]

That is shocking and frightening!!!! I have not heard of anyone to whom that has happened.  Usually it happens much much sooner.  I wonder, did you see the prior labs with your own eyes?