Do some dr's do 20 weeks with jus Peg and Rib

[bbj2856]

I have question read some Dr do 20 weeks instead of 24 if u UND and stay that way during treatment . Does any one have inf on this

[bbj2856]

thanks i agree

[nygirl7]

Ask anyone who has relapsed after full dose being a geno3 if they think it's worthwhile to do any of the above except to continue treatment and pray for the best.  Geno 3 CAN be as hard as a geno 1!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And to think some of us in here have done 72 weeks full or double dosing to try and get rid of this disease and realize how serious a point this is before doing anything it's ONLY FOUR WEEKS.

[bbj2856]

Thanks to all of you I would never reduce unless it was advise to me by my hemotologist. . Thanks to all of you I know it is about over and I never ever want to do this again........... So far  blood work was ok and holding its own will be testing again on Monday so again thanks and  i pray u all have
to never to this again . My original question come from artical i read from some Dr.'s suggested treatment  that was on a web sight.  But not from my Dr

God bless.bbj

[can-do-man]

I agree OH, anything is better then stopping altogether, that said geno 3 can be as tough as geno 1 at times... I'm just one that feels unless theres a good medical reason why risk it. Treating is no fun and to relapse and then face this again and for 48 weeks is just not worth it for only 4 more weeks.

As long as the person totally understands the risks involved, I just don't want people to think its no big deal......... Hope all is well

[willbb]

Unless there was a medical problem with blood values that your doctor thought it best to reduce Peg(ie. low platlets<30 -40 )  extremely low ANC  <.5 etc) I wouldn't advise reducing with 4 weeks left ..only because you feel crappy.

Yes...best to take the advice of your doctor though...

Will

[orphanedhawk]

My advice for dose reduction was in place of stopping tx early.
As I mentioned in my first post, my hepatologist prefers patients do the full dose for the full tx. But rather than stopping tx, he will dose reduce.
He'll do most anything to keep his patients from quitting early.

Sharing my experience is far from advocating this as the norm.
People must make their own decisions, hopefully with the guidance of a good doctor.

[orphanedhawk]

I'd like to clarify that although I did dosage reduction, as genotype 2 and a petite person, 100 lbs, with a history of sensitivity towards all medications, I felt strongly within myself, that dose reduction would not harm my treatment.
This is not a call I can make for anybody else.

It took two weeks after reducing the interferon before I began to feel better.
You really are close to the finish line.
If you want to consider dose reduction, talk with your doctor.

[can-do-man]

Didn't notice you were also a geno 3 which can be stubborn type at times, another very good reason not to reduce unless really needed... I really hope suggesting dose reducing for no really medical reason does not become the norm here.

[ryaninbayarea]

Congratulations on being UND and getting to week 20. Wow!  I'm excited for you, and I hope you'll receive great news on Monday. . I'm also genotype 3, but I'm only in week 5. So, it's great to read about someone being close to completing treatment..

[can-do-man]

Only you will know how you will deal with it if you were to relapse, would it be because of the reduction? They do trials and come up with total treatment time and doses for a reason, 4 weeks is 1/6 of total treatment...  Myself there is no way. Why risk it?

[bbj2856]

Hi Dee , Thank you so much yes it is hard. I go back Monday so I may ask if I can reduce the peg for last 4 shots I have felt so bad this week with the low grade fever and no appitite  and constipation.  My hubby is worried sick an jumps every time I move  I know he is worn out to. Do you think reducing the peg will be ok I have lost lot weight in past 20 week prob 20 lb so was like 153  5/6 size 12 now my cloths fall off me and I know I have read here peg dosage is determined by weight   I pray u stay UND and  get SVr for ever an ever. God Bless u all Prayersand blesssing is  what we all need

[Dee1956]

You are so sweet.  I know how hard it is, I finished 24 weeks a little over 3 months ago.  I felt like you.  The last two weeks were so hard I wanted to stop.  I was sick and tired of being sick and tired.  
Today I feel better than I have in years.  I know you will too
Orphan Hawk had a really good idea of asking if you could reduce your interferon a bit.
Again, you are doing a really good job.  Let everyone know how  you are and please ask any questions you may have.  This is a great place for help and information.  I did not know that some people have done a shorter time, sorry about that.

[bbj2856]

Thanks Dee for words of encouragement. It does help . I pray u get svr for rest of your life to. God Bless

[Dee1956]

I know it is miserable, so sorry.  You are doing a really good job.
UND at 4 weeks is wonderful and with such a low vl you are sure to get to SVR
Hang in there
Best wishes
Dee

[orphanedhawk]

Although I don't recommend anyone follow in my footsteps, my interferon was reduced for my last 6 weeks of tx. If it's really hard on you, why not ask your doc about lowering your dosage for these last 4 weeks ?

[bbj2856]

Thanks Will last 2 mo. have been really hard   cant eat just force something in mouth and low grad fever lot days. . At night when take last rib it goes up to about 101. and the taste of water is just almost unbearalbe just turn up swallow. I cant stand taste of sweets and smell of some foods is absolutely nasty  Praying this is going be UND again on Monday and God will see me through rest of treatment .

[willbb]

Only 4 weeks to go ..hang in there.
Will

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1478-3231.2011.02715.x/abstract

Genotype 3 is a common type of HCV infection, and standard therapy using pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) and ribavirin (RBV) is quite effective in these patients. While a short course of 16 weeks may result in comparable end of therapy responses, relapse rates are often high. A 24-week course is therefore preferable, and is expected to result in sustained virological response (SVR) rates of more than 70%. The 24-week course is especially recommended in the presence of steatosis (often associated with Genotype 3 infection), fibrosis stage two or more, high BMI and high viral load

[bbj2856]

I been reading saw some treatment were 20 weeks as for me I am on week 20/24 on peg and 400 rib 2 times day.  I have 4 more to go next shot Sat. UND at week 4 so go back Monday for blood work hopefull still with Gods blessing still UND. . My viral Load was 52,000 to start . Dr said was low I am geno 3. It seems like since I learned I had this read to much and get mixed up with what I read.

[orphanedhawk]

A few years back there were studies with geno type 2 and 3 doing 16 weeks.
Although some were successful, enough relapsed that the feeling was, for the most likely chance of obtaining SVR, it's better to do the longer treatment.

My hepatologist explained to me that our viral loads show if the virus is still present in our blood. This doesn't mean the virus isn't still present in your liver.
He would rather reduce dosage than stop early.

[Dee1956]

Hi 24 weeks is not very long in the scheme treatment for Hep C
I guess to answer you question the best way; you would need to share what you would be treating for, which genotype, what is you biopsy report, how long do you estimate you have had it.  These are just some of the questions.
The new triple tx can be done for 24 weeks however it all depends on the person and their condition.  The normal time was 48 weeks and still is for some people.  Sorry I can not help with out more information
Others will be a long soon and will need to know more as well, Good luck