Sincerest congratulations.
72 weeks, I can't imagine that. You have earned and deserve every minute of everyday from now on. I am very happy for you.
For clarification, the 38,00 to 848,000 is my viral load, NOT hgb......
Thanks again everyone. It's finally starting to set in - I was kind of in a daze yesterday.
Diamando, This was my first tx. I took one shot of Procrit per week - maybe could have done with more, but it kept my Hgb in the 9's and I felt pretty good there (considering). Towards the end, it barely kept it in the nines and I could have done with more perhaps, but the end was so close I decided to hold off. In retrospect, I should have taken it. I did rebound fairly quickly post tx.
My hgb was slow to drop early on, even at the high doses of Peg and Riba. At 4 weeks, I had only dropped to 38,000 from 848, 000. Would a pre-dosing of Riba helped? I thought so prior to tx, but the Dr. thought not. And I do agree that it's important to hit it hard early on, especially at Stage 4, but not to jeopardize tx and our health.
Initially, I was only supposed to do the enhanced tx until 48 weeks and then SOC until 72, but they wanted me to stay the course at the 48 week point. I remember crying (alot) then, but it all worked out in the end.
Two things that have changed since I began tx, at least in this office. Everyone gets their Vit. D tested and no tx until it's over 50. Also all Geno 1's have an IL-28 gene test. Things are changing so quickly and finally looking better, even for us cirrhotics.
Congrats to you!!!! Also an inspiration to those of us in tx!! Enjoy!!
Wonderful news !!! A real inspiration to all who are waiting in line.
You deserve your success
Also would like to know, was your therapy for 1 year of 71 weeks?