Viral load after 4 weeks

[Guest guest]

Hi all,

My husband has now entered his second month of treatment and just got his labs

back after four weeks. His viral load went from 1.7 million to 55,000. Though

it's obviously going in the right direction, I'll admit I had secret hopes that

he'd be an early responder and the viral load would be lower. I know that no

decisions about continuing treatment are made after only four weeks, but does

anyone have any insight on whether this is decent progress or not?

Of course, he is in the hardest group to treat- geno 1, aged 59 and he's had the

virus for over 40 years probably. He was in stage 2 when he went into

treatment.

He's doing ok with the side effects. Thanks for any help with this. I think he

is more patient than I am.

Pam

[Guest guest]

Hi Don,

I think the reason my husband's doc is setting such a high bar in order to

continue treatment is because of the new drugs coming out next year (hopefully).

I guess he figures that if the current treatment (the standard pegyl interferon

and ribavarin) isn't really working well, it would be better to stop after 3

months and wait for the newer stuff. I'd be interested to hear if others are

hearing the same thing who are starting treatment now-(undetectable after 3

months in order to continue).

My husband was dx is 2001, and at that time was stage 0, though he figures he

must have contracted hcv when he was a still a teenager in the 60s. His most

recent biopsy, however, showed a jump to stage 2, despite a pretty healthy

lifestyle, which is why the doctor didn't want him to wait for treatment. But,

like I said, if this treatment doesn't show pretty quick results, he's being

advised to stop and wait. It will be disappointing to go through 3 months and

then have to stop, but we'll see.

Thanks for the suggestions for the stomach problems. If it were me, I'd be in

the health store trying to find more natural remedies, but my husband will go

with whatever the doctor says if it works. He's always been very healthy and

has never had to take any medication before, so he does what he's told and

thinks about other things.

Best wishes to everyone for good health and well being. You are all in my

thoughts and prayers.

Pam

>

> Hi Pam

> I dont think very many people become totally 'undetectable' at 3 months.

> There are too many issues involved.

> Some people have other health problems that slow responce.

> Some people are just slow responders.

> 'Undetectable' at 3 months is very rapid responce, I think.

>  

> I think a 2 LOG drop at 3 months is the best average responce anyone can hope

for.

> This means that the meds are definately working, and your husband will have a

17,000 VL [down from 1.7 million].

> I should think that if your husband achieves a 2 LOG drop by month 3, there

would be no reason to discontinue treatment unless the doctor is being a real

jerk.

> Your husband is doing very good with a 1.3 LOG drop at month 2.

>  

> I think I would be pissed if a doctor stopped treatment on me at 3 months

because I didnt achieve 'undetectable' status.

> Now at 6 months, that is another story.

> By 6 months, it will be pretty clear weither the meds are working or not.

>  

> I think your husband is just doing the combo TX - interferon and riba - right?

> He is not doing a clinical trial or the Telaprevir 3rd med?

> With the combo alone, only 25-50% of people clear on average.

> So I dont know what this doctor is thinking, demanding 'undetectable' status

at 3 months.

> Maybe he knows something which we do not know.

>  

> You all should not become stressed about this.

> Expect a 2 LOG drop by month 3 [your husband is almost there already].

> If it does not happen, then there is always the new meds comming out in the

next year, so he can try again....with possibly better results.

> It will not be the end of the road for him, altho stopping because of non or

poor responce will definately be a drag.

>  

> Pam the Prilosec thing bothers me.

> I dont know if Prilosec affects HCV or TX in any way, but it might.

> I know that he is taking it for his acid reflux [iBS].

> [- I take Prevacid for basically the same reason.]

> Can I suggest trying something different?

>  

> Go to the Health Food store and pick up some digestive ENZYMEs.

> There are several different kinds. I use Papaya.

> Try them for a week and see if they help to balance his digestive tract.

> This is a more natural protocal, rather than a chemical protocal.

> Your husband can always return to Prilosec if they do not help.

> This is just a suggestion, as I feel that the more natural we keep our diet,

the healthier we will be.

> AND

> I am not a medical professional in any way.

>  

> Both of you keep your heads up.

> Expect the best.

>  

> love

> don in ks

>  

>

>