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Hep C Discussion Forum -> On Treatment -> Have you been taken off of Riba during treatment?
Post Info TOPIC: Have you been taken off of Riba during treatment?
nohcvforme


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RE: Have you been taken off of Riba during treatment?
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For 2 weeks I reduced from 1000 to 400/day because of anemia. I'm in it for 48 weeks, anyway, and it's not that bad. I'm beginning week 39! It's just kind of a constant juggling of symptoms and treatment.

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elizabeth


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Scout wrote:

I've been on a reduced dose since about week 9. Numbers rebounded within a week and right now things are fairly stable. 11 weeks to go.

 Thanks Scout!  And best of luck!



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elizabeth


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LanaiSurferGirl wrote:

I was completely off for 2 weeks and on a reduced dosage for 6 more.  I am extending my treatment an extra 12 weeks because of it...the research shows it doesn't have an impact but I am being extra careful.  Ribavirin has a long half life (it hangs around in your system long after you take it) so you are covered.  This is why there is the label on the drug advising women to not get pregnant or try to get pregnant for at least 6 months after taking the medication.

 

Thanks!  This is really good news though I'm sorry you have to extend this horrendous treatment!  Thanks for posting and best of luck!



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LanaiSurferGirl


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forgot to mention that the quitting riba for 2 weeks occured at week 11 and I went back up to full dose on week 18.  At week 24 I was still undetectable. :)



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geno 1a, mother & brother also hep c +...mom got a blood transfusion and passed it along.  Started tx with incivik 11/23/11 and brother started 2/8/2012.  Both of us und. at 4,8,12 and me at 24.  I am going 36 wks and brother is going 48 weeks.
LanaiSurferGirl


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I was completely off for 2 weeks and on a reduced dosage for 6 more.  I am extending my treatment an extra 12 weeks because of it...the research shows it doesn't have an impact but I am being extra careful.  Ribavirin has a long half life (it hangs around in your system long after you take it) so you are covered.  This is why there is the label on the drug advising women to not get pregnant or try to get pregnant for at least 6 months after taking the medication.



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geno 1a, mother & brother also hep c +...mom got a blood transfusion and passed it along.  Started tx with incivik 11/23/11 and brother started 2/8/2012.  Both of us und. at 4,8,12 and me at 24.  I am going 36 wks and brother is going 48 weeks.
Scout


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I've been on a reduced dose since about week 9. Numbers rebounded within a week and right now things are fairly stable. 11 weeks to go.



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Geno 1a, Viral load at 2 4, 8, 12 and 16  weeks, UND, Triple therapy Incevek done,   Peg & Riba Done, UND and making plans for the future!!
elizabeth


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Thanks Sunrise.  He did have a transfusion a few weeks ago -- was given two units of blood on a Friday and felt good for a couple of days.  The labs the following Wednesday were still falling even after the transfusion so they cut the riba in half.  Blood counts didn't improve but for some reason they increased the riba again the next week anyway.  Then cut it in half again last week.  Now discontinuing it.  This is all confusing and frustrating.

It's good to know that after the Incivek his counts will improve.  We needed some good news today.

Best wishes to all of you for good labs!



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Sunrise747


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Like Phil, my Riba was also reduced to 600 from 1200 in my 11th week (I'm at 25 weeks now).  A recent study shows such a reduction has no impact on SVR.  I hope it's right!  I have also had Procrit and even one transfusion.  But they never actually stopped the Riba entirely.  I have seen that there is no consensus among doctors on the proper way to treat anemia.  Some lower Riba temporarily.  Others lower it permanently (mine was permanent)  Some prescribe proctrit.  And a few order a blood transfusion.  Surely stopping Riba entirely is the last resort.  Assuming he is on Incivek, getting off that in three weeks will also help his anemia.



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Geno 1B Relapser 2001. Started Incivek 12-16-11. 57 yr old male.  Last biopsy 2000 -stage 3 fibrosis. UND Wk4, 12, 18, 26.  Did 34 weeks.  Still UND at 12-wks post.
elizabeth


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Thanks, Mike (love the peanutbutter screen name).  That confirms what Phil mentioned with more specifics.  It does ease my mind a great deal.  Just hoping that his counts improve enough to resume the nasty stuff.



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peanutbutter


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What I found says the multiple dose halflife is 12 days, and it can store in "non plasma compartments" for up to 6 months. I have no idea what those compartments are though. My riba was decrease by 200 mg a day because of my bloodwork. 

God bless,

Mike



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Diagnosed in 2008. Geno 1a. 6 month treatment of Incivek. UND at 4 weeks, and have remained that way as of 2 months POST treatment.
elizabeth


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Thanks Phil.  His riba has been reduced to 600 a couple of times.  It was returned to 1200 for a week, then after bad counts reduced to 600 again one week ago.  And today taken off totally.  cry



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Phil G


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My riba was reduced from 1000 to 600, but not stopped. I think riba stays in our systems much much longer than the other meds, so its not like its completely gone from his body when he stops taking it temporarily. My opinion, anyway. My riba was reduced at week 17 and did not affect the 24 week results. I suspect it will be ok. I'm beginning to realize that this stuff is not exact science. Undetected at week 4 is a huge start.



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Geno 1A, VL 1.9 mm, SOT 12/2/11 - Pegintron/Ribavirin/Victrelis, UND since wk 8, EOT 6/15/12 (28 wks), SVR 11/30/12
elizabeth


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My husband's weekly labs are still going lower on all counts so they called this morning to tell him to stop the ribavirin "for now".  He's been on procrit for 3 weeks and that will continue.  On top of everything else, he now has the full-body rash.

Has anyone had their riba stopped "temporarily" and if so, did it affect your final results?  He was UND at week 4 and we're now finishing week 9 so it's still 3 weeks till the 12 week virus check.  We were really hoping for good news and that he would be finished with treatment at 24 weeks.  Now I'm worried that won't be the case.  This really has me concerned.



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