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LC


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RE: Thinking about delaying treatment
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Thank you Bills, I sure hope so too! 



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Genotype 1a, VL 1,151,923.  51 years old.  Started treatment on AbbVie TOPAZ II clinical trial Oct 10, 2014!  Undetected at weeks 2 and 4! 
Bills


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LC wrote:
JIme wrote:

Biopsy=Decision

I would wait if I was Stage 2 or less. 7977 is a breeze compared to triple tx.

Gather as much info as you can.  Good luck

Yes, that is what I am thinking.  smile 

Thanks JIme, I want what you had and I am looking for clinical trials of 7977, and if I can't find one and my liver is well enough then I am prepared to wait a couple of years. 

 

 I agree with that i wish I could do it too    May you get what your looking for LC



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Bills

Harvoni started 12-12-14 for 24 wks PrevTX Geno 1 stage 3 cirrhosis - non resp Int/ ribv. Started Trial  in Aug 2011 -July 2012 into Incivek relapsed  Feb 2013 Had 72 weeks on interferon & Riba.

LC


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JIme wrote:

Biopsy=Decision

I would wait if I was Stage 2 or less. 7977 is a breeze compared to triple tx.

Gather as much info as you can.  Good luck

Yes, that is what I am thinking.  smile 

Thanks JIme, I want what you had and I am looking for clinical trials of 7977, and if I can't find one and my liver is well enough then I am prepared to wait a couple of years. 

 



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Genotype 1a, VL 1,151,923.  51 years old.  Started treatment on AbbVie TOPAZ II clinical trial Oct 10, 2014!  Undetected at weeks 2 and 4! 
JIme


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Biopsy=Decision

I would wait if I was Stage 2 or less. 7977 is a breeze compared to triple tx.

Gather as much info as you can.  Good luck



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jim

GT1a, St2 Lv2 last biopsy 2002, VL  11.4m,  start triple tx 9/30/11

VL 470 @4wks.....VL 22,000 @8wks  stopped tx

Round 2-  Started 3/16/12   PSI-7977, BMS-790052, Riba Undetectable day 14

Did 24 weeks Still UND 12 weeks post tx, SVR24!!!!!!! 2/14/13

 

 

 

 

 
LC


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mallani wrote:

Hi LC, Rx is possible until you reach the stage of decompensated cirrhosis. I have had HCV for 40 yrs+ and have never had any symptoms. I have progressed to cirrhosis. The time frame for developing liver damage varies from person to person. Once progressive fibrosis develops, it can move rapidly from Stage to Stage eg it may take 20 yrs. to progress from F0 to F2, but only 5 yrs. to move from F3 to F4 (cirrhosis). Try to get Rx before you get to F3. The only reliable way to assess this is by Biopsy or Fibroscan. I cannot understand how people can start Rx without knowing this vital fact.

Thank you mallani!  You have been really helpful and I sure appreciate it. smile  You have convinced me, and I will quit being a sissy and not fuss about getting that biopsy;  in fact I push for it, or change Drs if I have to. wink  I will have to study more about what you are saying and the different stages of damage, and talk with my Dr before I decide whether to wait for treatment or not. 

If waiting a year or two is an option for me, then call me an optimist but I don't think it is going to be too long before some better drugs with less side effects are available.  smile  These big pharma companies are sure hot and heavy after the HCV drugs right now! 

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/244332.php

 

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-08-28/achillion-takeover-looms-as-hepatitis-treatments-fail-real-m-and-a

 



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Genotype 1a, VL 1,151,923.  51 years old.  Started treatment on AbbVie TOPAZ II clinical trial Oct 10, 2014!  Undetected at weeks 2 and 4! 
Cinnamon Girl


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Yes, that`s so true, Steff.  I didn`t have a biopsy and I wish now that I had.  After my ultrasound scan I was told that no abnormalities could be seen and at the time my medical team were completely happy with that.  Even though I cleared the virus easily enough I do often wonder about the state of my liver, expecially as I`d had the virus for so long before tx (probably upwards of 40 yrs). 

Best of luck with your decision LC.  Jill xx

 



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Jill 

(71 yo, lives in UK)

Was Gen 3a, 

24wks Peg Ifn/Riba, Sep 2010 - Mch 2011

UND @ Wk.4, UND @ EOT, 

SVR Nov 2011 --> Still UND @ EOT + 4 yrs.

 

 
mallani


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Thanks for the info Steff. Here in Australia, it would be impossible to get Rx without biopsy or Fibroscan. Patient apprehension is a big factor in the anti-biopsy reasoning, so it is good to read positive posts. Fibroscan is an adequate alternative and is relatively cheap.



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Geno 1b, IL28B CT,  x3 prior relapser,  ex-cirrhotic, 75 yo, did 48 weeks with Victrelis/Peg./Riba.  VL 1.28m at start, UNDET. at 8 ,12 ,16 ,24 ,30  and 48 weeks.  EOT 15 Feb 2013 , UNDET. at EOT + 28 weeks. SVR!  Still Undet. at EOT +5 years

Malcolm
greenqueen


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Hi Mallani,

Here in the UK, they often don't even bother with a biopsy or Fibroscan before tx! I guess it's down to finances but I certainly wanted to know the state of my liver health before treating. My old treatment centre has recently acquired a Fibroscan machine and they very rarely carry out biopsies now. I was informed that the financial side was a big decisive factor and the risks associated with a biopsy. I've had 2 biopsies.

Steff xx



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Geno 3a. 24 wks tx 20/10/05 - 06/04/06. Achieved SVR.
mallani


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Hi LC, Rx is possible until you reach the stage of decompensated cirrhosis. I have had HCV for 40 yrs+ and have never had any symptoms. I have progressed to cirrhosis. The time frame for developing liver damage varies from person to person. Once progressive fibrosis develops, it can move rapidly from Stage to Stage eg it may take 20 yrs. to progress from F0 to F2, but only 5 yrs. to move from F3 to F4 (cirrhosis). Try to get Rx before you get to F3. The only reliable way to assess this is by Biopsy or Fibroscan. I cannot understand how people can start Rx without knowing this vital fact.



__________________

Geno 1b, IL28B CT,  x3 prior relapser,  ex-cirrhotic, 75 yo, did 48 weeks with Victrelis/Peg./Riba.  VL 1.28m at start, UNDET. at 8 ,12 ,16 ,24 ,30  and 48 weeks.  EOT 15 Feb 2013 , UNDET. at EOT + 28 weeks. SVR!  Still Undet. at EOT +5 years

Malcolm
LC


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wnose wrote:

I think you should ask your doctor for a biopsy and ultrasound to determine the level of damage to your liver....before you can make an informed decision about waiting. Also...are you experiencing any symptoms? 

Another thing to consider also is...(someone can correct me)...Hep C generally moves very slowly. However, one day it reaches a tipping point then it can get bad very fast. At that point, all medication is useless. 

I had an ultrasound a couple of days ago, but I know I will need a biopsy or fibroscan to determine the level of cirrhosis.  I didn't know that about the tipping point of HCV, thanks.

 



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Genotype 1a, VL 1,151,923.  51 years old.  Started treatment on AbbVie TOPAZ II clinical trial Oct 10, 2014!  Undetected at weeks 2 and 4! 
wnose


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I think you should ask your doctor for a biopsy and ultrasound to determine the level of damage to your liver....before you can make an informed decision about waiting. Also...are you experiencing any symptoms? 

Another thing to consider also is...(someone can correct me)...Hep C generally moves very slowly. However, one day it reaches a tipping point then it can get bad very fast. At that point, all medication is useless. 



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Diagnosed Geno 1a, 1992. Relapsed after riba-peg trmt in Aug 08. Oct 22 2011: Incivek 3rx @ 18 million VL.

Day 10: <15. --------------------->>>>>>12 OCT 2012: SVR!!! 
JoAnneh


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I have known people who died 20 years ago w Hep C and we were same age.
It moves differently w each person. I quit drinking alcohol in my 20's so I know that helped me; yet I now have chirrosis. Liver biopsy is best way to know.
Since I have chirrosis and 53 it was time to act.
She seem smart about educating yourself and will make best decision.
Good luck! JoAnne

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JoAnne

Genotype 1a, Triple therapy w/Invicek started May 19, 2012

DET 4 wk. UND 2,6,12,24 48 treatment. Achieved SVR 2013!
LC


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So I found out a month ago that I have HCV, and I am not yet sick from this.  My Dr is proposing Incivek triple therapy (he also said this doesn't necessarily need immediate treatment) and I am a 1a with a VL of 753,000.  I don't know what stage of deterioration my liver is at yet, which may end up being a determining factor, but, the million dollar question I am asking myself is:  since I have had this probably 15-30 years and am not sick from it;  should I treat it now and risk the hellish side effects, or wait patiently for the nanozyme technology or other more promising drugs?

I know that, this is ultimately something I will have to decide for myself, and should be based on my particular condition and the advice of my Dr, etc... but I am just wondering if this question is something others new to HCV were asking theirselves, or what others who had been (or are going through) treatment would do if they knew there was a better drug coming along for this fairly soon?  Something that wouldn't make you nearly as sick? confuse

At all the articles I have seen  talking about the future of HCV treatment, the future is so bright for this treatment - it needs to wear shades.

http://www.geekosystem.com/nanoparticle-rna-nukes-hcv/

http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20120627-NEWS-120629837

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-01-10/merck-hepatitis-c-drug-may-anchor-future-worldwide-regimen.html

http://www.xconomy.com/san-diego/2011/09/06/dramatic-changes-in-hepatitis-c-treatment-expected-to-continue/



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Genotype 1a, VL 1,151,923.  51 years old.  Started treatment on AbbVie TOPAZ II clinical trial Oct 10, 2014!  Undetected at weeks 2 and 4! 
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