Hi folks!! (it's been a while, hard drive crashed and on travel)
Just bought a house with a pool in Tucson!
We/(me first) plan on retiring from Maryland to there, early next
year.

Tucson's about 10 deg's warmer than our original spot Prescott and no
snow, and some good old friends.

Anyway I just did Peg shot 19 late night
All my symptoms are still extremely minor and OTC treatable
(Minor rash, 1/2 hour daily Riba fever, some tiredness lack of energy)
Still working and working out with weights (in a rest period)
Overall health is pretty damn good, I have been taking Sam-e

I have a small stable 4 mm kidney stone and a kidney cyst (apparently
common at 55 yrs old) these and perhaps TX itself cause a bit a
sensation of frequent but minor kidney inflammation.

So I really have no real complaints with symptoms but on the other
hand my VL is not really responding to TX as well as most of you
younger folks. (Guess it had  30 odd years to bury itself in my DNA)

I started with a VL of 1.78M of Genotype 1A  around last Sept
My liver biopsy was very good a 2 out of 22, Quit drinking and
started treating around Nov (180ug PI/weekly  + 1200mg Cop/daily)  
While my first VL was taken 10 weeks before I started TX, my 12 week
VL did not go undetectable or even drop log 2 (it was about 19.6K)

My CRNP said give it another 4 weeks we do a VL and if it's
undetectable we start your 48 weeks there, (sounded like a plan)

Well at week 16 it had dropped only to 6.1K (well thats -2log over the
original VL anyway) His the plan is now is continue TX until I become
undetectable and then start an additional 48 weeks. (wow! best case
that will put me over 68 weeks total Pegasys!)

I realize this is pretty unusual TX method!  but while all my blood
counts are low, none are at the noted decrease dosage levels yet and
my LFT's have dropped to the low 20's (first time in 10's of years!)

I did get him to agree to CBC's every two weeks to keep an eye on the
levels. I guess at some point if I do no reach undetectable levels I
might reconsider but my overall condition will also determine that.

Anyway I just posted to let people realize that
Sides are not always a terrible experience for everyone and,

If you don't reach your 2 log or undetectable levels at week 12
If your physically up to it, this is an alternative plan other than
just quitting and letting your levels spike again. (I guess time will
tell if its worth pursuing)

Anyway, what would be my alternatives?
Quit Tx for a while and then try the heavy artillery (daily infergen?)
Wait for the next generation or do nothing.

The Present deal seems best at least in my present case and condition
Will keep you all posted of my week 20 VL results

DB

Anyway to all the Good Folks in ASHC
Wishing you all good news, good results minor sides and more
strength and happiness. Hang tight brothers and sisters

OH yeah As Steve Winwood said "..there are always exceptions.."
f.ck TROLLBOY!!!! <BFG>    



 
   





Thanks Be Well, Be Strong, Get Better!

DrBenway
(not a Dr nor did I even play one on TV,)