I can not really answer your question. But, if it were me and I could I would finish the tx. There is no way of knowing if it will come back or not. I have had alot of the sides I am even losing my hair. To me that is the worst one ever. I have had them all on and off the whole time on tx. Try to stick it out. God bless you. I will finish taking my tx in 2 weeks. If I can help you through your time of need just let me know.

Dear Lucy123, please try to hang on and finish tx it is vital to your recovery !! Just think there is so many of us who are nonresponders and I myself would have given anything to stay on tx and got a o viral load but it was'nt meant to be for me but you are lucky enough to have different results!! Stay Strong and Beat this silent killer!!!! Hugs & Prayers, BlueEyed

There is a friend of mine in California that started having the funky sides and he stopped. He is still clear. Not advice...just tellin' ya what a friend of mine did.
I went the entire 6 months and a nonresponder.
It's six of one and half a dozen of the other.
It's your body and your decision.
If you just don't feel like you can take anymore...stop.
I know there are so many people that bite the bullet and drag themselves thru the treatment. I admire each and everyone of them. I did my six months. I will never do it again.
Keep your chin up and if you want to stop....then stop.
My friend did and he's still clear.
Ya just never know my friend.
Lucy....I got a Lucy...she's crazy. I hope you are laughin'. She's a 5 month old American Eskimo and she's crazy! I love her so much. Please go look at my pics. Now...if you look anything like my Lucy...I'm gonna get concerned. lol
Do what you feel is best for you and stick to it.
And that's all I've got to say 'bout that.
Have a good day my friend.
Tasmoe

This is just what happened to me...I had to stop a 5 mos. and I was undetectable but shortly after stopping my vl started going up...So I will have to stop work next time and try to finish....

I do know that the very first treatment I was on (2001) I got so fuckin sick, I was in bed for over 3 months. I mowed through the whole 13months sister! I was only of Hep/C clear for 30 days after the treatment!!! Came right back with more fire to burn, Its the hard cold truth in my own body sister!! My 2nd treatment didnt work at all. They stopped it after 8-9 months. My 3rd treatment started Jan-07 stopped in July-07 this was every day injections this time. Still all my side effects sucked!!!!!!!! My body had built up a resistant to all 3 interferrons sister. Im still fighting for a cure it just hasnt worked on me sister! As for you??? If your TX is making your life so fucked-up now then stop! I know that alot of others will disagree with my opinion but after all. It is just my opinion alone sister! I for one dont like anybody to have painful side-effects for I have done so many TX's. Im still here sister!! HEP/C wont be the cause of my Death!!!!!!!!! Cause HEP/C will still be with me when I die!! I whole Heartedly support any choice that you make sister!!!!! You have always supported me!!! I will support you always!!!

It hard to say!!! I would sit down with your GI and have a long talk before making the decission. Ive nearly went off TX...God it sucks sometimes doesnt it? My heart is with you...Im feeling that pain!!! Anything I can do Im hear. Love You

Hi Lucy, a patient (type 1a)on these treatments is recommended to do 36 weeks after being tested with a undetected viral load, in order to assure that the virus stays undie.

I cannot tell you what to do, but can tell you my personal experience with these wicked meds.

I had went on sick leave, knowing very well what my hubby had went thru during his journey, on a clinical trial treatment, so I could start and complete my treatment.

I was soo bloody sick, every sides in the books, and more, lots more.

Did spend my whole 48 weeks in bed, sick like a dog, on a good day I would manage to take a shower, yes it was that bad.

But I was soo determine to get rid of a virus, that I don't even know how I had contracted it, and did, with much perseverance my dear.

Imagine being sick with tx, and have a pneumonia at the same time.

That's what we like to call, sick, sick.

Also lost my voice during the last 6 months of tx, and got check out a few months post tx, only to be told that I had a tumour on my right vocal cord, which would wake me up all choke up, during the night.

Don't get me wrong, I can't stand pain, never could, I just took anything that would help me thru the next side, ect.....

Like I said earlier, I cannot tell you what to do, but think of all the people who cannot do treatment, or are non-respondent, who would give anything to have been able to do treatment, and to those who suffer like hell, just to relapse in the end.

Your the lucky one, early responder, so why quit now, just to relapse in 6 months.

It's a long and hard decision to make, please think about it for awhile before making any kind of decision.

The best of luck to you my friend.

Mckenzie
one day at the time

I really like Mac's response. She said just about all of it in a nut shell.
Lucy is sittin' at the window makin' funky noises so I've got to go and try to calm her down.
Are you Two related? Just joshin' ya.
Love and hugs my friend,
Tasmoe

IF I HAD TO DO IT AGAIN, I WOULD, NOT JUST FOR ME, BUT MY FAMILY, I REFUSE TO LEAVE MY FAMILY IF I HAVE AN OUNCE OF DRIVE IN ME. I HAD HORRIBLE SIDES THAT KEPT ME IN BED FOR 7 MONTHS, BUT I CAME OUT OF IT. I WAS READING YOUR JOURNAL AND IT SEEMS THAT YOU ARE HAVING DR PROBLEMS TOO, CAN'T YOU JUST GO BACK TO YOUR FAMILY DOC TO TREAT YOU? HE SEEMS TO BE VERY CONCERNED FOR YOU AND THAT MAY BE WHAT YOU NEED, SOMEONE WHO ENCOURAGES YOU AND WILL READ YOUR LABS WITH YOU. I WOULD NOT WANT TO BE TREATED BY A GUY WHO SHOWS NO INTREST IN ME. I WILL PRAY THAT YOU WILL WANT TO FINISH THIS TX AND GET ON WITH YOUR LIFE....LOVE....HELEN

I am not here to tell people what they should do, you are giving your liver a rest while on tx, I have talk to people with 1a who did tx cleared and 9 months later started tx again. It's your body, I don't know about you but if tx is there I'm grabbing hold with both hands and finishing. Just think of how many people would like to be in your shoes and can not take tx.

Staying clear after 29 of 48 weeks? Odds are slim to none - sorry.

Instead of quitting, how about let's work together and see if we can give you some suggestions to lessen the sides. Sure it's tough but you may be suprised with some of the advice others can offer you and you may just be able to hang in there for a bit more.

Instead of looking far ahead to the last week, try just getting to the next shot date.

Talk to your dr about your sides and find out what can be done b y your dr.

Before you just quit, I want you to look back at all the weeks that you HAVE done, and all that you have accomplished. Yes it's been tough but if you quit now, and the virus most likely comes right back, do you honestly want to go through all those weeks again?

You have done 29 weeks and that leaves how many more? Only 19 left!
You are a month past the half way mark!

Man, I shudder to think about doing those 29 weeks of suffering all over again.

Tell us what sides are causing you the most grief and let's see if we can help you. Take it a day at a time because every single day of tx that you take increases your odds of beating the virus.

I agree with JustBlue and McKenzie, these women know what there talking about and I respect their advice immensely!!! I had to go off TX for a week because tooo many serious sides...gave me new meds for sides started back up following week....maybe thats an idea...you still have to talk to GI...his decision would rule your future on TX.

My sides were not severe but were very annoying. However, I had to stop tx after week 18 because I got very sick with pneumonia and several complications. The tx had lowered my white cell count and left me vulnerable to the infection. I almost died because of the pneumonia so it was prudent to stop tx. And I haven't restarted nor do I plan to. I am still ND after being off tx for nine weeks. However, I am type 3a which has a high response to tx and is much less likely to return.

Being a type 1 raises the chances of the virus returning if you don't finish tx. The bottom line Lucy is that this is a personal decision. Your life situation, support network, personality, and many other factors all should be considered. People can tell you what did or didn't work for them and why you should or shouldn't continue. But when the rubber meets the road, only you know what you are capable of and how this is affecting your life.

We are all here to help you and support you in whatever decision you make. We love you and are available by phone as well as here on the site. You are not alone sister.

HI FRIEND. THIS IS MY SECOND TIME TRYING THE TREATMENT. I ALSO AM IN AROUND THIS WEEK. I AM STOPPING AS THE SIDES ARE RUINING MY BODY.. I CAN TELL YOU FROM EXPERIENCE THE FIRST TIME. THE VIRUS WILL COME BACK IF YOU HAVE NOT FINISHED TREATMENT. THATS WHY THEY MAKE THE TREATMENT SO LONG SO YOU CAN CLEAR IT. IF YOU STOP NOW IT WILL BE LIKE YOU NEVER EVEN DID ANY TREATMENT. I MADE MY DECISION BASED ON MY HEALTH NOW. PLEASE MAKE SURE THIS IS WHAT YOU WANT TO DO.. MY THOUGHTS ARE WITH YOU FRIEND AND IT IS YOUR DECISION TO DO WHATS BEST FOR YOU..

I ditto Tasmoe..Ditto...ditto..ditto....she has some wonderful advice..the stuff is lethal..and there is no guarantee ...only you know what is right for you..I wish the best for you. Peace and Love my sister, serenity55 xo