Mike/Bivalve,

I understand fully both of your points and appreciate your input. Mike is saying there is a tested and true protocol that calls for 48 weeks for people in my situation. Ending early could result in not only being uncured, but becoming more difficult to treat in the future.

Bivalve is stating that there are exceptions to the rule, his results speak for themselves. Plus it doesnt make sense that someone with VL of 8 would be required to do 48 weeks, while the next patient with a VL of 5 would be undetected, and therefore be on a 24 week treatment plan. Clearly we would benefit from more exacting tests.

Logically speaking, there must be a point of diminishing return in how long you treat. We know that some patients do not remain SVR. So why stop at 48 weeks? Why not 96? Well, because not many people could tolerate 96 weeks, and perhaps you would only see a small percentage increase in those who remain SVR. Does the same argument work for 24 vs. 48 weeks?

I asked my doctor how much my chances would improve by going 48 weeks, vs. 24. He did not know, but said he would try to find out. Of course this is the same doctor who told me to stop at 24 weeks until I insisted otherwise. It was gratifying though to hear a doctor say you were right, and I was wrong.

Bob

I wouldn't want to be in your shoes, Bob. I have no idea what I would do.

It would be great if somehow someone knew what your odds were; but I'm not sure that information is even known yet.

Good luck in making the decision and best of luck with the outcome.

There is a big buffer built into these non exact regimens undoubtedly. There has to be. Could u be undie at 24? Sure. Might you relapse if you stop? Sure. You go as long as you can hang. Every week helps. Can it get too hard where your quit? Yes!! I, personally, had to stop. I thought I might do 48 initially. Then later I focused on 32, which was my minimum. Could I do 33? Not from where I was sitting with my status, factors and sides. Not a shot over. It's different for everybody. I wanted to quit so badly at week 22! I swear I did. At 25 weeks I did my agonizing interferon post. It was the worst point for me mentally. I roughed it out 10 weeks beyond 22 though somehow. It's not the same ride for everybody and we all have a different make up. Bob do as much as you can and if you can go 48 then Amen brother!! Maybe not the most popular post here but honestly and with all sincerity, FUCK IT!! These are rough drugs.

I'm Erniecoolcat and I stand by that post.

This makes sense. To each his own. I've been dealing with this for 22 plus years. Was ten years since my last trial study before starting TX.
Have bridging cirhosis so I figured I better do what I could and as long as I could. so far so good.
On another note. I have a brother that in 2003/2004 under went radical therapy of Interferon and Ribavirin EVERYDAY for 18 MONTHS, not weeks.. He had cirhosis at the time. He is still alive and undie to this day. I figured if he can beat it by what he did then I would try anything at this point. If the doc said I needed to go two years then so be it. Luckily so far so good as I got through without much difficulty. Now I all I have to do is go out and live my life and not worry about it. If something happens then I know I gave it my best shot. Everyone has to make their own decision

BTW Ernie, You are cool from the looks of that picture

Awww thanks but that is not me. That's just me sorta in spirit. When I come back I'm going to do triple. Triple life adventure. No holding back. I freaking mean it.

Bob j want that BBQ in Austin that you offered. Ate we going out for it or are you cooking it?

Ozzie will be in Florida barbecuing gators.

Becky will marry a Sherpa.

I feel the same way Cono I gave it my all there is nothing more I could do.