I am also genotype 1a. I'm on Pegasys/CoPegasys tx and am on week 36 out of an original 48 week treatment plan. I started out with a viral load of 2,370,000 and cleared at 6 weeks. I stayed clear each month until week 24 when my viral load was 9,100. I asked my specialist to re-check the bloodwork, but he felt it was "no use" and that the virus had a "break-through" and upped my tx to 72 weeks. Well, guess what: at my next lab results 4 weeks later, I was zero again as well as the next month!!!

I developed hemolytic anemia at about 10 weeks into tx and have been on Procrit (am now on 40,000 units three times a week), and was "holding my own" until something went haywire and my hemoglobin dropped to 6.2 and hematacrit to only 19. I was rushed in and had a blood transfusion of two units of blood and now I feel great! I am working with a hemotologist as well as a GI specialist. I've been pulled off the ribavirin temporarily and now only get 1/2 of my injection of interferon until they're sure my blood count does not dip again. Fortunatly, they have remained stable and I start back on a full dose of interferon this week and if my bloodwork comes back with no drop in my CBC's next, week, I go back on the full dose of ribaviran. It's my prayer that my bloodwork will hold up and I can finish treatment. I've already informed my specialist that I am only doing 48 weeks plus the 4 weeks that I was on a partial dose. Another dr. in his practice agrees with me that there must have been a mistake in the viral load when it popped up as I was an early responder and also the viral load was zero there-after. I've been anxious to get back on treatment so that I can finish! But I must say it's been a nice "break" since my transfusion and reduction in meds as I feel healthy and strong...and no brain fog! LOL! I wish everyone here on the forum success on your treatments! It's not pleasant, but doable...even with a transfusion :)! Stay positive, above all!

i'm starting week 5. genotype 1a, grade 2 liver disease, ribaviron & pegasys. diagnosed 12/06. had an elevated liver function (alt) for about 1 year. i thought it was too many happy hours so i changed my drinking habits but it didn't matter. my pcp decided to run some additional labs to include hepatitis c. i have all my blood work drawn at my office and i have access to the results before my doctors, i guess i'm a control freak. i was shocked to see the results. + HCV! i'm thinking lab error or something. so i call my doctor to ask if we can add the test that shows the viral load, this of course after hours of research and disbelief. she says yes (i do try to have a doctors order before having tests). 2,000,000+. wow, this seemed so high at the time. how could that much be in such a small amount of blood. after being on this site this seems like not so much.
i immediately get referred to a gi doc. i chose one we refer to. an ultrasound was done and didn't show much. a liver biopsy was done in january. i was told it wouldn't be bad and it wasn't. but when i got home i thought i would die. i couldn't breath. i felt like i was having spasms in my diaphragm. i called the radiologist who did the biopsy and he was of no help. the only relief was my neighbors percocet. i couldn't work the next day, i have only had 1 episode of missing work in 9 years.
anyway, sorry about the run on, after multiple calls to the md office and pharmacy i got my meds. it took 3 weeks and of course they blamed my insurance.
i also have trust issues and the doctor hasn't help too much with that. he told me 1a had a 75% chance of clearing, even better than 1b. i questioned him, he insisted. i can't find any research to support his claim and so i only trust what i can learn through research.
long story, haven't spelled it out before. i know there are many of you with much worse and longer stories but i guess i had to get it down.

Hey Budro, I sure hope this third treatment will do the trick.
You are a real Warrior in my book, not twice but three times, wow.
I read your a active fisherman, well the year I was on tx, I didn't renew my permit due to the extreme side effects of the meds, but hopefully you will kill the dragon, and feel better one day soon.
Mckenzie One day at the time.

Hello Bellamorph
Hope to find you well this am.
I love to read how optimistic you are, so shot 8 is done and 40 more to go, well chin up and hopefully this will all be worth it.
Good luck on your journey!
Mckenzie

Dear T Corm, I'm glad to hear that the procrit helps, is your insurance paying for it, hope so, it's really worth it since it will help you continue your treatment until week 72,
Keep up your possitive outlook on this and you will concur.
Mckenzie

Hey Aliasnurse,
Thanks for sharing..
Your the lucky one, getting your numbers even before your doc sees them, wow.
Sorry to hear your biopsy was so painful, usually not, maybe they were a bit rough in your case.
Type 1a is the worst type to cure, but hey both my hubby and I were cured after the 48 weeks of peg/riba, and int/riba.
Two millions is not the end of the world, I've seen friends with 50 millions, so just concentrate on getting this virus out of your system, be possitive and please no more happy hour, lol.
Good luck on your journey.
Mckenzie

Hey, Mckenzie: I',m BarbaraR, on Pegasys/Copegus for 6 wks now. I must b e getting better because my blood counts sure are dropping! I understand that if soemthing in the blood is not adversely affected, the tx is probably not helping. Have had many good days, and a few real lalapaloozas! I'm blessed to have genotype 3, so I have an extremely good chance of permanent cure. I have great docs& nurses, 24/7 Roche Pharmaceuticals nurse line, and many loving persons in my support network. I am tired a lot and sometimes sleep 15-16 hrs/day. But it is OK, I can do this, my eye is on the Great Spirit and His will for me is good. I feel blessed and grateful for all the help, and my appetite is as good as ever. I'll probably have to go to the fat farm when this is over!! I just turned 64, am a temporarily inactive athlete, but try to do something aerobic each day. It helps with this good ol' "Sides". Send you hugs, support and hope you will write back. I love this daily strength thing, and I am avalable to support you and others wherever you're at. Hugs, prayers, and love, BarbaraR

Hey Barbara, thanks for sharing your story.
Sounds like you have everything under control, which is great!
I'm happy for you, type 3, treatment should be fast and effective.
Keep in touch hun,
Mckenzie One day at the time

Thanks for the input.I felt that was the case.All we can do,is pray,Take it one day at a time,and have faith.

Your quite welcome KBrian, talk to you soon.
Mckenzie

I'm txherd, genotype 1a, treatment Pegasys and Copegus for 48 weeks. I have been cleared since week 12 and have been finished about 2 yrs. I believe you and I must have started and finished treatment about the same time. I see that you are a Canadian and just want you to know, I love the Canadians.

Why Thank you dear.
Congrats on your undie status and for sharing your story.
Mckenzie
One day at the time

I'm Kelly and I've been on peg-intron, ribivarin for 11 weeks now. I am still working full time though I am so tired. I believe I am a geno 1, stage 2, grade 2 as of 4 years ago. Was diagnosed in 1991. Tried Intron A and Rebetrol in 1998 for 24 weeks but relapsed. Don't know if I wasn't on treatment long enough or not. My viral load went from 4.7 million to 4000 in four weeks. I get another viral load test in two weeks. I sure hope it's working. I've had a lot of mental sides, depression, anger, anxiety, that I take meds for. Good luck everyone.

Hello Kelly,
Yes if you are genotype 1, you should have been on treatment for 48 weeks, how long will you be on this new tx?
Hope you manage to kill the dragon.
The best of luck on your journey.
Mckenzie One day at the time
ps: Thanks for sharing with us.