dr dropped a bomb on me today

Barry,

Agreed...the whole treatment thing ****s. But, like a cancer treatment, it has horrible side effects and doesn't always work. BUT, then again, many times IT DOES. The new program touts WAY BETTER stats.

If you can muster half the strength, I think you should stick with it if it doesn't kill you. You are undetectable. What I wouldn't give to hear those words about Mike.

The guy did really horribly with treatment, wound up on the neupogen AND procrit, with no insurance, so we had a heck of a time paying for that...and the guy was 4 million copies higher after 24 weeks than he was on DAY 1. That was Interferon and Riba in 2003.

Now he's nearly died of ESLD, had liver cancer, and a life saving transplant. BUT...his Viral Load is 37MILLION copies! THIRTY SEVEN MILLION.

They are talking treatment down the line and so far we don't know the protocol they may use for post transplant at our center. But he'll do it...until or unless his platelets are zero and his white and red counts are desperate.

Think about it like leukemia or melanoma or breast cancer or colon cancer...FINISH the treatment and pray you'll get well.

Well, that's my two cents on What ****S and what doesn't. Being alive doesn't.

Hope you make a decision that works for you and ask for more anti depression meds if you need an attitude boost. The docs will help you make it through.

Hugs,

Carol

I'd go for it. I did it twice, once for 48 weeks and recently for 60 weeks. I'm still undetectable as of the past 5 months. I may not stay that way, but don't regret trying. You've got to try...

hey jag,  i am doing just fine, thanks. side effects have diminished after stopping the incivek.  my nausea, and gastro problems have cleared up, and i am able to do some normal stuff like go to the store, bank etc.the only real side effects still lingering is anemia and the general malaise of the treatment. so to answer your ?, fatigue still lingers. but i did notice a definite boost 2 weeks after stopping incivek.     as for my treatment, i am so disappointed. i am also stricken with ms. my plan was to treat for 6 mos with the 3 drugs and then pray that i can still rehab my legs. this treatment has put me in a wheelchair. at the 18th week i knew i had to start my physical therapy. i got thru 2 weeks of passive exercise and knew i can do this. i was thinking i could possibly come out of this stronger than i went in. i really have nochoice but to go on. if i was to go against medical advice and relapse(you know). and on the other hand if i go the full48 weeks , it is not likely that i come out of the chair. i started on a anti depressant yesterday, because i was angry with everyone and everything. i need to get back that feeling, i can do this..   barry

hi connie, thanx for your supportive words. i know i have to go on. my dr  has told me that incivek may be the best drug for the next 3 years. and that my initial response puts me in a 90% svr rate, if i go the distance. and finally, you cant stop a incivek treatment and start again. being und. at 4 weeks is the best indication of tx sucess.    as for my ms. i have a rare form that is chronic and progressive from the start. my injury is in my brain and spinal cord, not my legs. but you cant move your legs very well when the impulse cant get thru. weight lifting an endurance training slows the atrophy. this disease is perfect for the saying use or lose it. i  get a feeling of well being fighting this ms. and at  the begining of this tx i was in the best shape of my life. so i need to fight to be happy.   a bittersweet barry out

I'm glad to hear that you have started on an anti-depressant. Just remember that all anti-depressant are different so if the first one doesn't do the trick try another. Don't give up on this. A healthy mind is important to healing.

Keep doing what you can physically and don't give up. You have people here cheering you along!!!!