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[MikeBoston]

Genotype 1a.  First viral load test was 1.6 million.  biopsy was 1 on inflamation and 1 on scarring.

I did the treatment - 48 weeks - Pegysis with Ribovirin

Clear after 12 weeks
Clear 6 months after treatment
Clear 14 months after treatment

The treatment works.  

[MikeBoston]

Sorry....I didn't mean to post twice.  I forgot I had already posted on this string.  Must be the Alzheimers kicking in.  Good luck all.

[Sah/aliveandwell]

It is encouraging to see the same o'l positive direction, that HCV Anonymous examples, in the spirit to encourage and build others up.

I am a GT 1, Survivor of a 48 week treatment regiment of pegasys/Ribavirin, finishing approx. 1 year ago and have maintained a SVR since week 12. In hindsight, I believe that nutritional diligence prior and during treatment, has been an important factor.

For those interested, the following study, posted by a learnered member of this site, was insightful for me.

alleyoops
Senior Member
Gender:
Posts: 736
 thought this might interest some
« on: Dec 13th, 2003, 3:14pm »  Quote  Modify  

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
54th Annual Meeting of the American Association  
for the Study of Liver Diseases  
 October 24 - 28, 2003, Boston, MA  

Can Improved Nutritional Status of Patients Improve the Success Rate of Treatment with Interferon Alfa and Ribavirin?

Interferon (IFN) alfa-2b/ribavirin therapy is an effective antiviral therapy for the patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1. However, the response to this therapy is not satisfactory because only about 40-50% of the patients become sustained responders (SR). Further, patients receiving IFN alfa-2b/ribavirin therapy have frequently withdrawn from studies because of severe adverse effects.  

The efficacy of IFN therapy is mediated by both genomic type and viral load and to immunological response of the hosts. Reportedly, some amino acids modulate the host's immunological response. In order to achieve a higher SR ratio after IFN alfa-2b/ribavirin therapy and to decrease the number of patients who withdraw, it seemsimportant to improve the nutritional condition and to up-regurate potential immunological response by modifying the balance of amino acids.  

In the present study, we investigated the dynamics of a panel of 41 amino acids during IFN alfa-2b/ribavirin therapy, and then analyzed the effects of nutrition on the clearance of HCV.


Seventy patients with chronic HCV infection were included after informed consent. Six million units of IFN alfa-2b in combination with ribavirin (600-800mg/day) were given over 6 months. During the first 2 weeks of the therapy, IFN alfa-2b was given daily. Blood samples were obtained after overnight fasting at 2weeks, 8 weeks, and 24 weeks of therapy and served as the analysis of amino acids. At the same time, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were collected and the numbers of IFNγ- and IL4-producing cells were measured by FACS analysis. Th1/Th2 ratio was calculated as follows: Th1/Th2=IFNγ-producing cells (%)/IL4-producing cells (%).

Study Results  

HCV RNA became undetectable in 22%, 52%, and 78% of the patients at weeks 2, 8, and 24 of therapy, respectively. Th1/Th2 ratio decreased gradually during therapy. Th1/Th2 ratio at the end of therapy (24 weeks) was significantly smaller than that at the beginning. (17.8±10.9 vs 13.5±8.0, p=0.011). However, there was no significant correlation of Th1/Th2 level with the rate of HCV eradication.  

Total amino acids (TAAs) and branched chain amino acids (BCAAs) decreased gradually during therapy. Even at 8 weeks of therapy, there was a significant decrease in TAA and BCAA (p=0.017 and p<0.0001, respectively). Fischer ratio (FR) also showed dramatic change. It changed from 2.83 (at the beginning of the therapy) to 2.19 (at 8 weeks of therapy), indicating that the balance of amino acids rapidly changed to the condition similar to the patients with liver cirrhosis.  

Of interest, the levels of TAA and BCAA at the beginning of the therapy were significantly higher in the HCV RNA-negative group than in the HCV RNA-positive group at the end of therapy (TAA: 3243±275 vs 2877±252 nmol/ml; p=0.004, BCAA: 470±92 vs 377±65 nmol/ml; p=0.024).  

Although we could not find a significant difference, FR at the beginning of the therapy was larger in HCV RNA-negative group than in HCV RNA-positive group at the end of therapy (2.81±0.51 vs 2.47±0.68, p=0.15).  

Analysis of each amino acids showed that there were significant differences in the concentration of citrulline and ornithine, both amino acids are involved in urea cycle, between HCV RNA-negative and HCV RNA-positive group at the end of therapy.

Conclusions

Interferon alfa-2b/ribavirin therapy induces malnutrition in the early stage of therapy. Successful elimination of HCV RNA seemed to depend more on nutrition rather than on the ratio of Th1/Th2 during therapy, suggesting that a better response to interferon alfa-2b/ribavirin therapy might be possible by improving the nutritional status of the patients at the beginning of therapy. In addition, adequate nutrition support would contribute to the improvement of QOL of the patients, which would lead to a decrease in patient withdrawals during interferon alfa-2b/ribavirin therapy.

12/08/03  

[countrygirl]

Stephen,

Is it REALLY you??!!

So good to hear that you are "alive and well". I remember what a struggle tx was for you at times. We all learned so much from your experience and from the strength and grace you showed throughout.

And a good post to...well...re-post for all of us here, reminding us of the overall approach to wellness.

Happy to hear that all is well with you.

Blessings to you and yours.

Pam

[willy]

It's good to hear from you Stephen, and great to hear that you are alive and well......and still clear.  I hope that all is also well with the rest of your family.  Thanks for checking in.....

All my best wishes,
Willy

[randyman]

Hey all,
Cool thread!

genotype  2
starting viral load   6,000,000
stage of liver damage preceding treatment,   2
# months of treatment,   6 (pegesys & rib per body weight)
at what week you hit zero viral load,   <12
various sidebars on treatment   Wife says I was a "dick"
various side effects and solutions to them.  Zoloft
.....possibly thing(s) that helped them the most with TX   zoloft, moisturizing lotion, positive attitude I was never in doubt it would work neither was my Doc
# of days since treament that you have been clear,  not big on dates (except wifes birthday & our anniversery) about 2 years ish

No drinking
lots of sleep
lots of ice cream!!!
Positive attitude
GOD!!!!

Congratulatios to all who are cured. To everyone else stay positive Tx works!

Randy

[Patti]

Willy sent me here! Gosh where would we be without Willy! Thank you
I love these stories of success!
Me Too! I made it and so happy to be here.
2 rounds of Tx, first -24 weeks, second -48 week
geno3a
viral load 2,000,000
clear at 12 weeks
maintained with:
    -Neupogen 3Xweek
    -Wellbutrin 2Xdaily
    -Ambien for sleep
    -A whole lot of LOVE, UNDERSTANDING, FRIENDSHIP, LAUGHTER, and sometimes tears, from my family here
    -And a lot of other drugs to combat the infections, sores in the mouth and the list goes on and on.
I don't think I missed any sides-I went through them all.

My hubby hated when my riba horns started poking out on my forhead. Now it is a standing joke. I get to deal with all telemarketers that phone in the evening. Tx has taught me not to worry so much, such as: dust on the shelves, weeds growing in the garden, the van is covered in dirt, whoooo caaaaaares, I am alive! I go out without putting on makeup!!! Life is wonderful!

Thank you All
Patti

[misty]

Hi all, its been awhile. If you recall, my husband was on treatment for 48 weeks, geno type 1a, and your posts were about the only thing that gave me hope.

Treatment was horrible, I swear he had every side effect possible (both physically and mentally).  Our strength, our marriage, and even our beliefs were tested. So many times he wanted to stop the treatment, so many times I wanted him to stop. Was this treatment worth it?  With Gods help, treatment was completed in 12/04.

It took a good part of this past year to get his strength and weight back, and I swear he has more hair than before. 
He is back to work full time as a firefighter/paramedic and feeling better than he has in years. His 1 year pcr results:
                                                               UNDETECTABLE

Would we go throught it all again? In a minute!

For all your help, I give you hope...
Misty

[:Sah]

Hello Misty!

I was going through tx. around the same time. I remember the story of
your husband and you coming here seeking advice. It's great to learn that all has worked out for you both. I read your post and kept reflecting back to our experience. Our marriage, future and faith tested to the max....like being dipped in acid!!! LOL! Fortunately for us, we survived treatment, our lives are all the stronger for it. My wife actually likes me (most times) lol !! And I have remembered why I wanted to be with her for the rest of our lives (most times) lol !!

All the best of thoughts and prayer's to you both and all that is important to you!

Stephen

[Joni]

Wow,

A few blasts from the past!!!!  Well, as some used to post here when we passed those labs, GET THE UNDIES OUT!!!!!!!  time to do the undie dance! 

I too, am now part of the year club!         I just got my lab result back last week and am undetectable!  It is hard to believe it has been a year since I took that last shot and pills.  I do not miss that at all!

I am a genotype 1a/b with a viral count of 10,000,000+ at the start of tx.  My liver biopsy was stage 2 with some scarring, so i decided to try tx while i was still in decent shape.  At 12 weeks, my viral load was undetectable and there it remains.

It was a tough year on tx, but with the fabulous support and laughs i got from folks on this board, I made it thru tx.  I had a variety of sides, but managed them.  I went from curly hair to straight, no eyebrows, and lost weight (but seemed to have found it again  ).  I got very anemic and ended up taking procrit ( helped increase my red blood count) for probably 6 of the 11 months of tx.

So for those of you in the process of tx, hang in there.  Keep coming here, getting support, laughs and best of all, answers to the questions so you don't feel alone in this.

Joni

[Coujam]

You have no idea how happy I am to read these stories!  It is really encouraging - thank you!

[Poppsie]

Hi Everyone.

I still remain virus free after one and a half years after TX.

Genotype: 2a/2c

Liver biopsy: stage 2/ grade 1

I was on TX for 6 months, went on it 2 years ago. TX was bearable for me, I had a lot of sides effects, but knew it would only be for 6 months. Hairloss was bad, as well as the itchy skin, nausea, blurred vision, and extreme fatique. But I would do it again if it means getting rid of this nasty dragon!

Poppsie 

[OZ]

2 years post treatment

Viral Load Undetectable
AST - 19
ALT - 20

Donna

[jessica222]

Your success stories help a lot.  Thank you!!!!
Jessica (week 20 of tx)

[:Sah]

Season Greetings

I am virus free just under two year's. Greatful for what life has blessed me with!

Stephen