Guest guest Posted October 17, 2008 Report Share Posted October 17, 2008 Chuck, here are a couple of links about retreatment: http://www.hepcchallenge.org/choices/allopathic3.htm There are five main reasons for non-responsive treatment failures. The type of hepatitis C infection was resistant to interferon-based treatment. The therapy used was inferior to the best current therapy.The person did not comply with the prescribed treatment regimen.Treatment doses had to be reduced because of low levels of white cells, red cells, and/or platelets.The length of treatment was reduced due to side effects and/or poor quality of life. http://www.hcvadvocate.org/hcsp/articles/Keeffe-3.html "Approaches to retreatment include use of higher doses of interferon, longer duration of therapy, use of different types of interferon, e.g., peginterferon, and the addition of ribavirin or use of a higher dose. Several factors predict whether retreatment is likely to be successful (see Table 2). People who have relapsed are more likely to be successfully retreated than nonresponders, as are those nonresponders who had a significant decrease in HCV RNA during initial treatment (even if they did not achieve an undetectable viral load)" Others here can also provide more info - I've never treated and rely on alternatives so I am no expert when it comes to interferon. I do have a lot of experience with doctors, the good and the bad. does have a point in that you might consult with another doctor. In a perfect world everyone would be able to go to a hepatologist. Where I live, in a metro area of one million, there is only one hepatologist and many, many gastros. I would imagine that it is the same in other areas as well. Sometimes, especially if you do not have insurance, you have to go to whoever is there and trust that they know what they are doing. I met the one hepatologist and was not impressed at all - my family doctor knew more than he did. Just because someone has a title does not automatically make them a good doctor. In that perfect world, it would seem that it would, but in the real world it often doesn't. There are good doctors and bad ones - no matter what their title is. Good luck, Chris Is this a Hepatologist Chuck? Gastro's are hummm well I wouldn't let one treat me New MapQuest Local shows what's happening at your destination. Dining, Movies, Events, News more. Try it out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 17, 2008 Report Share Posted October 17, 2008 My Fiance and I went to her doctors appointment and the doctor told us that she was not responding to the treatment. She is currently taking pegasys and copegus. He has called and wants to talk to us about her medicine. The last time he said anything about that he wanted her to stop the medication. We do not want to give up at this point, she is halfway thru the treatments. My question is as anyone else switched medications with any luck? Thanks Chuck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 17, 2008 Report Share Posted October 17, 2008 When I went from the peg/riba to 3 shots of infergen a week I had a rapid response and drop in viral load . My viral went from the millions to 350 , but I had to stop because of my heart . And no it was not the treatment that is causing my heart problems , I have had problems since 1990 . treatment not responding My Fiance and I went to her doctors appointment and the doctor told us that she was not responding to the treatment. She is currently taking pegasys and copegus. He has called and wants to talk to us about her medicine. The last time he said anything about that he wanted her to stop the medication. We do not want to give up at this point, she is halfway thru the treatments. My question is as anyone else switched medications with any luck?Thanks Chuck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 17, 2008 Report Share Posted October 17, 2008 Is this a Hepatologist Chuck? Gastro's are hummm well I wouldn't let one treat me Subject: treatment not respondingTo: Hepatitis_C_Central Date: Friday, October 17, 2008, 6:20 PM My Fiance and I went to her doctors appointment and the doctor told us that she was not responding to the treatment. She is currently taking pegasys and copegus. He has called and wants to talk to us about her medicine. The last time he said anything about that he wanted her to stop the medication. We do not want to give up at this point, she is halfway thru the treatments. My question is as anyone else switched medications with any luck?Thanks Chuck__________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 17, 2008 Report Share Posted October 17, 2008 why does he want her to stop treatment? at 6 months, does she still have a viral load? If so, then studies show that she probably wont clear the virus on this particular treatment.. Jackie Subject: treatment not respondingTo: Hepatitis_C_Central Date: Friday, October 17, 2008, 3:20 PM My Fiance and I went to her doctors appointment and the doctor told us that she was not responding to the treatment. She is currently taking pegasys and copegus. He has called and wants to talk to us about her medicine. The last time he said anything about that he wanted her to stop the medication. We do not want to give up at this point, she is halfway thru the treatments. My question is as anyone else switched medications with any luck?Thanks Chuck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 17, 2008 Report Share Posted October 17, 2008 Hi Chuck, The reality is the treatment fails most of the time. (check the statistics) I know there are people who believe 100% that it is their only hope. My husband tried the treatment unsucessfully about 3 years ago. He chose to stop the treatment before it killed him. His liver was not able to handle the drugs. It took him about 1 1/2 years to recover. He is holistic and takes many supplements and drinks different teas every day to help his liver work. He still has hope that he will be able to live with this until he is old and gray. Everyday is hard and he never gives up hope. He is now faced with a tumor on his liver. It is very tiny and was caught right away. He has to make a choice for treatment and no one can tell him what will work for his liver. This disease is still not clear as to treatment and cures. Stay strong for your fiance and read lots of books and search the web for any information to help. Believe in her instincts and don't believe every word her doctors say. in CA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 17, 2008 Report Share Posted October 17, 2008 Chuck, email Dr. Ben Cecil and ask him about this, he is the premiere hep doc in the USA.. here is his email addy bdceci01@.... When you email him put "URGENT" in the subject line and then give him all your wife's stats and see what he has to say,, if he says to stop, then I would,, HE KNOWS this virus...Jackie Subject: treatment not respondingTo: Hepatitis_C_Central Date: Friday, October 17, 2008, 3:20 PM My Fiance and I went to her doctors appointment and the doctor told us that she was not responding to the treatment. She is currently taking pegasys and copegus. He has called and wants to talk to us about her medicine. The last time he said anything about that he wanted her to stop the medication. We do not want to give up at this point, she is halfway thru the treatments. My question is as anyone else switched medications with any luck?Thanks Chuck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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