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Hep C Discussion Forum -> General Discussion -> GS-7977, Liver Biopsy and Interferon
Post Info TOPIC: GS-7977, Liver Biopsy and Interferon
Lon


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RE: GS-7977, Liver Biopsy and Interferon
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Thanks Brad.  That's great information.



__________________

(Geno type 1, VL 3 million, stage 2-3, took (8) weeks of Harvoni that completed on May 1, 2015, I'm showing undetectable today)

"Everyday is a gift, that's why they call it the present."
krowdog


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Hi Lon.

Like Phil, I was able to work. I have a busy, on-my-feet job running the graphics and printing department for a small corporation. 

I was on the Incivek 3 drug combo.  The first Pegasys (interferon) shot was pretty rough, but I was OK in about a day and a half.  After that, it was just a kind of sickly feeling, but I never missed work after that first shot.

I went a bit anemic, like most of us do, but just slowed down a little, and learned to pace myself.

My hair thinned only very slightly near the end of treatment.  My worst complaint was itchiness.  Not much from the incivek, mostly from the Ribavirin. 

I would describe my Tx as very unpleasant, but not much more.  I was very proactive in my Tx, and with the help of this forum, went in with a pretty good idea of what to expect, and how to best deal with the problems that might come up.

Lastly, if you treat with the Incivek triple Tx, you CAN re-treat with the new drugs that JIme is on.  That's what JIme did. However, his was in a clinical trial.  you may have a bit of a wait for that one to get FDA approval.

Good luck on whatever you decide to do!

Brad



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(Geno 1a, Incivek Triple Tx, 6 month post TX - 9/20/2012 = SVR!!!)
Lon


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Wow!  Thank you for sending me that link.  That's VERY encouraging and the fact that it's working for you will help me to sleep well tonight.

Here's the link that I was reading this morning.  It's dated February 2012 and yours is more recent.  I didn't even know 7977 was available yet.

 

http://hepatitiscnewdrugs.blogspot.com/2012/02/gs-7977-formally-psi-7977-viral-relapse.html

I'm checking out the other information that you pointed me to as well.

THANKS AGAIN!



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(Geno type 1, VL 3 million, stage 2-3, took (8) weeks of Harvoni that completed on May 1, 2015, I'm showing undetectable today)

"Everyday is a gift, that's why they call it the present."
JIme


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Welcome Lon!

I would suggest reading as much as possible and supplying links to articles you are quoting so we can all read the same info.

Here is a link to some 7977 info you might find interesting.

http://www.fiercebiotech.com/story/gilead-wows-analysts-7977-combos-quell-hep-c-most-patients/2012-04-19

If you go to my journals I have documented my exp. with 7977.

A biopsy is the best way to determine where you are at with this disease.

Good luck.



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jim

GT1a, St2 Lv2 last biopsy 2002, VL  11.4m,  start triple tx 9/30/11

VL 470 @4wks.....VL 22,000 @8wks  stopped tx

Round 2-  Started 3/16/12   PSI-7977, BMS-790052, Riba Undetectable day 14

Did 24 weeks Still UND 12 weeks post tx, SVR24!!!!!!! 2/14/13

 

 

 

 

 
Lon


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Thanks Phil.  Your information was very helpful.  

That looks like Niagra Falls Canadian side behind you.  I grew up about an hour from there if I'm guessing that picture right.

Thanks again!



__________________

(Geno type 1, VL 3 million, stage 2-3, took (8) weeks of Harvoni that completed on May 1, 2015, I'm showing undetectable today)

"Everyday is a gift, that's why they call it the present."
Phil G


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Welcome Lon. If you have questions and concerns, you are in the right place.

I'm 57, had it for 35+ years, found out last year, almost finished with tx, and have not had a biopsy. My gastro's comment was that it is no longer recomended because of the invasive nature. I did not argue. Apparently, a lot of doctor's don't agree because a lot of folks get them. I had all the blood work, an upper GI, and ultrasound, and I can only assume there were no big indicators to justify it.

I was able to work on triple tx - interferon, ribavirin, and victelis. I did get flu like symptoms after the shot, which is why a lot of folks do it on Friday, so they can recover for work on Monday. That was my reasoning anyway. There were some Saturdays when work would not have been possible, and some days during the week when the brain fog was thick, but still managed to make it. I did not lose hair in clumps. Probably thinned some, but it was thin to begin with, so hard to tell.



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Geno 1A, VL 1.9 mm, SOT 12/2/11 - Pegintron/Ribavirin/Victrelis, UND since wk 8, EOT 6/15/12 (28 wks), SVR 11/30/12
Lon


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Hello,

I was hoping that the GS-7977 drug would do better in the third clinical trials. From what I read today, they were saying that they experienced a high relapse rate and as such didn't feel that it would be commercially viable to continue GS-7977 development.  Is this what everyone else is hearing as well?  I only heard about the drug a few weeks ago and I'm starting to get onboard with treatment.

Secondly my gastrointernologist wants me to have another liver biopsy.  The last one was about 10 years ago.  From reading articles today on Gastro.org, it sounded like the liver biopsy was no longer considered useful because of its subjective nature.  They were recommending serum markers, Elastography and radiology profile for better stage determination.  Does anyone have an opinion on the validity of biopsy compared to the non-invasive methods?

Lastly, with GS-7977 losing steam it looks like I might have to go with a treatment involving Interferon.  What's the real scoop on this drug.  Does it make you feel like you have the flu?  Does your hair fail out?  They say you can work while taking the drug but I can't see how.  If I had the flu, I would stay home.  Having my hair falling out in clumps wouldn't encourage me to mingle at the office either.  What is it really like to be on Interferon?  

On last thing, my gastro said that if I take treatment and it fails that all future treatments using any of the combo drugs would also fail as the virus has now developed a resistance to it.  To me, that sounds like I have one shot to get this thing killed.  The current 70% success rate for G-1 doesn't give me a lot of confidence.  Maybe 90% but to me 70% isn't much better than a coin toss.  

Sorry for the long thread.  I'm trying to get my mind around this thing.  I've had Hep C for about 30 years.  I'm 59 years old.  It's time to deal with it and I could use your help.  Thanks in advance.

Best Regards,

Lon biggrin



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(Geno type 1, VL 3 million, stage 2-3, took (8) weeks of Harvoni that completed on May 1, 2015, I'm showing undetectable today)

"Everyday is a gift, that's why they call it the present."
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