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Author Topic: Took the step  (Read 13095 times)

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Offline J.R.

  • Member
  • Posts: 38
Took the step
« on: February 06, 2016, 01:37:15 am »
I had may bi-annual check-up with my GI doctor and told him I am ready to start treatment. I've been lurking on these pages for a while reading responses, stories, fears, and triumphs. I know it may/will be a waiting process for approval. After my test results (below) came back, doctor recommended 8 weeks of Harvoni. My biggest worry is getting insurance approval w/o appealling 2-3 times. Anyone else have Anthem Blue Cross success first time? My doctor has said not too worry about approval. Stated he's only had one patient not approved. I am hoping to start by month's end
Contracted-mid 80s
Diagnosed- 2008
Treatment Naive
AST-34 (01-16 test)
ALT- 71 (01-16 test)
VL-4.1 mil (01-16 test)
GT- 1a
Fibrosure-0.33 (F1-F2)
Harvoni tx start 2/20/16
HCV RNA Quant- undetected (3-7-16)
AST-16. ALT-30 (3-7-16)
AST-19. ALT-39 (3-21-16)
HCV RNA  Quant- undetected (3-21-16)
AST-17, ALT-38 (4-1-16)
HCV RNA- Undetected (4-1-16)

EOT-4-15-16
HCV  RNA- UNDETECTED
AST- 21  ALT- 42

4 wk EOT (5-13-16)
HCV- undetected
AST-17  ALT- 36

Offline gnatcatcher

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,372
Re: Took the step
« Reply #1 on: February 06, 2016, 07:07:17 am »
Welcome, J.R. Although Anthem used to approve only F3 and F4, as of the beginning of 2016 they now approve F0-F4. I took all required tests by May 15, and I received Anthem's approval letter in early July. Hordes of people were seeking Harvoni then; I understand from my hepatologist's nurse that the number of new patients has slowed considerably since then, so perhaps the interval from request to pills-in-hand is shorter now.

Best of luck with your treatment.

Gnatty
9/29/71 transfusions
HCV genotype 1a
7/09/15-9/30/15 Harvoni

Before treatment:
Viral Load 9,490,582
FibroScan 19.5 kPa [F4]
ALT 262
AST 217
ALP 183

Most recent:
VL still UNDETECTED (SVR 102)
FibroScan 7.6 kPa [F1-2]
ALT 15
AST 20
ALP 85

Offline Coach Mike

  • Member
  • Posts: 292
    • Affordable Hepatitis C Treatment
Re: Took the step
« Reply #2 on: February 06, 2016, 11:59:17 am »
Hi,
Never too soon to get well! Start the insurance ball rolling. You might want to look at Dr. James Freeman's REDEMPTION clinical trial. No placebos. If you've been lurking about here, you have probably read about it. There is a topic covering the trial.
The insurance will probably cover your 8 week tx, but you might have to take it to the external review. We are talking months here, not weeks. I would also go with 12 weeks. Three percent is not much unless you are one of the three.
Good Luck!
CM
Genotype 1a, Biopsy:11/2014: F-1, Tx Naive
Fibrosure, 7/20/15: F-1-2
Pre tx v/l: 1,600,000, ALT: 75, AST: 48
Started generic sofosbuvir & ledipasvir: 10/23/15
4 wk labs: 11/19/15, ALT: 21, AST: 16, V/L:  UND
Started 8 week Harvoni tx: 11/20/15
8 wk labs, 12/15/15, ALT: 15, AST: 13, V/L: UND
4/11/16 12 week EOT-Undetected
7/5/16 SVR 24

Offline SIXFOOTFOUR

  • Member
  • Posts: 89
Re: Took the step
« Reply #3 on: February 10, 2016, 02:23:28 pm »
Congratulations on making the right choice to seek treatment!

I have Anthem Blue Cross, i did have F3-F-4 bridging fibrosis but I was approved first request, withing 2 weeks last year.

But because my insurance used Express Scripts they tried to substitute Vikera pak for Harvoni at the time. Express Scripts had a special price deal if they used Viekra as the treatment of choice.
My doctors fought it and after 1 denial from Express Script I was approved for Harvoni  through Express Scripts specialty pharmacy Accredo.
 
My xperience was easy did 12 week tx undetected from week 2 to 6months EOT. Very few side effects and for me nothing major.

Go fo it, it cant get easier than 1 pilla day for the duration.

Good luck
Sixfootfour
* Contracted Hep C 1971 post transfusion (non A - non
   B Hep dx in 1971)
* Dx as Hep C early 2000
* Geno 1b
* Stage 3-4 Fibrosis by Biopsy and FibroScan
* VL at start of TX > 6 mil
* ALT/AST High normal range at start of Tx 
* Started Harvoni 12 week course 3/6/15 -
   completion 5/29/15
* Undetected at 6 weeks on Tx
* ALT/AST Mid normal range at 6 week blood test
* Completed 12 weeks (84 pills) 6/28/15
* Undetected at 11 weeks & 6 months EOT

Offline J.R.

  • Member
  • Posts: 38
Re: Took the step
« Reply #4 on: February 10, 2016, 09:21:23 pm »
The (approval)wait is over.  Just received confirmation, pharmacy will be shipping my first Rx after Presidents Day. Very glad didnt have to fight for treatment through the appeals process and prolong the waiting.
Sixfootfour- My Rx is through CVS-Caremark and I knew they signed an exclusive for Harvoni. My doctor said that would help the process as we wouldnt have to fight as you did for Harvoni.

Now, I just hope I have little to no side effects during Tx.
Contracted-mid 80s
Diagnosed- 2008
Treatment Naive
AST-34 (01-16 test)
ALT- 71 (01-16 test)
VL-4.1 mil (01-16 test)
GT- 1a
Fibrosure-0.33 (F1-F2)
Harvoni tx start 2/20/16
HCV RNA Quant- undetected (3-7-16)
AST-16. ALT-30 (3-7-16)
AST-19. ALT-39 (3-21-16)
HCV RNA  Quant- undetected (3-21-16)
AST-17, ALT-38 (4-1-16)
HCV RNA- Undetected (4-1-16)

EOT-4-15-16
HCV  RNA- UNDETECTED
AST- 21  ALT- 42

4 wk EOT (5-13-16)
HCV- undetected
AST-17  ALT- 36

Offline Coach Mike

  • Member
  • Posts: 292
    • Affordable Hepatitis C Treatment
Re: Took the step
« Reply #5 on: February 10, 2016, 09:37:22 pm »
Good for you!
That will inspire others to go for what is rightfully theirs!
I have kept up with hundreds of people taking Harvoni. Most report only a dull headache the first few days. That's it.
Please consider sharing your experience at the Delphi link below. It is not just about generics. Its about affordable treatment. Getting insurance coverage definitely qualifies.
http://forums.delphiforums.com/generichcvtx
You are on your way!
CM
« Last Edit: February 10, 2016, 09:43:49 pm by Coach Mike »
Genotype 1a, Biopsy:11/2014: F-1, Tx Naive
Fibrosure, 7/20/15: F-1-2
Pre tx v/l: 1,600,000, ALT: 75, AST: 48
Started generic sofosbuvir & ledipasvir: 10/23/15
4 wk labs: 11/19/15, ALT: 21, AST: 16, V/L:  UND
Started 8 week Harvoni tx: 11/20/15
8 wk labs, 12/15/15, ALT: 15, AST: 13, V/L: UND
4/11/16 12 week EOT-Undetected
7/5/16 SVR 24

Offline SIXFOOTFOUR

  • Member
  • Posts: 89
Re: Took the step
« Reply #6 on: February 11, 2016, 09:30:02 am »
Congratulations JR !

Best of luck with your treatment. The single best advice I can share is hydrate, drink a lot of water during treatment, for many of us that reduced or eliminated most side effects of headache and/ or nausea which was all I really experienced. In fact during TX I thought I had over all more energy.

 
Sixfootfour
* Contracted Hep C 1971 post transfusion (non A - non
   B Hep dx in 1971)
* Dx as Hep C early 2000
* Geno 1b
* Stage 3-4 Fibrosis by Biopsy and FibroScan
* VL at start of TX > 6 mil
* ALT/AST High normal range at start of Tx 
* Started Harvoni 12 week course 3/6/15 -
   completion 5/29/15
* Undetected at 6 weeks on Tx
* ALT/AST Mid normal range at 6 week blood test
* Completed 12 weeks (84 pills) 6/28/15
* Undetected at 11 weeks & 6 months EOT

Offline Flaco

  • Member
  • Posts: 56
Re: Took the step
« Reply #7 on: February 12, 2016, 02:13:58 pm »
Wow! FOUR DAYS from application to approval? Very nice  ;D

Contacted my doc's nurse this morning and the fibroscan just came in yesterday. It indicates compensated cirrhosis (she didn't specify F1 - F4, but the tech who did the scan said F4(!)) and my doc is putting in for Harvoni 24 weeks for me. Your lack of wait time is encouraging.

Best of luck, J.R. May any/all your sidefx be of the positive sort.  8)
Best Regards,
Jack

Diag 2001
Failed PEG-int/Riba 2002, 48 wks.
2015-16:
F4 compensated
VL 14.7 million
GT 1A
Alkaline Phosphatase(37-127 U/L): 12/23/15 216; 1/14/16 152; 1/29/16 103; 3/18/16 68; 4/1/16 70
SGPT (ALT) (15-78 U/L) 12/23/15 862; 1/15/16 753; 1/29/16 518; 3/18/16 48; 4/1/16 28
SGOT (AST) (9-44 U/L) 12/23/15 283; 1/15/16 226; 1/29/16 165; 3/18/16 24; 4/1/16 19
Start Harv 24 wks. 3/4/16
Undetected 2 weeks into Tx
Liver&metabolic nos. steadily improving since start TX
EOT 8/18/16

Offline SIXFOOTFOUR

  • Member
  • Posts: 89
Re: Took the step
« Reply #8 on: February 12, 2016, 02:33:49 pm »
Hi Jon

You need to stay on your doctor and follow through to start treatment if you can get it approved.

F1-F3 is Fibrosis, F4 is cirrhosis. its important that you get clear dx and proper treatment. If you are F4 at whatever level you should easily qualify for TX. Early in the process last yr some companies were holding out if you did not have at least F3-F4 but that is changed

Good luck!
Sixfootfour
* Contracted Hep C 1971 post transfusion (non A - non
   B Hep dx in 1971)
* Dx as Hep C early 2000
* Geno 1b
* Stage 3-4 Fibrosis by Biopsy and FibroScan
* VL at start of TX > 6 mil
* ALT/AST High normal range at start of Tx 
* Started Harvoni 12 week course 3/6/15 -
   completion 5/29/15
* Undetected at 6 weeks on Tx
* ALT/AST Mid normal range at 6 week blood test
* Completed 12 weeks (84 pills) 6/28/15
* Undetected at 11 weeks & 6 months EOT

Offline Flaco

  • Member
  • Posts: 56
Re: Took the step
« Reply #9 on: February 12, 2016, 02:46:21 pm »
Thank for clearing that up for me, 6'4. Bad luck that it's F4, but at least I know now.

I shall stay on my doc until I have pills to take. That nurse is going to get sick of me  ;)

Many thanks
Best Regards,
Jack

Diag 2001
Failed PEG-int/Riba 2002, 48 wks.
2015-16:
F4 compensated
VL 14.7 million
GT 1A
Alkaline Phosphatase(37-127 U/L): 12/23/15 216; 1/14/16 152; 1/29/16 103; 3/18/16 68; 4/1/16 70
SGPT (ALT) (15-78 U/L) 12/23/15 862; 1/15/16 753; 1/29/16 518; 3/18/16 48; 4/1/16 28
SGOT (AST) (9-44 U/L) 12/23/15 283; 1/15/16 226; 1/29/16 165; 3/18/16 24; 4/1/16 19
Start Harv 24 wks. 3/4/16
Undetected 2 weeks into Tx
Liver&metabolic nos. steadily improving since start TX
EOT 8/18/16

Offline SIXFOOTFOUR

  • Member
  • Posts: 89
Re: Took the step
« Reply #10 on: February 12, 2016, 06:26:24 pm »
Jon
Just stay on your doctor to get you the meds.  Liver can repair a lot of damage get that HepC undetected ASAP

Best of luck
Sixfootfour
* Contracted Hep C 1971 post transfusion (non A - non
   B Hep dx in 1971)
* Dx as Hep C early 2000
* Geno 1b
* Stage 3-4 Fibrosis by Biopsy and FibroScan
* VL at start of TX > 6 mil
* ALT/AST High normal range at start of Tx 
* Started Harvoni 12 week course 3/6/15 -
   completion 5/29/15
* Undetected at 6 weeks on Tx
* ALT/AST Mid normal range at 6 week blood test
* Completed 12 weeks (84 pills) 6/28/15
* Undetected at 11 weeks & 6 months EOT

Offline Flaco

  • Member
  • Posts: 56
Re: Took the step
« Reply #11 on: February 12, 2016, 08:42:53 pm »
Yessir I will, and thanks a bunch.
Best Regards,
Jack

Diag 2001
Failed PEG-int/Riba 2002, 48 wks.
2015-16:
F4 compensated
VL 14.7 million
GT 1A
Alkaline Phosphatase(37-127 U/L): 12/23/15 216; 1/14/16 152; 1/29/16 103; 3/18/16 68; 4/1/16 70
SGPT (ALT) (15-78 U/L) 12/23/15 862; 1/15/16 753; 1/29/16 518; 3/18/16 48; 4/1/16 28
SGOT (AST) (9-44 U/L) 12/23/15 283; 1/15/16 226; 1/29/16 165; 3/18/16 24; 4/1/16 19
Start Harv 24 wks. 3/4/16
Undetected 2 weeks into Tx
Liver&metabolic nos. steadily improving since start TX
EOT 8/18/16

Offline J.R.

  • Member
  • Posts: 38
Re: Took the step
« Reply #12 on: February 13, 2016, 12:46:17 am »
Flaco- actually it was 9 days.  He had to wait for the lab work before submitting the papework.  He originally told me it would take about 3-4 weeks. I never called insurance or doctor.  Needless to say I was pleasantly surprised how fast it was expedited.  When I got home and a VM to call. I thought for sure it was a denial since I wasnt a  F3-F4. 
Contracted-mid 80s
Diagnosed- 2008
Treatment Naive
AST-34 (01-16 test)
ALT- 71 (01-16 test)
VL-4.1 mil (01-16 test)
GT- 1a
Fibrosure-0.33 (F1-F2)
Harvoni tx start 2/20/16
HCV RNA Quant- undetected (3-7-16)
AST-16. ALT-30 (3-7-16)
AST-19. ALT-39 (3-21-16)
HCV RNA  Quant- undetected (3-21-16)
AST-17, ALT-38 (4-1-16)
HCV RNA- Undetected (4-1-16)

EOT-4-15-16
HCV  RNA- UNDETECTED
AST- 21  ALT- 42

4 wk EOT (5-13-16)
HCV- undetected
AST-17  ALT- 36

Offline J.R.

  • Member
  • Posts: 38
Re: Took the step
« Reply #13 on: February 13, 2016, 12:49:54 am »
Flaco- actually it was 9 days.  He had to wait for the lab work before submitting the papework.  He originally told me it would take about 3-4 weeks. I never called insurance or doctor.  Needless to say I was pleasantly surprised how fast it was expedited.  When I got home and a VM to call. I thought for sure it was a denial since I wasnt a  F3-F4. 
Contracted-mid 80s
Diagnosed- 2008
Treatment Naive
AST-34 (01-16 test)
ALT- 71 (01-16 test)
VL-4.1 mil (01-16 test)
GT- 1a
Fibrosure-0.33 (F1-F2)
Harvoni tx start 2/20/16
HCV RNA Quant- undetected (3-7-16)
AST-16. ALT-30 (3-7-16)
AST-19. ALT-39 (3-21-16)
HCV RNA  Quant- undetected (3-21-16)
AST-17, ALT-38 (4-1-16)
HCV RNA- Undetected (4-1-16)

EOT-4-15-16
HCV  RNA- UNDETECTED
AST- 21  ALT- 42

4 wk EOT (5-13-16)
HCV- undetected
AST-17  ALT- 36

Offline BillT

  • Member
  • Posts: 573
Re: Took the step
« Reply #14 on: February 13, 2016, 09:44:37 am »
Welcome to the cure train J.R.,I hope the treatment goes as easy for you as the approval process. 8)
Contracted 1973 Military
Diagnosed 1980
Pegintron treatment 2004 unsucessful
Genotype 1b
FibroScan 10 (F2)
Start Viekira 10.17.2015

AST 40 ALT 69
VL 440k
10.31.2015/Week 2 Labs : AST 14/ALT 17
No VL done
10.14.2015/Week 4 labs : AST 14/ALT 14
VL UNDETECTED!!!
12.11.2015/Week 8 Labs : AST 12/ALT 13
No VL done
01.05.2016/EOT labs : AST 15/ALT 13
VL UNDETECTED!!!

12 WEEK SRV:UN-BLOODY DETECTABLE !!!!!!!!

24 WEEK SVR:UNDETECTABLE!!!! Thank You God.

Fibroscan 6Mo. Post Treatment 7.15.2016-5.3(F1)

Offline FutureThinker

  • Member
  • Posts: 711
  • Onward and upward!
Re: Took the step
« Reply #15 on: February 13, 2016, 04:27:23 pm »
JR, you and I will be on similar paths, as I just found out I'm approved for Harvoni, too! I've been waiting a year, but at least this ball is going to start rolling.  Sounds like I will be getting my meds in 1-2 weeks.  Now the real fight begins! FT
Treatment naive
Likely contracted mid-70s
Diagnosed 1a, 2011
F1-2
Harvoni X 12 weeks, completed 5/17/16
Pre-treatment: VL 3 mil, AST 64, ALT 84
4 week labs: VL 30, AST 21, ALT 14
8 week labs: VL UD!!!, AST 22, ALT 16
12 week labs: VL UD, AST 23, ALT 14
2 wk EOT: VL UD
12 wk EOT: VL UD, AST 22, ALT 13 =  SVR 12! Yay! 
Last hep appointment: VL UD, AST 19, ALT 12 = SVR 39! I AM DONE!

Offline Philadelphia

  • Global Moderator
  • Member
  • Posts: 1,157
  • It only looks like I know what I'm doing
Re: Took the step
« Reply #16 on: February 13, 2016, 04:33:15 pm »
Congrats JR. Here's hoping treatment will be a cake walk for you. :)
CURED SVR24  Class of 2015
Wk 12 post EOT 30.11.15: ALT 14 AST 22 GGT 22 VL UND
Week 19 07.08.15: ALT 17 AST 23 GGT 25
Week 12 18.06.15: ALT 21 AST 23 GGT 28
Week 8 25.05.15: ALT 23 AST 27 GGT 30 VL UND
Week 4 20.04.14: ALT 30 AST 36 VL 40
Treatment start 23.03.15: ALT 137 AST 185 VL 342,600
Cirrhosis Child-Pugh A, Genotype 1a - Viekira Pak + riba 24 weeks
Total failure interferon/ribavirin/boceprovir Mar 2013
https://www.hepmag.com/blogger/grace-campbell

Offline J.R.

  • Member
  • Posts: 38
Re: Took the step
« Reply #17 on: February 14, 2016, 02:07:09 am »
Thanks all for the support.  This Tuesday is the expected delivery. The only other times I've felt this much anxiety, stress, and doubt was the birth of my kids and day I got married. I initially was going to wait another two weeks to start taking Harvoni (vacation) because of any potential side effects. But the more I read others stories here and other sites and how tolerable any side effects have been, the more I'm inclined to rethink starting ASAP.

Futurethinker-  Congrats! I've been waiting for some time too for a cure like this to come along. My GI told me since my diagnosis that I had time on my side since I wasnt showing any signs of Hep and no signs of damage. Well! Now my time has come!

Philadelphia- Thanks and hopefully its a smooth ride.  That was my second biggest fear next to getting approval from insurance
Contracted-mid 80s
Diagnosed- 2008
Treatment Naive
AST-34 (01-16 test)
ALT- 71 (01-16 test)
VL-4.1 mil (01-16 test)
GT- 1a
Fibrosure-0.33 (F1-F2)
Harvoni tx start 2/20/16
HCV RNA Quant- undetected (3-7-16)
AST-16. ALT-30 (3-7-16)
AST-19. ALT-39 (3-21-16)
HCV RNA  Quant- undetected (3-21-16)
AST-17, ALT-38 (4-1-16)
HCV RNA- Undetected (4-1-16)

EOT-4-15-16
HCV  RNA- UNDETECTED
AST- 21  ALT- 42

4 wk EOT (5-13-16)
HCV- undetected
AST-17  ALT- 36

Offline Philadelphia

  • Global Moderator
  • Member
  • Posts: 1,157
  • It only looks like I know what I'm doing
Re: Took the step
« Reply #18 on: February 14, 2016, 02:41:02 am »
The sooner you start the sooner you're cured. :)
CURED SVR24  Class of 2015
Wk 12 post EOT 30.11.15: ALT 14 AST 22 GGT 22 VL UND
Week 19 07.08.15: ALT 17 AST 23 GGT 25
Week 12 18.06.15: ALT 21 AST 23 GGT 28
Week 8 25.05.15: ALT 23 AST 27 GGT 30 VL UND
Week 4 20.04.14: ALT 30 AST 36 VL 40
Treatment start 23.03.15: ALT 137 AST 185 VL 342,600
Cirrhosis Child-Pugh A, Genotype 1a - Viekira Pak + riba 24 weeks
Total failure interferon/ribavirin/boceprovir Mar 2013
https://www.hepmag.com/blogger/grace-campbell

 


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