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Author Topic: New Poster Here  (Read 12533 times)

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Offline Paddy-O

  • Member
  • Posts: 10
New Poster Here
« on: March 26, 2016, 02:27:32 pm »
    Hi folks...I am a 61 yr. old male from S. Ontario, Canada. I live in a city of around 400K. I mention this just because it does have some slight bearing on my situation with treatment. I have not had a family doctor in many years (well over a decade)...so when an old friend called me in mid-Oct.to tell me he was starting Harvoni, I knew it was time to get tested.
    We had partied together quite a bit, starting in our early twenties, and I have to assume that is where we both contacted Hep C. I imagine the infection took place sometime in the late 1970's-mid or late 80's.
    So in late Oct. I got my positive antibody result through a local clinic. This place deals with a lot of current drug-users as well, and they are quite good at what they do-very efficient, imho. Got my bloodwork back in early-Dec., I will list the results below. (Btw, I am Genotype 1a).
    I have private insurance through my union benefits; I have to pay the premiums cash-direct, since I took an early retirement at 53. So, through the efforts of Gilead/Momentum, the people at the clinic and my insurance administrators and underwriters, I have started on Harvoni four days ago.
    My liver is fortunately still in very good condition- I quit drinking about the time I retired, although I may occasionally imbibe, at most possibly one or two times a month.
    There is 95% coverage in my plan, for prescriptions, so originally, when I was prescribed a 12 week course, I figured it would have cost me $4500Can. roughly.
    But now, after seeing the doctor (who is head of infectious diseases at a large local hospital) I am only on an 8-week regime. And the deductible/co-pay has been picked up by Gilead.
    At one time, the doctor considered changing to Zepatier, but since it has only been approved in Canada since late January, my plan had never even heard of the Merck option yet. They are now aware of it, and will be checking out the clinical results.
       Anyway, everything is proceeding smoothly now, and I am doing the 8-week Harvoni course. I should be done somewhere in the latter part of May. I haven't confirmed for sure when my next blood tests will be.
    I would just like to thank everyone responsible for this forum-it has been quite helpful and informative. I have been reading up on here since October, finally decided to post today.
        AST - 32
        ALT - 31
        Total Bilirubin - 7
        Creatine - 61
        Albumin - 41
        Gamma Glutamyl - <10
        eGFR - 103
        Viral Load 5.77 (600,000)
« Last Edit: March 26, 2016, 02:39:45 pm by Paddy-O »
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Offline KimInTheForest

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,972
  • Believe in yourself
Re: New Poster Here
« Reply #1 on: March 26, 2016, 04:06:57 pm »
Welcome to the forums, Paddy-O, and to the Harvoni journey! That's great that you have started. And 8 weeks should cure you, given your low viral load and no previous treatment history. May your journey be smooth. Feel free to post any questions as you go along. :)

kim
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Kim Goldberg (Nanaimo, BC)
1970s: Contracted HCV (genotype 3a)
2015: Cured with Harvoni + ribavirin (12 weeks)
MY STORY: https://pigsquash.wordpress.com/2016/01/28/undetectable-my-hep-c-story/

Offline lporterrn

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,969
  • LucindaPorterRN
    • LucindaPorterRN
Re: New Poster Here
« Reply #2 on: March 26, 2016, 04:41:06 pm »
Welcome Paddy-O - Hope we'll be celebrating your success down the road.
Logged
Lucinda Porter, RN
1988 Contracted HCV
1997 Interferon nonresponder
2003 PEG + ribavirin responder-relapser
2013 Cured (Harvoni + ribavirin clinical trial)
https://www.hepmag.com/blogger/lucindakporter

Offline beto

  • Member
  • Posts: 548
  • "no risk it, no biscuit"
Re: New Poster Here
« Reply #3 on: March 26, 2016, 04:51:28 pm »
Hey Paddy-o

I posted a recent study of Harvoni 6 weeks duration.  The study found that everyone with a low viral load reached SVR 12.  Low was considered below 3 mil...which I always thought was high.  Back when I started I would have given different info on this subject.  I have seen 2 week labs on this forum undetected or a super low number (of course there is no way to verify that kind of information as lovely as this forum is).

Happy trails my friend
Logged
HCV/nonA,nonB acute phase 1975
HCV detected active 1990
HCV persistent chronic diagnosis 1995
1995 liver enzymes mild elevations
1996 Biopsy F2 fibrosis
treatment naive geno 1-A
2000-to early 2015 Viral load 150, 000 to 800, 000
recent liver enzymes before treatment alt/ast 59to209,  Fibroscan F4,cirrhosis
start tx Harvoni 7/11/2015
6.5 week-UD-ast/alt 25/25
9wk-UD-ast18 alt23
10/3/15 completed tx
11/5/15 new fibroscan f0-f1 amazed
6wk EOT UD ast/alt 20/20
12EOT-UD-ast/alt19/21
25wk-SVR! 19/18

Offline Philadelphia

  • Global Moderator
  • Member
  • Posts: 1,157
  • It only looks like I know what I'm doing
Re: New Poster Here
« Reply #4 on: March 26, 2016, 05:11:23 pm »
Ah, Canada. My second favourite country in the world (apart from Australia, where I live). All the best for a smooth and successful treatment. :)
Logged
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 brie41

  • Member
  • Posts: 191
Re: New Poster Here
« Reply #5 on: March 26, 2016, 06:16:51 pm »
Hi Paddy-O,

  Welcome!  Sounds like you are doing great.  I am only 11 days in myself so just a bit ahead of you.  Day by day is all we can do!   Brie
Logged
Diagnosed  HCV, 1A 2006
Viral load 6 million
Ast/Alt always in the 20's
F0-F1, never changed
Treatment naive, started 8 week Harvoni 3/15/16
4 and 8 week labs undetected
6 week eot labs undetected
13 week eot UNDETECTED!

Offline FutureThinker

  • Member
  • Posts: 711
  • Onward and upward!
Re: New Poster Here
« Reply #6 on: March 28, 2016, 08:46:42 pm »
Hey Paddy-O and welcome aboard the Harvoni Train! I took pill #34 today for a 12-week course.  It has been pretty much an uneventful journey thus far. I called Gilead last week for a medical question, but while I had them on the phone I inquired as to this wonderful $23,000 Gilead "coupon" that puts my co-pay here in the US at just $5. All the woman could tell me is that yes, they do that, but I am curious as to how they came up with $23,000 (never had a coupon like that before!) and why they are doing it. I'm just curious, & very, very grateful for it for sure.

Anyone know the answer to the coupon question? Again, welcome aboard! FT
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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 J.R.

  • Member
  • Posts: 38
Re: New Poster Here
« Reply #7 on: March 28, 2016, 11:47:36 pm »
Welcome, Paddy-O.  Hopefully, your journey will be uneventful as a few of us are experiencing. Just finishing week 5 of 8. My GI has been asking for blood tests every two weeks.  Test results in sig line.
« Last Edit: March 28, 2016, 11:50:03 pm by J.R. »
Logged
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 Rosie13

  • Member
  • Posts: 297
Re: New Poster Here
« Reply #8 on: March 29, 2016, 01:14:05 am »
JR, welcome to the forum & your numbers are super good! Looks like Harvoni has killed all the dirty bastards & the rest of your tx is to "make sure"!!
Logged
Labs August 15,2015
Genotype 1b
AST 112 U/L
ALT 181 U/L
HCV 192,000 IU/mL
Fibroscan F2-3
Started Harvoni Sept. 5, 2015
4wk. labs Oct. 2,2015
AST 21 U/L
ALT 27 U/L
HCV UNDETECTED!!
8wk. labs Nov.5,2015
AST 16 U/L
ALT 19 U/L
HCV UNDETECTED!!
12 wks.post tx.feb.11,2016
UNDETECTED!!!
24 wks. post tx. may 16,2016
UNDETECTED Fibroscan  F-0!!!!!

Offline Paddy-O

  • Member
  • Posts: 10
Re: New Poster Here
« Reply #9 on: April 11, 2016, 02:38:55 am »
Well, 9 more doses and I'll be halfway throughout the 8 week regime. I'm confidently hoping my test #'s at 4 weeks look as good as everybody"s outcome above. I do get a little sleepy around suppertime since I started the Harvoni, and I still have not-too-bad headaches most days-but I've had those for a while before. My sleep patterns aren't quite as good, since I have to get rid of all that extra water/juice a couple times a night- so that could explain why I like to lay down late afternoons too.
 I do think my mental acuity is improving in the last three or four days, as well as short-term memory. Just going to keep with the program-- pill at noon every day for another 37 days, and get rid of these rotten bugs that have been like an illegal squatter in my body for these last decades. Thanks to all you good people for the info and support. I'll check back in a week and two days.
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Offline Rosie13

  • Member
  • Posts: 297
Re: New Poster Here
« Reply #10 on: April 11, 2016, 12:49:58 pm »
Hi Paddy-O! You are truckin along ! I had an 8 week regimen too & glad you are doing well with the Harvoni. Yes, those trips to the bathroom can get tedious! I picture the renewal each day ...the virus is most likely killed off & the rest of the pills are your insurance. Keep your spirits up & stay busy. It's amazing the stuff I did while on  treatment. I was a work horse & it paid off with my yard & pets & volunteering. The time will elapse as we have all experienced & the nerves calm down too! The forum was my lifeline & I am glad to hear that others are finding out how healing that can be .
Logged
Labs August 15,2015
Genotype 1b
AST 112 U/L
ALT 181 U/L
HCV 192,000 IU/mL
Fibroscan F2-3
Started Harvoni Sept. 5, 2015
4wk. labs Oct. 2,2015
AST 21 U/L
ALT 27 U/L
HCV UNDETECTED!!
8wk. labs Nov.5,2015
AST 16 U/L
ALT 19 U/L
HCV UNDETECTED!!
12 wks.post tx.feb.11,2016
UNDETECTED!!!
24 wks. post tx. may 16,2016
UNDETECTED Fibroscan  F-0!!!!!

Offline AussieRosa

  • Member
  • Posts: 226
Re: New Poster Here
« Reply #11 on: April 11, 2016, 08:48:58 pm »
Best of luck with your treatment, Paddy. I sure can relate to those nightime trips to the bathroom!
Logged
Gt 1a
contracted 1983
Fibroscan 6.1
Treatment naive
VL 2.97M
ALT 38
AST 47
Started Viekira Pak + Ribavirin Tues 19th Jan 2016
Week 4: VL Undetected!
March 5th Ribavirin dose reduction to 800mg from 1000mg
EOT April 11th 2016. VL Not Detected
12 Weeks post EOT: SVR12. Cured with a capital C!!
6 months post EOT: Undetected :-)

Offline Paddy-O

  • Member
  • Posts: 10
Re: New Poster Here
« Reply #12 on: April 23, 2016, 11:09:27 pm »
Yeah, went and got my next four weeks worth last Wed. Gave two vials of blood to have the viral load checked.Should be getting the results on April 4 at the latest-hoping they come in earlier though.
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Offline Paddy-O

  • Member
  • Posts: 10
Re: New Poster Here
« Reply #13 on: May 06, 2016, 04:19:50 pm »
Hi folks....well got my viral load results on Wed. and they are good-- "undetected"!!! woohoo :) I still have 12 pills left to take, and my Hep A & B vaccine boosters still to do.
Sorry,I haven't been able to post much, due to other life and health issues for my girlfriend and myself. But I will definitely be back when my post-treatment bloodwork gets back- and posting my SVR (as I am confident I'll be doing in a few months, Lord willing.).
Just want to say thank you to everyone on here who offered supportive words, thoughts, advice and info, etc.- I wish for everyone else on here success with their treatment, and a smooth ride on the journey to their cure. The people at the clinic, and those working for the Gilead Momentum group as well as the admin at my union health benefit, who were also great. Take care my new friends.
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Offline KimInTheForest

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,972
  • Believe in yourself
Re: New Poster Here
« Reply #14 on: May 06, 2016, 05:00:42 pm »
Congrats Paddy-O! You're in the homestretch now - and coming in a winner! :)

kim
Logged
Kim Goldberg (Nanaimo, BC)
1970s: Contracted HCV (genotype 3a)
2015: Cured with Harvoni + ribavirin (12 weeks)
MY STORY: https://pigsquash.wordpress.com/2016/01/28/undetectable-my-hep-c-story/

Offline brie41

  • Member
  • Posts: 191
Re: New Poster Here
« Reply #15 on: May 06, 2016, 06:59:42 pm »
Congrats Paddy-O!!!  Good for you!  Brie
Logged
Diagnosed  HCV, 1A 2006
Viral load 6 million
Ast/Alt always in the 20's
F0-F1, never changed
Treatment naive, started 8 week Harvoni 3/15/16
4 and 8 week labs undetected
6 week eot labs undetected
13 week eot UNDETECTED!

Offline FutureThinker

  • Member
  • Posts: 711
  • Onward and upward!
Re: New Poster Here
« Reply #16 on: May 06, 2016, 08:47:45 pm »
Paddy-O, thanks for sharing your news!! "Undetected" is SUCH a great feeling, isn't it??  Have a great weekend, FT
Logged
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 Paddy-O

  • Member
  • Posts: 10
Re: New Poster Here
« Reply #17 on: May 12, 2016, 03:45:28 pm »
Thanks so much people-I appreciate the support. Best wishes and prayers to all fellow travellers on the road to "undetected" and "SVR".
Logged

Offline Paddy-O

  • Member
  • Posts: 10
Re: New Poster Here
« Reply #18 on: September 08, 2016, 01:45:27 am »
Well, got my final bloodworm on Aug.30. Virus undetected. I just want to thank everyone who responded to my posts for the support. I was quite lucky, had a good team at the clinic and as well Momentum from Gilead and my health benefits providers were also quite helpful and all Harvoni costs were covered. I had the eight-week course and only experienced occasional headaches and some tiredness.
I would like to wish everyone else on this forum the best of luck on their journey to all clear. If you are having problems getting treatment I hope and pray for a good outcome for you. God bless you all.
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