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Author Topic: Harvoni started 9/28/15  (Read 11539 times)

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Offline Cindy1955

  • Member
  • Posts: 30
Harvoni started 9/28/15
« on: October 12, 2015, 10:56:58 am »
I have been living with this virus for somewhere between 40-45 years as I am not exactly sure where I contracted it.  Probably transfusion at 16 but when I gave birth to my first child, I was also given a blood product because I an O- and he is positive.  Looks like either one is suspect.  I found out about it in the early 90's while donating blood.  I have always been aware and have generally lived a clean lifestyle however, I have drank alcohol at times but not to crazy excess.  I have avoided most medication because I know they could be hard on the liver.  Even though I have never had symptoms or any illness that I could contribute to the Hep C, it is always on my mind.  Ready for the day when it is no longer a part of my thought process!!!!!

 Enough about the past. 

I wanted to report on my treatment so far, two weeks in.  It has been an easy path with minimal to no side effects.  Every day, I take my pill at 9 pm and have had no more than the usual trouble sleeping.  I have been able to maintain my normal exercise routine, weight training 3x per week, walk +/- 20 miles per week as well as a full time job.  I have noticed increased energy even though I did not feel that I had low energy before but...all of my closets are now cleaned out for winter  :D  Wonder what cabinets will be organized this week?
I have been drinking a lot of water, generally over 100 oz per day.  I know they tell you to drink water but I find that I am really thirsty and probably would have drank a lot of water anyway, just out of need.  My appetite has also been increased so I am happy the Harvoni must be working overtime in my body.
I am looking forward to my first blood test, I am anxious to see improvement in my numbers.
If you are considering treatment and are nervous, personally, I would say there is nothing but positive to be gained from this treatment and nothing to be scared of.  This is a great forum and there are many people here that can help you and answer questions about things that may be going on. 

Here is looking forward to the next 10 weeks.
Cindy
Logged
F/60
Diagnosed 1992 with non A-non B
Genotype 1A
Asymptomatic
Probably contracted blood transfusion 1972
Fibrosis score .54
Fibrosis Stage F2
Treatment naive
Harvoni started 9/28/2015
Begin: AST 55 ALT 66 VL 6,037,770
4 Week Lab: AST 26 ALT 28 VL-UND
8 Week Lab: AST 17 ALT 18 VL-UND

Offline Cal

  • Member
  • Posts: 957
  • Cal on Viekira Pak
Re: Harvoni started 9/28/15
« Reply #1 on: October 13, 2015, 06:41:20 pm »
Hi Cindy,
Welcome to the forum and to the journey to SVR.

I'm on viekira pak, 8 weeks in. So different tx but still the same journey. You are one of the lucky ones without too much impact on your life. Your exercise regime is enviable! Try to keep active and the time will fly past.

Hopefully some harvoni an swill post to you soon. Good luck. Cal :)
Logged
HCV 30 years. Geno 1A.
Veikira Pak with ribas on Compassionate Access.
Brisbane. Australia. began 21.8.15.
17 weeks.  Previous non responder 2011.
V/L 9 million
2 week V/L 54
12 weeks V/L UND
No 17 week  EOT V/L
EOT Post 4 weeks UND.

Offline Mary Jo

  • Member
  • Posts: 30
  • "If not you, then who? If not now, then when?"
Re: Harvoni started 9/28/15
« Reply #2 on: October 14, 2015, 07:46:38 pm »
I think I will be starting Harvoni in the next few days. I am looking forward to having a decent experience with it like you. I hope you are still doing well now? I can't figure out exactly how this forum works, but I bet I will....
Logged
54/F
Genotype 1A
Contracted 1984-ish
Diagnosed 2004-ish
Liver Core Biopsy 2011:
No cirrhosis, stage 2 fibrosis
Opted OUT of Ribavirin/Interferon treatment
Blood levels 2015: AST 187, ALT 223
HCV Quant 715,000

Offline Cal

  • Member
  • Posts: 957
  • Cal on Viekira Pak
Re: Harvoni started 9/28/15
« Reply #3 on: October 14, 2015, 08:13:30 pm »
Welcome Mary Jo,
See if you can start your own thread and put a profile signature in with all your info on it. I'm sure you'll get lots of information and support here. Cal :)
Logged
HCV 30 years. Geno 1A.
Veikira Pak with ribas on Compassionate Access.
Brisbane. Australia. began 21.8.15.
17 weeks.  Previous non responder 2011.
V/L 9 million
2 week V/L 54
12 weeks V/L UND
No 17 week  EOT V/L
EOT Post 4 weeks UND.

Offline Cindy1955

  • Member
  • Posts: 30
Re: Harvoni started 9/28/15
« Reply #4 on: October 14, 2015, 10:33:38 pm »
Welcome Mary Jo... Same middle name as me ;)
Hope your journey is as easy as mine so far.  You should do great. I think as far as I can tell most have minimal side effects.
We will see how the energy level lasts for me after 4 grandkids all weekend... We plan to go have fun on the zip line.
 I just took pill #17, time is going fast!

Drink lots of water!!!!! You will do great!!!

Cindy
Logged
F/60
Diagnosed 1992 with non A-non B
Genotype 1A
Asymptomatic
Probably contracted blood transfusion 1972
Fibrosis score .54
Fibrosis Stage F2
Treatment naive
Harvoni started 9/28/2015
Begin: AST 55 ALT 66 VL 6,037,770
4 Week Lab: AST 26 ALT 28 VL-UND
8 Week Lab: AST 17 ALT 18 VL-UND

Offline BillT

  • Member
  • Posts: 573
Re: Harvoni started 9/28/15
« Reply #5 on: October 17, 2015, 05:02:32 pm »
Hi Cindy and Mary Jo,I'm on the Vieira treatment but Cal has been a a blessing with information and support.I just started my treatment this morning and like everyone else here I'm ready to get rid of this for good.This is going to be a long 3 months but we do what we have to.GL
Logged
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 Cal

  • Member
  • Posts: 957
  • Cal on Viekira Pak
Re: Harvoni started 9/28/15
« Reply #6 on: October 17, 2015, 09:30:02 pm »
Bill,
You're a Viekirian!!!!!!!!!!!! Cal :)
Logged
HCV 30 years. Geno 1A.
Veikira Pak with ribas on Compassionate Access.
Brisbane. Australia. began 21.8.15.
17 weeks.  Previous non responder 2011.
V/L 9 million
2 week V/L 54
12 weeks V/L UND
No 17 week  EOT V/L
EOT Post 4 weeks UND.

Offline Mary Jo

  • Member
  • Posts: 30
  • "If not you, then who? If not now, then when?"
Re: Harvoni started 9/28/15
« Reply #7 on: October 17, 2015, 11:56:33 pm »
Quote from: Cal on October 14, 2015, 08:13:30 pm
Welcome Mary Jo,
See if you can start your own thread and put a profile signature in with all your info on it. I'm sure you'll get lots of information and support here. Cal :)

I wish I knew what you mean-- I would kind of like to do that. I waited for so long while it seemed no one was doing anything and then, suddenly, the call from the Harvoni/Support Path coordinator--- last week. Paperwork filed, 3 signatures and copy of '14 tax return-- APPROVED less than a week later! And meds in my hand! I will start Tue. night and I still have no idea how/why I qualified for this, especially after reading SO many stories of denial and bad luck. I almost feel guilty... 
Logged
54/F
Genotype 1A
Contracted 1984-ish
Diagnosed 2004-ish
Liver Core Biopsy 2011:
No cirrhosis, stage 2 fibrosis
Opted OUT of Ribavirin/Interferon treatment
Blood levels 2015: AST 187, ALT 223
HCV Quant 715,000

Offline slats1056

  • Member
  • Posts: 765
  • SVR to all and to all a good life!
Re: Harvoni started 9/28/15
« Reply #8 on: October 18, 2015, 12:16:56 am »
 Mary Jo, When You go to the On Hepatitis C Treatment forum look under the Welcome header line for New Topic and go from there. Good luck and Happy Trails to You.
Logged
73 non ab 98 hep c refused pegint/riba
6-15 Gen.1b 1/2 MIL ALT72 AST37 No cirrhosis
7-15  Harvoni 12 weeks
10-14-15 EOT VIRAL LOAD NON-DET  
12-30-15 EOT+12 VIRAL LOAD NON DET  SVR12            8-9-18 HCV LOAD 1.02IU/ml AST22  ALT30 RELAPSE?
9-18-18 confirmed gt 1b relapse
10-16-18 approved 16 weeks Mavyret

Offline Mary Jo

  • Member
  • Posts: 30
  • "If not you, then who? If not now, then when?"
Re: Harvoni started 9/28/15
« Reply #9 on: October 18, 2015, 01:00:08 am »
Thank you-- your figures look great. I do hope your end levels maintain. Looks promising :)
Logged
54/F
Genotype 1A
Contracted 1984-ish
Diagnosed 2004-ish
Liver Core Biopsy 2011:
No cirrhosis, stage 2 fibrosis
Opted OUT of Ribavirin/Interferon treatment
Blood levels 2015: AST 187, ALT 223
HCV Quant 715,000

Offline Else

  • Member
  • Posts: 523
  • Appeal, appeal, and appeal again!
Re: Harvoni started 9/28/15
« Reply #10 on: October 18, 2015, 01:23:32 pm »
Hi Mary Jo.  Be prepared to have your mind blown when you have your 4wk blood work done.  Harvoni is miraculous.  You'll watch those ALT & AST numbers take really take a nose dive.   :)  Your viral load too.  Congratulations on getting tx!
Logged
F/53 yr
diagnosed 1995
Genotype 1a
ALT: 58 AST: 39 ALK: 105
Viral load 4,201,950 IU/ml
Fibroscan 6.5 (F1-F2) Fibrosure 0.36 (F1-F2)
Treatment-naive
After 3 denials, finally approved!
Harvoni 12 wks - start date 9/15/15
4 wk labs 10/14/15
ALT: 12 AST: 16 ALK: 85
HCV Not Detected!!!
8 wk labs 11/10/15
ALT: 13  AST: 15  ALK: 77
12 wk (EOT!) labs 12/8/15
ALT: 11 AST: 15 ALK: 78
HCV Not Detected!!!
10wk posttx labs 2/11/16
ALT: 22 AST: 17 ALK: 61
HCV Not Detected!! SVR10!!!
SVR10 (99.7% Cured!!!)

Offline Mary Jo

  • Member
  • Posts: 30
  • "If not you, then who? If not now, then when?"
Re: Harvoni started 9/28/15
« Reply #11 on: October 18, 2015, 05:41:45 pm »
That's awesome-- looking forward to it. Since I'm only doing it for 8 weeks, we'll be finishing at about the same time. Keeping my eyes on the prize :)
Logged
54/F
Genotype 1A
Contracted 1984-ish
Diagnosed 2004-ish
Liver Core Biopsy 2011:
No cirrhosis, stage 2 fibrosis
Opted OUT of Ribavirin/Interferon treatment
Blood levels 2015: AST 187, ALT 223
HCV Quant 715,000

Offline Cal

  • Member
  • Posts: 957
  • Cal on Viekira Pak
Re: Harvoni started 9/28/15
« Reply #12 on: October 18, 2015, 10:49:04 pm »
Go Mary Jo. Cal 8)
Logged
HCV 30 years. Geno 1A.
Veikira Pak with ribas on Compassionate Access.
Brisbane. Australia. began 21.8.15.
17 weeks.  Previous non responder 2011.
V/L 9 million
2 week V/L 54
12 weeks V/L UND
No 17 week  EOT V/L
EOT Post 4 weeks UND.

Offline Mary Jo

  • Member
  • Posts: 30
  • "If not you, then who? If not now, then when?"
Re: Harvoni started 9/28/15
« Reply #13 on: October 19, 2015, 12:12:39 am »
Indeed! Thank you, Cal :)
Logged
54/F
Genotype 1A
Contracted 1984-ish
Diagnosed 2004-ish
Liver Core Biopsy 2011:
No cirrhosis, stage 2 fibrosis
Opted OUT of Ribavirin/Interferon treatment
Blood levels 2015: AST 187, ALT 223
HCV Quant 715,000

Offline slats1056

  • Member
  • Posts: 765
  • SVR to all and to all a good life!
Re: Harvoni started 9/28/15
« Reply #14 on: October 19, 2015, 10:16:00 am »
 Mary Jo,  Thanx, right back at Ya! Glad You got the posting thing figured out. Some times You get so used to doing it that You forget it's new to a lot of people.
  Keep on smiling & keep the Shiny Side Up!!!!!
Logged
73 non ab 98 hep c refused pegint/riba
6-15 Gen.1b 1/2 MIL ALT72 AST37 No cirrhosis
7-15  Harvoni 12 weeks
10-14-15 EOT VIRAL LOAD NON-DET  
12-30-15 EOT+12 VIRAL LOAD NON DET  SVR12            8-9-18 HCV LOAD 1.02IU/ml AST22  ALT30 RELAPSE?
9-18-18 confirmed gt 1b relapse
10-16-18 approved 16 weeks Mavyret

Offline Cindy1955

  • Member
  • Posts: 30
Re: Harvoni started 9/28/15
« Reply #15 on: October 30, 2015, 07:27:43 am »
One month update.
No side effects to speak of, all good there.
Called the doctor to give me the paperwork for my 4 week blood test.  Had the test on Monday, anxiously awaited the results.  On the drive down to pick them up on Thursday, I was anxious, nervous, excited.  All kinds of emotions on the way there, got there and there were NO test done that had ANYTHING to do with liver function or viral load.  WTH??? Why he ordered a hematology, CBC test, I have no clue.  Other than the fact that the doctor got me on the Harvoni, seriously think once my 3 months are over, I will find another doctor.  Sadly, have a stupid HMO and the doctors are limited.

Going to primary care doctor today to get another test done.  Hope they can get it right....

Hope to be able to post THOSE results next week.
Cindy
Logged
F/60
Diagnosed 1992 with non A-non B
Genotype 1A
Asymptomatic
Probably contracted blood transfusion 1972
Fibrosis score .54
Fibrosis Stage F2
Treatment naive
Harvoni started 9/28/2015
Begin: AST 55 ALT 66 VL 6,037,770
4 Week Lab: AST 26 ALT 28 VL-UND
8 Week Lab: AST 17 ALT 18 VL-UND

Offline gnatcatcher

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,372
Re: Harvoni started 9/28/15
« Reply #16 on: October 30, 2015, 07:56:26 am »
Cindy, including the CBC isn't odd (some of those things go awry in some people), but excluding the other tests certainly is peculiar. My hepatitis team knows its stuff; my 4-week labs included, in addition to a CBC, the basic metabolic panel (it's a good idea to fast for the previous 12 hours so that the serum glucose score is accurate), the hepatic function panel, and the HCV RNA by PCR (Viral Load). HTH, Gnatty
Logged
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 Cindy1955

  • Member
  • Posts: 30
Re: Harvoni started 9/28/15
« Reply #17 on: November 09, 2015, 12:37:24 pm »
HAPPY DANCE
Just got back from doctor where I FINALLY got my 4 week lab results.
VL=UND
I know every one of you can understand the relief that I felt seeing it on paper!
I am starting week 7 today and feeling awesome.  There have been no ill side effects, I have been able to keep up with my full time employment and 6 day per week exercise program.
Today, I am so excited, I want to dance in the street!! This truly is a blessing and miracle drug for so  many of us. 
Last "hurtle" is the delivery of the last bottle next week that causes much anxiety waiting on that big brown truck to get here... oh/and the cataract surgery next Tuesday but that should be no big deal. 


Cindy
Logged
F/60
Diagnosed 1992 with non A-non B
Genotype 1A
Asymptomatic
Probably contracted blood transfusion 1972
Fibrosis score .54
Fibrosis Stage F2
Treatment naive
Harvoni started 9/28/2015
Begin: AST 55 ALT 66 VL 6,037,770
4 Week Lab: AST 26 ALT 28 VL-UND
8 Week Lab: AST 17 ALT 18 VL-UND

Offline Else

  • Member
  • Posts: 523
  • Appeal, appeal, and appeal again!
Re: Harvoni started 9/28/15
« Reply #18 on: November 09, 2015, 12:57:59 pm »
Hooray Cindy!!!  Congratulations on your undetected status!   8)
Logged
F/53 yr
diagnosed 1995
Genotype 1a
ALT: 58 AST: 39 ALK: 105
Viral load 4,201,950 IU/ml
Fibroscan 6.5 (F1-F2) Fibrosure 0.36 (F1-F2)
Treatment-naive
After 3 denials, finally approved!
Harvoni 12 wks - start date 9/15/15
4 wk labs 10/14/15
ALT: 12 AST: 16 ALK: 85
HCV Not Detected!!!
8 wk labs 11/10/15
ALT: 13  AST: 15  ALK: 77
12 wk (EOT!) labs 12/8/15
ALT: 11 AST: 15 ALK: 78
HCV Not Detected!!!
10wk posttx labs 2/11/16
ALT: 22 AST: 17 ALK: 61
HCV Not Detected!! SVR10!!!
SVR10 (99.7% Cured!!!)

Offline gnatcatcher

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,372
Re: Harvoni started 9/28/15
« Reply #19 on: November 09, 2015, 01:52:50 pm »
Yeah, Cindy!
You're right about cataract surgery -- these days, it's no big deal.
UPS deliveries, on the other hand . . . .
Best wishes with both.

Gnatty
Logged
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 BillT

  • Member
  • Posts: 573
Re: Harvoni started 9/28/15
« Reply #20 on: November 10, 2015, 07:28:50 am »
I'm really happy for you Cindy.Another success story to go in the books.We're going to need a bigger library. :)
Logged
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 Cindy1955

  • Member
  • Posts: 30
Re: Harvoni started 9/28/15
« Reply #21 on: November 19, 2015, 03:37:47 pm »
Cataract surgery on Tuesday.  Think it went well but still blurry (they don't seem to be concerned) I however, would like to be seeing 20/20 but sure it will be fine.
The BIGGER news is that I just took delivery of my final bottle of Harvoni!!!!  Final countdown will start Monday.  Plan to go get my 8 week blood test sometime next week but so far, so good.
Feeling good 8)  No symptoms at all.  I think I feel pretty normal most of the time.  Maybe I should start a thread "define normal" :o   ::)

Happy day to all.  Attitude changes everything. 

Love this forum.  I don't post a lot as I am generally reading on my phone and it is just too  much trouble to try to post from the tiny screen but I do appreciate the help and support that so many of you offer.  Is awesome that no one is in the boat alone.

Cindy
Logged
F/60
Diagnosed 1992 with non A-non B
Genotype 1A
Asymptomatic
Probably contracted blood transfusion 1972
Fibrosis score .54
Fibrosis Stage F2
Treatment naive
Harvoni started 9/28/2015
Begin: AST 55 ALT 66 VL 6,037,770
4 Week Lab: AST 26 ALT 28 VL-UND
8 Week Lab: AST 17 ALT 18 VL-UND

Offline Cindy1955

  • Member
  • Posts: 30
Re: Harvoni started 9/28/15
« Reply #22 on: November 30, 2015, 12:51:21 pm »
Yipee!!!
Hope everyone had a great holiday and long weekend.

8 week blood test complete.  Everything is looking good, improvements in AST & ALT.

Feeling great!! Looking forward to Christmas holiday festivities.

Cindy
Logged
F/60
Diagnosed 1992 with non A-non B
Genotype 1A
Asymptomatic
Probably contracted blood transfusion 1972
Fibrosis score .54
Fibrosis Stage F2
Treatment naive
Harvoni started 9/28/2015
Begin: AST 55 ALT 66 VL 6,037,770
4 Week Lab: AST 26 ALT 28 VL-UND
8 Week Lab: AST 17 ALT 18 VL-UND

Offline KimInTheForest

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,972
  • Believe in yourself
Re: Harvoni started 9/28/15
« Reply #23 on: November 30, 2015, 12:57:02 pm »
Great news, Cindy! :)

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 gnatcatcher

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,372
Re: Harvoni started 9/28/15
« Reply #24 on: November 30, 2015, 02:44:32 pm »
Those are terrific numbers, Cindy. Happy Holidays!
Logged
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
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