Hepatitis Forums

Hepatitis C Main Forums => I Just Tested Positive for Hepatitis C => Topic started by: Tristan on November 20, 2014, 09:18:50 pm

Title: Just received harvoni....
Post by: Tristan on November 20, 2014, 09:18:50 pm
Well I just received my harvoni in mail and am so grateful and so looking forward to this shot at clearing this disease. I contracted it in 94 and last year when I did fibrosure test and came back at 72, one number shy of cirrhosis I was floored. For a year now I've been waiting for sovaldi, originally was going to do sovaldi, interferon and ribo but doc had me hold off till now. I was so scared my insurance wouldn't pay, I have obamacare version of blue Sheild in CA and my doc put in for treatment and they ok'd. Originally my copay way gonna be 2000 a month but with the Giliad coupon it brought it down to 5 dollars. So grateful!!! My only worry now is that because my viral load is in the 4 million range I qualified and my doc only put in for 8 week treatment because she thought would have better chance at insurance excepting. As I said I am on verge of chirosis but am treatment niave, I just hope the 8 weeks is enough. Was wondering also if it can be extended if needed? Are dosages same on 8,12 and 24 week regimen? Cause if are I can't imagine why it couldn't be extended if needed. Anyway know I'm getting ahead of myself but for now am just incredibly fortunate and hope that everyone who needs can access it very soon. I have meds in front of my but won't start till mon when I see doc. Will let you know how it goes along way. Thanks for this forum being here!!!
Title: Re: Just received harvoni....
Post by: badbradley on November 20, 2014, 09:41:19 pm
Hey Tristan,
      Glad you got your Meds! I just finished S/O 12 wks. but I remember well sitting on those meds waiting for the green light - was more anxious to start treatment than I was waiting on key test results.
      I'm wondering if perhaps you should inquire further about length of treatment. Personally, given your liver condition, I would prefer to treat at least 12wks. if not longer. Being treatment naïve is in your favor. Something I would definitely check into further - sooner than later. Best to you on your treatment journey! 
                            Bad Brad
       
               
Title: Re: Just received harvoni....
Post by: BrightFuture on November 20, 2014, 09:44:36 pm
Great news, Tristan! I'm on day two of Harvoni and like you am grateful. I've taken our little Orange friends after breakfast. Dranks lots of water before and after, along with copious amounts during the day. Today i was less thirsty than yesterday. No headache or nauseaa (hoorray!), a little sleepy, but that may have to do more with my boring job... Good luck with the protocol and look forward to sharing our experiences and successes.

Be well,
Judy
Title: Re: Just received harvoni....
Post by: Tristan on November 20, 2014, 10:05:45 pm
Thanks!! Yeah I didn't say but Geno 1a , high 4mill, a hair short of cirhosis, white male age 41 with disease for 21 years. Yeah I feel a little scared and wish I got 12 weeks instead of 8. Wonder if I do clear if there's greater chance of relapse? You would think.
Title: Re: Just received harvoni....
Post by: bb23 on November 25, 2014, 02:31:30 pm
Well I just received my harvoni in mail and am so grateful and so looking forward to this shot at clearing this disease. I contracted it in 94 and last year when I did fibrosure test and came back at 72, one number shy of cirrhosis I was floored. For a year now I've been waiting for sovaldi, originally was going to do sovaldi, interferon and ribo but doc had me hold off till now. I was so scared my insurance wouldn't pay, I have obamacare version of blue Sheild in CA and my doc put in for treatment and they ok'd. Originally my copay way gonna be 2000 a month but with the Giliad coupon it brought it down to 5 dollars. So grateful!!! My only worry now is that because my viral load is in the 4 million range I qualified and my doc only put in for 8 week treatment because she thought would have better chance at insurance excepting. As I said I am on verge of chirosis but am treatment niave, I just hope the 8 weeks is enough. Was wondering also if it can be extended if needed? Are dosages same on 8,12 and 24 week regimen? Cause if are I can't imagine why it couldn't be extended if needed. Anyway know I'm getting ahead of myself but for now am just incredibly fortunate and hope that everyone who needs can access it very soon. I have meds in front of my but won't start till mon when I see doc. Will let you know how it goes along way. Thanks for this forum being here!!!
Tristan, I think you should be fine. I guess you are concerned cause you are so close to F4. Your viral load being bellow 6 million and being treatment naive are the reasons your doctor put you on 8 weeks. Also it makes sense why he also tried the 8 weeks for easier and quicker insurance approval. You should be undetected after a couple of weeks but obviously you want to achieve SVR 12 (cured) without relapse. That may be something to bring up to your doctor but I have a feeling you will be fine. I'm on 12 weeks due to F4 status and treatment naive. Good luck.
Title: Re: Just received harvoni....
Post by: hoping4thebest on November 25, 2014, 03:09:33 pm
 Congratulations your on the road to recovery Tristan. Your still a young man stay strong, it will be worth it.