Hepatitis Forums
Hepatitis C Main Forums => Considering Hepatitis C Treatment => Topic started by: CHAN0315 on March 09, 2015, 10:01:31 pm
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Hi all,
I'm about to start on Harvoni to treat my Hep C and I'm one of the lucky ones that got 12 weeks approved by my insurance, but I'm wondering if I should ask for the treatment time to be reduced.
I'm in my 20s, treatment naive, genotype 1B, F0-F1 fibrosis, ALT 60, AST 37, VL<2mil, and no other health issue. I'm the ideal candidate for the 8 weeks treatment, but my doctor insists on 12 weeks just because insurance approved it and he has never treated anyone on the drug.
I have a few reasons to not wanting the whole 12 weeks. Harvoni still causes fatigue to almost everyone from what I read on here and my job demands at least 60 hours a week in the next month or two. The long term effects are still unknown. I am slightly uncomfortable with adding extra costs to our health system for no reason when so many are having issues getting the drug. Lastly, I don't like to pop pills unless I have to period!
I just want some advice on whether to talk to my doctor about this. Does anyone have luck on 8 weeks?
Thanks in advance. I thought about asking this for a long time as I may sound like an ungrateful brat given what most people on here have gone through, but I really want to know.
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8 week SVR rates are high, but 12 week SVR rates are higher. If you are approved for 12 weeks go for it. I bet you wont even feel like you are on medicine. I felt better on the Harvoni than I did without it and can work more efficiently. I work long hours as well.
If you fail treatment, there may be a chance that you could develop resistant virus that could limit the effectiveness of future treatment (this is unknown but suspected by the researchers at this point)
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8 week SVR rates are high, but 12 week SVR rates are higher. If you are approved for 12 weeks go for it. I bet you wont even feel like you are on medicine. I felt better on the Harvoni than I did without it and can work more efficiently. I work long hours as well.
If you fail treatment, there may be a chance that you could develop resistant virus that could limit the effectiveness of future treatment (this is unknown but suspected by the researchers at this point)
Charly, I just wanted to comment on your two points.
First, the trial SVR rates for the 8 wk treatment, for the group for which it is intended, are every bit as good as the rates for the 12 wk cohort.
Second, the whole resistance thing is rather problematic... For instance... All Harvoni relapsers showed NS5A resistance.. But so did a preponderance of the Harvoni SVR groups.. Hence, this resistance was considered a non deterministic factor as to treatment success.. .But nevertheless, the whole question of retreatment will be addressed in new trials designed to find the best course of Harvoni retreatment and duration. Until then, we really dont know much.. Interestingly, despite this, those failing Solvadi/Olysio treatments are being offered Harvoni, so that might be a positive sign for the ability to treat Harvoni relapsers with a new, revised course of Harvoni.
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Hi chan0315,
congrats on the treatment Harvoni, there are some who have difficulty getting the med Harvoni with a f1 score so, be happy u got approved, and which insurance do you have?
Also, I would not worry about the additional 4 weeks, the fact that you get to clear this virus is a HUGE deal, especially at 20 +yrs old, many of the older ones here are 60+and have suffered many yrs, so count your blessings.
At f4 I'm taking 12 weeks, and I have had the virus prolly since 76, I'm glad you got approved so soon, with so little damage and so young....
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Hi, I just got results for bloodwork, found out I am 1A. Thought I was going to be on Harvoni for 12 12 weeks. Got call had been approved for 8 weeks, would rather do 12. All I know is something about blood level being in the 900's. And fatty tissue around Liver, but not cirrous . Wondering if anyone else had only 8 week treatment. They said if Dr requires more weeks he just needs to get it approved for more.
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Hi Kimber and welcome and congrats on getting treatment!
Yes a significant number of people are treating for 8 weeks per the prescribing info sheet
"HARVONI for 8 weeks can be considered in treatment-naïve patients without cirrhosis who have pre-treatment HCV RNA less than 6 million IU/mL"
Even better they will allow your doctor to add the additional 4 weeks if they feel it is needed.
Results for patients like you have been great with just 8 weeks of treatment no worries you will be rid of Hep c in no time!
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Thank you so much for you reply, although I am still confused. Because I have not been treated befor, so the first part I understood that people have had success, w 8 weeks, but the 2nd part is what leaves me confused. I hope that makes sense. I have found this forum very helpful. My BF has HepC, akthough I do not knw what type, he had been treat - not sure how long he tried the old treatment, he couldn't take it a long time ago. Was befor I met him & am tryin to get him treated as well. I am worried about being reinfected, Dr said not to worry about that. He thinks I got my HepC from tattoos. Could be since I had tat's prior to meeting my BF. Ok, again thank you so much.
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Hi
The "second part" I guess you mean this
HARVONI for 8 weeks can be considered in treatment-naïve patients without cirrhosis who have pre-treatment HCV RNA less than 6 million IU/mL"
I copied that from the prescribing information sheet.
It just says that the doctor could use 8 weeks instead of 12 weeks if they think it is a good idea, for patients who are treatment naive (never tried to treat hep c before) who don't have very bad liver damage and scarring to the point of having liver cirrhosis, and the viral load test result is less than 6 million.
So if you have a HCV RNA by PCR test result that says your viral load is less than 6,000,000 IU/mL is what it would look like, if the result is less than that that would make treating for 8 weeks an option for your doctor to consider for you. Hope that helps a little to clear that up.
Hep c is not considered to be an STD in long term monogamous couples. There are many couples where one has hep c and the other does not.
Hopefully your boyfriend can get treated soon also to prevent any future injury to his liver from hep c and maybe allow his liver to heal if he has any damage and doesn't do anything to harm his liver in the future.
Good luck to you both!
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Lynn , :) thank you very much. The pharmst contacted me today, pretty much explained that I have a mild case. And pretty sure the info you mentioned is what she said as well. And we both agreed I was really lucky to have been approved for treatment and also a very low copay. I thanky you very much for your help.
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Hello Again, well thank goodness I am able to get appt for my BF w in a few weeks, so hopefully he will be treated soon . Since he has Hep C, but do not know exact type yet. But at least this will be a start for him since he's had this a while. I read about nausia from Harvoni, I was able to get a script for compazene, not sure if I spelled it correctly, am wondering if anyone has taken meds for nausia, if so, .... does someone take med for nausia befor takin. Harvoni since it is anticipated, or are people just waiting for nausia then takin medication for it. Pharmacst suggested food w harvoni, am wondering if yogurt /greek kind is my normal choice is enough to have on stomach. I'm sure everyone is different. But any suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you
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Well, I can't see any post other then the first 2 or 3. So if anyone has responded thankx, even though I can't see them. If I am able to have email, replies let me know somehow. Thank you Lynn, I only saw your post a few days ago. I just now took my first pill. 7 pm. Big orange pill, hard to swallow. Got my nausia med handy just incase.... pharmst said nausia might happen w in 30 min. Not sure.... what other people said, if anything ? ? I hope everybody is doing well nd feeling better. God Bless you All. Hopefully everyone is okay.
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Congrats on starting treatment. I am guessing no one has any issues with the pill re nausea that may be why no one responded. Taking the pill should get easier with practice
Good luck to you both
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Thank you
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Well, 2 days including tonight, took Harvoni, no upset stomach, just hard to swallow pill, other then that so far, no reactions. So thank you for very helpful info, am praying it stays this way. Prayers to everyone suffering from all forms of medical issues. God Bless Everyone.
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Ever seen the pill for joint help for us older folks glucosamine chondroitin? Makes Harvoni look like baby sized pills lol
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No, funny thing I haven't seen that pill Lynn, I thought a Motrin 800 was bigger then this though, I think the sharp edges are the problem of this flat,4 slanted side pill w pointy shape,diamond shape I think is what I'm finally thinkin is correct shape, is the problem for swallowing difficulty though. Wonderin if anyone has problem feelin like its still in throat no matter how much fluid I drink w it though. But thank goodness no stomach issues. Yeah.....