Hepatitis Forums
Hepatitis C Main Forums => On Hepatitis C Treatment => Topic started by: w_ink on June 25, 2015, 06:24:47 pm
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I was lucky enough to get one of AbbVie's Virkira-Pak vouchers through my doctor. My insurance co (Blue Shield of California) had denied both Harvoni and Viekira, determining I wasn't sick enough...ugh. I had to go off my estradiol patch, but the bucketload of hot flashes every day will be worth it if I can get rid of the HCV.
So far (1/2 day...heh), so good!
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Best of Luck to you. So far it's a piece of cake!
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Thanks, Phoenix!
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All the best! I'm 14 weeks into a 24 week program. Over half way! Stay the course, it's worth it.
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Good luck W_ink! I am into my 7th week of 12 on viekira pak and ribavirin. Virus Undetected at week 3! new blood work just in - AST 11 and ALT 7 - hemoglobin 12 . doc says it's all good! No really bad side effects at all. Stay with it!
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Philadelphia & DearPrudence,
Thanks so much for the words of encouragement! Today's my 7th day on the VPak and Riba. Eleven weeks to go. Mostly, I've been tired, and a bit of nausea the last two days, but I'm so glad we're able to have a treatment with such a good chance of getting rid of this virus. We'll beat this!
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Philadelphia & DearPrudence,
Thanks so much for the words of encouragement! Today's my 7th day on the VPak and Riba. Eleven weeks to go. Mostly, I've been tired, and a bit of nausea the last two days, but I'm so glad we're able to have a treatment with such a good chance of getting rid of this virus. We'll beat this!
sharing and encouraging and learning is what this forum is all about - I am so glad I found it - I know I am not going through this alone. Yes, we will beat this!
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End of week two with a few side effects from the ribavirin. Weakness and fatigue, especially walking up hills and stairs; a bit of nausea; lack of appetite. But overall, I'm really positive. Found out today my viral load at start of treatment was 18,100,000. It was 11,000,000 six months ago. I had my two week blood work done today, so I'll know in a week or so. Takes a while for the viral-load lab to go through. I'm hoping my numbers have dropped.
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w-inkj --- don't forget to drink plenty of water - hydration is key.
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Yah, I've been drinking more than 2 liters a day, more like 2.5. If I don't, I get more headachy.
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I had those sx with the drugs too. The first couple of weeks were the worst for me. Looking forward to hearing your results - they should give you a boost.
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Thanks, P. & P. I really appreaciate your support!
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Great news! Though my hemoglobin keeps falling (start=14.9-->week two=11.6-->week three=10.3), as does my RBC count (start=4.46-->week two=3.53-->week three=3.25), my viral load went wayyyyy down! I am psyched!
AT START: HCV RNA=18,188,000 IU/mL; HCV Log 10=7.260
2 WEEKS: HCV RNA=50 IU/mL; HCV Log 10=1.699
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I've said on the other thread but I'll say it again, congrats!
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Hi w_ink,
I think we will move together into the treatment,because i also start the treatment near in the beginning of july. Also the same like my results,and i'll say this was expected, RBC and hemoglobin to fall.
I've read somewhere that the statistics of Viekira Pak treathment show around 95 % success,this is wonderfull news,i hope no more interferon for the other generations.
I wish you good health and success!
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Thanks, Sven! Here's to a cure!
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Side question for you Wink. How is it going without the estradiol patch? LOL any relief yet from hot flash city? Would be nice to come out the other side all done with them.
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Hi, Sapphire,
Ha! I was hoping the same thing. My body's just not ready to give up the ghost. I have about 10 or 15 a day, which I can deal with. It's the ones at night that mess me up. Right before a flash, about 10-20 seconds, I get this prodromal sense of dread, like something awful has happened, even when I'm asleep. It wakes me up. I think, Oh no, something terrible is going down! Then I realize, Oh, it's another freaking flashzilla.
But mostly it's just another little side effect, a little nausea here, a little breathlessness here, a little inexplicable rage over there, a cough, a headache, itchies, some insomnia, but I don't care! Because my viral load is 50 and falling, and my liver is doing a little tap dance of appreciation. Oh, and bonus, my joint pains are diminishing!
Starting my second month tomorrow. One third done, two thirds to go!
Here's to getting great news on your 12-week labs! :D
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Hi w_ink,
Great news on your lab results. We're almost there!
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I am jumping for joy. Got my 8-week labs back. And this is what I've been waiting for:
Name Value Reference Range
Test Information:
Hepatitis C Quantitation HCV Not Detected IU/mL
HCV log10
So happy! Three more weeks to go till EoT!
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Terrific news W_ink! Not too much longer now!
After this, (my EOT is Sept. 7th) I intend to continue to baby my liver while it heals from 46 years of HCV attack. Can't wait to see how I feel once my RBC, hematocrit, and hemoglobin return to normal.
It will be interesting to see how we all feel without HCV and without side-effects!
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We finish on the same day ms nomoreC :)
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ms.momoreC & Philadelphia, I hope for all of us a sustained cure. I'm right behind you!
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Good luck to all of you coming down the home stretch! Can't wait to see your eot results!
I finished 8/2 and eot was virus undetected. Waiting for 12 week svr now.
WE WILL BEAT THIS!
Prudence
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Just wanted to say that I am almost 3 weeks in. Took a lab at two week mark and ALT and AST are 10 and 11. They were both in the 80s prior to starting treatment. I have geno 1a and am doing VP plus riba. Is this a good sign that it's working?
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LF98, Sounds good! Do you have any other lab results, like hemoglobin? Did they do a viral load count? Don't sweat it if they didn't. Everyone does labs differently. But your AST and ALT are great. Best advice I got when I started was to drink plenty of water and to take the pills in the middle of a meal, not before or after.