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Hepatitis C Main Forums => On Hepatitis C Treatment => Topic started by: dan98584 on March 19, 2016, 10:45:22 pm

Title: Ribavirin Savaldi 24 weeks
Post by: dan98584 on March 19, 2016, 10:45:22 pm
Well after dangling on the end of other threads for a while , will start my own. Will be 7weeks into treatment on Monday. First bad news  my general MD called me yesterday to say I was slightly anemic and wanted to talk to me :-(
Title: Re: Ribavirin Savaldi 24 weeks
Post by: KimInTheForest on March 19, 2016, 10:58:03 pm
Hi Dan, and congrats on being 7 weeks into treatment! The anemia is to be expected with the ribavirin. If it becomes really serious, I am sure your doctor will reduce your ribavirin dose. Otherwise we just drag our anemic butts through to the end and then recover post-treatment.

best,
kim
Title: Re: Ribavirin Savaldi 24 weeks
Post by: AussieRosa on March 20, 2016, 02:55:24 am
Hi, Dan. My hgb dropped 15% in the first few weeks on Riba. It stayed that way for a little while then went back up to nearly normal on it's own. Just letting you know that it might not necessarily get any worse. All the best.
Title: Re: Ribavirin Savaldi 24 weeks
Post by: Philadelphia on March 20, 2016, 03:15:01 am
Positive notes: you've already done 7 weeks, you're only slightly anaemic, you're still upright warm and breathing.

My haemoglobin dropped from150 to 100 in the first month. I was riba reduced from week onwards.

You've got to be pretty darned anaemic to be taken off.

Good luck!
Title: Re: Ribavirin Savaldi 24 weeks
Post by: Gaj on March 20, 2016, 08:49:04 am
Hi Dan, as others say usually the drop in hgb is worst in the first few weeks so at 7 weeks you are probably okay. My general MD also got worried by my results initially but quickly read more on Riba effects while I was there and then didn't feel need to consult specialist. But he was able have to give some simple suggestions to help me with managing symptoms and recognising what to look out for and when I may need to seek advice.
Title: Re: Ribavirin Savaldi 24 weeks
Post by: dan98584 on March 20, 2016, 10:19:51 pm
thx for the encouragement. Hopefully no issue. Having surgery on Thursday. Gall bladder removal and a small hernia repair. So will be laid up for a bit 
Title: Re: Ribavirin Savaldi 24 weeks
Post by: dan98584 on April 20, 2016, 08:02:10 pm
Starting week 12 Monday. Insurance suddenly decides they need new authorization and documentation, playing phone tag for a week with them. meanwhile sitting here with enough pills to last thru Sunday night.  Grrr
Title: Re: Ribavirin Savaldi 24 weeks
Post by: dan98584 on April 23, 2016, 04:54:16 pm
pills arrived just in time gonna drop a note to my hep C doc and her medical assistant for helping me once more getting the Insurance peeps doing what they are supposed to do. Onward to week 13 of 24.
Title: Re: Ribavirin Savaldi 24 weeks
Post by: KimInTheForest on April 24, 2016, 12:49:41 pm
Glad that worked out, Dan! One stressor gone. Good luck with 2nd half of treatment.

kim
Title: Re: Ribavirin Savaldi 24 weeks
Post by: dan98584 on July 26, 2016, 09:22:48 pm
24 week treatment complete. No viral load detected. However blood count is abnormal this time. probable side effect from meds retest that in 4 weeks. Hip hip Hooray
Title: Re: Ribavirin Savaldi 24 weeks
Post by: KimInTheForest on July 26, 2016, 09:34:29 pm
24 week treatment complete. No viral load detected. However blood count is abnormal this time. probable side effect from meds retest that in 4 weeks. Hip hip Hooray

CONGRATS DAN !! Well done!

If your blood abnormality is just low hemoglobin and red blood cells from the ribavirin, I think most people find that returns to normal in 4 weeks or so. Mine didn't, but yours probably will.

Now go celebrate!
kim :)
Title: Re: Ribavirin Savaldi 24 weeks
Post by: Philadelphia on July 27, 2016, 06:45:38 am
Congrats on the SVR and I echo what Kim said. Let's us know how you get on.
Title: Re: Ribavirin Savaldi 24 weeks
Post by: dan98584 on November 02, 2016, 01:45:02 am
Congratulations Daniel...your final lab check shows continued undetectable Hepatitis C virus. No further testing is warranted at this point and time. Remember that you will always test positive for the Hepatitis C antibody and if there is ever a question about active virus, a viral load (test) is the way to confirm eradication.