Hepatitis Forums
Hepatitis C Main Forums => I Just Tested Positive for Hepatitis C => Topic started by: andrew856 on May 19, 2016, 01:23:50 pm
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Well i just tested positive for hep c. About four to five years ago i found out in rehab i had hep and started treatment when i got out. my doctor gave me Interfearon and victrellis and ribovirin (sorry about spelling) i did them for a year and the last for months of that year seemed to had eliminated the virus from my body. However, that was while i was on my mothers insurance i have since lost her insurance but just this past January finally got my own and decided it was time to know if it had stayed gone...it didnt. Blood work came back and my viral look is 1 million and genotype 1b. i am extremely distraught as that year was without doubt the worst year of my life, interfearon is nasty stuff and i have no wish to repeat that year. my doctor refereed me to a specialist and have an appointment on June 2. My insurance is nothing like what my mothers was, it is through my employer but my deductible is 4,000 and my total out of pocket is 6,250 i simply cannot afford this but want to try these new meds and put this behind me once and for all. perhaps someone on here has some words of advice or can point me in the right direction. thank you all
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Hi Andrew and welcome. I am Andrew too!
You came to the right place and the new meds have mich less side effects and are much more effective then the old ones.
Like you, I was diagnosed in October with 1b with a viral load of 1.2 million. I was rejected for Harvoni but approved for Viekira Pack - which is 100% effective for 1b. Viekira has a program called Proceed which limits your out of pocket expensive - for many there ends up being no co-payments.....I know Harvoni has similar programs. Also, many folks here got generics from India for less than $1,000!
You have time on your side as Hep C is a slowly moving disease - from the sounds of it you don't have any sympoms....
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Good Morning Andrew,
I was just wondering how things were going? You saw the specialist and probably know more about your alternatives. If you are going to be treated be Harvoni you need to checkout SupportPath by Gilead. You may be able to get it for free. That medicine is expensive ~ $1300.00/pill and the insurance companies reject most applicants. I know because I went through two appeals during the times of treatment. You can have relapses. Especially if you have cirrhosis.
My words of advice is to not give up. You are your own best advocate. Fight hard. Once cured, you can put this behind you.
Fare well on your journey.
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Day 12 or harvoni!! My doctor said my approval was as easy as they come. As far has the deductible goes...I was approved and only have to pay five dollars a fill Gilead paid my entire out of pocket for the year! The treatment has been a breeze compared to interferon. It has been as good a start as possible considering the circumstances I just hope it ends as well.
Thanks for checking up.
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That is great news Andrew congrats!
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The medicine seems to work. Eat well. Exercise. Drink water. Stay away from stress as best you can.You should see your viral load fall after two weeks of treatment. Keep us informed.
Fare well on your journey to be free...