Hepatitis Forums
Hepatitis C Main Forums => I Just Tested Positive for Hepatitis C => Topic started by: andrew90 on September 12, 2016, 11:17:52 am
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Hello im a young healthy 25 year old and during a routine wellness check i tested positive for Hepatitis C im going to a Gastroenterologist Friday to speak with him and do further testing.
my main concern is insurance?. i no medications are expensive and im giving myself panic attacks worrying that they will not cover me because im young and fairly healthy as i can tell. ive never done IV drugs i have tattoos and used to MMA so im assuming somehow it was transferred that way.
i live in New Jersey
is this how it works? it seams these scary stories of denial online and its worrying me
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Hi Andrew,
Hang in there. There are many options available to those in need of treatment.
Take a step back, a deep breath and write some questions down to ask your GI, who should be able to answer them and provide you with treatment options.
We live in an age where Hep-C can be cured. That wasn't the case when I was dx'd, thus it didn't matter if you had insurance or not - a cure was well out of reach.
Best wishes, Mike
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New Jersey is one of the states that tends to have better than average insurance coverage for hep C treatment. When the time comes, if you run into any obstacles we'll give you tips and resources to help with the process. However, I suspect you won't run into glitches. Now is a good time to focus on building your health.
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Thanks guys after reading around the website a bit i am a little more relaxed.
https://www.amerihealthcaritasla.com/pdf/pharmacy/hep-c-treatment-guidelines.pdf
this is what my insurance states for Hep C treatment.
Page 3 seams to show you treatment summary for patients with no cirrhosis
seams my insurance will treat with Zepatier unless their is other circumstances.
im still worried about denial...you think i can call my insurance company and figure if they have specific Prior Authorization for the drug Zepatier example like... F score of 2 or higher?.
i don't see anything on the link i provided stating that but they do educate you on the scale.
Here are some results?
is this my viral load?
HCV RNA QUANT INTRP
DETECTED
HCV RNA PCR IU/mL 6415894 (iU)/mL
HCV RNA PCR, LOG 6.81 Log IU/mL
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Yes that is your viral load. The result reads as HCV RNA QUANT INTERP
Hepatitis C virus RNA Quantitative Interpretation
HCV RNA PCR
Hepatitis C virus RNA by polymerized chain reaction
and then the 2 scales IU/mL or Log scale IU/ML
The 2 numbers are the same quantity expresses in 2 different scales one just a normal counting scale the other is the same number but expressed on the logarithmic scale
Your viral load is 6,415,894 international units/milliliter or 6.81 log base 10 international units/milliliter.
While 6 million may sound like a lot we have many folks where with much higher viral load before treatment and just to add there is no relationship between viral load to severity of illness. One can have a high viral load (or for that matter ALT & AST levels) and have no liver damage or the reverse a low viral load and significant liver damage.
So dont let a 6 million viral load worry you it will soon be zero!
Have you been tested for genotype yet? Will your doctor be having a fibrosure blood test or a fibroscan test to see if you have any liver damage?
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My primary refered me to a Gastroentraaogist so I'm sure he will do the gene testing
I just got to make Friday come fast!
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my Fibrosure came back
(http://i63.tinypic.com/xku0w5.jpg)
my Genotype test should come back within in a few days still "too soon"
surprised its progressed to f2/3 already makes me wonder when i was infected.
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Hi Andrew90,
That appears to suggest moderate fibrosis with moderate to severe inflammation.
My numbers were about the same, though confirmed by a biopsy.
This should qualify you for treatment.
Best wishes, Mike
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Yeah I'm saddened by the extent but I'm happy that it's up there so treatment chance
is better with severity
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The good news is you don't have cirrhosis. Once are cured you have a great chance for your liver to return to good health
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The important thing is there is effective treatment. I was part of the PEG/weight-based Ribavirin clinical trials in 2000. This was state-of-art treatment at the time and I failed (had about a 25% chance of clearing the virus).
I was warehoused for 14 years and treated with SOL+INTF+RIBA in 2014 and cured in 12 weeks.
The inflammation waxes and wanes, and should subside. The inflammation can also be influenced by heavy alcohol consumption, and, if this is a factor, it can take about 90 days for alcohol-induced inflammation to settled down once you stop drinking. So stop drinking if you haven't yet.
An additional point: I never progressed beyond grade 2 fibrosis in 14 years. Another point is: You won't have to wait 14 years for effective treatment. It's here already!!!
Best wishes, Mike
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Finished my Full Abdomen ultrasound.
came back normal except for mild inflammation in spleen
still awaiting my results on the gene type.
October 26th is my visit to go over results and start treatment.
my doctor told me he will start Authorizations before my visit so could be a good visit!
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Sounds good, Andrew.
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Hi Andrew, welcome to the forum! I read all your posts & you seem to have a good handle on this now. The viral load goes up & down so like Mike & Lynn said....don't worry. This year you should be able to get approved quickly as lots has happened since last summer when I was trying to get approved. The treatment is nothing to worry over either. I read about so many people who had kids, went to school, worked full time ...impressive! I took Harvoni but based on your genotype the Gastro Dr. will put you on the most effective treatment for your type. I had hep C for about 40 years & only knew I had it for about 5 years waiting for the medications to become available. Glad you will not have to wait! Looking forward to lots of good news coming your way.
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My viral load was >23 million when I started 4 weeks ago. I won't be tested again until 12 week but my CBC's are normal for the first time in 40 years.
I was denied by insurance for 18 months, had to appeal four times. Looking at your numbers I would be surprised if you were denied. Hang in here.
Light and love!
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Thanks for being the voice of hope. Keep us posted!
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Just left gastroenterologist
Genotype 3A
Doctor typically uses Harvoni but since it won't work for my genotype I'll be his first Epclusa
Hopefully approval is a breeze
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Keep us in the loop - hoping to be celebrating your freedom from hep C at the end of your treatment!
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Approved Epclusa now just working with the specialty pharmacy to set delivery seams first Specialty pharmacy my insurance wont cover so had to jump around to another one.
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Fantastic!!!
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Andrew, Congrats on getting approved and living a long life with this behind you!! I'm starting my second week of treatment tomorrow as well as my husband. Let us know when you start :)
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Congrats Andrew! The hardest part is over... the bureaucracy! I'm hoping to follow your healing & Grateful Gmom & hubby too..so we can have a triple conga line very soon!
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Thanks Rosie!!
Update-4 weeks into Harvoni for both of us and undetected on our labs today!!! Ready for a subdued conga line dance!!
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EXCELLENT NEWS, GG!!!!!!!! Thanks for sharing, FT
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Grateful Gmom, this is just the start of the celebration! 4 weeks undetected is a good sign for the rest of your checkups. Oh Yeah!
Future thinker, you are clear too right? I am just so happy for you guys. This is the one year anniversary of my treatment . I finished right around Thanksgiving 2015. yesterday I had a screen guy working @ my house & he was telling me about his wife, a nurse, who got HepC from a medical mishap many years ago & he had no idea about me so I was just telling him that she has my thoughts & prayers for a successful tx. I was gathering numbers & organizations for her to call for help with copays etc. thinking about her in her first few days of treatment. so blessed.
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Hey Rosie13 -- HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!! What a great time for you!
Yes, I did reach SVR 12 back in August; am now 6 mos post-treatment and really starting to feel much better, more energy, just so grateful! Have 1 more visit in Feb. w/ my hepatologist for my last check-up. This is a journey that seems to take some time to fully feel the benefits for many of us. I guess patience is a virtue, right?
We all have a lot to be grateful for this Thanksgiving season. Take care, FT
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Woohoo just hit my 2 week 1 day mark :0
Feeling great
Congrats on defeating the demon
"Can you hear that music?"
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Thanks guys!!! It's odd to be typing this in a non detectable mindset, still hasn't sunk in!! For months it's been "well if this works, and what if, and wonder what"
Now, oh yes.....
I AM FREAKING NON DETECTABLE AFTER 4 WEEKS!!! Yes I'm shouting, lol
Seriously though, with my husband and I starting treatment exact same day and getting 4 week results same day, the roller coaster ride of emotion is now a smooth ride on the Harvoni train!! The aching is still prevalent throughout the day, but I say it's the meds blasting the blood clean in every nook and crannie.
Andrew, any idea on what your meds cost retail, just curious?
Thanks for the thumbs up everyone, so blessed, so grateful....