Hepatitis Forums
Hepatitis C Main Forums => On Hepatitis C Treatment => Topic started by: MariettaMechanicalMan on January 27, 2017, 12:57:51 am
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I got the message two weeks ago, I am hep c genotype 1a undetected! I am 19 years old and have been living with this virus for maybe 3-4 years as I used to be an IV heroin user after becoming an opiate addict after a serious sports injury. However, I have completely turned my life around and am on Suboxone maintenance therapy and Harvoni! I am starting my fifth week, and at just 2 weeks I had blood work done (actually only 13 days) and they say my hep c is undetected! I had been living with daily nausea, fatigue, frequent vomiting, and pains in my right side. I also had extreme anxiety and a little depression, however that all started when I had an extreme allergic reaction to Ribavirin in Moderiba while taking Viekira Pak back in July of 2016. And by extreme, I mean we are talking hemolytic anemia, rashes, jaundice, anxiety, depression, rage, horrible relentless nausea and vomiting, and other difficulty breathing. My gastrointerologist said it was the worst allergic reaction to ribavirin he has seen in his practice and the most rapid onset, normally they check you after 2 weeks on Moderiba, however I was jaundice and anemic after only half a week and in the ER after a week and a halfish. My doc also said that allergic reactions to that drug like that only happens in like 2% of patients so I won the lotto. Many of the symptoms the Moderiba allergic reaction such as nausea and anxiety persisted for months afterwards. This is probably why I qualified for Harvoni with relatively little liver damage, because I can not tolerate ribavirin whatsoever. Anyways my insurance company (BCBS of Texas, even though I live in GA) was trying to say yes the allergy to Moderiba is one of the qualifiers for Harvoni, however I also would need to have cirrhosis or require a liver transplant basically. How the hell does that make any sense? Wait until the patient is half dead and has a weak immune system, and less likely to fight off the virus and more money that we have to shell out to keep them alive anyways. I mean I just do not understand their logic, my doctor was so infuriated by my insurance company throughout the whole process. Anyways after like 10+ appeals I got my Harvoni, so anyone that is still waiting for their approval just hang in there! It may take a while but you will get there and it is so worth it to fight to have the right to modern medicine. I no longer have any nausea (some residual, however I have only puked twice since starting treatment and I used to puke 2-5 times a week average) so for me this was a miracle. Very happy to say that I am now Hepatitis C free and able to live just like any other normal college student now. Now I just have to get my girlfriend tested, even though I think there is very little of a chance of her testing positive we have been living together for a year and I just want to be safe. I guess after I get her negative test back (cross my fingers), then I am done with hearing about Hep C for the rest of my life 8) 8) 8) . Take it easy y'all, I pray that all of you out there that need it all get the medicine you need too and have similar results!
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Congratulations, MMM!
I love it when perseverance turns into a happy ending!
Thanks for your encouraging message.
Best wishes,
A.
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Congratulations! My viral response was as rapid as yours. Yesterday, I am undetectable. And, it isn't surprising how all those extras from the virus just creep up on a person, some so slow that it almost becomes a new "norm." Good work! You have a LIFE ahead of you, you were meant to be on this planet to do something important. Please keep us informed about your future viral load results!
HUGS
d63
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Congratulations on both your great results and your persistence. Onwards and upwards!