My In-Law took Harvoni and beat his Hep C in record time

[Bobbybaby]

But now two years later his body is just falling apart. Cancer etc.. I pause to consider this.

I just began Harvoni yesterday and pleased to take it versus giving myself interferon injections like I bravely did a decade ago.

But golly gee whiz if it somehow leaves you unable to have an immune system not good.

[KimInTheForest]

Interesting. I think many of us have wondered if there may be some permanent or long-term downside to the miracle of Harvoni that has, at least for now, given us back our lives. Did your in-law have problems during or post-treatment? Or did that part go well only to have these other health problems show up much later... in which case it could be unrelated. But we just don't know, do we?

kim

[BillT]

Hi Bobbybaby,welcome to the forum.I was on the interferon myself so I know what you mean.I realize these are new meds and information is still being collected on long term effects and it's going to take time.I just posted my thoughts on this very thing in the last day or 2.I'm not a doctor and this is just my opinion,so take it for what it's worth.I think what everyone has to remember is that other health problems are going to happen whether someone is on the treatment or not,life is going to happen whether we want it to or not.Just because we got rid of the Hep C doesn't mean that all of our other health problems are going to go away,or we won't get something else.Like I said this is all just my opinion but it's something I think needs to be considered.Good luck on the treatment and let us know how you're doing on it.

[Lynn K]

Hi Bobby

Sorry to hear about your dads health problems. Did he treat on a clinical trial? Harvoni was only approved for sale in the US 15 months ago.

If he was on a clinical trial are they doing follow up and has his condition been noted by the clinical trial doctors? This would be very important information for them to gather for all those who are now and those who will be taking these meds in the future.

Here is the contact information that comes with every Harvoni prescription on how to report adverse effects:

To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Gilead Sciences, Inc. at 1-800-GILEAD-5 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Best to you both
Lynn

[Bobbybaby]

Hi Lynn K,

Yes my in-law was able to start Harvoni early (a year ago) but not as clinical patient.
His melt-down did start, I now know, almost as soon as he completed Harvoni treatment successfully.

I am not perturbed, it is no doubt, just big bad life.

[Lynn K]

Ok was just wondering as you said it was 2 years later and Harvoni haven't been released yet. I started Harvoni 15 months ago just a month after it was approved.

Best to you both
Lynn

[Bobbybaby]

I apologize for being a bit sloppy with my dates in initial post. In-Law began therapy a year ago was quite pleased with Harvoni but since then he has had one health mis-hap after another. Cancer and others.

It took me some time to get tested and on board/approved. But now I am pleased. I chant a lot and feel protected.

[Else]

I'm sorry your in-law is having a rough go of it.    But whether his troubles are from Harvoni or decades-long HCV infection is anybody's guess.

It's a new medication and those come with inherent risks.  But it's hugely superior to the old medication regimen in both efficacy and side-effect profile.  I've never read anything anywhere that it comprises the immune system.

I'm glad you were able to get medication and that you feel safe.  Oh, and welcome! 

[Bobbybaby]

Else,

Well thank you for kind note. 3 days in and I have no side effects. When I was injecting belly with Interferon a decade ago I was jumpy and stressed. It was no fun.

I see many have kicked HCV out of their lives and am optimistic I too will win.

 

[BillT]

You're going to be fine Bobby.A lot of us did the interferon but the cure rate was only 30%.These new drugs and nothing compared to that and the cure is amazing.I may have missed it but how long is your treatment going to be?

[Bobbybaby]

Hi BillT,

It is scheduled and I have been approved for 12 weeks. But as I am working with Georgetown Doctors who are well regarded. I am sure if we need to extend they will get that approved.

So far and its early all approvals have been rapid. Delivery as well came quickly once I was approved. Its already my Day 5 on Harvoni.

More Later.

 

[BillT]

Good morning Bobby,
                              One thing I going to tell you is not to read too much into your early tests of the VL.I was on the Viekira but I've noticed with the Harvoni many see a drastic drop in the VL but still show a very low count.Don't be discouraged if it happens.There are some that even show it at EOT and go on to SVR.Harvoni is a funny drug in that way for some reason.You're going to get there.

[Bobbybaby]

Good Morning BillT,

I do have a question for you.

What happens if I have a job change? I've been approved for 12 weeks at $5 co-pay/month. Does that argue that I should not change jobs since my health plan is through my current employer.

I wonder if anyone can shed light on this.

[gnatcatcher]

Wow, good question! Changing jobs could be very expensive if you do it before your very last bottle of Harvoni has arrived. Seeing your earlier post, it sounds like you're thinking ahead to the possibility of needing more than 3 bottles, so I hope your current job isn't horrible.

I hope someone more knowledgeable will weigh in. For starters, with any new job you are considering, you need to find out as much as you possibly can about the health and prescription benefits, insurer's formulary, etc.

Gnatty

[Bobbybaby]

Gnatty,

Honestly from all the reading I've done I do think 3 months will be fine. But since I did relapse once before when using Interferon, I am willing to go extra mile with Harvoni. Of course.

Thanks for your kind interest. The employment issue will be something I can research if it comes to that.