Just Completed Harvoni

[Wayward Son]

I've been poking round here for several months reading, it's time to post something.

I completed a 12 week Harvoni treatment at the end of July 2015. There were failed attempts at previous treatments.

I still have such fond memories of that Interferon and Ribavarin, which almost killed me but had no effect on the virus.

I was a typical non-responder Geno Type 1.

I just saw my Liver Specialist yesterday and got the news. Virus undetected.

I appear to be another Harvoni success story, assuming I am still undetectable at my next screening.  I was barely detectable at week 4 so the Doctor is very optimistic.

My story is, I was probably infected in the early 80's from IV Drug use. I finally got clean after 6 rehabs in 1995. I was diagnosed with Hep C 1 -2 years after my clean date.

I'm coming up on 20 years clean.

The last chapter of the book is closed. I probably no longer have Hepatitis C. It's over.

As I look back , Hep C was a non issue (for me) as I was never sick, my liver damage was actually minimal (given my history) and my Fibro Scans came back better as the Dr expected. The disease wouldn't have rented any space in my head if not for the constant medical monitoring and testing. It really didn’t affect my life a whole lot.

I am happy with my results and grateful that we have Harvoni as a treatment option, but in the bigger picture I have so much more to grateful for,

I found recovery. I am not a slave to the drugs any more, I have my life back. That to me still is the true miracle for me, the 2nd chance I was given at life. Harvoni was the cherry on top of the sundae.

Also FYI, side effects were minimal.

For those contemplating Harvoni, my advice is simple "Do It". To those just starting "It works."

Good luck to all

[gnatcatcher]

Wayward Son, congratulations -- not only for the great end-of-treatment result but even more for nearing your 20th anniversary of being drug-free. I hope you and your friends have a big celebration on that day.

The Wayward Son moniker seems a thing of the past. Now you, through your post, are pointing the Way to the Sun. You possess the attitude of gratitude, which has been shown to be the single best predictor of well-being: http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/beautiful-minds/which-character-strengths-are-most-predictive-of-well-being/

I hope you'll keep posting and encouraging others along the Hep C treatment journey. You're an excellent writer.

[Trish1]

Thank you wayward son and I concur with gnatcatcher!  You are a wonderful writer and your words resonate with my own life story!  Thank you for sharing and hoping we all achieve SVR12 and beyond!