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Author Topic: One Week on Harvoni //11 to go !  (Read 8790 times)

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Offline jag2455

  • Member
  • Posts: 12
One Week on Harvoni //11 to go !
« on: November 05, 2015, 11:24:09 am »
Today marks my 1st week on Harvoni and my only side effect is increased energy!

I was denied Harvoni by Express Scripts who wanted to treat me with Veikira Pak and Ribavirn.  In light of the recent FDA warnings we decided to not take the chance of causing additional damage and self-fund Harvoni;  Support Path offered a substantial Co-Pay coupon in the amount of $23,325 towards my 12 week treatment. If anyone hears about any other assistance please let me know as I have 2 additional months to fill Rx.

My children's father was successfully treated with Harvoni in 2013 while it was in clinical trial; we are the same Genotype 1,  I am hopeful!

Contracted Date (? -My Guess 1973)
Treatment Naive
Stage F-4
Ultrasound - No Cirrhosis

 
« Last Edit: November 05, 2015, 04:38:56 pm by jag2455 »
Logged
Contracted (Unknown)
GT 1b - Treatment Naive
9.21.15  Viral Load 975,000 / AST 236 ALT 144
Fibrosure F4 - Cirrhosis / Fibroscan - No Cirrhosis 
10.29.15 - Harvoni-Began 12 week Rx
11.30.15- 4 Wk Labs-UNDETECTABLE / AST 80 ALT 56
12.28.15 -8 Wk Labs-UNDETECTABLE/AST 65 ALT 37
4.29.16 - 6 Mo Check Up Labs Scheduled

Offline Else

  • Member
  • Posts: 523
  • Appeal, appeal, and appeal again!
Re: One Week on Harvoni //11 to go !
« Reply #1 on: November 05, 2015, 01:24:02 pm »
I'm glad you started.  My first week on Harvoni was the same!  :)

If I were you I would appeal immediately.  If denied, continue to appeal.  Yours would be a reimbursement insurance claim.  Make sure to reference the HCV guidelines  (http://www.hcvguidelines.org/full-report/when-and-whom-initiate-hcv-therapy) in your appeal.  This is guidance from the Infectious Diseases Society of America and The American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.

How were you staged at F4?  Fibroscan (not to be confused with an ultrasound), Fibrosure (blood test) or a liver biopsy?  My understanding is that a METAVIR score of F4 is cirrhosis.  Perhaps not decompensated cirrhosis depending on symptoms present, but cirrhosis never the less.  Given the FDA's toxicity warning as of Oct. 22nd, Viekira Pak was not a safe option for you.

Given that you have started treatment you can request that your appeal be expedited.  If you have insurance, this is not your bill to pay.

Ultimately, the Affordable Care Act guarantees you the right to a third-party review of your case.  If Express Scripts denial of services is overturned (which is likely) they have to reimburse you.
Logged
F/53 yr
diagnosed 1995
Genotype 1a
ALT: 58 AST: 39 ALK: 105
Viral load 4,201,950 IU/ml
Fibroscan 6.5 (F1-F2) Fibrosure 0.36 (F1-F2)
Treatment-naive
After 3 denials, finally approved!
Harvoni 12 wks - start date 9/15/15
4 wk labs 10/14/15
ALT: 12 AST: 16 ALK: 85
HCV Not Detected!!!
8 wk labs 11/10/15
ALT: 13  AST: 15  ALK: 77
12 wk (EOT!) labs 12/8/15
ALT: 11 AST: 15 ALK: 78
HCV Not Detected!!!
10wk posttx labs 2/11/16
ALT: 22 AST: 17 ALK: 61
HCV Not Detected!! SVR10!!!
SVR10 (99.7% Cured!!!)

Offline Shenny

  • Member
  • Posts: 4
Re: One Week on Harvoni //11 to go !
« Reply #2 on: November 05, 2015, 07:33:12 pm »
I must be the luckiest person in the world. I started the significant testing procedures ultrasounds, fiberscan, tox screens & blood work in late August. Within a month Medicare approved me and my copayment was completely paid for by a patient's assistance foundation. Harvoni 12week treatment began on October 2nd. 5 weeks in and 1st blood work was Undetected.

Appeal the insurance co decision. Are you going through a pharmacy? My pharm is SkyMed and they are bulldogs!!! They don't give up until they get an approval. Good luck. Let's slay the beast!!!!
Logged

Offline jag2455

  • Member
  • Posts: 12
Re: One Week on Harvoni //11 to go !
« Reply #3 on: November 05, 2015, 08:31:23 pm »
@Else  Thank you for the pep talk......I called Harvoni Support Path to help me file appeal only to find out my Dr. filed an Urgent Appeal on 11/2 and Express Scripts denied on 11/5.  I am only allowed ONE Urgent Appeal and have no other recourse except continue to self-fund.


@Shenny  I asked Express Scripts to allow me to pay the difference between Viekari Pak and Harvoni ($12,000), and their response "It doesn't work that way". So I chose to purchase through TLC Pharmacy.

At the end of the day, I am blessed and thankful to have options other than their greed interfering with my decision to treat with Harvoni. 

Thank you two for your support ;)
« Last Edit: November 05, 2015, 08:33:52 pm by jag2455 »
Logged
Contracted (Unknown)
GT 1b - Treatment Naive
9.21.15  Viral Load 975,000 / AST 236 ALT 144
Fibrosure F4 - Cirrhosis / Fibroscan - No Cirrhosis 
10.29.15 - Harvoni-Began 12 week Rx
11.30.15- 4 Wk Labs-UNDETECTABLE / AST 80 ALT 56
12.28.15 -8 Wk Labs-UNDETECTABLE/AST 65 ALT 37
4.29.16 - 6 Mo Check Up Labs Scheduled

Offline Coach Mike

  • Member
  • Posts: 292
    • Affordable Hepatitis C Treatment
Re: One Week on Harvoni //11 to go !
« Reply #4 on: November 06, 2015, 06:41:28 pm »
My insurance company said "we don't negotiate" when I asked for Harvoni approval at 100% copay...
mg
Logged
Genotype 1a, Biopsy:11/2014: F-1, Tx Naive
Fibrosure, 7/20/15: F-1-2
Pre tx v/l: 1,600,000, ALT: 75, AST: 48
Started generic sofosbuvir & ledipasvir: 10/23/15
4 wk labs: 11/19/15, ALT: 21, AST: 16, V/L:  UND
Started 8 week Harvoni tx: 11/20/15
8 wk labs, 12/15/15, ALT: 15, AST: 13, V/L: UND
4/11/16 12 week EOT-Undetected
7/5/16 SVR 24

Offline Coach Mike

  • Member
  • Posts: 292
    • Affordable Hepatitis C Treatment
Re: One Week on Harvoni //11 to go !
« Reply #5 on: November 07, 2015, 04:46:13 am »
Hey Jag,
How were you diagnosed F-4? Your post says ultrasound. Did you have a fibro sure, fibro scan or biopsy?
Mg
Logged
Genotype 1a, Biopsy:11/2014: F-1, Tx Naive
Fibrosure, 7/20/15: F-1-2
Pre tx v/l: 1,600,000, ALT: 75, AST: 48
Started generic sofosbuvir & ledipasvir: 10/23/15
4 wk labs: 11/19/15, ALT: 21, AST: 16, V/L:  UND
Started 8 week Harvoni tx: 11/20/15
8 wk labs, 12/15/15, ALT: 15, AST: 13, V/L: UND
4/11/16 12 week EOT-Undetected
7/5/16 SVR 24

Offline BillT

  • Member
  • Posts: 573
Re: One Week on Harvoni //11 to go !
« Reply #6 on: November 07, 2015, 08:43:39 am »
Hi Jag,
         I saw it the other day and thought I would pass it on to you.


http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2015/11/05/does-abbvies-viekira-pak-warning-land-express-scri.aspx
« Last Edit: November 07, 2015, 08:54:06 am by BillT »
Logged
Contracted 1973 Military
Diagnosed 1980
Pegintron treatment 2004 unsucessful
Genotype 1b
FibroScan 10 (F2)
Start Viekira 10.17.2015

AST 40 ALT 69
VL 440k
10.31.2015/Week 2 Labs : AST 14/ALT 17
No VL done
10.14.2015/Week 4 labs : AST 14/ALT 14
VL UNDETECTED!!!
12.11.2015/Week 8 Labs : AST 12/ALT 13
No VL done
01.05.2016/EOT labs : AST 15/ALT 13
VL UNDETECTED!!!

12 WEEK SRV:UN-BLOODY DETECTABLE !!!!!!!!

24 WEEK SVR:UNDETECTABLE!!!! Thank You God.

Fibroscan 6Mo. Post Treatment 7.15.2016-5.3(F1)

Offline jag2455

  • Member
  • Posts: 12
Re: One Week on Harvoni //11 to go !
« Reply #7 on: November 07, 2015, 09:34:35 am »
Thanks @BillT - I saw that and have set up Google alerts to receive all news related to my case; if Express Scripts relaxes their stance on Viekira I save $71,500!

Thankful nontheless, on day 10 // 12 week Harvoni & feel marvelous ❤️
Logged
Contracted (Unknown)
GT 1b - Treatment Naive
9.21.15  Viral Load 975,000 / AST 236 ALT 144
Fibrosure F4 - Cirrhosis / Fibroscan - No Cirrhosis 
10.29.15 - Harvoni-Began 12 week Rx
11.30.15- 4 Wk Labs-UNDETECTABLE / AST 80 ALT 56
12.28.15 -8 Wk Labs-UNDETECTABLE/AST 65 ALT 37
4.29.16 - 6 Mo Check Up Labs Scheduled

Offline BillT

  • Member
  • Posts: 573
Re: One Week on Harvoni //11 to go !
« Reply #8 on: November 07, 2015, 10:04:50 am »
All my stocks are in pharmaceuticals Jag.That's why I find these articles. 8) I started week 4 this morning so I'm anxious to see what my labs show at the end of the week.Congratulations on the 10 day point.It goes quick most of the time. :)
« Last Edit: November 07, 2015, 10:07:14 am by BillT »
Logged
Contracted 1973 Military
Diagnosed 1980
Pegintron treatment 2004 unsucessful
Genotype 1b
FibroScan 10 (F2)
Start Viekira 10.17.2015

AST 40 ALT 69
VL 440k
10.31.2015/Week 2 Labs : AST 14/ALT 17
No VL done
10.14.2015/Week 4 labs : AST 14/ALT 14
VL UNDETECTED!!!
12.11.2015/Week 8 Labs : AST 12/ALT 13
No VL done
01.05.2016/EOT labs : AST 15/ALT 13
VL UNDETECTED!!!

12 WEEK SRV:UN-BLOODY DETECTABLE !!!!!!!!

24 WEEK SVR:UNDETECTABLE!!!! Thank You God.

Fibroscan 6Mo. Post Treatment 7.15.2016-5.3(F1)

Offline Coach Mike

  • Member
  • Posts: 292
    • Affordable Hepatitis C Treatment
Re: One Week on Harvoni //11 to go !
« Reply #9 on: November 07, 2015, 10:24:56 am »
Congratulations Bill!
I am on dose 16 of my Mesochem sof & led. Great 4 week results for you. Can you tell any physical or mental difference between weeks 2 & 4? (A big no-brain question as far a stress goes....)
Mike
Logged
Genotype 1a, Biopsy:11/2014: F-1, Tx Naive
Fibrosure, 7/20/15: F-1-2
Pre tx v/l: 1,600,000, ALT: 75, AST: 48
Started generic sofosbuvir & ledipasvir: 10/23/15
4 wk labs: 11/19/15, ALT: 21, AST: 16, V/L:  UND
Started 8 week Harvoni tx: 11/20/15
8 wk labs, 12/15/15, ALT: 15, AST: 13, V/L: UND
4/11/16 12 week EOT-Undetected
7/5/16 SVR 24

Offline BillT

  • Member
  • Posts: 573
Re: One Week on Harvoni //11 to go !
« Reply #10 on: November 07, 2015, 10:31:53 am »
I'm cleaning the house right now Mike so I'm pretty sure it gave me more energy and drove me nuts. :o

To be serious I really have felt a difference.I'm getting off very light on the side effects but I do feel more energetic than I have in many years.I have had a bit of brain fog but that seems to be slowly lifting and I didn't really have that for long.I hope your results come out for you to.We're well into this now so I'm going to assume that if our side effects are limited this will be what we get from here out.Post your results when you get them.Cheers
« Last Edit: November 07, 2015, 10:38:55 am by BillT »
Logged
Contracted 1973 Military
Diagnosed 1980
Pegintron treatment 2004 unsucessful
Genotype 1b
FibroScan 10 (F2)
Start Viekira 10.17.2015

AST 40 ALT 69
VL 440k
10.31.2015/Week 2 Labs : AST 14/ALT 17
No VL done
10.14.2015/Week 4 labs : AST 14/ALT 14
VL UNDETECTED!!!
12.11.2015/Week 8 Labs : AST 12/ALT 13
No VL done
01.05.2016/EOT labs : AST 15/ALT 13
VL UNDETECTED!!!

12 WEEK SRV:UN-BLOODY DETECTABLE !!!!!!!!

24 WEEK SVR:UNDETECTABLE!!!! Thank You God.

Fibroscan 6Mo. Post Treatment 7.15.2016-5.3(F1)

Offline Coach Mike

  • Member
  • Posts: 292
    • Affordable Hepatitis C Treatment
Re: One Week on Harvoni //11 to go !
« Reply #11 on: November 07, 2015, 10:40:06 am »
Same here. I teach 9th graders, so going nuts is a short trip for me!
Come to Arkansas and clean my house when you finish...
Mike
Logged
Genotype 1a, Biopsy:11/2014: F-1, Tx Naive
Fibrosure, 7/20/15: F-1-2
Pre tx v/l: 1,600,000, ALT: 75, AST: 48
Started generic sofosbuvir & ledipasvir: 10/23/15
4 wk labs: 11/19/15, ALT: 21, AST: 16, V/L:  UND
Started 8 week Harvoni tx: 11/20/15
8 wk labs, 12/15/15, ALT: 15, AST: 13, V/L: UND
4/11/16 12 week EOT-Undetected
7/5/16 SVR 24

Offline BillT

  • Member
  • Posts: 573
Re: One Week on Harvoni //11 to go !
« Reply #12 on: November 07, 2015, 10:56:11 am »
Sometimes I think it's easier to bulldozer and rebuild Mike.lol
Logged
Contracted 1973 Military
Diagnosed 1980
Pegintron treatment 2004 unsucessful
Genotype 1b
FibroScan 10 (F2)
Start Viekira 10.17.2015

AST 40 ALT 69
VL 440k
10.31.2015/Week 2 Labs : AST 14/ALT 17
No VL done
10.14.2015/Week 4 labs : AST 14/ALT 14
VL UNDETECTED!!!
12.11.2015/Week 8 Labs : AST 12/ALT 13
No VL done
01.05.2016/EOT labs : AST 15/ALT 13
VL UNDETECTED!!!

12 WEEK SRV:UN-BLOODY DETECTABLE !!!!!!!!

24 WEEK SVR:UNDETECTABLE!!!! Thank You God.

Fibroscan 6Mo. Post Treatment 7.15.2016-5.3(F1)

Offline Coach Mike

  • Member
  • Posts: 292
    • Affordable Hepatitis C Treatment
Re: One Week on Harvoni //11 to go !
« Reply #13 on: November 07, 2015, 11:28:58 am »
Hi again,
My truly GREAT advocate through my recent appeals drama. He is good, VERY good at what he does.

Brendan Bietry
Case Manager, Clinical Team
Patient Advocate Foundation
P.O. Box 635158
San Diego, CA 92163
(800) 532-5274 ext. 2110
(757) 528-4790 efax
brendan.bietry@patientadvocate.org
www.patientadvocate.org
Logged
Genotype 1a, Biopsy:11/2014: F-1, Tx Naive
Fibrosure, 7/20/15: F-1-2
Pre tx v/l: 1,600,000, ALT: 75, AST: 48
Started generic sofosbuvir & ledipasvir: 10/23/15
4 wk labs: 11/19/15, ALT: 21, AST: 16, V/L:  UND
Started 8 week Harvoni tx: 11/20/15
8 wk labs, 12/15/15, ALT: 15, AST: 13, V/L: UND
4/11/16 12 week EOT-Undetected
7/5/16 SVR 24
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