Author Topic: 6 week blood work results (Read 26601 times)

dewey1951 · « **on:** December 08, 2014, 04:52:29 pm »

When I last posted, I was due to visit the doc at the half way point (6 weeks) to discuss my progress. He had the 4 week blood work that showed detected, high and ALT 82, AST 89. He was concerned that it wasn't gone, but had me get another test that day. Due to holiday, I just got the results last Friday at the 8 week mark. At 6 weeks I was undetected, ALT 33, AST 25. Still have 3 weeks, 4 days of treatment left. My question is about the reason for continued treatment if it appears to be gone. I'd really like to stop the Peg and Rib if possible and just take the Solvaldi. Is that doable or should I continue to nuke anything that might be lingering? My doc is with the VA and is pretty much limited on treatment variations so I don't want to suggest changing anything with him. I just know I'm tired of the fatigue and feeling crappy for 4 days after the injection on Friday. I bowl on Sunday and feel like I've been beat with a 2x4 on Monday. Anyway, I'm open to thoughts, suggestions, whatever.

lporterrn · « **Reply #1 on:** December 08, 2014, 05:14:06 pm »

Oh my, don't stop. It is like stopping an antibiotic too soon - you risk the formation of a drug-resistant strain. It's rough, but at least you know it is working.

BattleTheBeast · « **Reply #2 on:** December 08, 2014, 05:28:31 pm »

Dewey,

Please don't stop unless it is medically necessary. You don't want to have to start all over from the beginning! Hang tough and keep up the great work!

Mel~

Mike · « **Reply #3 on:** December 08, 2014, 05:37:53 pm »

Hi Dewey,

You need to plow through this. You're undetected and need to stay that way. I completed the same combination (SOL+INTF+RIBV) and I know it sucks. But you're so close and a few extra weeks may make all the difference.

Best wishes, Mike

dewey1951 · « **Reply #4 on:** December 08, 2014, 05:53:36 pm »

OK, I guess I'll keep on truckin. Thanks for the advice, I thought those were the responses I'd get......just needed to hear it.

Mike · « **Reply #5 on:** December 08, 2014, 06:11:47 pm »

That's the spirit! We're all pulling for you, Dewey. And all of us who have been on Interferon know this is no joy ride.

You'll get through it, and the 4 week VL does not correlate with successful outcome. What counts is being virus free at the end of treatment.

Hang in there!

Best wishes, Mike

BattleTheBeast · « **Reply #6 on:** December 08, 2014, 06:53:01 pm »

Quote from: dewey1951 on December 08, 2014, 05:53:36 pm

OK, I guess I'll keep on truckin. Thanks for the advice, I thought those were the responses I'd get......just needed to hear it.

Hooray! Way to hang in there Dewey! I am not having to go through what you are but I have my own battles to deal with. We are all in this together one way or the other!

~Mel~

lporterrn · « **Reply #7 on:** December 08, 2014, 10:35:17 pm »

Dewey - you can do it, and we will help

denise1 · « **Reply #8 on:** December 10, 2014, 12:50:21 am »

I have a suggestion to try mint tea or and mint oils and lavender and cypress really helps me with my pain. I am Hep c a1 now 2100000 + chirrosis .
Don't give up you are strong and will make the full coarse.

sunrise · « **Reply #9 on:** December 12, 2014, 08:52:26 pm »

Dewey
you are doing the right thing by staying on the triple treatment. Its like the one needs the other to do the job. You'll feel better in a few weeks how long did they have you on treatment for? I'm so sorry you're having a hard time with this treatment. But it's the way for you to get better. Keep fighting the fight Dewey. ... sunrise

dewey1951 · « **Reply #10 on:** December 12, 2014, 09:12:14 pm »

The treatment is 12 weeks, with 3 weeks to go. I don't know if I'm just getting used to feeling crappy, like it's the new norm, but I'm sure hoping I get back to my pre-treatment activity level. I haven't golfed since I started, and bowling once a week makes me feel like I've just been in a bar brawl and had the crap beat out of me. I just don't want to do anything but lay on the couch. I can take a 1/4 Vicodin and get a couple hours of energy(?) but that gets old after a while. I try to start projects that need to be done, (or finish others I started but dropped after treatment started) but am only good for 1/2 an hour or so, and just lose energy and interest. That's not me. 3 MORE WEEKS EXACTLY! But how long before I get back to feeling normal? I hope by July, cuz I want to go fishing in Alaska after a 35 year absence.

sunrise · « **Reply #11 on:** December 12, 2014, 09:17:58 pm »

from what I've heard it takes a few months to get back your energy level. You definitely want to eat right. And get the rest you need. Also you should consider getting on a good job Paleo diet. And also taking good supplements natural supplements. I plan on continuing after treatment with my calcium magnesium liquid, vitamin d3, vitamin C, B complex, krill oil, and lots of goodies like coconut oil, good fresh fruit and vegetable. You'll be feeling better in no time hun.I give you a lot of respect for doing that treatment that's a tough one. Just rest for the next few weeks. Know that it's going to help you for the rest of your life.... Sunrise best wishes

BattleTheBeast · « **Reply #12 on:** December 12, 2014, 09:29:30 pm »

Dewey,

It's a long road we are on and you are almost at the end of it. Hang in there and before you know it this will be a distant memory. If your body needs the rest, let it and you can make up for all that resting time really soon.

Right now the important thing is to cure the infection and start the healing inside by eating well and listening to those hints it throwing your way. The energy will come back in spurts, a little at a time and one day soon you will be back to yourself and fishing in Alaska!

Mel

sunrise · « **Reply #13 on:** December 12, 2014, 09:47:40 pm »

Dewey
also the main reason you cannot stop the other two drugs is that sovaldi iis never to be used as a mono treatment. iit is only effective with the other drugs. that is something I learned in the class with the nurse for the company that makes sovaldi.....bbest wishes sunrise

badbradley · « **Reply #14 on:** December 12, 2014, 10:02:05 pm »

Dewey Be really careful with the vicodin. Hydrocodone is contraindacated. It could cause drug interactions affecting your health and/or medicine effectiveness. Your only taking 1/4 pill but be cautious. Brad

badbradley · « **Reply #15 on:** December 12, 2014, 10:05:30 pm »

I may be wrong about the contraindication. It was with Olysio - not sure about the other meds.

dewey1951 · « **Reply #16 on:** December 12, 2014, 10:42:38 pm »

I only take it when I really need to do something (like bowl) or drive an hour to the VA, which includes 3 or 4 hours at the casino on the way back. My doc knows I have a script for it and doesn't have a problem with it. As for diet, I'm too set in my ways as to what I will and won't eat. A vegan I'm not, and "healthy" food just can't seem to find its way to my table. Bacon, eggs and hash browns every morning with coffee, soup and sandwiches for lunch, and whatever for dinner. If I had to eat natural grains, exotic fruits, or salads every night, I'd be more miserable (mentally) than I am now. It's one of the few things that make treatment bearable, comfort food, and of course my wife and family. Now I'm gonna eat some candy orange slices and watch TV. But, I truly appreciate the suggestions and support of everyone on this forum.

denise1 · « **Reply #17 on:** December 13, 2014, 05:11:20 pm »

I'm sure everything will be Fine. Glad to see you are getting exercise. I love to bowl

Hang in there. My Harvoni was suppose to start yesterday but their was a problem with the address! so.... needless to say, sitting at home again. waiting for Fed ex. to show up. this weather with all the humidity is really making my Lupus flair up. just have to tough it out and be positive.

matradee124 · « **Reply #18 on:** December 26, 2014, 10:25:53 pm »

My Drs office called me today 7 weeks on sovaldi an oliso and undetected feels surreal but I no I have to finish 5 more weeks of the meds I feel Blessed thanks to all and this forum happy new year to all

sunrise · « **Reply #19 on:** December 26, 2014, 10:34:14 pm »

Thats so great matradee!!! Congradulations!!!! What a great way to see in the New Year. I finished my tx Dec 21 have to get 4 week EOT Jan 21 really nervous but thankful. Have a great holiday.... blessings Sunrise

matradee124 · « **Reply #20 on:** December 27, 2014, 12:33:19 pm »

Thank u sunrise happy new year to u an ur family I pray the same results for u

JillLynn · « **Reply #21 on:** December 27, 2014, 03:24:54 pm »

matradee...that is great news! happy for you! Just think, one day we will all be cured on here. We should meet somewhere and celebrate!
That would be so awesome!

Jill

dewey1951 · « **Reply #22 on:** December 27, 2014, 04:16:12 pm »

Last 6 days of meds and nothing new to report. I have noticed a kind of skin irritation behind my ears and scalp. Feels like dandruff itch, but no flakes and there are bumps that you can't see but can feel. At times it drives me nuts, but I've avoided scratching it to the point of causing any redness or scratches. I can deal with it for a few more days. I'm not due for end of treatment blood work until Feb 16. I'm optimistic, though.

JillLynn · « **Reply #23 on:** December 27, 2014, 04:36:39 pm »

Dewey.....good for you for not scratching!
That in itself is a huge feat

6 more days! awesome!

I'm going to count my pills right now....after tonight I'll have 12 left. Get my
next viral load and blood January 12.

Nothing new to report here either thankfully!

Just checkin' in to the forum to see how you all are doing!

over and out til tomorrow. God bless.

sunrise · « **Reply #24 on:** December 27, 2014, 05:25:03 pm »

Hi Jill
Hope all is well 6 more days!!!!! Awsome ....I think I can honestly say I understand your excitement and anticipation. Hope we all can see into a Good wait, Great New years with better news ahead ...Sunrise

JillLynn · « **Reply #25 on:** December 28, 2014, 09:42:58 am »

Good morning Sunrise.

The 6 more days hooray is for Dewey! (smile)

I have 12 more to go.....still close to the finish line!

I'm feeling very positive for us all too. Never had a forum like this for my previous tries....it really helps.

hugs to you!
no sunshine here today..... shades of gray is good too!

....Jill

sunrise · « **Reply #26 on:** December 28, 2014, 11:08:00 am »

Good morning to you Jill and all my fellow warriors,
My bad Jill, but still almost done your in the final stretch.I hope you're having a good day. My hips and my ankles are killing me. I think I'll have to take something for the agony. I'm still waiting for my EOT bloodwork. just relaxing today hope everybody feels alright I know this is a tough battle but we're going to win it dang it... Blessing Sunrise

lporterrn · « **Reply #27 on:** December 28, 2014, 11:30:18 am »

Hi,
I just saw the December 10 thread that said,

Quote

I have a suggestion to try mint tea or and mint oils and lavender and cypress really helps me with my pain. I am Hep c a1 now 2100000 + cirrhosis .

Peppermint oil is not recommended for those with liver disease. I don't know about the other mint oils, but I would stay clear of them. Tea is fine.

Here is a liver-friendly herb glossary - scroll down to peppermint: http://www.hcvadvocate.org/library/herb_glossary.asp#p

sunrise · « **Reply #28 on:** December 28, 2014, 12:06:07 pm »

Thanks Lucinda
That is a great site. Very informative. Hope you and yours a very good New Year. I am always cautious about using herbs, but I had no idea soy was not to be used during treatment! I ate wasabi soy nuts a few times. Hopefully no problems from it. I was undetected at 4 weeks. Waiting for EOT results. Then 3 weeks til 4th week bloodwork.....blessings Sunrise

lporterrn · « **Reply #29 on:** December 28, 2014, 12:12:01 pm »

No issues with the soy - that needs to be rewritten with the new treatments in mind. Looks like 2015 might be a great year for you.

sunrise · « **Reply #30 on:** December 28, 2014, 12:43:14 pm »

dewey1951 · « **Reply #31 on:** December 28, 2014, 01:49:13 pm »

Thanks for the link, I'll pass it on to my wife, she's the tea drinker in the family. I only like black, sweet iced tea (from my days being stationed in the south). In regards to pain relief, I'm not advocating pain pills for everybody, I just know what works for me. When I researched side effects of treatment, I had to decide if I could handle the process, given the fact I am not a sound sleeper, and I've never had to really deal with prolonged discomfort. Vicodin gives me a boost when I have to absolutely get something done (Bowling on Sunday night falls in that category), and there's no energy to draw from. I realize it can lead to dependency in some people, but, again, I only use it for certain situations. I do have a dependency on sleep meds, but that is an acceptable trade off for me. Insomnia, at various levels, has always been an issue with me. When I was younger, I could exercise, or run until I was exhausted, and sleep soundly. Now that I've retired from the military, I just don't exercise anywhere close to that level. So, I've found that 1/2 to 1 mg of Lorazepam relaxes me and allows me to sleep a full 7-8 hours. For me, it's worth the "dependency" label. I'm not saying that it will work for everyone, nor am I advocating my particular routine for dealing with treatment. This forum is great for recommendations/advice to consider, and my particular routine is geared to myself, a 63 year old, ex-military, male with very few health issues (hep c and insomnia). A little arthritis in my hands, also. Anyway, I'm just throwing it out there because not all people are the same, and not everyone has to go the vegan/holistic route to get through this. Of course, I still have 5 days left of meds, but I'm almost done and cured or not, I wanted to relate how I got through it. Thanks for listening to me rant. I have to get up off the couch and finish building the chicken coop, something I haven't felt like doing the last 11 weeks.

sunrise · « **Reply #32 on:** December 28, 2014, 02:20:35 pm »

Hey Dewey
Good to hear you are almost done with you treatment. Bet your thankful and happy to be done.
I too have insomnia, anf take 5 mg ambien ay bedtime. It helps tremendously. I am starting a paleo eating plan as of January. It is not a vegan or holistic diet. What it is, is a purely basic eating., Hunter, gatherers. Meats, fish, chicken, veggies fruits and nuts. No dairy, grainsor sugar in the processed sense. Just hoping to get healthier after 12 weeks of tx. Of course there will be cheat days once a week. Can't go witbout a pizza or ice cream for sure. Yes sweet tea! It is good from Mississippi for sure. You and your family have a great new years.... blessings Sunrise

dewey1951 · « **Reply #33 on:** December 28, 2014, 03:08:54 pm »

Thanks, Sunrise. I tried Ambien, but found it left me feeling drugged for an unacceptable amount of time in the morning. I slept well, but within an hour of taking it, I felt like I was stoned or drunk. That lingered for an hour or so in the morning until I drank 3 or 4 cups of coffee. The Lorazepam relaxed me 2 or 3 hours before going to bed......enough time to watch a couple things on Netflix, and 30-45 minutes of reading in bed. Just a thought.

dewey1951 · « **Reply #34 on:** January 03, 2015, 11:26:53 am »

Happy New Year to all, hope it's a gonna be a good one. I took the last of my meds yesterday, so now it's time to crawl out of the pit toward normalization. VA lab was not open yesterday, so I'll wait til Monday or Tuesday for blood draw. The important one is not due til February 16, but I'm not concerned. I'm really looking forward to today to see how my body reacts to life w/o meds. Thanks to everyone who encouraged me to not quit too soon, especially my wife who wouldn't let me stop even the last two days when I had made up my mind that it couldn't possibly make a difference if I stopped a little early (either it's gone or it's not was my attitude). Anyway, I'm done.

lporterrn · « **Reply #35 on:** January 03, 2015, 03:13:01 pm »

Hope we'll be celebrating your victory. Let us know.

BattleTheBeast · « **Reply #36 on:** January 04, 2015, 12:28:10 pm »

Hi Dewey!

So how was your first day without medication? So happy you made it through and are UD, now we need to hear those magic 3 letters from you SVR!

We will all be hooting and hollering and crying right along side you when it happens!

Mel

dewey1951 · « **Reply #37 on:** January 04, 2015, 01:02:18 pm »

Day 1 was like my body was still in med mode, I felt crappy about the same time as I usually did after taking morning meds. I felt tired at about the same time also, so I took a little nap. But the waves of up and down were much less severe and by the evening I felt ok. I woke up this morning with a slight headache but that could be from dehydration after sleeping for 9 hours. I'm not dragging like I did after meds. So far, today, I haven't felt the need to hit the couch to ride out the waves. Might even get on the treadmill for a half mile or so, got to start out slow. Will keep posting progress to document after treatment effects. Thanks for asking.

matradee124 · « **Reply #38 on:** January 24, 2015, 09:26:50 am »

Gd mrn all 5 more days on solv an oliso still undetected thanks to all and this Fourm for the encouragement and hope along the way I pray my aching joints in my knees stop aching and pray 1 day we are all CURED

BattleTheBeast · « **Reply #39 on:** January 24, 2015, 10:32:53 am »

Hi Dewey,

Sounds like you are doing great! That's excellent news. I personally was pretty sick when I first started treatment with S/O and then I got even worse until about week 6. I think that was when my virus was completely knocked out of my system. Since week 7 it's been all uphill. My head started to clear from the fog, and each day I felt a little better. I am now at week 8 on Harvoni plus the 8 weeks I did on S/O in the beginning for a total of 16 weeks into treatment. Week 9 was when I got my magic notification that the Virus was undetected.

I am still dealing with the after effects from the horrible rash I got from Olysio, my arms are a little scarred and still a couple of sores here and there but it's better each day.

This is a journey, most of us had been sick for a long time, many of us did not know we even had it for many years. We are all coming out of a fog and will see clear skies very soon. Keep being positive and drinking lots of water!

Mel

BattleTheBeast · « **Reply #40 on:** January 24, 2015, 10:35:01 am »

Hi matradee124,

When I was on the Olysio I got really achy as well. I've been off of it now for 7 weeks and the aches are way, way better!

It's a strong medication and many of us really felt it in our joints, I know for sure I did!

Mel

matradee124 · « **Reply #41 on:** January 24, 2015, 11:51:01 am »

Nice thank you

sunrise · « **Reply #42 on:** January 24, 2015, 04:28:47 pm »

Hi Matradee
Passing the finish line soon! It's wierd, but I'm having those issues with my joints as well. I've been do e with S/O tx. Since December 21 and my Achilles tendon is still throbbing. I iced it last night and that that helped. Also my hip hurts. Best wishes on you lab work. I'm waiting for my 4 week post tx. results. Do you believe it? Seems like we just were chatting about headaches in the beginning, and poof fast forward. Waiting for SVR status. Let us know your progress... blessings Sunrise

matradee124 · « **Reply #43 on:** January 24, 2015, 06:35:00 pm »

Thank u Sunrise and gd luck to you also ur awesome have a great night

kate0b1 · « **Reply #44 on:** January 25, 2015, 07:08:51 am »

@sunrise, keeping good thoughts for your 4week labs

kate

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