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Author Topic: Last day of Viekira pak plus ribavirin!  (Read 24557 times)

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Offline Red Hen

  • Member
  • Posts: 187
Last day of Viekira pak plus ribavirin!
« on: January 14, 2015, 11:51:33 am »
Whew! What a long haul that 12 weeks felt like. Tomorrow I have a doctor appointment where I'll turn in the empty pill paks and most likely get blood work done. I'm really looking forward to not taking pills! I'm nervous about how things will turn out 12 more weeks down the road. This is the first treatment I've been through, type 1A and no cirrhosis but some scarring on liver. For the next 12 weeks all I can do is wait and try not to worry. Any advice? What are others doing while they wait?
genotype 1a
completed 12 weeks Viekira pak and ribavirin
final results due around the end of April
Undetected 12 weeks post treatment!

Offline Tess1971

  • Member
  • Posts: 198
  • G2b, 12wk Sov/Riba, End 11/15/14 UD, SVR-5,14 & 32-UD
Re: Last day of Viekira pak plus ribavirin!
« Reply #1 on: January 14, 2015, 12:12:47 pm »
Eating very healthy and trying not to over do it.  I feel really go on some days, then I take a step back and don't.  I have been told it takes months to recover from treatment, especially ribavirin.  It is slow, but, definitely getting better - feels like baby steps sometimes.  Hang in there as I am doing.

Offline Red Hen

  • Member
  • Posts: 187
Re: Last day of Viekira pak plus ribavirin!
« Reply #2 on: January 14, 2015, 01:21:03 pm »
Thank you, Tess1971. I was just giving myself a hard time for not going out to scrape snow off my car. Sigh. Friends and spouse "think it would be nice" if I could meet them downtown for lunch. This involves snow removal, making myself presentable and then finding a parking place, etc, etc. I know I'm not going to make it. I feel so guilty but they just don't understand how tired I get sometimes. Your support helps!
genotype 1a
completed 12 weeks Viekira pak and ribavirin
final results due around the end of April
Undetected 12 weeks post treatment!

Offline Red Hen

  • Member
  • Posts: 187
Re: Last day of Viekira pak plus ribavirin!
« Reply #3 on: January 14, 2015, 01:22:25 pm »
Oops. Posted the same message twice by mistake. Hope I got rid of one.
« Last Edit: January 14, 2015, 01:24:55 pm by Red Hen »
genotype 1a
completed 12 weeks Viekira pak and ribavirin
final results due around the end of April
Undetected 12 weeks post treatment!

Offline sunrise

  • Member
  • Posts: 463
Re: Last day of Viekira pak plus ribavirin!
« Reply #4 on: January 15, 2015, 08:02:17 am »
Good morning Red Hen and Tess
       I know the feeling!  Im getting my 4 week post tx tests in 5 days. I guess for me I have been putting it in the back of my mind. It did help to have both vl tests during tx. come back UD, but we all know that the post tx tests are the ones that count. So I find staying busy or sleeping really helps. We will beat this thing! One way or another!  It is miracle times for us. Just think also how we did not have to go down the interferon path....Blessings ....Sunrise

Offline Tess1971

  • Member
  • Posts: 198
  • G2b, 12wk Sov/Riba, End 11/15/14 UD, SVR-5,14 & 32-UD
Re: Last day of Viekira pak plus ribavirin!
« Reply #5 on: January 15, 2015, 12:30:16 pm »
Your right about the interferon, I am glad I held out all these years.  I think my immune system is confused since it had been dealing with the hepc since the 70s.  I feel really good now on some days, but, like I said, I still take steps back and feel tired and almost like I am trying to come down with something if I run around like I am all better, ha.  My skin is better now and just has some flair ups now and then - I went back to using the Aveeno Baby daily moisturizer which I used during treatment.  I still get heartburn which I only got occasionally prior to treatment.  I am really anticipating and being positive about my three month blood work………….Yowsers!!! it is getting closer now.  We are all on our way you know !!

Offline Red Hen

  • Member
  • Posts: 187
Re: Last day of Viekira pak plus ribavirin!
« Reply #6 on: January 15, 2015, 03:21:15 pm »
Thanks, Sunrise and Tess. Went to the doctor today and had blood taken for the 4 week check up. So lucky we did not have to do interferon treatments. Torture! This treatment is not pleasant but not horrible. My skin looks awful and I feel "washed out" all the time. I'm using Weleda calendula baby cream on my face and that helps. I do feel like we will all beat this hep c! We are so lucky!
genotype 1a
completed 12 weeks Viekira pak and ribavirin
final results due around the end of April
Undetected 12 weeks post treatment!

Offline Tess1971

  • Member
  • Posts: 198
  • G2b, 12wk Sov/Riba, End 11/15/14 UD, SVR-5,14 & 32-UD
Re: Last day of Viekira pak plus ribavirin!
« Reply #7 on: January 15, 2015, 08:47:39 pm »
Red Hen, I thought Viekira Pak was a combination of anti-vitals and not taken with ribavirin…………I do not know much about it though.  So is it taken with ribavirin for certain genotypes?

Offline Lynn K

  • Global Moderator
  • Member
  • Posts: 4,546
  • Get tested, get treated, get cured, fight Hep c!
Re: Last day of Viekira pak plus ribavirin!
« Reply #8 on: January 16, 2015, 01:20:47 am »
Viekira Pak is taken with ribavirin for those with genotype 1a with or without cirrhosis and by  genotype 1b with cirrhosis. So the  only ones who can take Viekira pak with no Riba are genotype 1b without cirrhosis. Also most are for 12 weeks except GT 1a with cirrhosis the treatment is 24 weeks
Genotype 1a
1978 contracted, 1990 Dx
1995 Intron A failed
2001 Interferon Riba null response
2003 Pegintron Riba trial med null response
2008 F4 Cirrhosis Bx
2014 12 week Sov/Oly relapse
10/14 fibroscan 27 PLT 96
2014 24 weeks Harvoni 15 weeks Riba
5/4/15 EOT not detected, ALT 21, AST 20
4 week post not detected, ALT 26, AST 28
12 week post NOT DETECTED (07/27/15)
ALT 29, AST 27 PLT 92
24 week post NOT DETECTED! (10/19/15)
44 weeks (3/11/16)  fibroscan 33, PLT 111, HCV NOT DETECTED!
I AM FREE!

Offline Red Hen

  • Member
  • Posts: 187
Re: Last day of Viekira pak plus ribavirin!
« Reply #9 on: January 16, 2015, 10:51:49 am »
Yes, thank you, Lynn. I am 1a without cirrhosis so also took ribavirin for 12 weeks. Viekira was approved by the FDA in late December and then picked up by Express Scripts. I started Viekira on a drug trial in October 2014. It was a gamble. Not many people here have used it, so far.
genotype 1a
completed 12 weeks Viekira pak and ribavirin
final results due around the end of April
Undetected 12 weeks post treatment!

Offline Tess1971

  • Member
  • Posts: 198
  • G2b, 12wk Sov/Riba, End 11/15/14 UD, SVR-5,14 & 32-UD
Re: Last day of Viekira pak plus ribavirin!
« Reply #10 on: January 16, 2015, 01:08:36 pm »
I am always curious about new treatments since I am in a category that has no other options after sov/riba………………..at least not at this time.

Offline Red Hen

  • Member
  • Posts: 187
Re: Last day of Viekira pak plus ribavirin!
« Reply #11 on: January 16, 2015, 05:10:00 pm »
Tess, I don't know much about the different genotypes. You are waiting to find out the results of 12 weeks post treatment; is that right?  You are almost there! Sunrise, you are so close! I have my fingers crossed for both of you. These drug companies are getting more competitive every day; coming up with new treatments.
genotype 1a
completed 12 weeks Viekira pak and ribavirin
final results due around the end of April
Undetected 12 weeks post treatment!

Offline luckysincere

  • Member
  • Posts: 7
Re: Last day of Viekira pak plus ribavirin!
« Reply #12 on: January 16, 2015, 06:54:00 pm »
Last night I took my last Harvoni pill, along with Ribavirin (for the last 5 wks), after 12 weeks.  I also had my 12 week labs yesterday, so I too am waiting.  I have to say it feels strange. I have never been on any meds I had to take religously, other than an antibiotic here and there.  I have a fulltime job and life has pretty much been the same.  I didn't realize how bad I felt until I started feeling better after starting the Harvoni.

Praying for good results for all of us!

Offline Tess1971

  • Member
  • Posts: 198
  • G2b, 12wk Sov/Riba, End 11/15/14 UD, SVR-5,14 & 32-UD
Re: Last day of Viekira pak plus ribavirin!
« Reply #13 on: January 16, 2015, 07:25:35 pm »
Yes Red Hen,
My blood work will be end of February (27th) so at that time it will actually be 3 full months.  Ghilead sent me a link when I got the meds where I keyed in the date I started and that it was for 12 weeks and they gave me a date to have blood work done to be considered cured - ha - I thought that was so cool.  When I told the doc's nurse she said that will work and set the appt.  I see doctor almost two weeks after that in March so I won't know the results til I see him - that is gonna be a very long two weeks for me.
« Last Edit: January 16, 2015, 07:27:31 pm by Tess1971 »

Offline Red Hen

  • Member
  • Posts: 187
Re: Last day of Viekira pak plus ribavirin!
« Reply #14 on: January 16, 2015, 07:43:46 pm »
Hi, luckysincere! I'm glad you started to feel good right away. The Harvoni sounds like the easiest drug to take with fewest side effects. Let us know how your tests turn out.
Tess, That will be a long two weeks. Compassionate thoughts from me. Keep us posted.
genotype 1a
completed 12 weeks Viekira pak and ribavirin
final results due around the end of April
Undetected 12 weeks post treatment!

Offline Katie

  • Member
  • Posts: 784
Re: Last day of Viekira pak plus ribavirin!
« Reply #15 on: January 16, 2015, 08:54:19 pm »
Good thoughts for all of you at the end of your journey and to being FREE of this monster!  My 12 weeks are up on Feb 25th and these past 44 days have just flown by. 

I too am feeling 100% better and find it amazing that I did what I did when I felt so lousy.  It creeps up on you and you start believing it when your friends tell you your complaints are from old age.  I never did really believe them, but now I know it for sure.  I feel better than I did 10-15 years ago so my clock is turning backwards and I am becoming young again!  Ha!

2015 is going to be the year the monster Hep C dies! :D

Katie
1 year post treatment blood work done and I am FREE!
GT 1a (4/1/2016)
Dx 2005
VL 2.6 million (fluctuated from 2-16 million during the 9 years)
Started Tx 12/4/2014 for 12 weeks
4 week blood work  Detected 59 IU/mL
EOT Detected <12 IU/mL
7.5 weeks post  Undetected
16 week post Undetected
24 WEEK POST UNDETECTED (I made it)
Waiting to feel good but feeling blessed!
12 month post treatment.  All blood work absolutely perfect! VL, as expected UNDETECTED!

Offline Tess1971

  • Member
  • Posts: 198
  • G2b, 12wk Sov/Riba, End 11/15/14 UD, SVR-5,14 & 32-UD
Re: Last day of Viekira pak plus ribavirin!
« Reply #16 on: January 17, 2015, 03:56:26 pm »
That sounds good to me !!!!!   ;D

Offline dotrip

  • Member
  • Posts: 3
Re: Last day of Viekira pak plus ribavirin!
« Reply #17 on: March 16, 2015, 03:55:19 pm »
Hi to everyone -- I've been reading your messages as I was getting ready to start on my Vieira Pal + Riba treatment (I'm a 1A who treated unsuccessfully about 10 years ago with interferon + Riba).  I started treatment this time on March 12 and am already dealing with a nasty skin rash. Makes me nervous that the rash started so quick. 

This forum is really a ton of help  - just to read about others going thru the same issues.  Hope we all kick Hep C OUT!

Donna
Genotyoe 1A
infected 1970's,
diagnosed 2000
Treated  interferon and riba 2003 non responder,
started treatment Viekira Pak + ribaviren March 12 2015
stage 2 grade 2 at 2011 biopsy

Offline Red Hen

  • Member
  • Posts: 187
Re: Last day of Viekira pak plus ribavirin!
« Reply #18 on: March 20, 2015, 03:45:11 pm »
Hello Donna and all. I'm still waiting for my 12 week post treatment Vieira Pak and ribavirin appointment on April 9th. It will probably be awhile after that before I'll know test results. I'm feeling pretty good, but sometimes very apprehensive. All the waiting takes a toll on me and I bet we all feel that way! If the HCV is undetected at 12 weeks post, then I'll be tested again at 24 weeks. That's supposed to be the most important test. Sigh.
genotype 1a
completed 12 weeks Viekira pak and ribavirin
final results due around the end of April
Undetected 12 weeks post treatment!

Offline dotrip

  • Member
  • Posts: 3
Re: Last day of Viekira pak plus ribavirin!
« Reply #19 on: March 20, 2015, 05:22:40 pm »
Red Heb, I will be having my labs drawn on April 9 for my 4 week test.  Good luck to you. I agree the waiting takes a toll on you -- I wish we could all fast forward to the final SVR result.

Donna
Genotyoe 1A
infected 1970's,
diagnosed 2000
Treated  interferon and riba 2003 non responder,
started treatment Viekira Pak + ribaviren March 12 2015
stage 2 grade 2 at 2011 biopsy

Offline Tess1971

  • Member
  • Posts: 198
  • G2b, 12wk Sov/Riba, End 11/15/14 UD, SVR-5,14 & 32-UD
Re: Last day of Viekira pak plus ribavirin!
« Reply #20 on: March 20, 2015, 09:24:35 pm »
Well my 3 month tests were Undetected - yay!  I felt so relieved when I got it.  No anemia at all, perfect kidney tests  at >90 (actually better than prior treatment) and LFTs are even below the normal range for ALT at 23 and lowest normal for others.
I am very please to say the least.  Dr feels and relapse would be extremely low at this point which is good to hear as I still worry in back of my mind.
The itching and rashes still keep reappearing with stomach irritation.  If I take a regular strength famontidine it clears up that stomach upset as well as the itching becomes much less, dr says that is because it is a H2 blocker and it is histamines that are causing it all.  And as we know histamines are an immure response also.
I have been told the skin issues can resume on and off for 6 mos or more post treatment so I guess it will be an itchy summer for me - ha!


Offline Katie

  • Member
  • Posts: 784
Re: Last day of Viekira pak plus ribavirin!
« Reply #21 on: March 20, 2015, 09:29:35 pm »
Wonderful News Tess!!! What a relief you must be experiencing!  I bet the skin issue will gradually improve and this will be your best summer in a long, long time!

Enjoy your hep C FREE life.  Be well, Be Happy fellow warrior!

Katie
1 year post treatment blood work done and I am FREE!
GT 1a (4/1/2016)
Dx 2005
VL 2.6 million (fluctuated from 2-16 million during the 9 years)
Started Tx 12/4/2014 for 12 weeks
4 week blood work  Detected 59 IU/mL
EOT Detected <12 IU/mL
7.5 weeks post  Undetected
16 week post Undetected
24 WEEK POST UNDETECTED (I made it)
Waiting to feel good but feeling blessed!
12 month post treatment.  All blood work absolutely perfect! VL, as expected UNDETECTED!

Offline Tess1971

  • Member
  • Posts: 198
  • G2b, 12wk Sov/Riba, End 11/15/14 UD, SVR-5,14 & 32-UD
Re: Last day of Viekira pak plus ribavirin!
« Reply #22 on: March 20, 2015, 09:36:07 pm »
Thankyou Thankyou Thankyou Katie !!!

Offline Lynn K

  • Global Moderator
  • Member
  • Posts: 4,546
  • Get tested, get treated, get cured, fight Hep c!
Re: Last day of Viekira pak plus ribavirin!
« Reply #23 on: March 20, 2015, 10:04:21 pm »
All Right Tess!!!!! Woo whooooo

Doing the Happy Dance for you congrats!
Genotype 1a
1978 contracted, 1990 Dx
1995 Intron A failed
2001 Interferon Riba null response
2003 Pegintron Riba trial med null response
2008 F4 Cirrhosis Bx
2014 12 week Sov/Oly relapse
10/14 fibroscan 27 PLT 96
2014 24 weeks Harvoni 15 weeks Riba
5/4/15 EOT not detected, ALT 21, AST 20
4 week post not detected, ALT 26, AST 28
12 week post NOT DETECTED (07/27/15)
ALT 29, AST 27 PLT 92
24 week post NOT DETECTED! (10/19/15)
44 weeks (3/11/16)  fibroscan 33, PLT 111, HCV NOT DETECTED!
I AM FREE!

Offline sapphire101

  • Member
  • Posts: 238
  • "Stop worrying and start living"
Re: Last day of Viekira pak plus ribavirin!
« Reply #24 on: March 21, 2015, 12:59:45 am »
Big Congrats from me too Tess! Wonderful news. Even an itchy summer will be a good one for you.


Welcome Donna. I am keeping my eye out for all of us in 'Club V' because our numbers are few. Red Hen is completed and I am at 5 weeks. You are over a week on Viekira Riba treatment now. Any side effects? The first two weeks were the most noticeable for me and now they are barely there.
Sapphire101
Genotype 1a Fibrosis level 1
Viekira Pak with ribavirin 12 weeks
Pre treatment  VL  1.7 million, AST 45 ALT 65
EOT VL not detected, AST 21 ALT 21
12 week SVR not detected,24 week SVR not detected.
Cured! Class of 2015

Offline dotrip

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  • Posts: 3
Re: Last day of Viekira pak plus ribavirin!
« Reply #25 on: March 21, 2015, 09:02:48 am »
Sapphire,  thanks for the reply -  I am now past 1 week.  The first week has indeed had sides (rash, headache, chills).  Most are much better - still get itchy and I get a headache if I fail to hydrate enough.  But it all seems to be moving in the right direction. 

Donna
Genotyoe 1A
infected 1970's,
diagnosed 2000
Treated  interferon and riba 2003 non responder,
started treatment Viekira Pak + ribaviren March 12 2015
stage 2 grade 2 at 2011 biopsy

Offline Red Hen

  • Member
  • Posts: 187
Re: Last day of Viekira pak plus ribavirin!
« Reply #26 on: March 23, 2015, 02:30:38 pm »
Great news, Tess! So happy for you!
genotype 1a
completed 12 weeks Viekira pak and ribavirin
final results due around the end of April
Undetected 12 weeks post treatment!

 


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