Author Topic: Starting my Sofosbuvir, Ledipisvir, Daclatasvir without Ribavirin (Read 18046 times)

Jerrick · « **on:** November 03, 2015, 08:41:42 am »

Hi all,

I am starting my Sofosbuvir, Ledipisvir, Daclatasvir without Ribavirin next week.

May I know, when is the best time to take these pills? Do you normally take it with or without food? Or immediately after food?

I'm instructed by the doc to do a blood test on 1st week, 3rd week, 4th week, 6th week, 10th week, 12 week. What should I be expecting on these dates?

Also, what kind of side effects - temporarily and permanent? I was told there isn't any much to worry about. Is that true?

JAF · « **Reply #1 on:** November 05, 2015, 08:07:55 am »

Welcome Jerrick! I just started week 4 of Sovaldi (sofosbuvir) and Ribavirin and it's been okay so far. I wouldn't know how the ledipisvir and declatasvir will factor into the mix. My biggest concern were the ribas and other than the occasional headache and feeling exhausted half way through normal tasks, I really can't complain. When you get the results of your labs you will want to check your numbers, i.e. Viral Load, ALT, AST, etc. As you get further into treatment your doctor should monitor your red blood count. Ribas can attack these cells and cause hemolytic anemia. I'm doing my first labs on Wednesday (end of 4 wks). There are so many people here who have great advice to offer. It's a great place to research and ask questions. Good luck getting started. Hope it goes smooth.

BillT · « **Reply #2 on:** November 05, 2015, 08:21:05 am »

Hi Jerrick and welcome to the forum,
Not having to take the ribas are going to make a big difference.As I've said in other posts there's really no to tell what side effects you're going to have.There's a lot of information here to make them easier if you do get them though.Jaf covered the labs and such.I hate eating in the morning but my doctor told me to eat a piece of toast of something because it helps the meds get absorbed better.I usually take my meds 12 hours apart(8-8)but you should tailor it to your schedule.GL and if you have a question just ask.GL

BTW Your FibroScan looks great and if you have to have this the genotype 1b the easier ones to treat as I understand it.

KimInTheForest · « **Reply #3 on:** November 05, 2015, 12:36:06 pm »

Welcome Jerrick!

I took sofusbuvir+ledipasvir (which together make Harvoni) + ribavirin. So I can answer part of your question… except that side effects (if there are any at all for you) seem to affect everyone differently and often in completely opposite ways on different people.

The Harvoni (sofosbuvir+ledipasvir) gave many of us a "Harvoni high", which is very nice but would have been hard to sleep through if I had taken it at night. And also a waste. So I took mine at 9 am each day, and had the benefit of the Harvoni high for at least 6 hours each day. The high involved heightened energy, mood and spirit to do things.

Other people, however, find that Harvoni is fatiguing, so they would take theirs in the evening to sleep through the worst of the fatigue. Weird, eh.

I have not heard any reports of bad side effects with daclatasvir from the members here who are using it.

You can take Harvoni (sofusbuvir+ledipasvir) with or without food. I would usually have a small bite with it in the morning - toast and piece of fruit. The main thing to remember with Harvoni is no antacid like Tums within 4 hours either side of taking Harvoni because it will neutralize the ledipasvir.

You are lucky to not have ribavirin! I think you will have a relatively easy treatment ahead of you with your combo. Keep us posted on your progress.

best,
kim

Jerrick · « **Reply #4 on:** November 05, 2015, 07:23:32 pm »

Thank you all for your kind reply. Much appreciated.

I have absolutely no idea how I contracted Hep C.... $:-\$

In the past 3-4 months, I start to have symptoms of foamy urine, especially in the morning. I have seen a Kidney Specialist for some blood tests, eGFR, urine test and the tests turns out okay.

So my liver specialist advise me not to take Riba just as a precaution. Does anyone have symptoms of foamy urine too? Is it a common one for those with Hep C?

Anyway, I am going to begin my triple combo of Sofosbuvir, Ledipisvir, Daclatasvir without Ribavirin next Tues. Hopefully it goes well, and I can share good news with all.

Jerrick · « **Reply #5 on:** November 06, 2015, 09:34:05 pm »

I just chanced upon this article. Just wondering if I should be concerned at all about this since I am having Solvaldi + ledipasvir with Daclatasvir?

http://www.bidnessetc.com/56898-gilead-sciences-inc-can-sovaldis-newly-found-safety-risk-be-shrugged-off-fo/

Cal · « **Reply #6 on:** November 07, 2015, 03:24:12 am »

Hi Jerrick,
No it's about 1% and there is risks with everything we take for Hep C. I'm on Viekira which just got an FDA warning which is also pretty standard with new drugs. No I really wouldn't worry.

Cal

Jerrick · « **Reply #7 on:** November 09, 2015, 08:22:42 pm »

Thank you Cal. Just hope everything turns out fine.

Jerrick · « **Reply #8 on:** November 23, 2015, 07:34:57 am »

Today is the 14 day of my treatment. So far no side effects.

But yesterday evening, not sure if it is the side effect but I have running nose, sore throat followed by a fever yesterday. Went to see a GP today and doc says i may have caught a common cold. My fever was 37.7.

He gave me the following medicine to eat. Hope that is okay? Meanwhile I will continue my medication of Sofosbuvir, Ledipisvir, Daclatasvir without Ribavirin

Cofsils Loz - Lozenges for Sore Throat
Telfast - For Running Nose
Emanzen - For Swelling/Inflammation
Nurofen - For Fever
Prednisolone - For Anti Inflammation, Phlegm

Jerrick · « **Reply #9 on:** November 23, 2015, 07:38:08 am »

By the way,

Renal Panel (UE/BiCarb/CRE), Serum
16-Nov 3-Nov 16-Oct Reference Range
Urea Serum 3.5 mmol/l 4.2 mmol 5.9 mmol/l 2.7 to 6.9
Sodium 136 mmol/l 137 mmol/l 138 mmol/l 136 - 146
Potassium *3.5 mmol/l 4.0mmol/l 4.6 mmol/l 3.6 - 5.0
Chloride 101 mmol/l 102 mmol - 100 - 107
Bicarbonate 28.7 mmol/l *29.9 mmol - 19.0 - 29.0
Creatine 82 umol/l 80 umol 76 umol/l 54 - 101

GFR 110 mL/min
Protein Urine 0.06 (g/L) < 0.20
Creatine, U *13.5 mmol/L
Prot: Creatine Ratio, U *4 (mg/mmol)
Estimated TUP 0.0 (g/day) < 0.3

Btw, my renal panel readings below.

It seems to me that my Urea (from 5.9 to 3.5) and Potassium (4.6 to 3.5) readings can fluctuate quite wide over 2-4 weeks. I only started treatment on 10 November.

Just curious, is it normal for our blood lab readings to go up and down over weeks?

beto · « **Reply #10 on:** November 23, 2015, 12:34:04 pm »

hey Jerrick,

I'm sure your doc checked everything out before prescribing. I find the prednisone a little interesting, since it is a steroid. I would ask him about that and it's w/ drugs. Again, I would imagine he has looked into everything. Good luck to you on this exciting quest. I just had a cold...it was pretty bad for a cold. It will pass in a few days...

Jerrick · « **Reply #11 on:** December 08, 2015, 12:27:04 am »

Here is the recent results for my blood tests (7 Dec - 4th week mark). Hence, these are results that I have access on my online patient record. I am still waiting for appointment to see Dr so I will only be able to see my viral load results when I meet up with him.

Seems like my ALT is hovering around 34 to 38, AST is hovering around 23 to 29. There is no further drop. Is there any concern? What is the normal range for a male?

But my Gamma GT has dropped from 77 to 39.

3 Nov 16 Nov 30 Nov 7 Dec
Wk 0 1 3 4
ALT     51     34     32     38
AST     36     23     25     29
Gamma GT 77     83     47     39
Albumin     43      45     45     46

Cal · « **Reply #12 on:** December 08, 2015, 11:17:33 pm »

Jerrick,
The exact thing happened to me. My AST and ALT went down and then started to go up again. But I still made UND. So I'd say don't worry about it. I think you can scare yourself scrutinising your lab numbers each time. They fluctuate for many reasons. I know they are important. But everyone is different. You'll still SVR Jerrick. I wouldn't get too hung up on it. It could drive you mad!!!! Cal

Jerrick · « **Reply #13 on:** December 08, 2015, 11:37:27 pm »

Hi Cal,

Thanks for your reply.

I was a bit concern when I saw my ALT and AST rebounding back to 38 and 29 respectively on the 4th week. Seems like others have theirs going down to <20 at the 4th week of treatment.

Anyway, I hope to be undetected soon. Keep my fingers cross. $:-\$

Cal · « **Reply #14 on:** December 09, 2015, 07:56:29 pm »

Jerrick,
Once you get the undetected you'll have peace of mind. Please don't scrutinise your lab work too much. I know it's easy to compare yourself to others on the forum, for that reason I never post my lab results, only UND results. Your ALT AST may come down much later. My friend had hers skyrocket in the last week and she made svr. Cal

Jerrick · « **Reply #15 on:** December 09, 2015, 08:20:47 pm »

Thank you so much Cal. Your assurance is very much appreciated.

Jerrick · « **Reply #16 on:** December 21, 2015, 03:48:09 am »

Just received my 4th week results - HCV virus undetected!

jakas · « **Reply #17 on:** December 21, 2015, 04:37:12 am »

Excellent !
But I still dont understand your triple therapy concept. Why was Dacla was added.

Philadelphia · « **Reply #18 on:** December 21, 2015, 04:49:46 am »

That is such good news Jerrick! Congratulations

Jerrick · « **Reply #19 on:** December 21, 2015, 05:38:29 am »

Thank you! I am not sure why Daclatasvir was added but it is really effective. Not sure if it is side effects but I do have slight headaches and always wake up at 3am....sometimes i also feel very fatigue, probably because I had abit of insomina. Not sure if you guys experiences things like that too?

jakas · « **Reply #20 on:** December 21, 2015, 05:50:09 am »

yes I have a dull headache all the time or a heavy head. I get up 2-3 times at night with sweats but thats been on for years with me. Insomnia dont have anymore. Tired by 6 pm everyday. I take my tab at 7 pm.
Not waiting for any Harvoni high just SVR12.

KimInTheForest · « **Reply #21 on:** December 21, 2015, 11:45:42 am »

Quote from: Jerrick on December 21, 2015, 03:48:09 am

Just received my 4th week results - HCV virus undetected!

Congrats Jerrick!

kim

Jerrick · « **Reply #22 on:** December 22, 2015, 09:54:25 am »

Thank you kim. Now I need to wait for my 12th week....

Jerrick · « **Reply #23 on:** December 22, 2015, 09:57:38 am »

Is this somewhat the guide?

SVR (Sustained Virological Response)

Treatment success rate is about 90-95% and is measured with SVR. SVR is counted in weeks from the cessation of medication.

SVR24 is the gold standard - zero viral load at 24 weeks post treatment and represents a < 1% chance of ever seeing the virus again.
SVR4 represents a 97% chance of making SVR24 (96% chance of cure)
SVR12 represents a 99.7% chance of making SVR24 (99% chance of cure)

\

jakas · « **Reply #24 on:** December 22, 2015, 11:56:37 am »

yes 12 weeks AFTER STOPPING treatment and no virus detected means SVR

Jerrick · « **Reply #25 on:** December 23, 2015, 04:17:01 am »

Hmm...my last day of medication is on 1 Feb.

So it means i will need to run viral load test on the 4th week, 12 week and 24 week after 1 Feb 2016?

jakas · « **Reply #26 on:** December 23, 2015, 05:17:29 am »

yes CORRECT end of treatment ( E.O.T.)

mcmaklin · « **Reply #27 on:** December 23, 2015, 06:39:10 pm »

Hi Jerrick, why are you taking Harvoni and Daclatasvir together? I am the one who relapsed after Viekira Pack. Is it possible to take Daclatasvir instead of Ribavirin? Anybody?

Jerrick · « **Reply #28 on:** December 24, 2015, 06:27:38 pm »

Hi mcmaklin,

It was prescribed by my doctor. So far he has very good results with it for all Hep C patients.

May I know how many weeks post treatment u have the relapse after taking Viekira Pack?

HEPful Guy · « **Reply #29 on:** December 24, 2015, 10:35:12 pm »

Truthfully, im baffled as to why your doctor did Daklinza with Harvoni. There is absolutely no clinical data for that treatment together. Harvoni alone for 8 weeks already carries a 94% SVR and 12 weeks is 96%. I'm not even sure how your physician was able to get the Daklinza approved on insurance given you're geno 1 and in addition to that, to take with the Harvoni. The only thing the physician has done is limit your options if you were to need retreatment.

mcmaklin · « **Reply #30 on:** December 25, 2015, 12:17:11 am »

I relapsed between 3rd And 4th week After EOT

jakas · « **Reply #31 on:** December 25, 2015, 04:18:13 am »

Quote from: mcmaklin on December 23, 2015, 06:39:10 pm

Hi Jerrick, why are you taking Harvoni and Daclatasvir together? I am the one who relapsed after Viekira Pack. Is it possible to take Daclatasvir instead of Ribavirin? Anybody?

yes Daclatasvir + sovaldi

Alico · « **Reply #32 on:** January 03, 2016, 04:17:15 pm »

Or this mass of drugs may just blow the virus out of the water... As long as they work together... Mores the merrier I say... Kill the virus with a hefty blow and then retreatment won't be needed.
If your body can cope with all the drugs?
Ledisprevir is slightly different to daclastivir....
No ribavirin which is a anti viral .. So dr. Added another DAA... Dac.
Must say never heard of it before..
But some geno 1 do SOF/ dac and others harvoni.
You're on it now.. So just do it and hope for the best!!!
Xxxxxx

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Author Topic: Starting my Sofosbuvir, Ledipisvir, Daclatasvir without Ribavirin (Read 18046 times)