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Author Topic: Hep C...It's time to exit the building!  (Read 11892 times)

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Offline AndreaM

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  • Posts: 22
Hep C...It's time to exit the building!
« on: March 31, 2016, 01:33:41 pm »
Hi!

I took my first dose of Harvoni last night. Day 1 of 8 weeks. Knock on wood, but I don't seem to be experiencing any side effects. I'll be thrilled if it continues this way!

Here's my info:
Confirmation of hep C: 2/2014
Genotype 1b

Viral load
2/2014: 1,727,510
3/2016: 169,738

Liver Inflammation: 2
Fibrosis: 1
No liver cirrhosis

Started Harvoni: 3/30/2016

I'm pleased with the drop in the viral load over the past 2 years because I haven't been taking the best care of myself. I gained back about 60 lbs. that I lost 2013-2014.

Stupid question. Can I reinfect myself with my own razors or toothbrush as I clear the virus?
« Last Edit: March 31, 2016, 02:55:05 pm by AndreaM »

Offline BillT

  • Member
  • Posts: 573
Re: Hep C...It's time to exit the building!
« Reply #1 on: March 31, 2016, 02:40:45 pm »
Hi Andrea and welcome to the forums.There has been several discussions about reinfecting yourself and everyone seems to be different in their thoughts on it.Some did nothing different and some(like me)didn't want to put anything to chance.I went to the dollar store and bought some 4 packs of toothbrushes and cheap razors.I think this is one of those "whatever makes you feel comfortable" things.I think almost all of us agree that once you get the undetectable news it becomes a moot point.I just stayed with my initial game plan of changing things every week until I got to EOT.As I said some didn't do anything different and all made it to SVR,and it's just whatever makes you feel more comfortable.Congratulations on starting and wishing you a easy tx. :)
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 brie41

  • Member
  • Posts: 191
Re: Hep C...It's time to exit the building!
« Reply #2 on: March 31, 2016, 03:08:53 pm »
Hi Andrea,

  I am 16 days into my harvoni treatment.  Overall it has been fairly uneventful.  I did feel a little off the first week.  I read a post that someone said they felt 'medicated', I thought that was a perfect way to describe how I felt.   I only had to take tylenol once so far for a minor headache.  But all of that has gone away.  I do get a bit fatigued, but I don't rest as much as I wish I could.  I am also doing 8 weeks and like you keeping my fingers crossed that it will be long enough.  I am changing my toothbrush every week.  Sterilized all of my nail clippers, etc.  I toss my disposable razor once used.  I just want to do whatever I can to give myself the best possible outcome.  Best of luck to you and welcome!  Brie
Diagnosed  HCV, 1A 2006
Viral load 6 million
Ast/Alt always in the 20's
F0-F1, never changed
Treatment naive, started 8 week Harvoni 3/15/16
4 and 8 week labs undetected
6 week eot labs undetected
13 week eot UNDETECTED!

Offline AussieRosa

  • Member
  • Posts: 226
Re: Hep C...It's time to exit the building!
« Reply #3 on: March 31, 2016, 09:37:00 pm »
Hi, Andrea. Welcome to the forum and all the very best with your treatment. Please keep us updated on how you're doing throughout.
Rosa
Gt 1a
contracted 1983
Fibroscan 6.1
Treatment naive
VL 2.97M
ALT 38
AST 47
Started Viekira Pak + Ribavirin Tues 19th Jan 2016
Week 4: VL Undetected!
March 5th Ribavirin dose reduction to 800mg from 1000mg
EOT April 11th 2016. VL Not Detected
12 Weeks post EOT: SVR12. Cured with a capital C!!
6 months post EOT: Undetected :-)

Offline FutureThinker

  • Member
  • Posts: 711
  • Onward and upward!
Re: Hep C...It's time to exit the building!
« Reply #4 on: April 01, 2016, 12:52:19 pm »
Welcome to the Harvoni train, AndreaM! I'm in 5.5 weeks now w/Harvoni, 12 wk course, and I have to say I feel the most normal I've felt in years as of this week. Don't need naps anymore, more cognitive clarity, don't need 8-10 hrs of sleep anymore, 7 hrs of pretty good sleep works again, and feel good! So settle back and just take care of yourself, eat well, stay hydrated, try to avoid unnecessary stress, and enjoy the journey to SVR. FT
Treatment naive
Likely contracted mid-70s
Diagnosed 1a, 2011
F1-2
Harvoni X 12 weeks, completed 5/17/16
Pre-treatment: VL 3 mil, AST 64, ALT 84
4 week labs: VL 30, AST 21, ALT 14
8 week labs: VL UD!!!, AST 22, ALT 16
12 week labs: VL UD, AST 23, ALT 14
2 wk EOT: VL UD
12 wk EOT: VL UD, AST 22, ALT 13 =  SVR 12! Yay! 
Last hep appointment: VL UD, AST 19, ALT 12 = SVR 39! I AM DONE!

Offline beto

  • Member
  • Posts: 548
  • "no risk it, no biscuit"
Re: Hep C...It's time to exit the building!
« Reply #5 on: April 01, 2016, 01:28:07 pm »
Hey Andrea,

The way I figure it, by the time your 3 months of treatment end, you will likely be on to new razor blades anyway.  Harvoni is so good at destroying the virus ASAP, it is difficult for me to imagine that a new "re-infection" could get hold.  I'm with Bill though, this is you shot at getting rid of HCV once and for all so, why take any chance.  get new blades or, go ah-natural...tee hee.

most find treatment easy and some feel incredible...and yes there are those that have the challenges.  Let's put in this way...slaying the dragon is an absolute gas.  Sharing stories with cronies on this forum where everyone gets everything that you are going through.  I have made friends on this forum that I just know is for life.  The knowledge of actually being cured is the most amazing feeling you can have.  You likely will experience the Harvoni High...wooohooo!!!!weeee!! and then, watching the numbers change like magic.  You are lucky.

Enjoy the ride even if you hit a few speed bumps.  The fears and the difficulties can be stuff you make jokes about.  Have fun.
HCV/nonA,nonB acute phase 1975
HCV detected active 1990
HCV persistent chronic diagnosis 1995
1995 liver enzymes mild elevations
1996 Biopsy F2 fibrosis
treatment naive geno 1-A
2000-to early 2015 Viral load 150, 000 to 800, 000
recent liver enzymes before treatment alt/ast 59to209,  Fibroscan F4,cirrhosis
start tx Harvoni 7/11/2015
6.5 week-UD-ast/alt 25/25
9wk-UD-ast18 alt23
10/3/15 completed tx
11/5/15 new fibroscan f0-f1 amazed
6wk EOT UD ast/alt 20/20
12EOT-UD-ast/alt19/21
25wk-SVR! 19/18

Offline Philadelphia

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  • Posts: 1,157
  • It only looks like I know what I'm doing
Re: Hep C...It's time to exit the building!
« Reply #6 on: April 02, 2016, 04:50:16 am »
Good luck with treatment Andrea - it's easier than it's ever been for most people. People on the board will be a great support for you. Use them, they don't mind :)
CURED SVR24  Class of 2015
Wk 12 post EOT 30.11.15: ALT 14 AST 22 GGT 22 VL UND
Week 19 07.08.15: ALT 17 AST 23 GGT 25
Week 12 18.06.15: ALT 21 AST 23 GGT 28
Week 8 25.05.15: ALT 23 AST 27 GGT 30 VL UND
Week 4 20.04.14: ALT 30 AST 36 VL 40
Treatment start 23.03.15: ALT 137 AST 185 VL 342,600
Cirrhosis Child-Pugh A, Genotype 1a - Viekira Pak + riba 24 weeks
Total failure interferon/ribavirin/boceprovir Mar 2013
https://www.hepmag.com/blogger/grace-campbell

Offline FutureThinker

  • Member
  • Posts: 711
  • Onward and upward!
Re: Hep C...It's time to exit the building!
« Reply #7 on: April 02, 2016, 12:02:52 pm »
Hi again, AndreaM -- I didn't answer your question re: razors & toothbrushes.  I haven't been changing these as some others have, but may start once I'm UD, which I am hoping and praying will be shown on my next blood labs @ 8 wks. I also plan to talk to my doctor about this issue next visit.  Did you ask your doctor about this? Some people are adamant to change them out, some aren't.  Don't know the evidence on this one, but maybe it needs to be done.  Have a great Saturday! FT
Treatment naive
Likely contracted mid-70s
Diagnosed 1a, 2011
F1-2
Harvoni X 12 weeks, completed 5/17/16
Pre-treatment: VL 3 mil, AST 64, ALT 84
4 week labs: VL 30, AST 21, ALT 14
8 week labs: VL UD!!!, AST 22, ALT 16
12 week labs: VL UD, AST 23, ALT 14
2 wk EOT: VL UD
12 wk EOT: VL UD, AST 22, ALT 13 =  SVR 12! Yay! 
Last hep appointment: VL UD, AST 19, ALT 12 = SVR 39! I AM DONE!

Offline pansy

  • Member
  • Posts: 40
Re: Hep C...It's time to exit the building!
« Reply #8 on: April 06, 2016, 08:03:10 am »
After 4th week, and undetected VL, I changed toothbrushes, even they were new.
Not taking a chance with it.

Exit the building, and the door locked behind!

LOL

pansy
Diagnosed 2002, geno: 1a.
Treatment naive.
Started Harvoni 3-3-2016
ALT: 78 AST:60 VL  = 6.3
3-17- 2016 (2 wks Harvoni)
ALT: 16  AST: 21 VL = 2.2
3-28-2016  (4 wks Harvoni)
ALT: 17  AST: 21 VL = Undetected
4-14-2016 (6wks Harvoni)
ALT:17 AST:22 VL = Undetected
4-25-2016 (8 Wks Harvoni)
ALT=18 AST= 21 VL=Undetected
5-9-2016 (10 Wks Harvoni)
ALT=16 AST=25 VL=Undetected
Finished Meds 5-25-2016
5-30-2016 (12 wks Harvoni)
ALT=18 AST=24 VL=Undetected
6-27-2016  (4Wks EOT)
ALT=19 AST=24 VL=Undetected

Offline AndreaM

  • Member
  • Posts: 22
Re: Hep C...It's time to exit the building!
« Reply #9 on: April 08, 2016, 08:57:22 pm »
I just bought a weekly pill organizer and have decided to pitch the current toothbrush and use a new one the following week. I'm also going to use a razor once from now on. I bought a bunch of cheap toothbrushes and razors at target. I know it's wasteful, but it'll only be for a short time.

Offline Philadelphia

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  • Member
  • Posts: 1,157
  • It only looks like I know what I'm doing
Re: Hep C...It's time to exit the building!
« Reply #10 on: April 10, 2016, 12:14:16 am »
I say do what you need to. It's not like you're going to change toothbrushes daily for the rest of your life!

I needed the pill organiser so I had a visual representation of whether I'd taken a tablet or not. Saved my bacon a few times.
CURED SVR24  Class of 2015
Wk 12 post EOT 30.11.15: ALT 14 AST 22 GGT 22 VL UND
Week 19 07.08.15: ALT 17 AST 23 GGT 25
Week 12 18.06.15: ALT 21 AST 23 GGT 28
Week 8 25.05.15: ALT 23 AST 27 GGT 30 VL UND
Week 4 20.04.14: ALT 30 AST 36 VL 40
Treatment start 23.03.15: ALT 137 AST 185 VL 342,600
Cirrhosis Child-Pugh A, Genotype 1a - Viekira Pak + riba 24 weeks
Total failure interferon/ribavirin/boceprovir Mar 2013
https://www.hepmag.com/blogger/grace-campbell

Offline AndreaM

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  • Posts: 22
Re: Hep C...It's time to exit the building!
« Reply #11 on: April 10, 2016, 06:30:20 am »
Philadelphia,

I'll be changing my toothbrush weekly. That's the same reason I got a pill organizer. I've taken every dose, but this gives me that visual representation.

Have a good day, everyone!

Offline I fightis thetitis

  • Member
  • Posts: 129
Re: Hep C...It's time to exit the building!
« Reply #12 on: April 11, 2016, 04:03:35 am »
Andrea,

I'm on day 140 so you got this!.. congratulations and welcome to the class of 2016!

Best always,

Greg
M59  56@start of TX. date infected:1976
diagnosed 1997 - asymtomatic
Genotype 1a
AST 111 -ALT 124 - AFP -89
Viral Load 1900000 - Log 6.28
Fibro Test F4 ActiTest A3
Harvoni 24 wks - start date 11/24/15

6 Week Labs VL Undetected!
104 weeks EOT Undetected.

8/25/17 Fibrosure score 80 = F4
11/10/17 Fibroscan 7.5 mean 1.6 m/s = F2
8/2018 Ultra sound normal.

Offline AndreaM

  • Member
  • Posts: 22
Re: Hep C...It's time to exit the building!
« Reply #13 on: April 13, 2016, 02:48:03 pm »
Great news!! After 11 days of Harvoni, my viral load is below detectable limits!!

*slams door* Adios, Hep C!!

Offline beto

  • Member
  • Posts: 548
  • "no risk it, no biscuit"
Re: Hep C...It's time to exit the building!
« Reply #14 on: April 13, 2016, 03:39:28 pm »
wow andrea!!! that's fantastic!!! Amazing the power of Harvoni.  They have 6 week programs now.  I remember being upset getting only 12 weeks.  Those badboys were likely dead in 4.  Keep up the good work.
HCV/nonA,nonB acute phase 1975
HCV detected active 1990
HCV persistent chronic diagnosis 1995
1995 liver enzymes mild elevations
1996 Biopsy F2 fibrosis
treatment naive geno 1-A
2000-to early 2015 Viral load 150, 000 to 800, 000
recent liver enzymes before treatment alt/ast 59to209,  Fibroscan F4,cirrhosis
start tx Harvoni 7/11/2015
6.5 week-UD-ast/alt 25/25
9wk-UD-ast18 alt23
10/3/15 completed tx
11/5/15 new fibroscan f0-f1 amazed
6wk EOT UD ast/alt 20/20
12EOT-UD-ast/alt19/21
25wk-SVR! 19/18

Offline AndreaM

  • Member
  • Posts: 22
Re: Hep C...It's time to exit the building!
« Reply #15 on: April 28, 2016, 08:19:38 pm »
Week 4 labs...undetected! Woohoo! My next labs will be taken at 8 weeks (EOT).

Offline FutureThinker

  • Member
  • Posts: 711
  • Onward and upward!
Re: Hep C...It's time to exit the building!
« Reply #16 on: April 29, 2016, 11:48:56 am »
AndreaM, you've now moved from the caboose on this train to the "UD car"!!!  So glad to hear your news.

I inquired yesterday at my doctor appoint about treatment length, as I hadn't seen anywhere the reason why there can be 8 wk or 12 wk length except due to VL number. Is the virus "hiding" somewhere or is there a cycle? I was told there is no "cycle, but the virus is in both our bloodstream and liver cells.  Once it's UD in the blood, it is still in the liver cells and therefore why so many of us are on 12 wk. regimens. Keep up the good fight, FT
Treatment naive
Likely contracted mid-70s
Diagnosed 1a, 2011
F1-2
Harvoni X 12 weeks, completed 5/17/16
Pre-treatment: VL 3 mil, AST 64, ALT 84
4 week labs: VL 30, AST 21, ALT 14
8 week labs: VL UD!!!, AST 22, ALT 16
12 week labs: VL UD, AST 23, ALT 14
2 wk EOT: VL UD
12 wk EOT: VL UD, AST 22, ALT 13 =  SVR 12! Yay! 
Last hep appointment: VL UD, AST 19, ALT 12 = SVR 39! I AM DONE!

Offline AndreaM

  • Member
  • Posts: 22
Re: Hep C...It's time to exit the building!
« Reply #17 on: April 29, 2016, 05:46:37 pm »
Hi, FutureThinker! Here are my original stats:
My viral load was 169,738 at the start of treatment.

Confirmation of hep C: 2/2014
Genotype 1b

Viral load
2/2014: 1,727,510
3/2016: 169,738

Liver Inflammation: 2
Fibrosis: 1
No liver cirrhosis

Started Harvoni: 3/30/2016

Offline morab

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  • Posts: 232
  • Lives in the woods
Re: Hep C...It's time to exit the building!
« Reply #18 on: April 30, 2016, 06:18:15 pm »
I will be at 2 weeks on Harvoni tomorrow! I won't get labs done until the 4 week mark.
But thanks to all the fantastic support on this forum! I am now confident, to go from treading water to swimming!
Yes I still have symptoms, mostly indigestion and fatigue at this point.
I just want you all to know that this forum has kept up my spirits more than I can ever express!
Thanks to each and every person who posts with reassurance that I too will be starting a new life for myself and my family.
Sincerely,
Morab
3/2016 G 1a
Alt 84
Ast 62
Fibrosis score lab 0.66
quantitation 894,670
4/23/16 day 6, naive Harvoni 12 week treatment
5/27/16 week 4 lab results UNDETECTED AST 23 ALT17

Offline Philadelphia

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  • It only looks like I know what I'm doing
Re: Hep C...It's time to exit the building!
« Reply #19 on: May 03, 2016, 05:54:05 am »
I must ask Morab, is your name like that of the horse breed?
CURED SVR24  Class of 2015
Wk 12 post EOT 30.11.15: ALT 14 AST 22 GGT 22 VL UND
Week 19 07.08.15: ALT 17 AST 23 GGT 25
Week 12 18.06.15: ALT 21 AST 23 GGT 28
Week 8 25.05.15: ALT 23 AST 27 GGT 30 VL UND
Week 4 20.04.14: ALT 30 AST 36 VL 40
Treatment start 23.03.15: ALT 137 AST 185 VL 342,600
Cirrhosis Child-Pugh A, Genotype 1a - Viekira Pak + riba 24 weeks
Total failure interferon/ribavirin/boceprovir Mar 2013
https://www.hepmag.com/blogger/grace-campbell

Offline morab

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  • Lives in the woods
Re: Hep C...It's time to exit the building!
« Reply #20 on: May 03, 2016, 09:41:20 am »
Yes, instead of using my real name I chose a horse breed. We have an Arabian mare that was bred to a Morgan Stallion. We are expecting a little Morab foal in June. LOL
3/2016 G 1a
Alt 84
Ast 62
Fibrosis score lab 0.66
quantitation 894,670
4/23/16 day 6, naive Harvoni 12 week treatment
5/27/16 week 4 lab results UNDETECTED AST 23 ALT17

Offline Philadelphia

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  • Member
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Re: Hep C...It's time to exit the building!
« Reply #21 on: May 03, 2016, 10:17:44 am »
How exciting! Philadelphia is actually the name of my good TB x Aust Stock Horse jumping mare. I bred her too. :)
CURED SVR24  Class of 2015
Wk 12 post EOT 30.11.15: ALT 14 AST 22 GGT 22 VL UND
Week 19 07.08.15: ALT 17 AST 23 GGT 25
Week 12 18.06.15: ALT 21 AST 23 GGT 28
Week 8 25.05.15: ALT 23 AST 27 GGT 30 VL UND
Week 4 20.04.14: ALT 30 AST 36 VL 40
Treatment start 23.03.15: ALT 137 AST 185 VL 342,600
Cirrhosis Child-Pugh A, Genotype 1a - Viekira Pak + riba 24 weeks
Total failure interferon/ribavirin/boceprovir Mar 2013
https://www.hepmag.com/blogger/grace-campbell

Offline morab

  • Member
  • Posts: 232
  • Lives in the woods
Re: Hep C...It's time to exit the building!
« Reply #22 on: May 03, 2016, 02:48:49 pm »
Philadelphia, When is your foal due? Ours was not planned. We got a gelding, turned him in with the mare...oops we are excited now to welcome a new foal!
I am so ready to have renewed energy so I can ride again. We have a small Morgan that I ride. Are you in Australia?
3/2016 G 1a
Alt 84
Ast 62
Fibrosis score lab 0.66
quantitation 894,670
4/23/16 day 6, naive Harvoni 12 week treatment
5/27/16 week 4 lab results UNDETECTED AST 23 ALT17

Offline Philadelphia

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Re: Hep C...It's time to exit the building!
« Reply #23 on: May 03, 2016, 04:50:04 pm »
Philadelphia IS the foal. I bred her in2001. Her dam died when she was 6 weeks old -snake bite - so I raised her. For an orphan she's turned out great. Orphans are often spoilt little toads. She's a hoot - makes me laugh a lot. :)

Yes I'm in Australia.
CURED SVR24  Class of 2015
Wk 12 post EOT 30.11.15: ALT 14 AST 22 GGT 22 VL UND
Week 19 07.08.15: ALT 17 AST 23 GGT 25
Week 12 18.06.15: ALT 21 AST 23 GGT 28
Week 8 25.05.15: ALT 23 AST 27 GGT 30 VL UND
Week 4 20.04.14: ALT 30 AST 36 VL 40
Treatment start 23.03.15: ALT 137 AST 185 VL 342,600
Cirrhosis Child-Pugh A, Genotype 1a - Viekira Pak + riba 24 weeks
Total failure interferon/ribavirin/boceprovir Mar 2013
https://www.hepmag.com/blogger/grace-campbell

Offline morab

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  • Lives in the woods
Re: Hep C...It's time to exit the building!
« Reply #24 on: May 03, 2016, 07:58:44 pm »
wow great story Philadelphia! Not easy raising a foal. My dad did it once with a milk goat!
3/2016 G 1a
Alt 84
Ast 62
Fibrosis score lab 0.66
quantitation 894,670
4/23/16 day 6, naive Harvoni 12 week treatment
5/27/16 week 4 lab results UNDETECTED AST 23 ALT17

 


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