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Author Topic: Hsrvoni treatment  (Read 12716 times)

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Offline Mike 53

  • Newbie
  • Posts: 2
Hsrvoni treatment
« on: April 02, 2016, 03:24:57 pm »
Hello everyone  I'm new and will be starting harvoni next week. I had hep c 28 yrs and now need treatment F4 fibro scan  14.4.Reading all the side affects  on other sites and this one some good some bad has me wondering if I will do good. Believe it or not I'm been a good boy no alcohol in 30 years and gym jogging mostly every day since. The doc was telling me every yr I was good to go healthy since I had liver biopsy  1998 and had no damage. I knew some wasn't  right in my body I could jog 5 miles one day then none the next. So I decided  to see specialist and that's when I found out. Been tough ever since. people say lots of water helps and exercise. So is the treatment doable? And I have never been treated  before.

Offline KimInTheForest

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,972
  • Believe in yourself
Re: Hsrvoni treatment
« Reply #1 on: April 02, 2016, 04:53:59 pm »
Hi Mike, and welcome! The Harvoni treatment is no problem at all for most people in terms of side effects. I took my harvoni with ribavirin, and the ribavirin did cause me some side effects. But the only side effect I was aware of from the harvoni was the "Harvoni High". (Some people experience it, others don't.)

Best to go into it NOT worrying about possible side effects. Power of suggestion and all that.

Good luck, and keep us posted! :)

kim
Kim Goldberg (Nanaimo, BC)
1970s: Contracted HCV (genotype 3a)
2015: Cured with Harvoni + ribavirin (12 weeks)
MY STORY: https://pigsquash.wordpress.com/2016/01/28/undetectable-my-hep-c-story/

Offline gnatcatcher

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,372
Re: Hsrvoni treatment
« Reply #2 on: April 02, 2016, 05:40:48 pm »
Welcome, Mike. I had HCV quite a bit longer than you and was also F4 on a FibroScan when I started Harvoni last July. Most people, myself included, have an easy time on it. As with any medicine for any illness, a very small percentage of people turn out to be allergic or resistant to something in the medicine, but unless you are among the few unlucky ones, Harvoni should be an easy ride. Just 1 pill a day and in 8 or 12 or 24 weeks (whatever the protocol is for your situation) you're done! You may even get what we here have nicknamed the "Harvoni High" -- extra energy! I was having more and more trouble dragging my butt out of bed before I started treatment when I became the Energizer Bunny.

Yes, exercising and hydrating enough so your urine is light yellow or nearly clear (roughly 80 ounces/day of fluids for a 160# person) help treatment go smoothly.

Best of luck to you.

Gnatty

P.S. If there are any abbreviations in my statistics below that you don't know, ask. As you can see, Harvoni quickly brought my liver enzymes way down into the normal range and my viral load from millions to undetectable.
9/29/71 transfusions
HCV genotype 1a
7/09/15-9/30/15 Harvoni

Before treatment:
Viral Load 9,490,582
FibroScan 19.5 kPa [F4]
ALT 262
AST 217
ALP 183

Most recent:
VL still UNDETECTED (SVR 102)
FibroScan 7.6 kPa [F1-2]
ALT 15
AST 20
ALP 85

Offline Philadelphia

  • Global Moderator
  • Member
  • Posts: 1,157
  • It only looks like I know what I'm doing
Re: Hsrvoni treatment
« Reply #3 on: April 02, 2016, 05:48:38 pm »
Three words: go for it.

:)
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 Mike 53

  • Newbie
  • Posts: 2
Re: Hsrvoni treatment
« Reply #4 on: April 02, 2016, 06:24:14 pm »
Thanks guys it means alot to me with your support. Actually  I feel pretty good now my ast 36, alt 82,platelets 210 and bilirubin 0.8.when doc did liver scan said my liver looked normal. Said I might be early chiroses not sure. Harvoni came ups yesterday I haven't  started  yet because I play baseball 50+division first game next week. Want to play my first game incase I can't play during  treatment. And I'm gearing  myself  up for this 12 weeks. I need to stop reading all the negative post out there makes starting tough but I definitely will because liver will not get better If i dont. I read people  having long term vision, bone problems,cancer,it's like damn if you damn if you dont.
.

Offline Philadelphia

  • Global Moderator
  • Member
  • Posts: 1,157
  • It only looks like I know what I'm doing
Re: Hsrvoni treatment
« Reply #5 on: April 02, 2016, 07:11:11 pm »
Remember, often people post when experiencing difficulties to get help with them. There are thousands of people out there just taking their tablets and going about their normal day.
« Last Edit: April 02, 2016, 09:27:39 pm by Philadelphia »
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 gnatcatcher

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,372
Re: Hsrvoni treatment
« Reply #6 on: April 02, 2016, 09:08:52 pm »
. . . I haven't  started  yet because I play baseball 50+division first game next week. Want to play my first game incase I can't play during  treatment . . . .

Mike, I can identify. When I saw the hepatologist in mid-May, I asked whether I could do the treatment Nov-Jan so I wouldn't miss the spring-summer-fall nature photography season. He was fine with that until he saw my FibroScan F4 19.5 kPa result, at which point he urged me to start as soon as the insurance approval came through. Again, since by far most people on Harvoni have an easy time, and many get extra energy, I did my nature photography while getting cured, and it was easier getting up before dawn than it would have been without Harvoni. Your odds are extremely good that Harvoni won't have a negative effect on your ball playing and may even have a positive effect -- the Harvoni High feels like a stimulant and it's not a banned substance ;)

9/29/71 transfusions
HCV genotype 1a
7/09/15-9/30/15 Harvoni

Before treatment:
Viral Load 9,490,582
FibroScan 19.5 kPa [F4]
ALT 262
AST 217
ALP 183

Most recent:
VL still UNDETECTED (SVR 102)
FibroScan 7.6 kPa [F1-2]
ALT 15
AST 20
ALP 85

Offline slats1056

  • Member
  • Posts: 765
  • SVR to all and to all a good life!
Re: Hsrvoni treatment
« Reply #7 on: April 03, 2016, 12:20:58 am »
 Mike53, Welcome to the Harvoni Show. Put the worries on the back burner and go for it. The vast majority have little to no problems with treatment. Just use common sense and take care of Your self. You should be able to play during Tx.! Get Your rest and hydrate & You will be fine.Even though I had some problems during Tx. I was doing inventory prep at work and was putting in 60-70 hours a week through 2/3rds. of My 12 weeks Tx. ( heavy truck parts and summer time in the hot humid Gulf Coast region ) You got this , go for it and quit worrying! Listen to what Your body is saying to You and treat Yourself accordingly and You will be just fine!

 THE LONGER I AM LEFT UNATTENDED IN THE DOCTORS OFFICE , THE MORE TONGUE DEPRESSORS I CAN LICK AND PUT BACK IN THE JAR! ;D ;)
73 non ab 98 hep c refused pegint/riba
6-15 Gen.1b 1/2 MIL ALT72 AST37 No cirrhosis
7-15  Harvoni 12 weeks
10-14-15 EOT VIRAL LOAD NON-DET  
12-30-15 EOT+12 VIRAL LOAD NON DET  SVR12            8-9-18 HCV LOAD 1.02IU/ml AST22  ALT30 RELAPSE?
9-18-18 confirmed gt 1b relapse
10-16-18 approved 16 weeks Mavyret

Offline FutureThinker

  • Member
  • Posts: 711
  • Onward and upward!
Re: Hsrvoni treatment
« Reply #8 on: April 03, 2016, 02:03:40 pm »
Hi Mike53 and welcome to the forum! I am nearly 6 weeks into my Harvoni journey.  It took me the better part of a year to get my insurance co. to pay for this life-saving medicine.  So, I'd say first off, try to focus on being thankful/grateful that your getting this drug vs. the possible side effects.  I totally understand your hesitation/concerns at how you will respond; I did the same thing for awhile until push came to shove and it was time to get going on curing this and getting on with my life. I have had virtually no negative effects thus far, and surprisingly have been lucky to experience the "Harvoni High" as it's called: No more need for naps, better cognitive clarity and focus, better initiative to "get things done" and overall more energy than I've had in years. And while I did not test undetected at 4 weeks, I am anticipating that I will at the next labs, based on just how much normal I now feel.

 Several members encouraged me before I "got on board the Harvoni Train" to be positive and focus on getting to the other side - the side of SVR and a life w/o this awful virus. So I have, and I encourage you to do the same.  As one of our moderators has said, "Don't borrow worry and disappointment from a tomorrow that may never come (LynnK)."  I love this quote and have it written down in my Harvoni journal. So welcome aboard! The future is bright.  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 General Hamilton

  • Member
  • Posts: 5
Re: Hsrvoni treatment
« Reply #9 on: April 03, 2016, 03:23:33 pm »
Unless you have to take it with ribavirin, it should be a pretty easy ride. A lot of people have documented their experience on the drug on youtube. I would recommend checking out a few of the videos on there and it will give you an idea of what to expect!

Offline Lynn K

  • Global Moderator
  • Member
  • Posts: 4,543
  • Get tested, get treated, get cured, fight Hep c!
Re: Hsrvoni treatment
« Reply #10 on: April 05, 2016, 01:48:57 am »
Hi Mike 53 and welcome

I just looked at the fibroscan score card and it looks, at least to me, that 14.4 would be borderline F3-F4 and anyway fibroscan is not a perfect diagnostic devise. So maybe borderline cirrhosis maybe even less damage.

I was diagnosed with F4 cirrhosis by liver biopsy Jan 2008. I had a fibroscan in Nov 2014 in case my insurance needed it score was 27.

I treated 3 times with interferon based treatment, null responder to all. I treated in spring 2014 with Sovaldi and Olysio for 12 weeks but relapsed 12 weeks after treatment ended.

I treated with Harvoni Nov 2014 to May 2015 for 24 weeks we later added ribavirin for 15 of those weeks because of my treatment history and cirrhosis.

That all being said for me at least Harvoni was a cake walk well at least for the first 9 weeks before we added the ribavirin and I became very anemic from the riba. maybe a couple of mild headaches that's about it.

I had my blood testing for my annual doctor visit including a 44 week post treatment viral load. My ALT and ASL are in normal range first time for at least 26 years and I am still not detected so finally cured and free of hep c after being infected for likely 37 years.

You mentioned your platelet count mine was around 90 before treatment right now it is up to 111 hoping I see minimum normal 150 again someday.

You very likely will be able to do all your usual activities and one new one, beating hep c!

Good luck
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 Scoutdoy

  • Member
  • Posts: 452
Re: Hsrvoni treatment
« Reply #11 on: April 05, 2016, 02:12:19 am »
Hi Mike53, I am one of those who also experienced the Harvoni high. No kidding, I felt so good I could walk without pain in every joint in my body and the afternoon naps stopped. You'll do great, feel great, and get cured. Welcome to the cure train


Scout
F/49yrs
Genotype 1a
infected 1987-tatoo/military?
Diagnosed 2007
Biopsy F-0
vl 13,900,000
AST 23
ALT 19
Harvoni Treatment 7/27/2015
4 week lab --<12 negative...AST 23 ALT 15
6 week lab -- Undetected.....AST 17 ALT 10
8 week lab---undetected.......AST15 Alt 10
12 week lab---UNDETECTED....AST 15 ALT 9
12 week EOT--1/13/2016----UNDETECTED!
24 week EOT ----UNDETECTED  --AST 18 ALT 12
I AM FREE!

Offline Coach Mike

  • Member
  • Posts: 292
    • Affordable Hepatitis C Treatment
Re: Hsrvoni treatment
« Reply #12 on: April 05, 2016, 01:29:36 pm »
Hi Mike,
A dull headache the first three days was it for me.  I really thought nothing was happening because of the lack of side effects. The 4 week test showed it was definitely working.
Drink lots of water.  Stay away from any other medication that is not an absolute necessity, especially medications that reduce stomach acidity.
Just do this!
CM
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 Baxter

  • Member
  • Posts: 87
Re: Hsrvoni treatment
« Reply #13 on: April 08, 2016, 01:46:41 pm »
Hello, Mike, how are you?

Based on my experience, I wouldn't worry too much about being able to play ball if I were you. While some side effects are possible with Harvoni, they're rarely that kind of side effect.

Speaking from my own experience, I've been an athlete all of my life (former bicycle racer, among other things) and one of the worst things about HCV was the loss of physical strength and stamina. Not only couldn't I compete anymore, I could barely participate. The last several years, my only aerobic exercise and recreational activity has been hiking. I live in the Appalachians, and the terrain is very hilly. Sometimes 1 or 2 miles was my limit; I just didn't have the strength or endurance for any more than that.

I started Harvoni 2 weeks ago, and do a minimum of 2 miles a day now with no difficulty whatsoever. I'm doing 16, sometimes 15, and occasionally even 14 minute miles on very hilly, steep ground, and running up the steepest hills because it's easier than walking. If I'm out doing errands and feel pressed for time, I'll often start running back to the car - rather fast, too - without even realizing I'm doing it. If I'm sitting on the ground and want to stand up, I've gotten used to having to push myself up with my hands, because the muscle groups in my legs couldn't raise me up. Now, I find myself just standing up from a seated position, like I'm doing deep knee bands. Many of these things aren't even conscious actions; I just suddenly notice that I'm doing it.

I haven't had this kind of stamina or physical strength in decades, and my reactions and reflexes are significantly faster as well. If I was still living up north I'd be looking forward to winter so I could lace up the skates and play some hockey again; I can already tell I'd be a much more competitive player than I've been since my 30s. Only 2 weeks in, and my whole body is just simply working better. I'm 58, and haven't felt this young and healthy in 20 years or more.

Everyone's experience is different, but if your response to harvoni  is anything like mine, I think you might have a really good season this year. Best of luck to you.
Gen 1a
Inf. '85
Dx '98
'98 biopsy - Grade 2, Stage 2, VL 7 mil
'01 biopsy - Grade 1, Stage 1, VL 1.5 mil
'08 biopsy - Grade 1, Stage 1, VL 3.5 mil
'12 biopsy - Grade 1, Stage 1, VL 3.5 mil
'16 Fibrosure - Grade I, Stage 3, VL 6.4 mil and 4.8 mil
4/23/16 - ALT 89, AST 50, pltlts 120k. Started 12 wks Harvoni
4/31/16 - ALT 30, AST 21, pltlts 125k
4/14/16 - ALT 25, AST 16, pltlts 126k, VL 69
5/11/16 - ALT 28, AST 21, pltlts 140k,VL <15
6/7/16 -EOT, UNDETECTED!
9/7/16 - cured. Low Stage 2 fibrosis

Offline malou

  • Member
  • Posts: 57
Re: Hsrvoni treatment
« Reply #14 on: April 09, 2016, 07:09:16 pm »
Hey Mike, this treatment was wonderful for me. 

I live in the mountains of NM at a 7,500 foot elevation.  Before treatment, I could do something one day a week and the rest of the week was a wash for me.  Swim a mile, do a hike, do weight work, whatever.  I hadn't skied in years.  Well, I started treatment with generic Harvoni on 1/1/16 and started skiing the end of January, and worked up to skiing twice a week, swimming my mile three times a week and hiking the sixth day.  Treatment is done and I still have that kind of stamina, and I feel great.  I was undetected at weeks 4, 8 and have elected to wait until June when my medicare kicks in (yes I will be 65 then) to retest, because I feel THAT good, and expect to be totally undetected.  My family doc just looks at me and shakes his head, he is so happy that I did this. 

I hope your result is similar.  ML
HCV 1996- Work Exposure ER nurse
GT 1a
Non-responder to Interferon in 1997
ALT 73 AST 21 F1-2
Applied to Insurance for Harvoni 12-15
Denied 12-3-15  Told I would never qualify for Harvoni because I was not 'ill'.
Started Twinvir (Bengladesh Harvoni) on 1/1/16

After 4 weeks ALT 23, AST 15, HCV-RNA UNDETECTED
After 8 weeks:AST 23, AST 11, HCV RNA UNDETECTED
6 weeks post treatment, undetected.

Offline HazelAustralia

  • Member
  • Posts: 178
Re: Hsrvoni treatment
« Reply #15 on: April 10, 2016, 02:46:30 am »
Inspiring!
Female age 53
Australia
Contracted in the 1980's
Genotype 1A
VL 314k

Started treatment with Veikira Pak and Ribaviron on Thursday 17th December 2015
NOT DETECTED, End of Treatment, 16th March 2016

 


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