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Author Topic: Graduation Day!  (Read 6686 times)

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Offline I fightis thetitis

  • Member
  • Posts: 129
Graduation Day!
« on: May 08, 2016, 08:23:52 pm »
Hi Everyone,

After 24 weeks of Harvoni I just took my last pill. Bingo!
I feel pretty good and my liver is happy. Pain gone! New chapter begins now.

My doc said no need for me to get a blood test until 24 weeks post unless I'm anxious and feel I have too. It's all my call.
I think I will wait as I understand his reasoning.
Which is, even if VL is discovered @12 weeks, which for now is considered relapse, my immune system "may" be able to naturally defeat any residual virus.
A couple of his 12 week patients who showed VL @12 weeks post tx had nothing at 24.

And, even if I have the "NS5 resistant" gene, he recommended I should wait at least 24 weeks post Harvoni before I start another treatment therapy just to be certain.

Thoughts?

I will still be checking in on all of you and excited to read about your journey. 

Best to all of you,

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 lporterrn

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,969
  • LucindaPorterRN
    • LucindaPorterRN
Re: Graduation Day!
« Reply #1 on: May 08, 2016, 10:20:16 pm »
Congratulations!
Lucinda Porter, RN
1988 Contracted HCV
1997 Interferon nonresponder
2003 PEG + ribavirin responder-relapser
2013 Cured (Harvoni + ribavirin clinical trial)
https://www.hepmag.com/blogger/lucindakporter

Offline gnatcatcher

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,372
Re: Graduation Day!
« Reply #2 on: May 09, 2016, 04:16:53 am »
Greg, Happy Graduation! Your doc's reasoning makes sense to me. It's great that you have his permission to test earlier if you feel the need, but since the odds are terrific that the HCV is gone and, if it isn't, there's nothing you can do about it until 24 weeks post eot anyway, ignorance is bliss. Your doc seems very experienced with all aspects of treatment and is giving you permission to use these 24 weeks to focus on the rest of your life. Some of the other doctors we read about on these forums seem much less experienced and therefore pass on to patients their own insecurities.

Glad you plan to stay active in our community. Every good wish,

Gnatty
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 brie41

  • Member
  • Posts: 191
Re: Graduation Day!
« Reply #3 on: May 09, 2016, 08:04:43 pm »
Hi Greg,

  Congrats on getting through 24 weeks!  I just finished my 8 week treatment as of tonight too.   I had not heard that your own immune system can sometimes finish it off if needed.  Nice to know that.   I was just posting on how many tests I will be having and not sure if that will make me more or less anxious.  The waiting game begins all the same.  Best of luck to you!!!  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 Philadelphia

  • Global Moderator
  • Member
  • Posts: 1,157
  • It only looks like I know what I'm doing
Re: Graduation Day!
« Reply #4 on: May 09, 2016, 11:15:20 pm »
Congrats! 24 weeks is a long slog, but you got through it. :) I like your reasoning and you have a fall back position in case you want to be tested earlier. It's win-win I reckon.
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 KimInTheForest

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,972
  • Believe in yourself
Re: Graduation Day!
« Reply #5 on: May 09, 2016, 11:38:36 pm »
Congrats Greg! Well done! :)

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 KimInTheForest

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,972
  • Believe in yourself
Re: Graduation Day!
« Reply #6 on: May 10, 2016, 01:32:27 pm »
And congrats to you too, Brie, on finishing treatment! :)

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 FutureThinker

  • Member
  • Posts: 711
  • Onward and upward!
Re: Graduation Day!
« Reply #7 on: May 10, 2016, 02:18:29 pm »
Congrats, Greg! Another one for the class of 2016.  We all have to keep these test times in perspective, so thanks for the info you received from your doctor & his rationale. I'm done in a week! 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 brie41

  • Member
  • Posts: 191
Re: Graduation Day!
« Reply #8 on: May 10, 2016, 05:47:00 pm »
Thank you Kim!  It really went by so fast, but I do feel a little lost today not having to take my pill!!  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!

 


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