Latest test results and clearing up Havoni breakouts

[Llorona]

So, I just heard back from the nurse at my doctor's office and she said that my last test (the one given after one month of treatment) shows a viral load of zero!

I was a heroin addict for years before getting sober and, as a result, most of my veins are ruined. When I went to have blood drawn for these tests, three different people were poking at me for over an hour trying to find a usable vein. I wish I were exaggerating, but I'm not.
When all was said and done, they'd only gotten a tiny bit of blood out of me. So, when the nurse called with my viral load count. she also said that there was not enough blood in the vials to run the rest of the tests, so I could either come back in and they could try to get more blood, or I could just wait until my next appointment in a few weeks.
I think I'll just wait.

I'm happy to report that I still have zero side effects. I am going into week 6 of treatment (I'm doing 3 months total). I'm still sticking to the same routine: Drinking a smoothie with two bananas, a handful of strawberries, and a handful of blueberries and water when I wake up. Then I have a cup of coffee with non dairy milk. Then I take my Harvoni pill, followed by drinking 24 ounces of water. I have a B12 supplement with my lunch and I continue to drink water throughout the day until I've consumed a total of about 100 oz. I do not eat meat or dairy. This routine has kept me side effect free. Or maybe I'd be side effect free no matter what, but I'm not gonna try to fix anything that ain't broke

I'd been breaking out a bit on my face (which is a totally manageable side effect and not a big deal at all), but now those breakouts are gone! I started using this mud mask on the areas that were breaking out and that cleared it right up. It's this stuff called "Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay" that you can get at the drugstore or on Amazon or sometimes at the grocery store.
It comes in a big tub that lasts years. It's in powder form and you just mix it with water or apple cider vinegar and then smear it on your face, leave it there until it dries, and then rinse it off. It totally clears up blemishes and tightens pores, but it's pretty strong and can be drying, so I only use it once or twice a week and then I moisturize the heck out of my face afterward. If it's too unpleasant for you to use on your entire face, just put it on the spots where you have blemishes.
I've also started using an inexpensive serum that contains hyaluronic acid to moisturize my face. So, I think the addition of these two things (the serum and the clay mask) have kept my Harvoni breakouts at bay.
Def try it if you're having the same problem!

[gnatcatcher]

Congrats on the UNDETECTED! Since they could run only one test, I'm glad that's the one they ran. My guess is that they were also going to run a liver enzymes panel. If your ALT, AST, etc. had been higher than normal, chances are excellent, now that you are UD, that they've all come back down into the normal range.

[Gaj]

Hi Llorona,

Great news on the UND!
If you aren't doing so currently, water loading about an hour prior to bloods may assist a bit. I ensure I drink at least a litre (about 2 of your pints) to maximise my hydration levels. It helps plump up the veins a little bit but more importantly helps continuing flow once they find a suitable vein. Obviously only do this if the testing doesn't require fasting but these ontreatment tests usually don't.

[KY]

Thanks for sharing the great report, Llorona.

[sandrooney]

Great News.

[strongtower]

So, I just heard back from the nurse at my doctor's office and she said that my last test (the one given after one month of treatment) shows a viral load of zero!

Congratulations!!! I found out today that I am free and clear too!!! So happy for you! So happy for US!!! Yay!!! 

[gnatcatcher]

Congratulations, Maddy! You had to wait a little longer than most to get that first UD, so it's all the sweeter!

Gnatty

[strongtower]

Congratulations, Maddy! You had to wait a little longer than most to get that first UD, so it's all the sweeter!

Gnatty

Thank you! I do feel like a heavy load got lifted off of my shoulders! I still have to finish my treatment. I have 20 days left on the Harvoni. But OMG I'm so happy! The nurse that is helping me was so concerned and she wanted me to schedule another ultrasound... but I just KNEW it would be gone!