User

Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.
December 28, 2024, 11:03:28 am

Login with username, password and session length


Search

Forums Index

Stats

Members
  • Total Members: 6315
  • Latest: DRG
Stats
  • Total Posts: 55137
  • Total Topics: 4855
  • Online Today: 264
  • Online Ever: 3061
  • (September 25, 2024, 11:40:40 pm)
Users Online
Users: 0
Guests: 229
Total: 229

Welcome

Welcome to the Hep Forums, a round-the-clock discussion area for people who have Fatty Liver Disease, Hepatitis B, C or a co-infection, their friends and family and others with questions about hepatitis and liver health. Check in frequently to read what others have to say, post your comments, and hopefully learn more about how you can reach your own health goals.

Privacy Warning: Please realize that these forums are open to all, and are fully searchable via Google and other search engines. If this concerns you, then do not use a username or avatar that are self-identifying in any way. We do not allow the deletion of anything you post in these forums, so think before you post.
  • The information shared in these forums, by moderators and members, is designed to complement, not replace, the relationship between an individual and his/her own physician.
  • All members of these forums are, by default, not considered to be licensed medical providers. If otherwise, users must clearly define themselves as such.
  • Product advertisement (including links); banners; and clinical trial, study or survey participation—is strictly prohibited by forums members unless permission has been secured from the Hep Forum Moderators.
Finished Reading This? You can collapse this or any other box on this page by clicking the symbol in each box.
« previous next »
Pages: [1]   Go Down

Author Topic: The hunt for treatment  (Read 32704 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Hogan1956

  • Member
  • Posts: 16
The hunt for treatment
« on: July 28, 2018, 02:01:46 pm »
I figured i hijacked the "unwilling to get tested" thread long enough and its time to start one detailing my hunt for affordable treatment.
I received the Harvoni co-pay coupon from Harvoni support path website yesterday, and since it still requires a 70 thousand plus cash outlay on my part, i can cross that off the list as i crossed Medicare off.
I did however get approved for VA medical after breaking the promise to myself decades ago that i would ever use them for any type medical care. They said i would get scheduled for an appointment in the next 15 business days, so maybe by Halloween i will see a doc and start the fight to get them to cover costs.

So....its hurry up and get in line and wait for now ;)
Updates to follow.
Logged

Offline andrew j

  • Member
  • Posts: 477
Re: The hunt for treatment
« Reply #1 on: July 28, 2018, 07:27:00 pm »
I don't live in the U.S., Hogan - but from what I've read - mainly here - the VA offers really good coverage for people with Hep C.
Hoping that that's the case for you!

Best wishes,
A.
Logged

Offline Lynn K

  • Global Moderator
  • Member
  • Posts: 4,546
  • Get tested, get treated, get cured, fight Hep c!
Re: The hunt for treatment
« Reply #2 on: July 28, 2018, 07:50:11 pm »
Many here have been treated by the VA just takes time and waiting from what I understand.
Logged
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 Hogan1956

  • Member
  • Posts: 16
Re: The hunt for treatment
« Reply #3 on: August 02, 2018, 08:21:01 pm »
VA got back to me in only 3 days time, i was impressed. 1st appointment comes september 20th, specialty appointments not likely before 2019....the wait goes on.
Logged

Offline Hogan1956

  • Member
  • Posts: 16
Re: The hunt for treatment
« Reply #4 on: October 10, 2018, 11:41:07 pm »
A quick update,

Saw the VA doc on the 20th, got referrals for the hep c and my cardiovascular problems, heard from the infectious disease department the same day and they set up a video teleconference call with a nurse practitioner for Oct4th.
After the consult they took a slew of blood and set up another for November 8th. She stated they will be able to tell me at that time whether or not treatment will be imminent or deferred.
The wait continues...
Logged

Offline Lynn K

  • Global Moderator
  • Member
  • Posts: 4,546
  • Get tested, get treated, get cured, fight Hep c!
Re: The hunt for treatment
« Reply #5 on: October 11, 2018, 12:47:29 am »
Really this is fairly similar to what occurs on the civilian side.

Forward progress good deal
Logged
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 Hogan1956

  • Member
  • Posts: 16
Re: The hunt for treatment
« Reply #6 on: November 13, 2018, 12:58:58 pm »
The hunt is over... Harvoni treatment begins today!
Logged

Offline Lynn K

  • Global Moderator
  • Member
  • Posts: 4,546
  • Get tested, get treated, get cured, fight Hep c!
Re: The hunt for treatment
« Reply #7 on: November 13, 2018, 02:06:31 pm »
Woo whoooo!

Congrats!
Logged
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 Hogan1956

  • Member
  • Posts: 16
Re: The hunt for treatment
« Reply #8 on: November 13, 2018, 10:06:16 pm »
Thanks Lynn.
Logged

Offline Hogan1956

  • Member
  • Posts: 16
Re: The hunt for treatment
« Reply #9 on: December 10, 2018, 03:18:41 pm »
Well i reached the 1/3 mark in my treatment today. I haven't noticed any side effects from the medication except for the fact that i feel cold in the evenings.I've always been the one walking around in a tee shirt in 50 degree weather. But... that could also be from the caloric deficit state i've been keeping myself in while losing some weight ( down 36 lbs since feb).
I hope skipping a couple days between bottles don't hurt the treatment since the VA in their infinite wisdom didn't fill the 2nd bottle until this afternoon so i most likely won't see it until thursday.
Will update again at the 2/3 mark next month.
Logged

Offline KimInTheForest

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,972
  • Believe in yourself
Re: The hunt for treatment
« Reply #10 on: December 10, 2018, 06:20:07 pm »
Congrats on reaching the 1/3 mark. Way to go!

kim
Logged
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 Hogan1956

  • Member
  • Posts: 16
Re: The hunt for treatment
« Reply #11 on: December 11, 2018, 12:55:14 pm »
Thanks Kim. On a side note the VA shipped the Harvoni next day air so no interruption occured. 
Logged

Offline KimInTheForest

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,972
  • Believe in yourself
Re: The hunt for treatment
« Reply #12 on: December 11, 2018, 03:56:38 pm »
Quote from: Hogan1956 on December 11, 2018, 12:55:14 pm
Thanks Kim. On a side note the VA shipped the Harvoni next day air so no interruption occured.

That's good news - no interruption. :)
Logged
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 Hogan1956

  • Member
  • Posts: 16
Re: The hunt for treatment
« Reply #13 on: December 20, 2018, 04:19:01 pm »
The VA contacted me today...the viral load on the 4 week blood work came back @ 15, they were hoping it would have been not detected. So they are extending my treatment by 4 weeks, results on the ultrasound of the liver done on october 25th said scarring was light to moderate which i reckon agree's with the f1 blood test result.

RBC was 4.92 M/cmm which is the 1st time in over 2 years that it registered in the normal range instead of being low.....yea. Will post new news after i get the results back from their testing on the 3rd of Jan.
Logged

Offline Hogan1956

  • Member
  • Posts: 16
Re: The hunt for treatment
« Reply #14 on: January 15, 2019, 12:44:45 pm »
1/4/19
Test Name:    HCV Viral Load (lr)
Result:    No_HCV_RNA_Detected

7 more weeks of treatment to go  8)
Logged

Offline KimInTheForest

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,972
  • Believe in yourself
Re: The hunt for treatment
« Reply #15 on: January 15, 2019, 01:36:58 pm »
Quote from: Hogan1956 on January 15, 2019, 12:44:45 pm
1/4/19
Test Name:    HCV Viral Load (lr)
Result:    No_HCV_RNA_Detected

7 more weeks of treatment to go  8)

Wonderful! :)
Logged
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 Hogan1956

  • Member
  • Posts: 16
Re: The hunt for treatment
« Reply #16 on: June 11, 2019, 12:29:29 am »
Howdy everyone,
I am here to give a update :)
First off...  i have to say i love Harvoni, i took it for 16 weeks and never noticed that i took it. My body did tho 8)
I am so very happy to say that my 12 week post treatment blood results are identical to those i posted 1/4/19 ;D
As a result the VA has transferred my hepatitis treatment from infectious diseases to a regular gastroenterologist.
Many thanks to this site, VA, and especially the lovely ladies who moderate it, and dole constant encouragement and advice.
In closing...let me talk to those who like me came to this site and started reading and figuring out what to do. Its curable, eat healthy, and most importantly... get treatment and keep the faith!
Take care and God Bless.
 
Logged

Offline Lynn K

  • Global Moderator
  • Member
  • Posts: 4,546
  • Get tested, get treated, get cured, fight Hep c!
Re: The hunt for treatment
« Reply #17 on: June 11, 2019, 12:37:53 am »
Hey mucho congrats! Thanks for the update about your great news! :)

Now go enjoy your hep c free life
Logged
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 KimInTheForest

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,972
  • Believe in yourself
Re: The hunt for treatment
« Reply #18 on: June 11, 2019, 12:40:58 am »
Congrats on your SVR12 Hogan! Best of luck to you for your future without Hep C! :)

kim
Logged
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/
Pages: [1]   Go Up
« previous next »
 

© 2024 Smart + Strong. All Rights Reserved.   terms of use and your privacy
Smart + Strong® is a registered trademark of CDM Publishing, LLC.