Hey NRA!

Thanks for letting us know your continued good news! 

Was that your one year SVR? 

Never mind that you were SO well cured on these good drugs, SO early (and long ago now) - it will feel good EVERY SINGLE TIME you have your follow-up tests!

That thrill will never get old, to be told again and again, yup - you are undetected!

Weren't we lucky to get these new DAA's.

Keep us posted on how else in your life and health is going, now that you have been virus free 1 year.

We appreciate hearing from you.  C.

Here's a little update on the Abbvie/Enanta vs Gilead battle for supremacy. Abbvie is calling the Glec/Pib co-formulation, Maviret. A new pangenotypic competitor for Epclusa w/wo Vox. 

WOOHOO!! It gets better all the time  

They're working on getting it approved. There are some good things available now and are going to keep improving. It's a great time to treat!

Hi again NRA,

Found a new article about ABT-493/450 last night and stuck it over in the "General Knowledge" area about ABT, but will try to stick the link here too.

 About ABT-493/530

 C.

Alex,

So glad to hear this good news and great attitude.  You've been through a lot, just getting diagnosed, shocked, suspended, and treated.  Thanks for letting us know it's working out so well for you.  Please continue providing information.  You're part of the knowledge feed now.

Cheddy

Great to hear your latest update! Nice to know your news - your feelings that your health is getting better every day, and of feeling positive. These new DAA's ARE just grand! I too feel very lucky, like you said, and I also feel very grateful my doc got me into my trial. I am so glad how all has turned out for you. I have lost track - can you remind me again, how many weeks has it been since you finished the pills? I am so glad you are doing so well.  C.

I had my fourth checkup this week. I'm still SVR. I have 2 more months of blood test to go but these drugs work. My health is getting better everyday. Plus my attitude is positive now. I'm so lucky to have a great doctor that went all out to get me in this trial. He saved my life IMO. Plus I found this site which gave me the knowledge about the monster in my body & hope of a recovery. I hope these drugs get approved soon. They are one of the best I know of at his time.

Alex,

Congrats and good luck! This smile is for you

Congrats to all the newbie trial participants on these drugs! they were awesome to me. I did 8 weeks, with very little side effects, got cured, doing very well, and was treated nicely.

Best of luck to you all

xo

Hey Howard,

That's great news! These treatments are pretty incredible. Sounds to me like you've got a lot to celebrate. Now get out there and enjoy it!! I'm looking forward to your next viral load. Keep in touch and good luck... 

Congrats Howard!!   Thanks for the report, Abbvie cured my wife.  Like you said- 99% WOW

RC

I just finished the drug part of this trial. It's a great drug. I was SVR in 8 weeks. I had no side effects from the drugs. I took 3 pills once a day. I have 5 months of aftercare to go. I will know it worked for sure then. Get a positive attitude going because this trial has a 99 percent success  rate and it treats all types of TVC. Good luck. I'm looking forward to your reaching SVR

Hello - I am one with genotype 1b who relapsed after Viekira+Exviera in the 3rd phase of trials. I am waiting now for another phase of trials with 493 and 530. 

Is there anyone who relapsed with genotype 1b? Generally how do you feel on trials with no Riba?

China Cat your in a great trial. i just finished taking 12 weeks of the meds. There is no sign of HVC in me I've been clear for several weeks but they wanted me to go 12 weeks for the trial records. I have 6 months of testing to go to finish the trial. I'd go 12 months if needed for the great feeling of getting that monster out of my body Think positive, your in a great trial. The drug has few side effects. I had none. I'm ready to work on getting my liver as healthy as possible. My doctor says my chances are good.

Hi Howard,

congratulations on your results. It's a pretty good feeling isn't it that SVR?  Now just to wait till the 12 weeks post treatment! 

Its a long time. 

So happy for you. 

Syd

That is terrific news Howard Thank you for being part of a trial that will show others this can and does work. 

You got great drugs and a great result. We are all really happy for you!  C.

I'llh have no problem with drinking plenty of water' I carry a 5 gal water cooler everywhere I go' A good friend  has a commercials  ice maker that I can use anytime.  I'm so happy  to be clear.

Congratulations! You're so right, these are incredibly effective drugs and I'm thrilled you've been freed of the beast! Continue on and SVR is  yours. Good luck to you, this is great news!

That's got to be a great feeling!! Please let us know about the future tests, too. Don't forget to keep drinking tons of water and eating well.   It takes a bit of time to get the residual medication out of your system.

Thanks for being part of the trial.  You are doing great!

I'm free' I have no hep c in my test. I was clear 4 weeks ago. I still have 6 months of blood test to prove the treatment worked. It's a small price to pay for free meds that work. I'll keep everyone updated. Hurrah  the beast is dead!These meds are great . My only side effect was insomnia and I don't know the drugs caused it. I took 3 pills a day for 12 weeks. I've been virus free for 5 weeks. They don
't tell yousoyou will continue taking your meds. Some are virus free in 4 weeks.

Howard,  Good to hear you are at the end.  It sounds positive.  We eagerly await you feedback.  We have come so far.

Hey, hey NRA4ever,

Glad to hear from you again and your updates. Boy, week 11!!, seemed to go fast, to me, did it to you?

I know the feeling you expressed, of feeling grateful for receiving these good new, trial drugs.

The ABT 493/530 is indeed proving itself. My drug trial regime (different from yours) was also of the newest daa's. We ARE lucky, who get these trials of the new daa's.

I wish our two other gals (who also got your regime) will update us one day, but I am sure, they too, made out well and need not ever look back on their worry of once having HCV.

Keep us posted.  C.

Good job! Time is really flying by. I wish you all the best on your upcoming tests. I have a good feeling that you'll be pleased with your progress. Glad to hear you're helping others, it does make a world of positive difference for all involved. Let us know your results when you get them. Good luck..... 

I'm 11 weeks into this trial. I go in in the morning for more blood test & to learn how it is going.It has a 95%cure rate. I hope I'm in the 95%. I'll post more after I get back from this appointment. Tig I'm Geno 1. I was wrong about when I said 2. Your right about my dad. He gave me the ideals I have. I believe we should give back. I made a point of going to visit the people I called my mentors & thanking them. They taught me so much & I felt they should know I appreciated it. I get such a great feeling when I help someone. It's priceless.

-- Edited by NRA4ever on Tuesday 2nd of August 2016 06:51:10 PM

Hi Howard,

Good to hear from you! You're getting right down to the wire my friend, excellent. While I'm thinking about it, you have genotype 1 in your signature but you mentioned in an earlier post that you had geno 2, which is it? Either way it will be a done deal, your trial medication is "killer"! Did you hear anything on your 8 week tests? Sometimes they'll let you know, other times they seal the results from prying eyes. The competitors have a way of finding out and they don't want to release too much data. I have little doubt that you're doing well. How are you feeling physically? Any side effects that are bothering you? Most of the side effects with these new drugs are manageable, so I hope you're doing just that, managing!

You mention your Dad a lot, that's great! I have a lot of respect for a man that can accomplish the things he has, raise a family right and instill the values in his children that you seem to possess. As a parent, it's a wonderful thing to see your kids excel and have a hand in helping them achieve their own goals. I'm sure he has always been proud of you. It also sounds like you're carrying on by helping others in any way you can, by yourself and with your church. Good job....

My thoughts and prayers are with LA and BR after this week's tragedy.

I have good results so far. I go back 8/3. I hope to be clear of this monster by then & can start repairing my liver. It seems like it has been a long time but its coming to a end if I'm clear next visit.

I give my dad credit because if someone in a wheelchair can teach a positive attitude to someone just think how much he could have taught me if he could have shown me hands on.

NRA4ever wrote:

---

You have to be a positive thinking person to succeed in a business you own.

---

 That's for sure! I was self employed my last job and it takes just that, a can-do attitude ... or you won't make it a year.

It's nice that you attribute your positive attitude to your dad, I have my parents to thank for any of my good traits, myself to blame for the bad ones ... LOL

Dave

My dad gave me my positive attitude. He was paralyzed when I was 6. He still taught me how to do any farm work you can name. He bought my first tractor when I was 14. I did plowing bush hogging & any other jobs I could with it. I made good money all through high school with it. I started carpentry after school & soon had my own interior trim contracting business. Dad taught me to take charge & run my own business. He said I'd never have a better boss that way. I've worked less tan 7 years for another business. You have to be a positive thinking person to succeed in a business you own.

Good stuff Howard, glad to hear that it's working out so well for you and for others.

It's those like you that are breaking trail for those who will follow, Kudos for that and it's just great to see such a positive and healthy attitude.

Dave

My 8 week checkup is coming up. It's July 8. I feel very positive. I expect good news. The people running it think I will have defeated this monster by then. Many of their past study people are clear by 8 weeks. I'm so lucky to be in this great study. I haven't hear of any bad side effects either. This may be the next cure for HVC. Getting in the study made me go from hopeless to a positive outlook on life again.

Xcelent!

Cool beans, Emily!!

I'm liking the great news and positive attitudes around here. We've never seen so much.........success........ around here before   The good thing?? It's going to get better and better!

What a great trial this is,! Congrats to everyone, it looks like you're all winning yet another war. Bye Bye dragons. :D

Great news! Keep it coming as those weeks pass by.

You are well on your way to slaying that dragon!

Lots of good news today!

SF

As Kylie says: lucky, lucky, lucky.

Well done to you Skimly.  

And apologies for bringing 90s pop into this cultured environment.

So very lucky! I am so grateful. Just a few months ago, I was panicking - wondering how in the hell I would obtain drugs that costs tens of thousands of dollars. And bam. This wonderful opportunity falls into my lap. How amazing. 

Oh skimily,

How wonderful!! - feels great to get that und, doesn't it! I'm so happy for ya.

Yup, you described it well - it is "WOW" stuff.

All these new daas ARE changing the face of HCV, for many. Aren't we lucky, lucky, lucky!  C.

Update - 

today was my 6 week visit and my week 4 lab came back as virus undetected! Wow. :)

so I still have my week 8 visit.  Then post 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 6 weeks, and 12. I think.  Lots of visits left

This site has a lot to do with my having a positive attitude. I know so much more about this virus. I hope to help others. I have always believed in giving back.

Hi Howard,

It's good to hear that you are on your way to being HCV-Free!

With your positive attitude (and that helps more than any of us can imagine), that Dragon doesn't stand a chance and soon your liver will be on the mend as well. It is, no doubt, healing as we speak.

We look forward to hearing more from you, welcome to the family!

Dave

Hi Howard, your on a good trial, and should clear the virus easily. Just about every chemical you put into your body will pass through your liver, this includes chemical absorbed through your skin.Stay away from alcohol and just be sensible about OTC med"s. Your liver will mend, and if possible see if you Can have a fibroscan 6-8 months after you reach SVR. I understand that you can regenerate 3/4 of your liver in just a matter weeks. So that's good news for sure. Your doing fine.  RC

The folks here do tend to become family. We share things that others cannot understand. It's a hard thing to think you are isolated with an illness and that the World seems to turn without empathy towards it. As if a cold dark shadow surrounded you and the light is hard to understand.

Here however we have a group that has come together from all walks of life and corners of the globe. It is as if an instant recognition takes place as we interact and the thought of being alone fades as a light begins to shine.

Some are successful first time out, others during a second battle, third, forth and onward to the goal. Each of us however can see there are others far less fortunate than us. Folks without the slightest glimmer of hope.

We are and shall continue to be those that blaze the trail to eradication of Hep-C. We are committed to the pledge that our children and theirs will need to resort to history to learn about our struggles and not themselves be troubled by them.

We are Warriors Howard, and you are one of us now.

Life is Beautiful.

JimmyK

I plan to be active on this site way after I reach my goal. Just meeting people with the same problem as mine gave me hope. I had never thought about HVC until I tested positive. I've spent hours on line educating myself. This site is by far the best I found. I believe in giving back. If something good happens to you share it. A little pep talk with someone in the place I began at will do wonders for them. It sure helped me.

Once I reach SVR what things should I do to hopefully repair my liver damage & get my health back to normal. I don't know the extent of my liver damage but I'm staying positive. I need to check out the threads on after care

Thanks Guys

Skimily and NRA,

I am just so happy I could bust for ya!!

Nothing could be better than the path you 2 are taking right now.

Congrats, big time!

Real happy for you two, it will keep on getting better and better now.

I still wonder how chinacat made out on her ABT as well, I highly suspect, reeeeal good!  C.

We're always here for you Howard! So glad that you're feeling better today and as you reach your goal of SVR, you'll continue to notice those improvements. Keep at it Brother and make sure you continue adequately hydrating, eating well and stay rested. One day at a time!

I'm feeling a lot better today folks. Just 6 weeks ago I had little hope & did not know where to turn. She said my viral load was half of my beginning levels. I know I still have a long road to a full recovery. I have not exercised in years. I know I'm out of shape but if the fatigue goes away with the virus I will no trouble getting in shape. I want to thank anyone who said prayer for me. They are working so keep them coming.

Wow Emily, that's an awesome rapid viral response. It looks like 493/530 likes you and hates your dragon. I say keep doing what you've been doing. Good medicine, a winning attitude and sober living obviously agrees with you! You'll be smelling the sweet aroma of SVR soon.

Emily,

Congrats on the wonderful 2 wk results.

Waiting is just a part of the hunt for taking that dragon down ...

... waiting is all quite relative, I was <15 detected @ 4 wks and am in the process of waiting 5 months for the next test, LOL

You're dong great, you've got this and very soon you'll be HCV-Free!

Dave