Hey Iris,

DOWN THE HATCH, WARRIOR!! 

You’re going to do great! Say goodbye to all those years of worry. You have finally gotten one of the best treatments available. I’m glad you avoided the Interferon and Riba nightmare. Things happen for a reason, this better and easier opportunity to kill your Dragon is it!

Remember, one gallon of water every day!

Hi ,

Just sitting waiting for the 9 o'clock so that I may jump on.

Oh its here! Gotta goooooooooooo!

Tig wrote:

---

Welcome aboard! Sit back, grab your bucket of water and enjoy the ride. The EOT station will be the next stop on your way to SVRVille...  ALL ABOARD!!!!!

---

this post is so cute! and cool ......... indeed , grabbing my bucket of water ..and dragging lots of water to work with me. went back to work tonite after 10days off to get started on Harvi. So far so good, a few weird feelings but thankful for the easy start.... and praying it keeps feeling ok. I keep imagining the colony getting smaller and new ones not reproducing-it's a beautiful picture when I think of it. My work is being so cool with me too, lots of ppl know and are cheering me on and letting me out early to keep me feeling well. I am blessed. 

Welcome aboard! Sit back, grab your bucket of water and enjoy the ride. The EOT station will be the next stop on your way to SVRVille...  ALL ABOARD!!!!!

Hello again Canuck --  Try to make that California trip --its good for one's overall well-being. It really helped mine in subtle ways that added up to letting go of old anxiety about why I felt the way I did physically for so long and the zombie's in my head. I am grateful for SVR! Amazing last year and am thankful for you, Tig, Wendy, everyone here on the board and your wealth of knowledge that kept me on track to SVR. Thank you, thank you!! Always grateful- 

ps

Hey,

Glad you splained about the avatar - I was wondering, I showed the pic to my partner earlier today and but neither of us were sure, figured some sorta hawk or bird of prey - we're not really "up" on our birds (obviously) heehee. Good to know what it is, and what a neat shot for you to possess! Lucky you, to have those kinds of feasts for eyes, experience, and memory!

I am so jealous, I've been pining to drive the West coast all the way down along into Calif or further (or to just about anywhere of a warmer lattitude than here)! But Calif would suit me mighty fine! I went once as a child (from the Prairies no less), I only recall bits and pieces of that family trek. Recall I was astounded, mesmorized hitting Oregon as whole new "amazingly green" world unfolded before me, and then into the warmth Calif. I too remember seeing the Monarchs (but not hoards of them, just some gatherings). I was young, and was quite ill on that trip, so don't remember too many things. Will get there again eventually. I did fly in once as a young adult but it was a very short whirlwind kind of thing and did not get to spend any real quality time there, just a teaser, but knew I would return one day, fer sure

I'm so glad you went! Oh ya, Illinois! Right. Big brr. Well, doubly glad you got to Calif. then. Sounds wonderful. 

Also very glad you gave us such a good peek into your brain, and how you are feeling. Very reassuring to us who have also struggled through fog and things to see others resolving. Really good, and I'm so glad for you. Gifts, meant to be.  C.

also,,,my avatar is a picture I took of a peregrine falcon not far from seeing clusters of monarch butterflies in Eucalyptus trees...

Lindz & C --- sorry for the delay here! I have just returned from a month long trip to California of basking in the sun, hiking and feeling terrific!! The trip was something I did for myself since I am feeling so happy and healthy these days! I definitely had the encephal..effect in the brain from the HCV. Since treatment and SVR, the brain fog and fuzziness I felt for YEARS is quelled. My head is so clear and my energy level is much improved. I am in general feeling amazingly better than I have felt in many years,,,so a month in CA out of the cold weather of Illinois was a gift to myself. My partner and I explored Big Sur, Monterey and southern California...fantastic weather, swimming, sun,,all goodness.

Thanks to everyone here who has supported myself and others through this slaying of the dragon. I love being a part of this fabulous Club Zero...I've always been a basically optimistic person, even though I had not felt 'quite right' for a long time. It seemed to be taking a toll on me the last 17-18 years, because it was becoming harder and harder to keep up with day to day living and now I am free of HCV!! Hoorah!! My biggest benefit as a result of SVR is the brain fog and energy level,,,wow. 

Thanks to all!! 

Cheers!

PS

Yes, Polo - absence does makes the heart grow fonder - but, we know (fondly) you are always around and with us! Lovely, isn't it, that we have been sharing in LM's recent celebrations. ALL us "UND people" (collectively) are getting to be one very large, happy, cured group!

So, during your treatment you never had much oppportunity to let up on your work comittments - is it still the same - work a lot, travel, then a bit of time off and repeat?

I'm wondering "how you feel" now, comparatively (with some retrospect under your belt), being that you are getting well past SVR12 (!) I recall one of your worst beginnng worries was fog, and that sometime along the way, some of this trouble dissipated a bit for you. How does it seem now, with more time transpiring?  Anymore thoughts about retiring one day?

Let us know how things seem to be going for you now. I forget your exact locale again, but I do recall you have been having some "winter" too! Hope you're not having to contend with work-driving/flying too much in incliment conditions. 

Keep us posted on your progress!  C.

PS -Where are you?  I'm missing you!  It's been way too long since you've checked in with us here!

Thanks LZ, Dragon Slayed Tig, Slurp! Canuck!

ps 

Now, were talkin'! I got you 12 scoops to celebrate. 

So glad you are official now. What weird and wonderful trip you have been on eh.

Time to kick your shoes off a bit, loosen the belt, revel in the saiety value of this day. The rest is cream.  C. 

That’s OUTSTANDING!! SVR, has a nice ring to it, congrats! 

YIPPEE PS!!  So very happy for you!!  Congratulations!!

I have SVR, no VL detected at 90 days! Hoorah! Hoorah!

Hi Tig & Canuck -- yes, I think they simply checked boxes when I told them I had HCV and completed treatment ~90 days ago. I had copies of all the tests that were run previously, but I think checked boxes, not reading the information or listening to me.

LZ - Yes, I panicked for a few minutes when I got the call and they said I was REACTIVE to HCV...I'm sure my face drained and I felt a dizzying moment.

Robert --you make a good point, I don't think they even were testing my LE's! I need to call them in the morning...

Wow, hope for no VL and another Party here!

Hi polos, As Tig mentioned, the LFTs -ast-alt tell a lot about virus activit. My numbers averaged 200 to 400 all the time. Todays blood work has me at 7 and 21. 

My EOT was Dec 18 2017, and each week since EOT I have had blood work and the LFTs have always been in the  12 to 27 range. So I would say keep an eye on your LFTs, its a very inexpensive test. My cardiologist has a finger prick test that spits out lipid results and LFTs results. I will wait until 6 week post to check load/count. In the first two treatments I was always relapsed at 4 weeks post treatmen. God I hated getting those phone calls, they knock you off your feet. I am 23 days out post treatment with LFTs of 7 and 21- Dragon Dead I would say!!   RC

Poor ps!!  I'm so sorry you had that unnecessary scare!!  I'm so glad it was nothing but I do get frustrated with some of these medical professionals who just don't seem to know much about HepC.  Hopefully, that will improve in time.  I have no doubt your news will be good but please be sure to let us know when you get your results so we can celebrate with you! 

Hey Polo,

I was out of town, but back tonight to ponder your new clinic.

That could be one explanation, that the "new clinic" you had to go to (because of a change in your insurance provider) possibly may not know much about HCV testing?, thus why they did the PCR VL (that you were expecting to be done) but that they also did a "seemingly redundant" Hep C antibody test? 

I just can't fathom a guess as to why they did the antibody test, but, perhaps they have their own reasons?, perhaps it is stupidly somehow automatically done, on the same page, tick all the boxes, boxes ticked in error? But, it seems odd, as this is a "new clinic" to you, and I assume a "new doc" to you (that came with this new clinic you now deal with) ... yes? And, so, it is really up to your ordering doc to decide what bloodwork should be done on you. Why would he be wanting the antibody test at this stage? You should all have been on the same page - you were coming in for your EOT+12 week VL, to confirm your EOT+12 week SVR (right?) and general LFT's and anything else he thought important done. It's funny he had the antibody drawn, but as Tig says, maybe it does not cost much.

Gee, hope you get the VL results back fast, i could do with another good party bout now! But no ice cream for me eh, I just about made myself sick pigging out at DQ on the way home - thank goodness for good functioning livers!  C.

If you've been charged for the antibody test, you tell the doctor's office that it should be on them. They should've known that it wasn't necessary. I don't think the antibody test is all that expensive anyway. They can do them now with a finger stick in some cases. The blood test is going to be higher. So remind them that it was their mistake, not yours. I haven't had a viral load in a couple years if memory serves me. I'm of the school of thought, that if I were to relapse at this late date, my first inkling of trouble would be elevated enzymes. Then I'd request or the doctor should recommend, another viral load. The odds are so low, that it doesn't even cross my mind anymore. Once cured, we typically stay that way, thank God.... Even then, the treatments are far, far easier than they were, so retreatment would be easy peasy. Once approved that is. We still have that hurdle sometimes, but it's getting better, too. 

Thanks Tig for responding. My health insurance provider changed this year, so I had to go to another clinic for my SVR test. They checked me for the HCV virus and for VL. They called today and said I was REACTIVE and for a minute it scared me...then I looked it up again. However, I had given them my information that I had HCV and was treated, etc, so now I wonder how much I'll have to pay for the HCV test. I realize they should not have checked me for that, since we know I had the virus. Obviously, the new clinic doesn't know much about HCV. 

I see you answered your own question, but I can confirm that yes, you will always be HCV antibody positive. It simply indicates that you had it at one time. It’s the same test that most, if not all of us had that alerted our doctors to our little friend. Some found out by having elevated liver enzymes, which in turn brought about the Hep C antibody test. 

Once we have cleared the virus, any elevation in our enzymes again warrants another viral load to confirm or rule out relapse. You should know that once SVR12 is achieved, the chance of relapse is <.5 (1/2) of 1%. It’s very, very rare. Once cured, we tend to stay that way, thankfully!

Okay - never mind,,I just re-read old notes here and found that yes I will always show REACTIVE even though I have cleared the virus.

Hail to the Elite -- Tig - Canuck - other Gurus--

Will I always show REACTIVE for HCV even when the Virus is cleared?

Dragon be gone.....

Congratulations PS on that UND at end of treatment!  Now the wait begins for the first post R/X results. Seems all we do is wait for the next test results. Once you come back UND at your 4 week post blood test you can take a deep breath and relax . The waiting will be over!

                                                               NICE JOB POLOSILVER.      RC

Oh Hurray PS!!!!

Knowing you are UND is simply wonderful. (But not surprising with those fantastic LFT numbers )

Alison

Thanks for the happy wishes C & LZ!

I'm a marching warrior princess that is now doing a ruby slipper-ed happy tap dance! Fun!!

ps

HURRAY PS!!!  You are a warrior princess!  Congratulations on an amazing journey to the Land of  ZERO!  SO happy for you!

Well, I had a photo of a warrior princess but can't seem to paste it on here!  It's the thought that counts!

UND-UND!

UND-UND-UND-UND-UND-UND - geez I like the sound of that - good rythym, catchy beat.

Sounds like somebody walking proudly with their marching papers tucked under their arm!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrGCsZRUFkg

Hm, I think this occasion calls for more of a ... happy dance! 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smwzk0-Nz0Q

But in your case my dear, I think you deserve to be wearing a lovely set of ruby red slippers, because dreams really do come true. 

You deserve every molecule of your hard won, well earned, rewarding EOT UND! Such a good job you did.  C.

Thanks for all the good wishes here for my low liver enzyme numbers, fabulous!!

I got better news today, an email with a link that informed me that my I AM UND at 13 weeks!! My next test for SVR is mid-January.

Dragon Slayed and a Club Zero member.

Polo, those are some good/low LFTs. No doubt your load will come back UND. But its always nice and reassuring to see that on official paper!!  Are you having a 1 month post treatment V/L test?  RC

PERFECT!!

ps-Woo  Hoo!!  Those are beautiful numbers!!  I have no doubt that your VL will be just as pretty!!  What a great ending to a long journey!  

Thanks Observer!

All -- I don't have the VL/UND info from my blood draw yesterday for EOT 12 weeks. I do have the LE's, here we go:

AST    20 U/L    15 - 37 U/L
ALT    23 U/L    12 - 78 U/L

I am super happy for you

A 

Thanks Saludahiker!

Cheers!

Congrats Polo! It was a good ride!

Hi everyone! Yes, I am smiling! Kicking up a few heels too!

Thanks for all the congrats and smiles! Woohoo, I made it and thanks to everyone here for getting me to the SOT station!!

It's funny how we love to see you get on the train and then get crazy excited when you disembark. Congrats Polo!

Trains kinda empty with all these new DAA's.  And that's a good thing.

Polo, 

The lovely thing that cured you.

methyl N-[(2S)-1-[(6S)-6-[5-[9,9-difluoro-7-[2-[(1S,2S,4R)-3-[(2S)-2-(methoxycarbonylamino)-3-methylbutanoyl]-3-azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-yl]-3H-benzimidazol-5-yl]fluoren-2-yl]-1H-imidazol-2-yl]-5-azaspiro[2.4]heptan-5-yl]-3-methyl-1-oxobutan-2-yl]carbamate;propan-2-yl (2S)-2-[[(2R,3R,4R,5R)-5-(2,4-dioxopyrimidin-1-yl)-4-fluoro-3-hydroxy-4-methyloxolan-2-yl]methoxy-phenoxyphosphoryl]amino]propanoate

InChI=1S/C49H54F2N8O6.C22H29FN3O9P/c1-24(2)39(56-46(62)64-5)44(60)58-23-48(15-16-48)21-38(58)42-52-22-37(55-42)28-9-13-32-31-12-8-26(18-33(31)49(50,51)34(32)19-28)27-10-14-35-36(20-27)54-43(53-35)41-29-7-11-30(17-29)59(41)45(61)40(25(3)4)57-47(63)65-6;1-13(2)33-19(29)14(3)25-36(31,35-15-8-6-5-7-9-15)32-12-16-18(28)22(4,23)20(34-16)26-11-10-17(27)24-21(26)30/h8-10,12-14,18-20,22,24-25,29-30,38-41H,7,11,15-17,21,23H2,1-6H3,(H,52,55)(H,53,54)(H,56,62)(H,57,63);5-11,13-14,16,18,20,28H,12H2,1-4H3,(H,25,31)(H,24,27,30)/t29-,30+,38-,39-,40-,41-;14-,16+,18+,20+,22+,36+/m00/s1

YWRYBUCQWKGONV-CABNZSRHSA-N

Canonical SMILES:

CC(C)C(C(=O)N1CC2(CC2)CC1C3=NC=C(N3)C4=CC5=C(C=C4)C6=C(C5(F)F)C=C(C=C6)C7=CC8=C(C=C7)N=C(N8)C9C1CCC(C1)N9C(=O)C(C(C)C)NC(=O)OC)NC(=O)OC.CC(C)OC(=O)C(C)NP(=O)(OCC1C(C(C(O1)N2C=CC(=O)NC2=O)(C)F)O)OC3=CC=CC=C3

Isomeric SMILES:

C[C@@H](C(=O)OC(C)C)N[P@@](=O)(OC[C@@H]1[C@H]([C@@]([C@@H](O1)N2C=CC(=O)NC2=O)(C)F)O)OC3=CC=CC=C3.CC(C)[C@@H](C(=O)N1CC2(CC2)C[C@H]1C3=NC=C(N3)C4=CC5=C(C=C4)C6=C(C5(F)F)C=C(C=C6)C7=CC8=C(C=C7)N=C(N8)[C@@H]9[C@H]1CC[C@H](C1)N9C(=O)[C@H](C(C)C)NC(=O)OC)NC(=O)OC

 

What a nice picture . I hope you are smiling too.   C.

PS-  You did it!!!  

Here’s the Station sign, time to de-Train!

Hello LM - Woohoo!!! Yes, Freedom is right!!! A Woodstock Freedom is the best!! Thank you! Thank you! 9PM tonight is the last of the Harvoni Magic.  Thanks for the toast and rememberance! You are coming up in less than 30 days yrself...

Hi Tig -- Amazing at how thrilled I was to get that Club Car seat 3 months ago and now I'm happy to let it go as I roll down the hill to SVR. Thanks!

Time to pick up your belongings, Polo! The Harvoni Train is pulling into EOTville. Proceed to track 1 for the smooth ride to SVR Station....

Hey Polosilver-  WOOHOO!!  Your last day, girlfriend!  I am thrilled for you and will toast you with a huge glass of water!  Here's a little inspirational song to celebrate your release!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcRWWC8wD-A

Oh ya! We’ve got a lot of exciting results coming soon. I’m really pleased to have so many members (family) here that are so close to the end of treatment. Time to pack your bags and prepare to de-train. EOTville, next stop!

HYDRATE!!

Hail all Harvonians and may you fare well,

Welcome SaltLyfe. Please do let us know a bit more about yourself, how you got diagnosed, your labs or anything you wish to share, and fire away if you have any questions.

Polo,

I still think it a "little" odd they don't do your EOT labs (exactly) on time, yes, better, that they bumped your lab day up to be a bit earleir, but still most of them try to do the EOT labs (all the labs really) on time. Oh well, it's not critical - your doc's office is (like all of us) probably sooooo confident of your result it matters not to know the result exactly on EOT day - but WE always want to know the result and hear that lovely und word again asap! So, that headache you got, after being on the "dry" side, was it a silent headache like you have had before or was it the full monty kind? How exciting, you're on your final countdown now girl.

How goes everything Saluda, GB site still feeling OK? Still working like a 2 headed octopus? You and Polo sound like you might dabble in workalholicism sometimes. As long as you are both feeling good and good enough to keep pullin'. We can only do what we can do, or, we only do what we need to do! Don't forget to keep watering your ponies.

Yup, these DAA's are truly lifesavers.  C. 

Hi SaltLyfe, Welcome and congratulations on starting your treatment.  I recently finished my 8 week Harvoni treatment.  The HCV virus is undetected and my liver functions AST and ALT are now both 14.  Harvoni is a remarkable drug!  Good luck!