Hi bubble,

Congrats on your SVR. Enjoy a HepC free life.

I'm afraid there's no dietary secret for my platelets. In fact, I had to get repeat bloods done as the Lab didn't do the full triglyceride profile.

So, my platelet count went from 290k on 17 th June, to 251k yesterday. Also my HbA1C is just above normal, and my HDL's are a touch low (Cholesterol and total triglycerides normal).

So, more attention to the GI diet, more nuts, avocados and fish, and more exercise. Having said all that, I've had enough of medical tests for a while. I'm having a 6 month break with NO tests at all. Cheers.

Hey Bubble

YES! Super congrats to you Bubble, your long journey HCV is over. Welcome to the rest of your life.

matt 

Hey Bubble,

Congrats buddy!! You have really done well and been such a help to everyone along the way. You so deserve this victory and I'm amazed at those numbers. I hope to see your glucose correct in time, just keep a watchful eye on it.

SVR12, what music to our ears! You did it, yahooooooo!!!!!!! Continued good luck.... 

Excellent result, Bubble, as we were expecting! 

Good looking lab results, and great liver enzymes! 

Congratulations on your SVR12! 

CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Look at those ASTs and ALTs! They are gorgeous! I think they are ready to model on the runway or something! :)

Hi Everyone: My 12 week EOT results: Hepatitis C Quantitation: " HCV Not Detected". AST 16, ALT 21. Platelets 177. My MCH level is back to normal range 31.7. Everything else is normal range too except my Glucose/Serum is up from 122 to 175. I am eating alot more now. Never been Diabetic. This went up during treatment into the high range. Looking for the Grand Slam in late July, will post results.

Malcolm: You must give us your dietary regiment for that 299 platelet count. I am still amazed with that!

Awesome Zvar.  Sorry for late congratulations.  sounds like you have this whipped.

Hey Philip,

Sorry for the delayed response. I've never missed a dose yet (three days into the 11th week out of 12), but I have been late a number of times for various reasons. My worst slip was yesterday when a household issue caused me to forget about breakfast entirely until about three hours after my normal time. The manufacturer instructions tell you not to skip the dose unless you are more than six hours late, so I've always just taken it ASAP. As i was able to get to UND after four weeks, I probably haven't hurt myself. I agree with Tig that missing one dose probably make too much of a difference, and also that it's a good idea to keep a dose on your person if you're going out.

Sorry to hear about your previous experiences. I was lucky in getting liver biopsies both times I was checked. The first was about six years ago and showed me at F1/2, so given the treatments available back then my doctor at the time decided to hold off. Last year I got another one that showed me at a solid F2, but with the new treatments on the near horizon my current doctor decided to wait just a little longer. When Harvoni was approved we went for it but were shot down by insurance (not sick enough), only to be rescued by the free AbbVie program. It's been pretty easy for me so far, mostly a bit tired (red blood count down), so you should find even 24 weeks to be much easier to deal with.

These latest results are certainly impressive and very encouraging for gen 1b`s with compensated cirrhosis who are considering Viekira Pak.  And that was without ribavirin, by the way! 

Thank-you Cinnamon Girl, hats of to AbbVie. I was talking to my nurse yesterday and she say's to expect an Abbvie TV. commercial matching Gilead's soon. I will bet they have a shorter regiment for treatment soon.

Hello Zavr!!

Hi Bubble, I was reading about that earlier, I`ll post the details in our news section. 

Enjoy your walk!  Or are you floating on air?! 

Thanks! 

Wooohooooo!!! 

So Sorry, make that FiercePharma.

Just reading in FierceBiotech today  how Vikera pac is now holding a 100% cure rate on ALL 1b !  Turquoise III results. With or without Ribavirin.   Even though I am 1a, I am feeling like a rocket set to launch on the pad one thruster lit.

 Just so amazing and glad to be around for this!  Going for my walk in the park now. Hugs to all !!!!! 

Hello Zavr!

young, treament naive, and 1b! You have everything going for you to whip this thing without breaking a good sweat.. Good Luck on your new freedom of ridding yourself of this ****ty decease..

Congrats on finally getting treatment. Today was my 8th day of 24 weeks of Viekira/Riba. No problems so far, knock on wood.  I'm also a prior non responder to two brutal experimental treaments. Last being 38 weeks of declatisvir interferon/Riba. I don't want to frighten you but I have been told for 8 years I was stage F1. Had biopsy in 2010 before last experimental declatisvir treatment with confirmed stage F1. Had fibrosure test last year that also said stage f1. Had ultrosound 6 months later stage F1 again. Insurance turned me down because they require F2 or higher for treatment. Dr scheduled a laproscopic biopsy to see if it could possibly show stage 2 for treatment coverage. I nearly fainted when I got results back the next week showing Stage 4 cirrhosis. Every test I had had performed had been wrong. Had I known I was further along than I really was, I could have possibly lived a different life style that could have prevented such a late stage. Hate to say but those test aren't as accurate as many think. Laproscopic biopsy is painless and the only way to really know how far it's progressed. You will do well and be completely cured soon. Was reading recently that Viekra with Riba had a 97 to 100% cure rate which is slightly higher than Harvoni. I've also heard a majority of the small % of non responders to Viekira can be traced to not properly taking the meds.

Hi Patrick,

While it's extremely important to follow a rigid schedule, missing that single dose won't prevent you from achieving SVR. I recommend you set an alarm on your phone and use a daily pill container to assure compliance. It's also a good idea to have a dose in your pocket if you're going to be away from home and not be able to make it back in time. Good luck!

Hey Bob, noticed you were on Vik/riba as I am. Friday was end of 1st week with 23 to go. I accidentally  missed my evening meds this past Thursday. Have you heard of anyone or have you accidently missed a med treatment? I found I was (stage4) in beginning of cirrohsis recently which is why I'm on 24 weeks plus riba. How about you, if I may be so bold? How has your treatment been so far? I've been through 2 experimental treatments. 1st Tx was placebo plus interferon/riba 12 weeks. 2nd Tx was 38 weeks of Declatisvir with peg interferon/Riba. Both were bad but 2nd one damn near did me in plus left me nearly blind. Good Luck, Philip

Tonight I finish week 9, 3/4 of the way there!

For whatever reason, my "8 week" visit ended up being today. Since I had gotten to UND after 4 weeks and EOT is now only three weeks away, the doctor elected to skip the viral load test today and re-test at EOT (my next appt is the day after that).

He did elect to test liver function and red blood cell count. What I hadn't known was that the latter was found to be slightly down at 4WK (due to riba, no doubt), and he wanted to make sure it hadn't decreased further. 

Got the results back this afternoon. Liver functions still normal (as always), and no further decrease in red blood count. All systems go to the finish line!

Hi all,

I have a little over a week left on treatment. It certainly is getting tedious but nothing I can't handle. I, too, gained about 8 pounds.  For my celebratory reward, I am engaging a personal trainer for about 2 months to get me back on track slowly. I absolutely hate feeling weak and I need to take off weight.  I'm looking forward to getting in some semblance of shape ASAP.  Post treatment blood test is on the 24th, the day after I take my last dose. 

Congratulations Zavr.

Femapples

Hi Zavr, what great news, congrats!!  

Glad you`re doing well post treatment, and you must be very pleased about your fibroscan result! 

Best of luck with your recovery, onwards and upwards to SVR!

Zavr: That's great news. Your energy will improve. I can feel it in the morning with me. Your outlook will change knowing your not on the Tx. anymore. I have 4 more days! Looking forward to my first week-end without  Mr. Ribavirin.  Let us know when your next bloodwork is as will I. Great  Forum. Any other here on Vikera-pac getting off this train soon?.

CONGRATS LILBIT!! I also have some good news: got my "Undetectable" result for end-of-treatment Viral Load test over the weekend. Woohooo!!! Also, the Fibroscan showed no damage despite decades of Hep C, which is great news (my doctor explained that people who get Hep C in early childhood often have a much slower rate of disease progression - something about those young and happy immune systems keeping the disease under control :)).

How is everyone else doing on treatment? I remember a few people are close to the finishline - how are you guys holding up? If it helps at all: I have had no side effects after finishing treatment (no headaches, nausea, etc). Although I gained about 10lbs during 12 weeks of treatment, I am stabilized now, and taking baby steps to exercising/yoga :)  You are almost there!!

Wow Lilbit, what an exciting day, I bet you haven`t stopped smiling yet!! 

Best of luck to your husband with his Harvoni treatment... you both have lots of good times ahead to look forward to!   

Life is good!  

Excellent news, congrats to you Lilbit!

So pleased for you, now you can relax and forget about Hep C, it`s well and truly done and dusted!! 

Definitely time for a celebratory happy dance!  

Hey Lilbit,

Congrats is well earned, SVR24 it is!! I'm putting on my dancing shoes, I'll meet you on the dance floor! Can you feel my smile?   We're all thrilled, I promise you that!

                                                WOOT!!  

Great news l'ilbit.  Hoping to join you in the SVR.  Relax, rejoice, and refresh, in your HepC free life. 

Sorry about your Mom Greg,

You have a lot on your shoulders. We are all saddened to hear this stuff. At least your done with TX.  And We got your back we'll be praying. 

BillS

Hi Greg,

First of all, big congrats for completing your 12 weeks and still being undetected, that`s fantastic news, well done!

I`m really sorry to hear about your mom though, I really feel for you.  I took care of my husband at home during his last few months with liver cancer, with some help from my wonderful daughter and a couple of good friends, and he only had to go into the local hospice for the last 10 days of his life, when he needed to be on morphine pumps.  I know how hard and also stressful it is, and I hope you get plenty of support from the caregiving support group.  You`re doing a very kind and caring service for your mother and I`m sure she must appreciated having such a loving son.

Please keep in touch, we`re here for you any time you need to talk to people who care and understand. 

Wishing you all the best of luck, Greg

Thanks Tig that means a lot to me. Buku stress. I'm amazed I got though thru that 2  week hospital run-a round on that Ribavirin. Never a good time, but that almost drove me over the edge. Just watched Tampa lose to the hated Blackhawks. We hate Chicago. Well, the Blackhawks anyways! LOL Its a longstanding rivalry. Tampa in 7.

Hi Greg,

I'm pleased to hear about your continued undetected viral load, well done. But I'm saddened to hear about your Mom. I lost my sister several years ago to metastatic liver cancer. She also had home hospice and the help of the family. It helps them beyond words to spend as much time as possible with loved ones. I hope if there is anything we can do to help you through this difficult time, you will let us know. Stay in touch and let us know how you're doing when you can. Hang in there, we're here to talk anytime. 

4 weeks-UND, 8 weeks-UND, 10 weeks-UND, 12 weeks-UND. 

My mother had 4 heart attacks in one night 65 days into treatment and is in now in Hospice in my living room. One nightmare right into another. But it looks good on the Not detected so that's all I have to say on that. I am in a caregiver support group now. This site has been great. I will celebrate when all is said and done.

Hi Bob!

I've been wondering about others on the free voucher trial program. Good to meet you.

And yes, I was/ am very paranoid about the FedEx deliveries of Viekira Pak to my door as I don't live in the best neighborhood.

I feel extremely lucky. After my struggles to get Harvoni covered I can't believe I'm getting Viekira for free. Still seems unreal.

Same story from me as to how I got on VK (plus Riba in my case) - turned down flat for Harvoni, doctor got me in a free AbbieVie program. Lucky for us, because I looked up the retail cost of VK and it's in the same range as Harvoni - surprised they don't deliver the stuff via Brinks truck!

Monday I complete the 7th week, smooth sailing so far - maybe a bit itchier than normal at first, and a few more naps than I'm used to taking.

Thanks Zavr! We do indeed have very similar profiles.

It's encouraging to hear treatment was relatively easy for you. I'm very curious to hear how it's been from someone else who is young and hasn't experienced a lot of symptoms of liver damage. Also a fellow 1B:er. There seem to be very few people so far who have taken Viekira Pak without Ribavarin.

And yes, I'm officially on treatment now. Very excited. Today is my third day of Viekira Pak.

I can't quite tell yet what's actual side effects from the Viekira and what's  just nerves or other incidental weirdness.

A side note on my insurance situation: I got the Viekira Pak for free (!) through an AbbVie voucher given to me by my doctor (some kind of promotional trial program). So as much as I wish I could say I fought insurance and won, I actually just lucked out and ended up by-passing insurance altogether. (But after what I went through trying to get Harvoni, **** 'em.)

Wonderful news that you started, Mona! Yes, I definitely had the headache and nausea the first week or so. It does get easier. As Tig said, drinking water and resting do wonders. I found this mineral water that I couldn't get enough of, and drank it like nobody's business. Do keep in touch about how you are doing! There a few more folks here who are on the Viekira Pak + Riba, so hopefully they will chime in about their experiences. Hang in there!

Mona,

What you're experiencing has been a common complaint. Hopefully over the next week or two, your system will start to adjust to the routine and these symptoms will lessen. You may experience it to some degree throughout treatment but I hope it gets easier. Stay in touch and let us know how you're doing. 

The best thing you can do is to keep educating yourself. Learn all you can about the process and how it might affect you. You're asking the right questions and we're here to answer as many as possible. Those on the ride with you can tell you how it has affected them and what they have done to make it easier. Make sure you take the time you're on treatment to treat yourself right. It's so important to eat right, drink plenty of water, rest as much as your body demands and stay out of the sun. You may develop some sensitivity to it and can burn easily. Wear good sunglasses too. Be conscious of the effects of Riba too. It can and does cause moodiness and increased anger issues. Learn to watch out for it and walk away if you feel it coming on. I can tell you some stories about that stuff! Just being aware that it might happen is enough to avoid it most of the time. Be sure to let those you confide in know you might be a bit grouchy and they can help you through it if needed. 

It all seems overwhelming right now but before you know it, you'll be an old hand at it! Hang in there! Best of luck Mona...

Hi All, I am on day 5 of the veikira pak and riba. I am just having nausea and headache today. Is this something that will pass? I am a prior non-responder to peginterferon and riba. Waited for the new treatments and then the insurance fight. Tried for harvoni and shot down twice. I mean really do you make and HIV patient wait until they are full blown AIDS before you treat? I'm still angry.

Doctor took pity and he had a free treatment with Viekira which he chose to give to me. So I have begun the journey finally and would welcome any tips from others. Thank you.

Hi there, Kickingit! A big hearty welcome! :)

I apologize for missing this post earlier! Congrats on fighting and winning with the Insurance company. It is already the end of the week, so you must have already received the shipment?

Yep, your insurance story sounds familiar: I also tried to fight for Harvoni, but then gave up and reluctantly went for the VP instead.  I just finished this treatment last week and it was quite a breeze, surprisingly. I had a few manageable side effects (headache and nausea the first few days, followed by hunger/weight gain throughout the treatment). Some of the positive effects were better sleep and energy, starting approximately at week 3 of treatment.

We seem to have a nearly identical profile: I also got genotype 1b as a child, and had a very slow progression of the disease, with almost normal liver function values before treatment. I have no doubt your liver values normalize very quickly, and your viral load will drop precipitously. This is an exciting time! :)

Hi all,

New to the forums and to this thread.

I'm about to receive my first shipment of Viekira Pak without Ribavarin this week.

I fought my insurance company since last October to get Harvoni, no dice. Just as I'd given up my doctor said she had a voucher for Viekira Pak, which has unexpectedly put me on the path for a free 12-week course. Here to share my journey and hear what others have to say.

As for my details:35-year-old woman, genotype 1b, treatment naive, with stage F1-2 fibrosis.

Nearly a life-long Hep C-er, but no noticeable symptoms (I don't think). I'm lucky enough to feel healthy and have *almost* normal liver enzymes. Curious to see what I'll feel like on and after treatment.

WOOHOOOOO!!! So happy for, you Bob!!!

Hey I got on the wrong train I'm on the Harvoni line Sorry to interrupt you guys. I gotta get on track here must be the brain fog. I'm happy to see the Viekira Pak Train is providing a fairly comfortable ride. We all know to well what real tough treatment was. happy UND all you lucky passengers. Meet you at  EOT and SVR station 

BillS

Hey Bob,

Congrats buddy!!!! What a way to start the holiday weekend! That big fat ZERO is a wonderful thing. WOOT!

Bill:  Mr. Hands is watching.  Ohhh Nooooooooooooooo.  You have a splendid Memorial Day.  Soon it will be done.

SIX? I already did 180  SIX?? Ha  SIX I'll do SIX  Standing on my head!

Hi Bob,

I think we all agree that you have VERY good news! Keep up the good work!

john

Some VERY good news!

4 week (plus 2 days) results:

VL: 10Mil to UND

ALT/24

AST/18

For some reason, I can't access my patient portal to get the old #s for ALT/AST, but the doctor says they haven't really changed, because they've always been in the normal range.

Woop!