Hi Bill, yes you definitely need to keep taking it, you must complete the course of treatment for the best possible chance of remaining undetected.  Your doctor is quite right about that. 

It was very encouraging of him to tell you that you`re `cured`, but as Tig and Malcolm said, no-one is able to say that for sure until the virus is still undetected at 12 weeks post treatment, that`s the critical viral load test when we`re talking about being cured. 

I read your results that you posted in another thread and they look very good, congrats on the continuing undetected result!

Keep going and keep in touch, wishing you all the best of luck! 

Those are his words, not mine!  (CURED)

He said I was cured and he really didn't think a relapse was likely.  Maybe I should call and ask for a blood test at week 13????

Funny thing about the length of treatment.  Originally, I was to get 8 weeks.  However when my prescription was filled it said 12 weeks, 2 refills.  I called and confirmed with the Pharmacy and they said 12 weeks

When I saw him last week, I asked if he changed it and he said No.  He was praying I would get approved for the 8 weeks as he is having many patients struggling to get any approval at all.

I told him about the 12 week approval and he said to keep taking it.  He asked me how much it was costing and I said $5 per bottle. He said DEFINITELY KEEP TAKING IT.  

Hi masbirdies,

Congrats on the results. However, like Tig said, it's a bit premature to say ' cured' .

Sorry to seem pedantic but everyone becomes Undetected on Harvoni. Relapses occur in the first few weeks after EOT.

Best of luck.

Hi Bill,

Congratulations on all the good news! I'm a little curious though. Since you are only in your 5th week of treatment, how can your doctor say you're cured? I understand from your earlier comment that you're now doing an 8 week protocol, right? The standard testing protocol for Harvoni is another viral load at EOT+12. If you are still undetected at that time they consider you having achieved SVR or a cure as some are calling it. If you're good waiting for 6 more months, that's fine too. But I'd want to know what the +12 week viral load was. JMHO

Good news on all the other blood work as well, that's great. The fact that you had an early undetected test at week 3 is an excellent indication of future success. It's all sounding very positive! Thanks for sharing the good news! Good luck and let us know what you hear in the future.

Tig   

Well, had my 5 week follow up visit with my Gastro.  Complete blood test was drawn week 3.  We discussed the results: 

All liver and blood functions normal.  Viral load is completely undetectable.  He feels pretty confident that based on the blood results, I don't have cirrhosis!  Wants me to have another blood test in 6 months.  

He is saying "Cured"!

I was told the viral load was what was determining the 8 weeks vs. 12.  From what I've read, the Fibrosure test is usually on the high side or overstating the stage of scaring? 

Hey Bill,

Welcome to the forum! Glad you're here and very happy you were approved for Harvoni straightaway! That's excellent news!

I don't care much for the Fibrosure test, it's not terribly accurate yet. Is there a chance you have a way to get a Fibroscan in your area? As an alternative to an actual biopsy, it's far more reliable than blood markers found in the Fibrosure. Ask your doctor for input on this. The difference in results could make quite the difference in the decision to extend treatment to 12 weeks at F3. As a multi treatment patient, trust me, you want the best chance to beat this on the first attempt. 

Glad you found the Support Path assistance! That has helped many along the way. Next I'd like to see the price come down to an affordable level for everyone. But we're making headway.

I think you're going to very well on this. We have a couple members that have relapsed on the newer protocols but overall the rates of SVR are excellent, 95+%. Far better than anything ever before. The side effects should be minimal as well. It's all good! Stsy in touch...

Tig

Hello, 

Glad to be a part of this forum. 

I'm 56, healthy otherwise, and a moderate alcohol user.  In January, I went to my doc thinking I needed some help with sleep apnea.  I've felt like crap for years, don't sleep well and when I do, wake up feeling like I didn't sleep well.  I mentioned that I felt foggy all the time.  

He orders blood tests and had the foresight to order a test for hep!  Came back positive and I WAS FLOORED!  He referred me to a great Gastro that specializes in Hep.  The Gastro orders Fibrosure blood test and  I came back .69 (bridging fibrosis with may septa) and .69 on the activity grade.

Gastro tells me the timing is good as we caught it and we caught it right after the release of Harvoni.  Tells me the cost of the stuff and I about fainted. Fortunately, I have good insurance through CVS Caremark.  I was most happy with the way they responded.  I was thinking I had the fight of my life going to happen to get this stuff covered and they approved the prescription in what I would consider a very timely manner.  My patient responsibility was $3300 due the plan I am on, however, I got the co-pay coupons from Gilead and my out of pocket is $10 total.  My doc ordered 8 weeks (VL is 2.1M) but the approved prescription is for 12 weeks.  

I'm on day 2 of taking the meds.  Hoping the clear this nasty crap and possibly rebuild my liver to some degree.  Most excited to hear the results of people completing the course of Harvoni and feeling the fog lift and energy restored.  The only side effect I am feeling is a tightness just under my rib cage.  Not used to this feeling so not sure if it's related or not. 

Anyways, glad to be here....glad the meds were easy to get....glad to have an extra $3290 back in my pocket.  Hoping the have a fantastic bit of news in the next few weeks!

BM