Hi everyone. I just found this forum today and am so glad to join you all.
Gracie said
Nov 24, 2015
Hi Jan,
What insurance do you have? I have Chambers Group and Sunlife and mine was approved the same day it was submitted. I'm also in Canada, 1A and F4. I'm on the 24 week plan. If you do the 12 weeks, make sure you get the riba with it. You'll want that with cirrhosis. Ideally you should do the 24 weeks, although maybe now it's harder to get now Because of the costs.
Sides are totally tolerable. Just buy some cookies to have on hand in case of emergencies. The sweet tooth is hard to control... Lol.
Headaches = More Water
Sore feet and hands = more exercise (even hand exercises)
Sweet Tooth = Dairy Queen Banana Split
You'll do great and welcome!
Janell66 said
Nov 24, 2015
Hello Mike. Thanks for your interest in my situation. I'm currently waiting for my applications to be approved by my private health insurance provider and the provincial health plan. Due to the high cost of Harvoni, it takes awhile for the funding to come together. Ideally, my private insurance will cover 85% and Trillium will cover the difference. I just have to pay a deductible. There is a team of people working with my Gastroenterologist, guiding me through the process and communicating with the various entities involved. I guess I'm fortunate to have private insurance, but it sure seems to take a long time to get anywhere. I could not afford the whole cost, which here in Canada is about $90,000 for a 12 week program. I've been told that, due to being F4 and scoring 27 on the fibroscan I definitely qualify for coverage. Apparently, some people get turned down as they aren't considered sick enough. I applied two weeks ago but could be waiting up to 3 months to actually start the treatment. So that's where I'm at. I keep imagining the dragon, eating away at my liver and breathing fire into my blood. Can't wait to be rid of it.
wmlj1960 said
Nov 22, 2015
Hi again Jan. Yes we are lucky to have such effective medicine these days. Where are you in your progress toward getting started on Harvoni?
Janell66 said
Nov 22, 2015
Thanks for your support and encouragement. I know I'll be ok with Harvoni. I'll be so happy to finally be slaying "the dragon" as you all call it, I'll put up with anything. Good analogy, for sure. The whole hep C experience is such a life-changer and it came "out of the blue" for me. I know I'm lucky that there's a cure now and I won't be going years, waiting and suffering as a lot of people have done. I do find it incredible that I've had the virus for up to 35 years and it never appeared in any other tests or illnesses I've had. All this time, the damage has been occurring and I was oblivious. Thought I was aging and should just accept it and live with it. At least now, I can look forward to feeling better than I've felt in years. I sure hope so, anyway.
For now, I'll be patient and try to see the best side of this situation.
Cheers! Jan.
justvlm said
Nov 21, 2015
Hi Jan, just saying hello, so glad you found this group. I just started sovaldi + ribavirin. Although I can't speak from experience, you should sail through tx. Hopefully you'll get your meds soon. Hang out here for friendship and support.
Matt Chris said
Nov 21, 2015
Hello Jan
Welcome to the forum from me as well, you have found a good place that can help you on your journey to healing and recovery.
Your concern for your long term general health should overcome any short term side effects that "Harvoni" may present to you. Yes their can be issues but most all members have come through it with no long term issues. But the big improvements will come within the first year after treatment with your Liver having some recovery and healing. which will benefit you for many years to come.
matt
Observer said
Nov 21, 2015
Welcome Jan,
This forum is a font of knowledge, experience and support.
I hope you are able to get started on your treatment soon.
I'm counting down the days until I'm done.(18)
Alison
dharmabum said
Nov 16, 2015
Hi Jan,
I treated with Harvoni for 12 weeks starting last January. I had a few headaches for a week, some intestinal discomfort, and a bit of real fatigue, which I now attribute to the weekly blizzards and bone-chilling cold weather that we experienced here in New England last winter. But with Spring, came the awesome news that I was UND; and the UND winning streak has continued EOT + 12.
It is well worth it - try not to over think, and if something feels wrong, call the doctor.
You are not alone, you're with us now.
Best of luck,
J
wmlj1960 said
Nov 16, 2015
Hi Jan.
Welcome to the forum. As Tig said each individual is different and in my case I don't have any significant side effects that I can blame on Harvoni alone. I do have fatigue but then I also have other medicines that I take and medical conditions also known for causing fatigue. And I'm sure not getting any younger either.
Even if you do experience side effects, you've got to realize that the Harvoni is fighting a war within your body and a reasonable amount of discomfort should not be cause for alarm. And if you stay focused more on the SVR goal you are trying to accomplish rather than minor aches and pains and counting the days along the way, then it makes for a smoother, more doable ride.
Adequate hydration is a must and will prove to be your friend. Take care of your body by eating healthy and don't get overly tired physically or mentally.
Odds are that you will do fine. Most are finding out that the pre-treatment anxiety quickly subsides once they get started and realize no significant change from normal occurs.
Kick your shoes off, relax, and join us in on our common journey to a Hep C free future.
Tig said
Nov 16, 2015
Hi Jan,
Welcome to the forum, I'm glad you're with us! You're among a friendly, knowledgeable group that will be more than willing to provide some information and insight into your upcoming treatment. Harvoni is one of the best and we have some experience mild to moderate side effects, but each individual is different. We can offer some tips that will likely reduce the incidence of them or altogether. I'm going to provide you with some links to info here on the forum. Take a look and if you have any questions, be sure to let us know. There will be others along soon to say hello and welcome you aboard.
Hi Jan,
What insurance do you have? I have Chambers Group and Sunlife and mine was approved the same day it was submitted. I'm also in Canada, 1A and F4. I'm on the 24 week plan. If you do the 12 weeks, make sure you get the riba with it. You'll want that with cirrhosis. Ideally you should do the 24 weeks, although maybe now it's harder to get now Because of the costs.
Sides are totally tolerable. Just buy some cookies to have on hand in case of emergencies. The sweet tooth is hard to control... Lol.
Headaches = More Water
Sore feet and hands = more exercise (even hand exercises)
Sweet Tooth = Dairy Queen Banana Split
You'll do great and welcome!
Hello Mike. Thanks for your interest in my situation. I'm currently waiting for my applications to be approved by my private health insurance provider and the provincial health plan. Due to the high cost of Harvoni, it takes awhile for the funding to come together. Ideally, my private insurance will cover 85% and Trillium will cover the difference. I just have to pay a deductible. There is a team of people working with my Gastroenterologist, guiding me through the process and communicating with the various entities involved. I guess I'm fortunate to have private insurance, but it sure seems to take a long time to get anywhere. I could not afford the whole cost, which here in Canada is about $90,000 for a 12 week program. I've been told that, due to being F4 and scoring 27 on the fibroscan I definitely qualify for coverage. Apparently, some people get turned down as they aren't considered sick enough. I applied two weeks ago but could be waiting up to 3 months to actually start the treatment. So that's where I'm at. I keep imagining the dragon, eating away at my liver and breathing fire into my blood. Can't wait to be rid of it.
Hi again Jan. Yes we are lucky to have such effective medicine these days. Where are you in your progress toward getting started on Harvoni?
Thanks for your support and encouragement. I know I'll be ok with Harvoni. I'll be so happy to finally be slaying "the dragon" as you all call it, I'll put up with anything. Good analogy, for sure. The whole hep C experience is such a life-changer and it came "out of the blue" for me. I know I'm lucky that there's a cure now and I won't be going years, waiting and suffering as a lot of people have done. I do find it incredible that I've had the virus for up to 35 years and it never appeared in any other tests or illnesses I've had. All this time, the damage has been occurring and I was oblivious. Thought I was aging and should just accept it and live with it. At least now, I can look forward to feeling better than I've felt in years. I sure hope so, anyway.
For now, I'll be patient and try to see the best side of this situation.
Cheers! Jan.
Hello Jan
Welcome to the forum from me as well, you have found a good place that can help you on your journey to healing and recovery.
Your concern for your long term general health should overcome any short term side effects that "Harvoni" may present to you. Yes their can be issues but most all members have come through it with no long term issues. But the big improvements will come within the first year after treatment with your Liver having some recovery and healing. which will benefit you for many years to come.
matt
Welcome Jan,
This forum is a font of knowledge, experience and support.
I hope you are able to get started on your treatment soon.
I'm counting down the days until I'm done.(18)
Alison
Hi Jan,
I treated with Harvoni for 12 weeks starting last January. I had a few headaches for a week, some intestinal discomfort, and a bit of real fatigue, which I now attribute to the weekly blizzards and bone-chilling cold weather that we experienced here in New England last winter. But with Spring, came the awesome news that I was UND; and the UND winning streak has continued EOT + 12.
It is well worth it - try not to over think, and if something feels wrong, call the doctor.
You are not alone, you're with us now.
Best of luck,
J
Hi Jan.
Welcome to the forum. As Tig said each individual is different and in my case I don't have any significant side effects that I can blame on Harvoni alone. I do have fatigue but then I also have other medicines that I take and medical conditions also known for causing fatigue. And I'm sure not getting any younger either.
Even if you do experience side effects, you've got to realize that the Harvoni is fighting a war within your body and a reasonable amount of discomfort should not be cause for alarm. And if you stay focused more on the SVR goal you are trying to accomplish rather than minor aches and pains and counting the days along the way, then it makes for a smoother, more doable ride.
Adequate hydration is a must and will prove to be your friend. Take care of your body by eating healthy and don't get overly tired physically or mentally.
Odds are that you will do fine. Most are finding out that the pre-treatment anxiety quickly subsides once they get started and realize no significant change from normal occurs.
Kick your shoes off, relax, and join us in on our common journey to a Hep C free future.
Hi Jan,
Welcome to the forum, I'm glad you're with us! You're among a friendly, knowledgeable group that will be more than willing to provide some information and insight into your upcoming treatment. Harvoni is one of the best and we have some experience mild to moderate side effects, but each individual is different. We can offer some tips that will likely reduce the incidence of them or altogether. I'm going to provide you with some links to info here on the forum. Take a look and if you have any questions, be sure to let us know. There will be others along soon to say hello and welcome you aboard.
Harvoni Train
Reflections on Harvoni
Harvoni Side Effects
Here's some info on how to set up your signature line and help with some of the abbreviations we use:
Signature Line
I hope to start Harvoni treatment soon and have some concerns about the side effects. Any advise or comments are appreciated.