Hi Gracie,

Thanks for checking in with us! I think of you often and wondered how things were coming along. That’s a positive update for sure! Hard to believe how many years have gone by since we got started on this path. We have seen a lot of slayed Dragons, together. There was a day when we saw many avoid capture, too. Not anymore! 

Keep enjoying the good life and check in often, I love hearing from you!

Heya Gracie,

So nice to see a post from you. You are our good news gal. Good post and update. Thanks so much for sharing and saying what you say. Been missing you around here! So good for all of us to see what time and perspective shows after hard-won cures.  C.

Hi Guys - checking in too.

I did the TRI-FECTA of treatments -

1st PegIntron Riba Combo - fail;

then Incevik-Pegintron Riba - fail;

then on to the glorious Harvoni - finally success! 

Been about 3 years post now for me too. I seem to get flair ups from time to time. Sore liver area, tiredness and stress about it. But tests have all been a-ok. Last scan F2, blood normal, so I just assume its the healing process.

I do still get the aching hands (gift from incevik days). But not often enough or lasting long enough for me to complain too much.

Over all I'm living life! Travelling as much as I can - working hard - feeling mostly pretty good.

Still enjoy checking in and seeing all the success stories and seeing how my old warriors are doing..I'm also feeling very lucky to have been cured before too much damage and thankful to my drug plan for making it happen.

Storming & Cold in CANADA today!  

xoxoxo 

Hi Scruffy,

It’s always nice to have you check in. I’m very happy to know your Mom is adjusting well to her new environment. It is often more difficult for the family than the patient, but that smooths out once you see them accept their new surroundings. You provided her with the best of care for years and I know you‘re continuing to assure her happiness. My Mom passed a year ago from Alzheimer’s, so I know the struggle is real...

I’m happy to know you’re checking in on us! Don’t worry about the new treatments and their differences, the support and friendship is the same. We can always use a friend and assuring voice here. The only difference is less horrid side effects, a much higher rate of SVR and shortened treatment times. Can’t beat that! Please chime in anytime. I’ll look forward to it!

Hi C

  Thanks for asking about Mom. Shes doing good in the nursing home. Difference is like night and day she is no longer agitated all the time.

I thought they changed her meds but they said no. She has attention 24/7 and is around other people like her. I visit her for about an hour 5 days

a week she doesn't know me so I guess I go there for my sake. I'm just enjoying life, kayaking in the lake right across the street. bike riding and Tai Chi.

  I do visit here daily but can't advise any more because of the new meds (and thats a good thing) The dark cloud has been lifted from this forum.

Scurffy

Glad to hear from you too Scruffy! (at the ole Incivek corner here)! Yup, you and Matt and Tig have surely had your journeys (and there are some other "inter-riba-telars" around here who also keep you company I believe). You will have to give us more of a blow by blow one day, and what all you have been up to. Glad you are doing OK. How is your mom doing too? C. 

Hiya Matt

I think I was a little ahead of you on the same treatment. I believe I'm about four years post maybe three?? I don't think about it much anymore until its time for my yearly.

I have tons of arthritic issues but I think its more to age than post treatment. I have to say I feel ok. When the newer drugs came out they took Incivek right off the market

it was a very nasty drug along with the others we had to take but I'm glad to have had it. Put a feather in your cap we more less pioneered the new treatments.

Be safe be healthy 

Hi Matt,

Very good of you to keep all of us updated on your progress.

You and Tig, being team mates (being cured with the same drugs), your treatment following after Tig, you both know well the particular hardships of getting through those drugs and those months.

There are so many here who have had to go thru the older "hard drugs" - something, very fortunately, many newcomers since have not had to know (what with receiving the newer DAA's).

My hats off to you with great respect and to all the people who have had to get cured in the hardest ways.

I am glad you are seeing the improvements, albeit over time.

Wow - SVR near 3 years for you!

We are very lucky, all us cured people!  C. 

Hi Matt,

Thanks for checking in! I can relate to the age related difficulties, particularly following a long, drawn out recovery. The treatment protocol you underwent wasn’t one of the friendliest either. I encourage the current group of Warriors to research the side effects Incivek had on patients. Nasty drug. I’m glad it’s not used anymore. I follow the long term effects of the older SOC’s and we tend to experience more than our share of arthritic like issues. That alone makes recovery a bit more tender! 

HCV affects so many areas of our lives. The most important first step is what you’ve accomplished, SVR. After that our attention moves on to recovery and dealing with the various manifestations the Hep C virus causes. You’re doing the right things and keeping fit is going to help you reach your goals. Recovery often takes longer than we want, but each day is another step in that direction. One day at a time....

Take care and best of luck with your recovery!

Hi Matt,  congrats on 1 year SVR.  I would definitely talk to your doctor about seeing a nutritionist and getting a diet plan figured out for your exact situation to determine how much protein a day you should have along with increasing plant based diet.  Hi Sugar and fat not good for anyone these days.   Best of luck and keep us posted.   CC

hey thanks you guys its always a pleasure nowing there is loads of support and sound advise i will takevall onboard practice a bit more self disapline 

peace 

matt

Hi Matt,

your fibrosis has really improved over the last 12 months. That's something to celebrate. Do you feel more energetic than before treatment? 

Concentrate on the still negative knowledge. Congratulate yourself for sticking to a tough regime for such a long time. Remember that before these treatments were available the end result for many was liver failure. 

Sometimes it's hard to feel grateful, for me anyway. 

Take care,

Syd

Hi Matt,

Its natural to feel a wee tad disappointed, but look at it this way. Its only been a year, and its still in the healing process. I was reading an article recently that we have to continue our lives as if we are still infected. No alcohol, no herbs as the healing as very important and all of these things can compromise healing. Anything metabolized by the liver should be best avoided as it takes the liver back to working harder. I was hoping for a lovely glass of wine after finishing treatment and I am given SVR. It looks like that is off the menu for some time....

Either way, I am so happy you have reached SVR, and not an easy route but a very tough one. 48 weeks is no joke on old SVR. You can be proud of yourself. x

Don't blame you to feel a tad down Matt when he mentioned the liver was still not at its best. I would be too. But do want to say congrats on 1 year SVR. 

This is prior to TX but after my research, I switched from milk thistle to bupleurum. You may want to read up about it.

The guys gave you some good advice and I want to add, keep hydrating, cut out soda/diet soda it you drink it. I stick to lemon water and green or ginger tea. I have found a protein shake that has coffee in it as my trainer wanted me to have more protein in the morn and less carbs. This has not been easy for me. Try to get in some light to moderate exercise even if you are walking and stretching. Something.  

progress...

wendy

Hey thanks Tig & Linux 

I didnt mean to sound like a ungreatfull old war hourse just hit the spot a bit when my speacialist enphersized on my still damaged liver 

Fibro scan was high 3 to 4 and is now reduced to 2 to 3 as advised by the speacialist at last visit friday just gone . substantual  cirosus before treatment

Liver performance is at 32 was 30 at SRV which is apparently ideal for men and has risen to 32

ultrasound showed still hardening 

and a general negative feel on consultation 

regards Matt 

WOOHOO!! Congratulations on your first year, Matt. It's a wonderful thing to share with those waiting for similar good news. 

I would also like to know what your concerns are regarding the damage. Did you have some blood work done that you can share? It takes time to reverse these issues, so a good plan and committed approach is always best. Take Linux's advice on the Nutrition section. He started a great section on smoothies that are sure to benefit you! I wish I could trade my weight for yours. Just work at it and you'll keep it close to your goal. If it was easy we'd all be chiseled!!

Hi Matt,

Congrats on nailing that dragon!

You might try looking through our Hep C and Nutrition section, the information that you are seeking may be buried some but should be there. Without knowing a bit more about your liver condition it's difficult to have any specific recommendations.

I'm sure others will be along shortly, hopefully they will have some ideas to help get you on the mend.

Can you give us some specifics on the condition of your liver (i.e. last fibrosis score, LFT's etc) or what lead to knowing your liver is still damaged?

I like Green Smoothies, there are many at  The Green Smoothie Ranch and sticking to a Mediterranean Diet, more sections at the link I provided above.

Have you considered going to a good nutritionist, I'm sure that could be very helpful.

Welcome back to the forum,

Linux

Hi all hope you good people are well especially those who helped me nail this dragon .

i have had my 12 month obbs and all is good appart from weight gain not over the top but from normal 75 kg to 80 kg and reminded that my liver is still damaged .i have a lot of work to doo it seems

i am wondering if anyone had some diet ideas or suplements to enhance recovery if anyone can help also thoughts on milk thishtle 

kind regards Matt 

Peace