Thanks Jangles, 30 days to go, seems like I've taken them forever,than it's just like I just started. My side-effects are just a few pain in my back now.I uped my water intake after reading a lot about it in this site.So gratrful for all of you that reply to all us new here really fast.Thanks again yall'BJ
Jaggles said
May 17, 2017
Day 42 and I'm with you on everything you said.!!!
yipppeeeeee xx
bjglover said
May 15, 2017
Thanks Canuck for your support! Mr. Dr. never said anything about bloodwork during treatment. But being me haha Next time I go into town I will get a copy of all my numbers.Let yall know as soon as I get them. Now I can't wait to get there.It's kinda scary not knowing. Love and Light BJ
Canuck said
May 15, 2017
Hi bjglover,
Welcome to the forum.
Isn't that wonderful, that you got epclusa. It was meant to be!
I too "used to be" a GT3 (I love saying that - "used to be"), but I was a GT3a.
Lucky you (and me) to get epclusa - it is perfect for curing us GT3's, a's or b's!.
Glad you shared here, and we will all look forward to hearing more from you and your imminent cure, which I am sure is already happening!
VERY good you knew to drink LOTS of water.
I see you have already completed 7 weeks out of your 12 week course of pills. As far as how often you should have blood tests? - what did your county clinic tell you to do? - how often did they say you should have bloods drawn during treatment? - I know you said you ARE going to have blood drawn on the last day of your pills, and you mentioned you DID have blood drawn (previously) about 4 times, but I am not sure when those 4 times were. I am betting you did have blood drawn at about 4 weeks into the pills?
Tig is always a good advisor, and yes, I am also sure you will (additionally) be told to have bloods drawn 12 weeks after you finish the pills. And likely again 24 weeks after you have finished the pills.
Strive to do the bloods they tell you to do.
When you DO go to the county clinic next (if that who is managing/directing your care/keeping your file), do ask if you could have copies of all your lab results, then you can always ask here too how they looked over time. "Liver Function Tests" (LFT's) like ALT/AST/bilirubin, and, your viral load (VL's).
I am so glad for you that all seems to be going really, really well! Good for you! C.
Tig said
May 14, 2017
I understand how being located in a rural location can change the situation in regard to testing. It's not a requirement that you have the liver function tests done during treatment. Some doctors do them before starting and not again until 12 weeks after you are actually through. I like to see a viral load and enzymes done at week 4 or 6, just to see how things are going, but again, they aren't required. These new treatments are incredibly effective, and I'm sure you're exactly where you should be. Just keep pouring in the water and doing your part to stay on schedule each day. Get plenty of rest and even though you feel so much better, don't push yourself. You'll be running marathons in no time!
We have a lot of great information here on the forum. If you have any questions, we'll do our best to answer them promptly. I'm glad you're here!
thanks Tig for the support.As I live way out in the woods and don't get to see people everyday,I listen to my body a lot. I learned very early on to drink a lot of water to lessen the side-effects. I go to the county clinic here and I know my count was in the millions.All I had done was blood work around four times.I get blood drawn on my last pill.I can say I feel so much different now for the better.I asked the dr. about my liver how it is and he says by looking at the results I didn't have cirosis.As soon as six more weeks I will finally know everything I can.In your opinion should I get a liver test? I'm still learning all about the virus but this clinic can only do so much.Thanks again!!
Tig said
May 14, 2017
Welcome, Betty! I'm happy to have you with us and look forward to following your already underway progress. You're 7 weeks into it, 5 to go, I assume anyway. I have nothing but praise for Epclusa. It's extremely effective against genotype 3. Do you happen to have any other lab results available? What were your liver enzymes pre treatment (ALT & AST) and do you know what your fibrosis stage was? We'll have a few questions and those answers help us when replying.
The path to treatment has been difficult for many, but we're seeing access to care get easier in the USA and getting better elsewhere, too. The need for easier generic medicine availability needs to improve, as well as a price reduction by Big Pharm. we'll get there, but it's taking too long in my opinion. Deregulation of import restrictions will be important if we're going to get ahead of this.
You mentioned some of the same amped up feeling when first starting treatment that I've heard from others. I've also talked to people that thought they were taking a placebo, because they felt nothing. Their blood tests during treatment proved that impression wrong! Have you had any blood work done since you started? Often, people have a viral load and enzymes drawn at week 4.
Sounds to me like you're doing really well and I know it will continue. Be sure you're drinking at least one gallon of water everyday and it will help keep those side effects at bay. I wish you continued good luck!
bjglover said
May 14, 2017
Hi, Thanks for adding me!! I'm 57 year old female that's had Hep c for three decades,Genotype 3B.I was alittle frightened to start treatment from watching some videos I found on youtube. All the years I had this virus I didn't realize that all the dark thoughts,Wasn't feeling like doing anything anymore,pain after I ate ,swelling just under my ribs,ect...The clinic here in east Tx kept doing all they could to get me my meds.I figured I would never get them by not having any kind of ins. Well,I was approved for epclusa with no money what so ever.Wow great people over there are trying to get help for anyone that needs hep c meds.I love them.The first pill I took after a few minutes I was energized for about 30 hours WOW Each pill I take I could feel it working in some part of my body.Each day I wonder what it's gonna do today HAHA.I went through flu-like feeling,sinis draining,loose stools.I almost felt like I was going to have a major headache for a few day but it never came.Today on my 49th pill I have no more dark thoughts,I'm actually smiling all the time.I haven't truly smiled in years,now It an hourly thing.I'm singing good old rock songs,Just so much happier. I WANT everyone to know that even when the side-effects feel like pain can't walk,ect.. they go away just as fast as they came.I am glad I can share my story,don't be afraid of the side-effects they go away.Thanks for listening to my jouney to being HEP C FREE!
Thanks Jangles, 30 days to go, seems like I've taken them forever,than it's just like I just started. My side-effects are just a few pain in my back now.I uped my water intake after reading a lot about it in this site.So gratrful for all of you that reply to all us new here really fast.Thanks again yall'BJ
Day 42
and I'm with you on everything you said.!!!
yipppeeeeee xx
Thanks Canuck for your support! Mr. Dr. never said anything about bloodwork during treatment. But being me haha Next time I go into town I will get a copy of all my numbers.Let yall know as soon as I get them. Now I can't wait to get there.It's kinda scary not knowing. Love and Light BJ
Hi bjglover,
Welcome to the forum.
Isn't that wonderful, that you got epclusa. It was meant to be!
I too "used to be" a GT3 (I love saying that - "used to be"), but I was a GT3a.
Lucky you (and me) to get epclusa - it is perfect for curing us GT3's, a's or b's!.
Glad you shared here, and we will all look forward to hearing more from you and your imminent cure, which I am sure is already happening!
VERY good you knew to drink LOTS of water.
I see you have already completed 7 weeks out of your 12 week course of pills. As far as how often you should have blood tests? - what did your county clinic tell you to do? - how often did they say you should have bloods drawn during treatment? - I know you said you ARE going to have blood drawn on the last day of your pills, and you mentioned you DID have blood drawn (previously) about 4 times, but I am not sure when those 4 times were. I am betting you did have blood drawn at about 4 weeks into the pills?
Tig is always a good advisor, and yes, I am also sure you will (additionally) be told to have bloods drawn 12 weeks after you finish the pills. And likely again 24 weeks after you have finished the pills.
Strive to do the bloods they tell you to do.
When you DO go to the county clinic next (if that who is managing/directing your care/keeping your file), do ask if you could have copies of all your lab results, then you can always ask here too how they looked over time. "Liver Function Tests" (LFT's) like ALT/AST/bilirubin, and, your viral load (VL's).
I am so glad for you that all seems to be going really, really well! Good for you!
C.
I understand how being located in a rural location can change the situation in regard to testing. It's not a requirement that you have the liver function tests done during treatment. Some doctors do them before starting and not again until 12 weeks after you are actually through. I like to see a viral load and enzymes done at week 4 or 6, just to see how things are going, but again, they aren't required. These new treatments are incredibly effective, and I'm sure you're exactly where you should be. Just keep pouring in the water and doing your part to stay on schedule each day. Get plenty of rest and even though you feel so much better, don't push yourself. You'll be running marathons in no time!
We have a lot of great information here on the forum. If you have any questions, we'll do our best to answer them promptly. I'm glad you're here!
Understanding Hep C 2017
thanks Tig for the support.As I live way out in the woods and don't get to see people everyday,I listen to my body a lot. I learned very early on to drink a lot of water to lessen the side-effects. I go to the county clinic here and I know my count was in the millions.All I had done was blood work around four times.I get blood drawn on my last pill.I can say I feel so much different now for the better.I asked the dr. about my liver how it is and he says by looking at the results I didn't have cirosis.As soon as six more weeks I will finally know everything I can.In your opinion should I get a liver test? I'm still learning all about the virus but this clinic can only do so much.Thanks again!!
Welcome, Betty! I'm happy to have you with us and look forward to following your already underway progress. You're 7 weeks into it, 5 to go, I assume anyway. I have nothing but praise for Epclusa. It's extremely effective against genotype 3. Do you happen to have any other lab results available? What were your liver enzymes pre treatment (ALT & AST) and do you know what your fibrosis stage was? We'll have a few questions and those answers help us when replying.
The path to treatment has been difficult for many, but we're seeing access to care get easier in the USA and getting better elsewhere, too. The need for easier generic medicine availability needs to improve, as well as a price reduction by Big Pharm. we'll get there, but it's taking too long in my opinion. Deregulation of import restrictions will be important if we're going to get ahead of this.
You mentioned some of the same amped up feeling when first starting treatment that I've heard from others. I've also talked to people that thought they were taking a placebo, because they felt nothing. Their blood tests during treatment proved that impression wrong! Have you had any blood work done since you started? Often, people have a viral load and enzymes drawn at week 4.
Sounds to me like you're doing really well and I know it will continue. Be sure you're drinking at least one gallon of water everyday and it will help keep those side effects at bay. I wish you continued good luck!
Hi, Thanks for adding me!! I'm 57 year old female that's had Hep c for three decades,Genotype 3B.I was alittle frightened to start treatment from watching some videos I found on youtube. All the years I had this virus I didn't realize that all the dark thoughts,Wasn't feeling like doing anything anymore,pain after I ate ,swelling just under my ribs,ect...The clinic here in east Tx kept doing all they could to get me my meds.I figured I would never get them by not having any kind of ins. Well,I was approved for epclusa with no money what so ever.Wow great people over there are trying to get help for anyone that needs hep c meds.I love them.The first pill I took after a few minutes I was energized for about 30 hours WOW Each pill I take I could feel it working in some part of my body.Each day I wonder what it's gonna do today HAHA.I went through flu-like feeling,sinis draining,loose stools.I almost felt like I was going to have a major headache for a few day but it never came.Today on my 49th pill I have no more dark thoughts,I'm actually smiling all the time.I haven't truly smiled in years,now It an hourly thing.I'm singing good old rock songs,Just so much happier. I WANT everyone to know that even when the side-effects feel like pain can't walk,ect.. they go away just as fast as they came.I am glad I can share my story,don't be afraid of the side-effects they go away.Thanks for listening to my jouney to being HEP C FREE!