Aa
Anyone take Sovaldi & Ribavirin for 24 weeks?
I am genotype 3 and the doc is prescribing me Sovaldi and Ribavirin for 24 weeks. I'm a little stressed out I wish I was able to take Harvoni. I'm just wondering if its going to be hard to manage on these medications and what my chances are of a cure after 24 weeks. Any input is welcome. Tysm
LOL Thank you both! I am going to definitely slay that dragon. He's got to go! :)
Drinking lots of water too btw. If I have anything drilled into my head from reading around the posts, is definitely to drink tons of water. :)
Drinking lots of water too btw. If I have anything drilled into my head from reading around the posts, is definitely to drink tons of water. :)
Funny, Pat
I like to "forget" how many Riba are in the bottle but can tell you without looking exactly how many Harvoni are left
Good luck on your treatment Jaz!
I like to "forget" how many Riba are in the bottle but can tell you without looking exactly how many Harvoni are left
Good luck on your treatment Jaz!
Good for you! And remember, be consistent, be patient, drink your water! Rest, when your body says to.
Go out there and slay that Dragon.
Only 167 more Sovaldi to go! (Didn't mention the Riba, 'cause I can't count that high yet! hee hee)
Blessings, Pat
Go out there and slay that Dragon.
Only 167 more Sovaldi to go! (Didn't mention the Riba, 'cause I can't count that high yet! hee hee)
Blessings, Pat
Hi everyone! I wanted to give you all an update. I just got the phone call that my meds will be delivered to me today. I can't believe how quickly the process went. I was expecting at least a 4-5 week wait with insurance or even a denial from them at first but from the point of the doctor sending the prescription in to now, was 1 week. So I will be starting my first dose of medicine today. Excited but a tad bit nervous of the unknown but with all of the above comments and explanations I think I should be OK.
Wish me luck as I will of course be doing for all of you too. I just hope and pray that this medicine wipes this virus out and I can continue on with life on a fresh new start.
Wish me luck as I will of course be doing for all of you too. I just hope and pray that this medicine wipes this virus out and I can continue on with life on a fresh new start.
Hi Jaz. Your going to do great! So happy that your getting the meds and starting treatment. Since it appears you have Fibrosis and not Cirrhosis your liver will likely regenerate given some time. At this point stay away from alcohol (if you like to drink) now and while on treatment. Eat liver friendly, plenty of rest, and chill with your new best friends for the next few months as we encourage and help you thru treatment.
Not having this virus in your system will be the best decision you've ever made.
Keep us posted
.....Kim
Not having this virus in your system will be the best decision you've ever made.
Keep us posted
.....Kim
Giving up soda will change your life dramatically
I never was much of a soda drinker but didn't have one for about 4 years and it was really, really weird to feel the fizzy sugar going down
If you like fizzy, go with sparkling water and a lemon
Good luck on your journey. So many thoughtful and super smart people on this forum to help you
I never was much of a soda drinker but didn't have one for about 4 years and it was really, really weird to feel the fizzy sugar going down
If you like fizzy, go with sparkling water and a lemon
Good luck on your journey. So many thoughtful and super smart people on this forum to help you
I can't even express how happy I am for the both of you . Thank you for all of the healthy food advice too Ekkiemom. I honestly wasn't aware of the red meat part so that is something I need to watch out for now. I already enjoy veggies, yogurt, lots of greens, etc. I just need to get on track with pushing more water. I used to drink so much soda and that in itself was hard to stop.
I will definitely be here to talk with everyone along my journey. I hope I'll be able to pay it forward and help some other new people with questions as well. You guys are angels. Thank you so much for the support.
Once I get my hands on my paper results I will also talk with you more on those patra. So far the nurse just calls and lets me know what he reported. They sent me paperwork today with a standing order to go monthly and check my blood once I start the meds. I thought I may be starting this week but I talked with someone different today from the specialty pharmacy and she wasn't sure how long it would take. I'll have to exercise some patience and remember my turn is coming. :) I am comfortable with everything I hear about the SFX. It's looking like it will definitely be manageable and if anything does come up, I know where to come to. :) tysm
I will definitely be here to talk with everyone along my journey. I hope I'll be able to pay it forward and help some other new people with questions as well. You guys are angels. Thank you so much for the support.
Once I get my hands on my paper results I will also talk with you more on those patra. So far the nurse just calls and lets me know what he reported. They sent me paperwork today with a standing order to go monthly and check my blood once I start the meds. I thought I may be starting this week but I talked with someone different today from the specialty pharmacy and she wasn't sure how long it would take. I'll have to exercise some patience and remember my turn is coming. :) I am comfortable with everything I hear about the SFX. It's looking like it will definitely be manageable and if anything does come up, I know where to come to. :) tysm
What Ekkiemom said! I couln 't have said it better - and no where nearly as succintly : -). She has given you excellent advice.
Concerning the F 3 / 4 thing, DON'T be in a panic. You will start your treatment and that will control the virus and you will get to SVR (Sustained Viral Response - HepC Speak for cured) and, with a healthy diet (See Ekkiemom's post, or enter Liver Friendly Diet into the browser and find one) your liver will have a chance to heal some of the damage.
Glad the numbers you gave me were from biopsy as so was mine, so they should correlate to what I mentioned. Again, get a copy of the Report and we can discuss it further if need be.
The thing to do, is stay on the Forum for the company and counsel of those who have already been there, Think Positive, take your meds at the same time every day, don't miss or skip doeses, and before long, voila, you will be through treatment and like Ekkie already at SVR, or like me, waiting for that last Blood Work in a little over a week!
Please let us know when you get your meds and when you start taking them.
Blessings,
Pat
Concerning the F 3 / 4 thing, DON'T be in a panic. You will start your treatment and that will control the virus and you will get to SVR (Sustained Viral Response - HepC Speak for cured) and, with a healthy diet (See Ekkiemom's post, or enter Liver Friendly Diet into the browser and find one) your liver will have a chance to heal some of the damage.
Glad the numbers you gave me were from biopsy as so was mine, so they should correlate to what I mentioned. Again, get a copy of the Report and we can discuss it further if need be.
The thing to do, is stay on the Forum for the company and counsel of those who have already been there, Think Positive, take your meds at the same time every day, don't miss or skip doeses, and before long, voila, you will be through treatment and like Ekkie already at SVR, or like me, waiting for that last Blood Work in a little over a week!
Please let us know when you get your meds and when you start taking them.
Blessings,
Pat
Hi Jazmine
I took Sov/Riba for 24 weeks. I'm now cured as of April of this yr. It's a great Tx, does have some minimal SFX, but they are doable compared to old triple cocktail...don't worry you will be just find, honestly.
Just rest when needed, hydrate really well, eat healthy, try to avoid red meat with hormones as it makes the liver work harder. I ate tons of raw veggies, brown rice, yogurt with berries, you know healthy stuff. Depending on how your stomach feels it is recommended to eat 4-5 small meals instead of the regular 3 big meals. Try and really limit the greasy foods.
Everyone reacts to the meds differently so you may sail thru Tx without any problems, just hi lighted the more common sides, oh may have slight headache but not bad and shortness of breath occasionally.
Your Hepa will be watching for low hemoglobin which makes you feel tired.
As I said this is all quite manageable!!
Good Luck to you and keep coming back for support and questions. This is an awesome community with really compassionate people, we are in this together and will help you thru your journey..
Peace
Deb
I took Sov/Riba for 24 weeks. I'm now cured as of April of this yr. It's a great Tx, does have some minimal SFX, but they are doable compared to old triple cocktail...don't worry you will be just find, honestly.
Just rest when needed, hydrate really well, eat healthy, try to avoid red meat with hormones as it makes the liver work harder. I ate tons of raw veggies, brown rice, yogurt with berries, you know healthy stuff. Depending on how your stomach feels it is recommended to eat 4-5 small meals instead of the regular 3 big meals. Try and really limit the greasy foods.
Everyone reacts to the meds differently so you may sail thru Tx without any problems, just hi lighted the more common sides, oh may have slight headache but not bad and shortness of breath occasionally.
Your Hepa will be watching for low hemoglobin which makes you feel tired.
As I said this is all quite manageable!!
Good Luck to you and keep coming back for support and questions. This is an awesome community with really compassionate people, we are in this together and will help you thru your journey..
Peace
Deb
I didnt have a fibroscan I had a biopsy and an ultrasound. Biopsy was done with a previous surgery back in August so my doc requested to see those results and then we did an ultrasound. So I don't know if that helps how my scores came back.
I did also receive a phone call from the specialty pharmacy on Thursday and when I called back over the weekend, I was told I would have my meds this week. So that is a plus anyhow. I am just worried over this level 3, 4 thing now. It has me a bit panicked
I did also receive a phone call from the specialty pharmacy on Thursday and when I called back over the weekend, I was told I would have my meds this week. So that is a plus anyhow. I am just worried over this level 3, 4 thing now. It has me a bit panicked
I am F-3, A0 - A1. That translates to Stage 3
Those are listed F-0, F-1, F-2, F-3, and F-4 which is actually cirrhosis.
The levels are A0, A1, A2, A3, and A4. These indicate the levels found within that stage and have translations assigned to them.
So my Stage is F-3 the stage before Cirrhosis, and my level, is at the top in that stage, early in F-3.
I went to get the copy of my biopsy so I could list each level, and can't find where I put them! So frustrating! (a result of tx by Interferon in the 90s, which didn't get rid of HepC and left me with no short term memory. Be glad we are not having to be treated with that anymore.)
I will keep looking and get back to you on that unless someone else can put their hands on a list first.
To the best of my memory, if your nurse is saying Stage 3 4 she may either be saying you are about F-3/F- 4, very very close to cirrhosis. OR she could be saying you are Stage 3 Level 4, not quite there yet, I believe. You will need to ask for a copy of the report to see exactly what it says.
Did you have a biopsy, or a CT Scan or Fibroscan? Those are all read a little differently.
Finally, YES, you do want to treat to prevent the fibrosis from getting worse. In the fibrotic stage for sure, and in the compensationed stges of cirrhosis, if you are cured, and watch you diet, hydration and exercise, you could very well improve a stage or so!
Treating, at the very least, gives your liver a rest from the virus, keeping it from progressing, and, as I said, if you reach SVR and continue liver friendly, as time passes, liver can heal itself a stage or so. I think someone in a post back in the first part of the year, or maybe end of 2014, posted that his had gone from F3 or 4 to Stage F1 over a period of 8 years - my goal! : -)
Sorry if some of this is not exactly accurate - hope someone will correct the info OR I can find my Lab reports so I can report it correctly!
Anyway, bottom line is get treatment. One other thought, go on line and look for hepatitis C trials and see if anyone is doing trials right now on hepc gt3s.
Merck and Bristol Myers, Squibb might have info on their websites also.
Good treating and blessings! On to SVR!
Pat
Those are listed F-0, F-1, F-2, F-3, and F-4 which is actually cirrhosis.
The levels are A0, A1, A2, A3, and A4. These indicate the levels found within that stage and have translations assigned to them.
So my Stage is F-3 the stage before Cirrhosis, and my level, is at the top in that stage, early in F-3.
I went to get the copy of my biopsy so I could list each level, and can't find where I put them! So frustrating! (a result of tx by Interferon in the 90s, which didn't get rid of HepC and left me with no short term memory. Be glad we are not having to be treated with that anymore.)
I will keep looking and get back to you on that unless someone else can put their hands on a list first.
To the best of my memory, if your nurse is saying Stage 3 4 she may either be saying you are about F-3/F- 4, very very close to cirrhosis. OR she could be saying you are Stage 3 Level 4, not quite there yet, I believe. You will need to ask for a copy of the report to see exactly what it says.
Did you have a biopsy, or a CT Scan or Fibroscan? Those are all read a little differently.
Finally, YES, you do want to treat to prevent the fibrosis from getting worse. In the fibrotic stage for sure, and in the compensationed stges of cirrhosis, if you are cured, and watch you diet, hydration and exercise, you could very well improve a stage or so!
Treating, at the very least, gives your liver a rest from the virus, keeping it from progressing, and, as I said, if you reach SVR and continue liver friendly, as time passes, liver can heal itself a stage or so. I think someone in a post back in the first part of the year, or maybe end of 2014, posted that his had gone from F3 or 4 to Stage F1 over a period of 8 years - my goal! : -)
Sorry if some of this is not exactly accurate - hope someone will correct the info OR I can find my Lab reports so I can report it correctly!
Anyway, bottom line is get treatment. One other thought, go on line and look for hepatitis C trials and see if anyone is doing trials right now on hepc gt3s.
Merck and Bristol Myers, Squibb might have info on their websites also.
Good treating and blessings! On to SVR!
Pat
OK so I did some googling and I guess I should start the meds now so that I don't end up in the cirrhosis stage. I guess I wait now to see how long it takes for me to actually get medication. I know he started the prescription but do you happen to possibly know how long it may take to go through the pharmacy and insurance? The nurse told me it was a specialty pharmacy.
I'm happy to hear you are doing so well and cannot wait to hear your final results. I'm sure you will be cured. Sounds like you are on a great path.
This is what I'm a little confused about. The nurse told me my liver was a stage 3-4. She didn't put an F in front of it. Is that the same thing?
This is what I'm a little confused about. The nurse told me my liver was a stage 3-4. She didn't put an F in front of it. Is that the same thing?
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It is very doable! I did have anemia, a known side effect of Riba but chose to stick with the full Riba dose, and since the fatigue was my only symptom and I am retired and could just rest all the time, my Dr agreed, so I stayed with the 400 Sol and 1200 Riba- the amount of Riba based on my weight. Some people have their Riba reduced if their HMG gets below 10 - that is the protocol! However, I had several negatives against me and wanted to give the meds every chance to do their job.
Many people only have a small drop in their HMG, and feel okay, or maybe a little punky, but, still, very doable.
There are some new meds coming out this year which have been tested on Gt3s and are aimed soecifically at that Gt, and also, a pangenotypic med ( treats all Gts well).
If you are only F1 or F2 Stage in Fibrosis, you may want to wait for one of those. If you are F3 or have cirrhosis, you want to go ahead and treat now! At the very least, you will be virus free while you are on treatment, giving your liver a much needed rest, even if you do't have SVR.
Hope the above info helps! Please feel free to ask anything you want to know. I, or someone else, will answer as best we can!
Good luck, which ever way you choose to go!
Blessings,
Pat