Genotype 3a

[Coach32]

Started Ribavirin/Sovaldi 2 weeks ago. No sides effects. To start Alt 60 Ast 36 viral 133529.. After week one Alt went from 60-31 ASt from 36-21. They said the viral will be measures at the 4 week test???  Found out about Hepc in 95 never tried treatment until now.. Did Vitamin c infusion, Milk thistle religiously and Max Green for the fatty liver and my functions were steady through the years and fatty liver improved on the ultra sounds I took every 8 months.. Will see how results come out tomorrow for week 2.. Anyone else with Gt 3 would like to see your #s ..

[Coach32]

That is fantastic, Congrats to you for staying strong and making it through. Extra bonus of losing 25lbs will benefit you in so many ways. All quiet here going for BW in a few days will let you know results. Once again Great news...

[patra_]

Saw Dr this evening and got my test results and copies of the blood work so I can look at them again.

RNA, PCR Undetected!  Also, AFP - the test for tumor markers dropped from 23 to 6.2 which is also good news!

Part of me is thrilled and so grateful, and part of me keeps thinking, 'Is this real or am I dreaming?'.

I am scheduled for 24 week blood work, to be sure, just in case!  

Please keep me informed about your status, when you start tx again, etc.  I will be around, trying to give back some of the blessings I have received.

Thank you for your help - and the same to everyone who posted on this thread.  As a result of what everyone told me, I was prepared for tx, and came  through it without dental problems, skin problems, have reached SVR12 AND lost 25 pounds (something I really needed to do : -) ).

[patra_]

finer than frog hair split 4 ways.  I used to always say that til I was on meds.  Wow, was that not true during that period due to the anemia from the Riba.  As soon as meds finished, that started reversing.

I FEEL that I am doing really well since I feel good - doesn't mean I don't have apdays here and there when I wonder if the hepc is back, but, mostly, I feel like its gone.

Your timing is amazing!  I was thinking about posting to you tomorrow night!  I see Dr tomorrow at 6pm (they are working men in at the end of the day as I had t important meeting come up on the same day I was originally scheduled to go - Wed, 3-11).

I will be getting the results of my EOT12 Labs.  I have not had BW since my EOT Labs 12-3, so I am really REALLY anxious to get the results.  As I said, I am feeling well, but that could just be being off the meds, esp the Riba, so I do worry about the results.

Keep telling myself to cool my jets, but, easy to say, hard to do.

Now, tell me what is happening with you and your tx plans and BW.    I saw someone post on here that the Dac should be available in June, but I haven't found that article yet.  I did post asking where she (? I think? No memory!) saw it, but have not seen a response to that post yet.

I'll post tomorrow!

[Coach32]

Hi Patra, How have you been ???

[Ekkiemom]

Hi Coach
Numbers are looking like they're going in the right direction , good sign.
Keep up the fight and another dragon will be gone forever....as it should be

Good Luck
Peace
Deb

[patra_]

Its really good to hear the numbers are leveling out. mI still haven't heard when Daklinza (daclatasvir) is supposed to be approved in US.  i hope it won't be too long, but you are right, you have time to wait so not a problem.

I am feeling well -- more energy everyday or at least so it seems. Wk12 EOT BW due to be drawn 02-25.  Dr's appt to get results 3-11.  Just keeping busy so I don't worry about it.

Don't forget to do plenty of water, even though you are not on meds.  Helps the liver as well as helping flush the meds out of your system. : -)

Hang in there!  Pat

[Coach32]

  Got back results of recent BW and it is encouraging. VL from 2.1million drop to 383000...AST from 126 drop 51.. ALT from 280 drop 108.. So after failing tx and watching #s Flare way up it seems to have settled down.. Doing plenty of milk thistle , green max, n-acetyl-Cysteine.. Waiting to hear about next tx options for gt3. I don't think I will have to rush into it if bw remains settled..How are you doing???

[Coach32]

   Thanks for the info..

[patra_]

My Dr looked up info on my last visit and said it is ready for approval in Canada and is at FDA here and should not be too long.  

I am excity, too, for all those Gt3s who relapsed after other txs, and, for myself, in case I relapse.

It will really be excellent for newbies to the Dx, as they will be saved all the tx and sides that relapsers experienced.

[Coach32]

  No . from what I'm reading the Daclastivir has not been approved?? Let me know if you have heard different. Nothing on the horizon for gt3??

[patra_]

My Dr mentioned 12 wks and, even, no Riba!  But, since I have failed once before, IF I relapse, I may ask him to reconside and add the Riba, just to be sure.

All well here, and hope all is well there, with you and yours.

Has Dr given you a time to begin, yet?  Pat

[Coach32]

  Have not been able to get on the forum lately .. Happy New Year , how are you doing??

[Coach32]

mY Doctor wasn't sure about 24 wks or 12 wk tx.. I hope its 12 ...Keep in touch

[patra_]

Good to hear that you are following up.  The Dac/Sol is really impressive for Gt3s and for other Gts that are/have been hard to treat, including relapsers, null responders and cirrhotics.

My Dr has been involved in some of these studies and keeps very current on it.  We have already discussed that this will be my tx, IF I need a next tx.  Praying not, but you never know.  Always good to be prepared.  The sides were none to very little and, I think he said that even for prior tx 12 weeks NO Riba, and 97 to 100% SVR.   Impressive, as I said.

I will keep you informed. You do the same.  Good luck! Good treating.  Pat

[Coach32]

    Glad to hear you are done with tx. Its difficult waiting. Its like the game is over but you don't know the score. I guess there is  no use worrying about what you can't control. I'm seeing a specialist from MT Sinai and she says the Daclatasvir/Solvaldi is the next thing for gt 3. ?? No riba . The trials are called ally3 . Hopefully you won't need this. I'm not quite sure what I'm going to do . Doing some BW in a few weeks. Anyway Great Luck to you LMK how things go.

[patra_]

Jimmy:  Just an up date - finished meds Monday, 12-1 and did EOT Labs yesterday (12-3).  Now We wait.

You had said that you thought about not doing further tx.  Are you still thinking that way?

I have been concerned as to how you are doing, have you asked your doctor about the Daklinza + Sovaldi, or the new AbbVie combo, whick should be on the market in Jan, I think?

I see some are looking at the Harvoni for 24 weeks  also, but last visit, my Dr and I discussed follow-up tx if needed and he said that since I would have failed tx x 2 by then IF I fail this time AND am Gt3, the Ins Co will have no problem approving these two meds as they will be the protocol called for for Gt3s.

Hope all is well with you and yours.  Pat

[Coach32]

   Before Tx I was 133000 VL . ALT 60s asymptomatic. Now after TX not working my VL is 2million+ , but my ALT 30s. I am wondering was I better off not doing the TX and leaving a sleeping dog sleep so to speak or did the 6mos with UND help.. The VL 2mill. "flare up"  worries me.. Any thoughts..

[Coach32]

    Done feeling sorry. Time to start preparing for the next battle, mentally, physically and educating myself to the next course. Please keep me posted on anything you hear from your MD. esp daklinza?? Your #s are doing well and you are in the final few weeks . Stay STRONG . Good Luck . Keep in touch..

[AWorriedMom]

I am sorry you relapsed again. Please keep your eyes open for the approval of the BMS drug daclatasvir. They have gone for FDA approval to use this drug with the other oral drugs for HCV. Daclatasvir works efficiently for genotype 3 patients. Hang in there, you will cure this soon.

[patra_]

Jimmy:  Oh, no!  I am so sad to hear you have relapsed!

However, you have a good outlook on this and, let's face it, you are entitled to feel a little sorry for yourself for a little while.  Plan something special that you really like to do, and indulge yourself a bit, then, pick yourself up and get ready for the next round!

For us, I believe that is going to be Daklinza (daclatasvir) and Sovaldi.  My Dr is very interested in this for Gt3s.  I believe the protocol will be 12 weeks.  We have already discussed that this is the path we will take for me if I also relapse.  

Please check with your Dr and ask if he has been following the Gt 3 trialon this med?  They have evidently done trials on former treatment relapsers, null responders and cirrhotic patients all across the genotypes with good results but I don't have the stats handy to quote.  the BMS News.com should have more on these.  This product is made by Bristol-Myers, Squibb.  The were in studies with Gilead on the Dac/ Sol with some really positive results up until Dec 2013, when Gilead called th whole thing off, and went forward with their 'combo' pill of Sol/Ledesprevir, which just hit the market as Harvoni.  That was tested on Gt1s.

Hang in there and please keep us informed!  Remember, One step at a Time gets us there, and think what a blessed relief you gave you liver for all those weeks that the virus was UND.  This Dragon IS beatable for ALL of us, if not now, then soon.

Pat

PS I am doing well, my ALT and AST dropped another point or two on last blood work.  next draw is 11-12.  Four more weeks exactly til EOT (Dec 1st).  Will let you know what is happening.  Pat

[Coach32]

Thanks,, I'll be hanging..

[Livelife777]

Jimmy V.
What a bummer.
So very sorry this happened.
You have to look at whats been happening in the last month or so.
You are in the Drivers Seat this next time around.
In January alot is going to change and this disease will finally see its demise!
You must just hang on a little longer and have faith that you will overcome this burden once and for all.
We will all be here to help you thru.
Stay well
.....Kim

[Coach32]

Thanks for the thoughts. Feeling a little sorry for myself right now. But I have a ton of things to be thankful for in my life. Don't give up Don't ever give up....(Jimmy V.)

[monavenir]

Oh NO, each time I read about a relapse I feel very sad and I know the feeling to well. I'm a G3 relapse in 2009 and today EOT 8 weeks.

Me too I was UND at week 4 and 12 and 24. I go for Blood work Nov. 24... I'm dealing with so much anxiety. I'm just anxious to know...

Hope you are ok.