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Good news starting Sovaldi, Peg and Riba on 6/18/14

Yes, I know, I'm a glutton for punishment.  Tx number #11 or is it #12?  Geeez, I've lost count. But, 4 of those were clinical trials, so it's really not full 48 wk tx on every one of those tx's.  I just found out today that my husband's insurance has approved the preauth for the Peg and Solvaldi.  The Riba didn't need a preauth they said since it's gone generic and is no longer a high priced drug on their formulary.  The people working with me on the phone at my husband's insurance company were fantastic, beyond helpful.  The people that I have to deal with in my doctor's office, not as much.  But, oh well, at least I have an answer now.  Now, I am doing my 'getting ready for tx' prep work, like getting 'to-do's' out of the way as much as possible, so I'll have less to deal with on TX.  Stocking up on moisturizing cream (in my case - Eucerin calming), calamine lotion, bought a 12 pack of organic nutritional shakes (like Boost, but organic), for those times when appetite is absent. Getting dental appts every 4 mon. now, so not due yet there. Had eyes checked about 4-5 mon., so not due there.  On planning getting a good shorter haircut.., I already wear it a little longer than chin length, but will chop off another inch just to not have as much work to do with blow dryer.  I'll probably fix up a meal or two that it easy on the stomach, but has some nutritional punch to it.  Wish I could buy some over the top optimism and positive thinking ..., I always go into it with that mindset, but sometimes it lags during the actual tx time.  I always hope to be able to one day add my name to the ever growing list of SVR's.    Susan400
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Avatar universal
Exciting start!   Excellent news!   :D  :D.
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Avatar universal
My first set of labs today.  No viral load yet. But the exciting news is after 1 wk of this treatment, my LFT's have decreased by 1/2!  That is definitely a good sign.  My white blood cells are within normal limits and my red blood cells and hemoglobin and platelets are all within normal limits.  

Susan400
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315737 tn?1407298997
Thanks for the reply:))
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Avatar universal
Welcome to the big THREE!  I love your spirit and your attitude!  I'm now in the middle of week 6- still no news on my 4 week VL, but it's OK.  Pressing on and praying we Susans (and everyone else) get our turn to say those magical words!  

I have had some intermittent nausea.  It's usually if I need to eat something.   I also had a mild rash.  It is better now.  The sun and heat seem to make things worse.  Overall, this is a snap compared to the Victrelis combo for me!  

Take care!
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Avatar universal
I can't do the Olyssio because of my past exposure to Telaprevir (a protease inhibitor) additionally, when I did the Telaprevir I had a severe rash.  Also, the recommendations for a chronic null responder, such as myself, are to use the Interferon, Sovaldi and Riba for 12 wks.   I hope that helps.  I have no cirrhosis as of my last biopsy 4 yrs ago. Around 6 mon after that biopsy, I was in a clinical trial in Miami and had a fibroscan which showed about the same thing as the  biopsy.  I just have a very stubborn strain that thus far hasn't responded to anything I've thrown at it. But, I AM CLEARING this time.  I am determined that I AM CLEARING.  I used to be a mixed/double genotype of 1A/1B, I had both strains because the genotype was done twice by 2 different labs and both times it came back that way.  After around 5 treatments, somewhere along the way, I changed to just a 1A.  I managed to get clear of the 1B, but because I was still detected and had the 1A, I never went 'undetected'.  It sounds strange, but it is what it is.  In my particular case, the 1A is the dominant strain I had.  I feel that I've been blessed because I've survived doing all these treatments with really no MAJOR repercussions other than small annoying lingering things but nothing that has majorly altered my life from doing all these multiple treatments.  My husband feels that if I had done no treatments ever; that with me having had this 30 yrs and 2 strains and on previous biopsies I showed some bridging fibrosis, that if I hadn't done those treatments, I may be in cirrhosis right now.  So, I am looking at this positively that even if I haven't cleared/obtained SVR YET, I am still here, I am still fighting the beast and I haven't given up.  I am just happy that at least this time, I am NOT in a clinical trial and I know I am getting the real drugs and all 3 of them.  I have definitely done my part for researchers in doing 4 clinical trials. So, I've aided their learning process (along with every other person who has ever participated in a clinical trial).  But, I am READY to be able to type out to my friends on this site that ( I AM UNDETECTED )  that is what I really want to be able to report to everybody.  Many of my long time old-timer hep C friends have left the site, and I understand that and hold no bad feelings towards them.  Life goes on and I am happy for those who have won the battle and moved on to bigger and better things!  Susan400
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315737 tn?1407298997
Why was the interferon added?
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Avatar universal
Good luck, Susan. I hope this is the treatment that will finally cure your Hep C for good.

Wishing you a successful and easy treatment.
Nan
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Avatar universal
As of tonight, an hour ago, I am officially on all 3 drugs.  Just did the interferon part of this equation.  I had started the Sovaldi and the Riba last Wed. on 6/18.  Prior to this interferon added, I've felt alot of fatigue, some slight nausea (w/o vomiting), a couple of spells of dizziness when I stood up too fast and noticed that I was a little shorter of breath when exercising.  But, all and all, prior the interferon, it hasn't been that bad for me.  No headaches.  I've been sleeping pretty good. Just really tired.  I get my first set of labs i.e. CBC, Hemoglobin/platelets, LFT's,... on Wed. 6/25.  No viral load until week 4.  I just wanted to give a quick update.  Susan 400.
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Avatar universal
Oops - can't count - just took Day 5 morning pills.  Oh, by the way, also got a good body lotion.  (Dr, will I be able to count very well after I complete my Meds?  Why, yes, Pat, you will be.  Oh, good 'cause I never could count!  : -)
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Avatar universal
You go, girl!  Like nursehepc, I am just starting Sol/Rib - Day 4 for me.  Also like you, I paid attention to what everyone said on this site and stocked up on Biotene (spray and mouthwash), eye gel, bought a water pik and learned to use it, and started drinking 100 oz per da of purified water to get ready.  Day 4 and doing great.  I expect great things for you this time! We are all in there cheering - and praying, a powerful tool.  Hope to see us all at SVR!!!!

Keep up posted and keep on keeping on - and drink lots of water! : -)
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Avatar universal
I've never checked my blood sugar regular, i.e. at home.  I only get it done when I'm going to the doctor's office.  This is because I've never been a diabetic.  So, I don't have any idea if my blood sugar is going up or not.  I will be going in for my 1st weekly lab after starting treatment on 6/18.  That is next Wed.  I'm sure that they will tell me.  Susan400
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9225385 tn?1402456157
My husband is Geno1a and I was just wondering if any of you that are taking Salvadi and Ribapak are having sever cramps and or high sugar. My husband has been taking it now for 3 weeks and he started having some severe cramping, so I took him to the ER. Well he ended up in ICU due to the Er  Dr. giving him Valium. Besides him sleeping it sent him in to a heavy dose of Encephalopathy. Okay well we also discovered that he has C diff a second time and his sugar has beenhigh the entire time that we have been here. So my question is have any you taking Salvdi and Ribapak, have you had any problems with your sugar after you started taking the med? My husband sugar has always been good in the past.. so I am trying to figure out if this could be a side of affect of the Salvadi?
P.S his liver enzymes are back to normal after 3 weeks.. Haven't seen those numbers in years..
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Avatar universal
AMEN To that, Sister Sue !  LOL!  
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Avatar universal
I am on my 3rd go around, the last one being with Victrelis.  I started 5/13 and am finding this treatment so much easier!  I have my first VL check on 6/13.  I'm hoping you and I, two determined Susans, join the SVR crowd!  Best wishes on your treatment!  Let's slay this dragon!
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Avatar universal
THANKS Everyone, appreciate your cheers, prayers, good thought and optimistic words!  I'll post more once I start my drugs!  Happy SVR to all.

Susan400
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Avatar universal
You go girl.    I'm going to be joining your cheer leading squad.     Rah Rah Rah.        ..Kim
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4670047 tn?1375730401
Ok...what ever it takes, chanting, rooting, crossing fingers, prayer, you've got it!!! You are an absolute trooper! Keep us posted.    Kitty
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Avatar universal
I remember your story from back when I first found this site. Go ahead and get ready and have all your ducks in a row, however, I think you'll find tx with Sovaldi, Pegasys and Riba is going to be an easy one.  I finished this tx 7 weeks ago, (my 5th tx) and besides fatigue in the last few weeks, I felt better than I have in a long time.  With Incivek my platelets fell to 19, they actually went up some with Sovaldi.  Tx looks very promising...so here's your bag of optimism...I was still UND at 4 weeks post.  Hang in there, you'll be surprised...and the 12 weeks goes by rather quickly.  Best of luck with a smooth tx this time around!  :)
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Avatar universal
Goodness...11 times? Really? I am definately rooting for you! You go girl. I respect and admire you being able to keep on keeping on.... I am only on Sovaldi and Riba...day 13, but our treatment will overlap. Good Luck. Joanne
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Avatar universal
Good luck hopefully you will be greatly surprised with this new med.
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683664 tn?1330966324
I remember your story and just want to say that I'm rooting for you, may this be your last treatment!!!!  And may it be hella successful and easier than you think.

Lapis
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Avatar universal
Wishing you success at svr ,strength during treatment and of course boatloads of free optimism and positive thinking.
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