Just curious why Im non responder?

[saltavar]

Am I the only non responder after 8 weeks taking Olysio/sovaldi on this list? I know there are some who have cleared then relapsed. The only things I took while tx was vitamin D, and a multi. I have GERD and a touch of Barretts esophagus and take an occasional nexium. I also take a teaspoon of psyllium a day(3-4 hrs away from the meds) for regularity.Drank lots and lots of water. And lastly a few Activias now and then. Anyone spot a problem with this little protocol? Does age play a part?. Im 68. Weight 165 lbs. When they tell you theres a 90 plus success rate and you fail it makes a person feel like maybe they did something wrong .Blood test at 2 weeks was very close but no cigar.I was breezing through tx too. Most of my numbers normalized. WBC's went back up. alt/ast normalized.
.I cant drink coffee because of the acid. green tea the same. So I cant inhibit replication in that manner.  I am fairly healthy, strong heart, good cholesterol, no high blood pressure or any other issues. Family history is good. Please, any suggestions for next time(God willing there is one) Thanks to the person(Poooh8 I think) who sent kind words and a link. Very helpful! Lifted my spirits and gave some hope.
Thanks Bob

[AugustineMama]

I specifically asked the specialty pharmacy at Mayo Rochester about Prilosec or Nexium and they said no problem. I did reduce the dose and take it at night and there is an 8-hour window between them. The only thing was Xifaxin which I stopped. I also on my own stopped the MVI.

[susan400]

I also want to add, I also took my Vit. D and took Benefiber during treatment, checked with the nurse/pharmacist at Gilead prior to doing so. Was told that it was fine as long as I would allow a 2-3 hr space of time, between the Sovaldi and those meds and they actually told me that Sovaldi was absorbed quickly after taking it.  Susan400

[susan400]

It's nothing you did wrong.  Unfortunately, sometimes, with certain treatments, they may not work on 100% of people.  They are getting there with each new drug.  I have many friends that cleared on Telaprevir + Peg + Riba.  I have a friend who clear on standard SOC for 72 wks and she's been clear for years.  But, others who did not.  I was in 4 different clinical trials over the years and did 6 other out of clinical trial (FDA) approval treatments.., over the years and never cleared.  Finally, so far, it appears that I'll be SVR (if I am clear on the 12 wk post blood draw in DEC.), on the Sovaldi/Peg/Riba.  But, until I get that blood work back from then, I am just cautiously optimistic.  I know how if feels though when I seems like everybody else is clearing except for you.  I felt happy for them, but didn't understand, why not me, too?  Anyhow, you will clear this, too. Maybe your next treatment will be the right one for your body.  It's hard for me to feel 'relaxed' and feel cured, when I've been given the bad news too many times to count.  But, I am hoping for feel that way if my Dec. one is undetected.  Susan400

[Sarah1949]

I called the Olysio and Sovaldi support lines and each of them said that Omperazole is fine to take with their drugs. I also ran my other drugs pass them and they said no problem to those also -- Losartan, Trazadone, Oxycodone, Magnesium, and Chlorhexidine. I agree that it would be a good thing to simply take nothing other then the treatment drugs, but that's not a good idea for some of us. I started out with that good intention but when my BP hit 180-190/90/85 I realized what a mistake I'd made.

This thread is confusing and probably a great example of how misinformation is spread. For me, I simply remember the comments are only individual opinions, some of which are based on good resources but others not so good. However, people new to Hep C and treatment may be more naive.

[Sarah1949]

Hi PeachyRoses, just wondering if you have the link to where it talks about cure rates being generated from the other subtypes. This is something I've been looking for info on.

[PeachyRoses]

You have already answered your own questions according to the data solvaldi has buried in their research. 1a with cirrhosis onset does drop the rate extremely. In fact if you read  the pages and pages.....the cure rates are being generated from the other subtypes. Yet type 1a and 1b make up most of the population in the USA. Something like about 70% have 1a or 1b.

[saltavar]

As I said  the team pharmacist told me the nexium nor any ppi is an issue!

Neither is psyllium(away from the meds) 3-4 hours.

[mike716]

FYI, I called both Gilead and Janssen patient assistance about drug interactions with those I am taking (Lorazapam, multivitamins, vitamin E, ALA, PPC, thistle), and they said to cut out all of them except the multivitamins and the Lorazapam, which are supposed to not cause problems (according to them).

But IMHO, probably safest to cut out everything while on Tx. Nobody really knows what the real-life drug-drug interactions are. There just aren't enough studies.

[ms maddie]

("And as you said P-gp inducers but then you said omeprazole is a P-gp inhibitor so as I read that it is not the same thing.")

Yes, omeprazole is a P-gp inhibitor and not the same as an inducer.  However, in the insert that comes with the Olysio it states both inducers and inhibitors can affect the bioavailability of the drug.
An inhibitor is not a factor when it comes to Sovaldi but possibly the Olysio.  

Anyway this will soon be a non issue because the newer meds are coming and hopefully the PPI's won't be a problem.   As it is, there is no proof that they are an issue now.  

I pray that the newer meds will be the answer for everyone,  It's human nature to try and figure out why relapse occurs but that is for the researchers to figure out.  The dragon is running out of time...you will reach SVR in the near future.

[Dee1956]

Hi, I am so sorry.  You did nothing wrong, you did everything you were supposed to do.  Please don't blame yourself.
I think we have a tendency to try to make sense of something that there is not sense to.
When I started Incivek 9/1/2011, there was nothing in the literature about meds I was taking.  Despite listing them to the specialty pharmacy, the doctor, the nurse I ended up have a reaction when I finished the Incivek.
I called Specialty Pharmacy and was told 3 of my meds were now contraindicated or problems had been reported.
When I asked my doctor about it, he was not aware of the reactions, later told me that they did not discover until after I started tx. If not for the Specialty pharmacy I really would have been in trouble.  They seem to have the latest information before the doctors do.

I just wanted to say how sorry I am.  I relapsed with my first tx and was so devastated, thought my life was over.  There was nothing else I could try.  That was why I was so desperate to start the Incivek asap.  In hindsight I guess I should have waited a few months so real time results could get out.

Take Care
Dee

[flyinlynn]

Oh yeah forgot to mention I am a female GT 1a three time null responder with  cirrhosis and I relapsed at 12 weeks post treatment.

[flyinlynn]

I would suggest you check the prescribing information for Olysio there is a specific warning against sun exposure. The instructions talk about when used with interferon and Ribavirin but it is the Olysio causing the sensitivity

The most common side effects reported in clinical study participants treated with Olysio in combination with peginterferon-alfa and ribavirin were rash (including photosensitivity), itching (pruritis) and nausea. Serious photosensitivity reactions resulting in hospitalization were reported. Patients will be advised to limit sun exposure and to use sun protective measures during treatment with Olysio in combination with peginterferon alfa and ribavirin.

Good luck
Lynn

[keepingOnkeepingOn]

Whoops I see you are a non responder. It's a mystery.

[keepingOnkeepingOn]

Did you take it the same time every day? What's your weight/gender  if you don't mind me asking? Did you clear and it came back? Or were you just not responsive to S/O? Sorry I can't remember much lately as I'm sure you mentioned some details prior.

[saltavar]

The pharmacist told me to continue to take a multi AND because my D levels were a little low to take that as well. Again she said the nexium was NOT an issue.

[saltavar]

nexium was not an issue neither was a multi. I  never said I took milk thistle! I took NO herbs or supplements either. I asked the pharmacist team member.

[keepingOnkeepingOn]

I'll recheck the directions for S/O when I can because I don't remember now.
The pharmacist did say the sun shouldn't bother me and it didn't. I can call the pharmacy and see what they say but don't count on a good answer with the one I got about the sun.......I did have to be careful of everything the first week.

Is everyone changing toothbrushes and razors weekly to not reinfect?

[keepingOnkeepingOn]

I'm not a doctor but in my research I found that taking those types of pills are reactive to the treatment. I was looking for me because I am supposed to take omaprezole for varices. Are they called NAID's? I am not taking them. I'm taking anything but the treatment medicine. Nada nothing.
We just can't be sure of reactions to other pills so I'm not taking any chances.

I was also thinking that perhaps drinking too much water could flush the system of the needed tx medicine. That wouldn't be good. Daily sipping is better especially in the first weeks of tx I found.
But if I lay off salt I'm not needing any omaprezole. Never-the-less they may be the culprit in not clearing the virus. Is it a beta blocker?

Read directions. It may be on the directions that comes with the tx scripts. I can't remember where I saw it.

In the end it could all be weight based and a thread for a poll would be good. Do women cure more often than men etc.

As for the sun issue with the tx S/O... it's the HEAT and not so much the sun. Besides, sensitivity went away at week 3 or 4 for me. It was the first week I had to be careful is all. The first week was an adjustment taking the pills and the parasites were fighting for their life this time. I could feel it at week 3. They put up a fight just like I am putting up a fight.

I had a PCP nurse practitioner tell me just before tx to not take ANYTHING. Skip it all until treatment ends. They know more than a lot of docs.

I feel for those who haven't reached SVR. Don't give up.

[flyinlynn]

Here are the links to the pdf's for the prescribing info for both Sovaldi and Olysio the inserts that were in the prescription

https://www.gilead.com/~/media/Files/pdfs/medicines/liver-disease/sovaldi/sovaldi_patient_pi.pdf

http://www.olysio.com/shared/product/olysio/prescribing-information.pdf

[keepingOnkeepingOn]

check the directions that came with your prescription.

[hrsepwrguy]

here are the lists severe and moderate by brand names,  their not on it

http://www.drugs.com/drug-interactions/simeprevir,olysio-index.html?filter=3&generic_only=

http://www.drugs.com/drug-interactions/simeprevir,olysio-index.html?filter=2&generic_only=

[flyinlynn]

My only question then, is as so many people take nexium or Prilosec why not just say nexium or Prilosec. The listed the specific names of many others.
And as you said P-gp inducers but then you said omeprazole is a P-gp inhibitor so as I read that it is not the same thing.

Yes as nexium inhibits gastric acid secretion I could see why one would think that but I don't see where they have said no to and in fact I did see on the drugs.com site it did say no drug interaction for omepresol and Olysio.

[ms maddie]

Drugs that are potent intestinal P-gp inducers (e.g., rifampin, St. John’s wort) may alter the concentrations of Sofosbuvir (Sovaldi).

Co-administration of OLYSIO with drugs that are moderate or strong inducers or inhibitors of CYP3A may significantly affect the plasma concentrations of simeprevir. The potential for drug-drug interactions must be considered prior to and during treatment.

Here's a link to List of some Inducers and Inhibitors.
https://liferaftgroup.org/long-list-of-inhibitors-and-inducers-of-cyp3a4-and-cyp2d6/

Omeprazole (Prilosec) is a P-gp inhibitor.

Esomeprazole (Nexium) inhibits gastric acid secretion. Therefore, esomeprazole may interfere with the absorption of drugs where gastric pH is an important determinant of bioavailability.

[flyinlynn]

Ok answered my own question about vitamins at drugs.com but still haven't found Nexium

http://www.drugs.com/cdi/olysio.html

Many prescription and nonprescription medicines (eg, used for anxiety, asthma or other lung or breathing problems, blood thinning, cancer, depression or other mental or mood problems, erectile dysfunction, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, HIV, immune system suppression, infections, inflammation, irregular heartbeat or other heart problems, nausea and vomiting, PAH, seizures, sleep, stomach or bowel problems), multivitamin products, and herbal or dietary supplements because they may interact with Olysio. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure if any of your medicines may interact with Olysio.