Just returned from my Gastro/Gilead update

[Ekkiemom]

He informed me that he attended the Liver Conference in Boston I think it was and Gilead is in fact working on a 4wk Tx for ALL genotypes!! He spoke to the woman that was heading up the research and upcoming trials but the trials would still be a little ways away... Honestly I have never seen a doctor so excited about this upcoming Tx. I for one fine it's exciting to see him so passionate about his field, as in these times we tend to see too many Dr.s just the opposite unfortunately. I am so excited for the people who are yet to treat and those that don't know they have been infected. THERE IS TRULY A CURE FOR EVERYONE SOON. He also told me that there will ultimately be a vaccine that can be given similar to kids starting school for the first time which will result in wiping HCV off the face of our big blue planet.....now for me I am feeling really good lots of energy and happy and getting close to EOT in Jan.  All of my numbers are fine, glucose is 94 from 103 just one month ago, hemo is 10.2, hematocrit 31.8, RBC 3.25. Only RDW was high 15.7 cutoff is 15 but still fine. I asked him how can I tell it's working besides the #s and he said that is why you are feeling so good and you will start to feel even better! I hope this body can keep up with this new found energy. I'm banking on it. Well wishes to everyone still fighting the fight and congrats again to those that have SVR'd
Peace
Deb

[susan400]

I'm in Florida.    Look online.  There are probably clinics in your area that run 'Health Fairs'  or maybe even at one of the CVC/Walmart walk-in type of clinics?  I don't know about that, just thinking out loud.  How I found out about it here was that several of these different labs had 'Health Fairs' days and when I went to one, I got the normal information about that clinic and their hours and costs and such.  And saw that you could go in anytime for a Chem-24 and it was $15 cash, no insurance filing, no prescription required.

[Paintgeer]

thanks Kim for your honesty and SVR  ...congrats...

[Paintgeer]

where do you live....I wish we had a walk in clinic like that ...it should be available to all..that is cool...
thanks...maybe we do I will look into it in AZ

[Livelife777]

Uncertainty is the hardest part.  I'm really surprised that you guys don't want to know.  I was scrambling to get in and get my results.  Kinda prepared for it to go either way, but it became more difficult not knowing.
BTW. I felt like **** all thru Tx and beyond.  Never did I once feel normal or happy during or after.  My ALT and AST always remained in the 30s and maybe 1X 20s, but never teens.  My red palms never went away.  And, I did
end up SVR12.  Took 6 months post Tx to feel good again.  I was absolutely
miserable on Tx, had ZERO energy, and slept 14 hours a day.
Everyone is different so don't feel that when you clear you feel great. No way!
My best
.....Kim

[susan400]

I know that anxiety!  I have my 12 wk post coming up on 12/17 and I'm feeling it with you!  I don't notice that I have any more energy though.  But, it could be other issues, so I have to be honest.  I have been pushing through though and hoping that the 'energy' comes on board with me.  I didn't want to wait until my next labs to find out if my liver LFT's had ever dropped any lower. My ALT is in the normal range, but never did get into the teen's like some people's who had cleared. My AST is still slightly out of range, however I'm told that could be other things causing that.  I went into a different lab because I didn't want to have to go through my liver docs lab and have to explain my wanting to check on the other stuff.  I don't know about in your part of town, but here, there are certain labs where you can walk in the door, without a prescription and tell them, I want a Chem-24 and you pay them the cash and then, they run it and you come back either later on that day, or the next day and pick up the report.  They are a legitimate lab because they also run labs for people w/prescriptions and for various (non-group) private doctor's offices.  Anyway, I wish I could just RELAX and know that I'll be undetected since I was 1 wk after end of treatment 9/17, but I haven't had any viral loads for the past 7-1/2 wks and have another 4-1/2 wks to go to get it drawn and probably won't hear anything until after the holidays on the results.  So, I probably need to just forget about it I think.  But, I know what you feel though since I've had that disappointment too many times in the past.  Wishing you the best, Sue!

[keepingOnkeepingOn]

I hope Sue comes back and tells us she is "cured". Picture it.

[keepingOnkeepingOn]

Wonderful news about the Boston Conference. I would have liked to be there. It sounds like it was an exciting and positive event. I've been to them and you get the scoop from the insiders. Oh yeah baby. It won't be long until this parasite is kicked to the curb.

[Ekkiemom]

I love your enthusiasm and yes you need to call for the labs Sue. You will be relieved when you find out the positive results. But I truly understand your hesitation. I'm glad you are feeling great and am happy that I was able to pass on some info that gives you renewed hope. You will be just fine Sue I just know it.
Take care and as always
Peace
Deb

[sue4hula]

How very exciting!  What a glorious day that will be- HCV treatable, curable, and preventable!  I'm glad you're feeling so well!  Thanks for your message wondering how I am.  I'm doing pretty good!  Just fighting  bronchitis which I seem to get far to frequently the past couple years.  Still working up the courage to get my 12 week post tx labs.  Honestly, I am not looking forward to treatment prep and angst again if I didn't sustain the SVR 1 week post tx.  The logical side of me knows I need to know.  The emotional side that has dealt with relapse 2 other times isn't quite so sure.  I've also put weight back on that I worked so hard to lose and am afraid it may have hurt my (hopefully) healthier liver.  I had decided to wait until the 15th as I wanted to wait until after my doc returned from the Conference.  Your positive report gives me more hope and encouragement!  I WILL call and ask for my test.  My doc had scheduled one at 24 weeks originally.
Sarah, now that you've heard my whine, please know this.  Sometimes during treatment you don't feel good.  What treatment are you on?  We are all unique and feel differently on treatment.  I felt good at times and crappy at times.  I understand your feelings, as you can tell, I struggle myself at times.  

We are all here to support you and each other.  Stay strong ladies!  The dragons are going DOWN!!

[Sarah1949]

It's good to hear you're feeling so good Deb.
From what your doctor said it sounds like if tx is working we should feel good with more energy. I'm just the opposite- low energy and lethargic. Other people also say they felt really good during tx and knew they were cured. I reach eot on 12/17 and since things don't look that good right now, a 4 week tx in the future sounds really good.