Starting Sofosbuvir GS 5885

[Renee543]

Hi, I tried Teleprevir last year and failed. The Institute called me last week to see if I wanted to be in this new study for Sofosbuvir GS 5885. I have not been able to get much info on the net except from the Drug Co.
They have one slot open and I need to be there tomorrow for my bloodwork and EKG. Is there anyone on Med Help that is in this trial or anyone with any info that would help me make this decision. I was so dis-hearted when I could not stay in the Teleprevir study. It is Phase 3, either 12 or 24 weeks and either with or w/o Riba.  It starts next week. Thanks for any info. Reen

[Renee543]

Just want to say I was the same. I did not immediately feel like a new woman either and I was clear of the virus but my numbers were not normal at the end of treatment. My enzymes were still a bit high but way lower than when I had hepc and my platelets were still a bit low also. But each check up they are better and better. So you are right, it is not an immediate noticeable effect. But to feel better I eat healthy, take supplements for my liver and immune system and exercise (yoga and walking do it for me.)
So glad to hear everyone is doing so well and we are lucky to have been able to participate in this trial. May you all have a healthy, happy life after hepc.

[Geshmit]

thank you. I'm sure you will be fine too. As far as I can make out, relapses are occurring at an earlier stage - 4 week EOT, so it's looking good for you and 95.4% or so of everyone else!.

Yes, we were so lucky, especially now that sofosbuvir alone will cost $1 a pill. In the UK, it is available now if you have a spare $55k to pay privately for a 3 month course of treatment. The health service and various authorities (our system is different to yours - public health services free because we pay taxes for that) will probably fast track it for use in cases where it's life or death. It certainly won't be available for everyone for some time. And given the silent nature of hep C patients here, I doubt if they will fight for it. Very much a stigma here and for every ten diagnosed hep C sufferers, there is an estimated 5 who are still undiagnosed.

I'm not feeling a massive difference yet in well-being but I guess that will happen over time. After living with a virus for 30 years, it seems to be taking time to recover fully. I had expected to feel like a new woman, but that hasn't happened - yet.

all the very best to you

[nobodyone]

CONGRATULATIONS...  I go for my 24 week eot March 14...definitely feeling better than i have felt in years, more energy, etc...

Enjoy your life now being SVR!!  We all were so lucky!

[Geshmit]

Hi all

I just received my 24 week EOT results and I'm still SVR, which is great news.

Reminder: treatment naive, 12 week sofosbuvir+ledapisvir with ribavirin - G1b.
Hep C - 30 years

Signed up for 3 year follow up study - checked out every 6 months.

Would recommend these trials/drugs if you can get them.

best to all

[pooh55811]

Here's a link to a post that Can-do-man made concerning financial assistance for the new drugs:

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Hepatitis-C/US-Patient-Assistance-Program-/show/2058689#post_9746446

[susan400]

Hi all.  I have a dumb question.   Unless I dreamed it, it seems like when I was on here a couple of days ago, somewhere on the Medhelp site, that I read a link to some foundation that helped with high medication co-pays?  Someone posted it, but I can't seem to find it.  Did anybody else see the link that I'm talking about and if so, can you either send it to me by PM or repost it?  I seriously don't think I dreamed it?

Susan400