Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
883021 tn?1410262957

confused

Has any1 here did they tx, with Sovaldi, Rib, Peg., interferon?
19 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
NG7
Hi there.  I had hepc-1a for over 30 years as it turns out.  I was a nurse in the operating room and at the time I got stuck - (probably very late 70s or very early 80s - cant remember exactly) there was no such thing as Hep C - only Hep A and B.  So, the hospital gave me a shot of gammaglobulin at that time so I have titres to them.  Eventually, about 8 years ago (the dr. figured out) I probably became active with Hep C at that time.  I was a very busy person taking care of my elderly mother, (very difficult) being a busy realtor and was physically active lifting weights 3 times a week, and riding my horse several times  for exercise and peace of mind.  After my mom passed, about 4 years ago I was so exhausted from it all that I took a break from work and just veged.  Little did I know that I was getting really ill with hep c.  My husband and I made a move 2 yrs later to Texas where upon our arrival, I basically couldn't even walk without taking nsaids.  I had so much joint pain and fatigue that I knew it wasn't normal.  I had forgotten about my Hep c diagnosis 30 yrs ago but a good physician here told me he thought it was that based on the blood work he did at my request for rheumatoid arthritis.   So, a much longer story short, I had to wait another year for Obamacare to kick in before I was allowed treatment.  I saw a gastro/hep c specialist in October who told me it would be to my benefit to wait until Solvaldi came out in December.  So, I did.  

On January 10th  of this year (2014) I went on Peg Interferon, Ribavarin and Sovaldi.  By the time I started treatment, I could barely walk due to all my aches and pains, I had gained weight due to my inactivity and I could hardly breath - I had to not exert myself or I would be out of breath and have to bend over to breath easier.  My physical state was a nightmare and I'm not a 'sicky' type of person so this played havoc with my emotions and mental stability.

Being a strong person, however, I did get through it and am now, as of April 5th, virus free.  4 weeks into treatment I was virus free and since April I've had bloodwork in July and will have another bloodwork in October just to make sure.  

Everyone reacts different on these drugs.  They're very powerful drugs that cause lots of symptoms for everyone differently.  It sounds like all the basic ones people all comment on - I, too, had sun sensitivity, memory loss, breathing problems, MAJOR aches and pains and an inability to keep active.  I sat at my house alone while being treated as my husband traveled for a living but he made sure to come home every Friday so I could take my shot of Interferon as it made me particularly sick for the next couple days.  I couldn't eat much and lost my way driving when I did try to venture out just to 'get' out of the house.  All in all, I didn't drive much as I couldn't walk without pain or breath very well.  

Since treatment all of those symptoms have subsided for the most part.  I'm still dealing with major aches and pains however, it is from my thyroid which I'm trying to get fixed.  Some days I still feel like I'm on treatment.......

For anyone thinking about treatment with Solvaldi, if you're a candidate, do it.  Even with all my physical problems being ill with it, and during treatment, I'm grateful I was able to only be treated once.  There are some out there that have been treated several times and I salute all of you.  It ISSSSS a very tough thing to go through but it's worth the end result.  Everyone is different symptomatically but if you're the depressed type, you definitely need professional help while being treated.   All off this physical and mental state is only temporary!  

I wish my aches and pains would go away so I can get the rest of my life back, but that is another issue that I'm working on now.    

That's my story - hope and wish all of you well.

ng
Helpful - 0
7395021 tn?1394075927
Keep up the good work! You are on your way. I successfully treated this year and was undetected at 12 weeks. Your attitude is terrific! I made a great friend on the forum, hepc4Sandi. This is a good place to be!
Helpful - 0
1321662 tn?1410036958
Thank you! How are things going? Any side effects? Other news? I just went for my bloodwork on Monday, and meet with my specialist this coming monday to find out how my 1st two weeks look.
Helpful - 0
883021 tn?1410262957
OMG thats great well good luck, my prayers are with you.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Yes, so far, on week 4 and week 8, I am undetected.  Which is Grrreat because this is the first time it's ever happened in all the years I've been doing treatments.  With that said though, I still have to stay that way on my one week post treatment viral load, and post treatment viral loads for 3 mon and 6 mon.  But, I feel this is an excellent start in the right direction.  Susan400
Helpful - 0
883021 tn?1410262957
Thank you kate, hope all goes well with you, keep me updated, I want to hear those words Im cured god bless and keep well.
Helpful - 0
1321662 tn?1410036958
I just started my treatment yesterday. Hoping to be virus free before 2015. Best of luck to you girlly166!
Helpful - 0
883021 tn?1410262957
Thnks Bubba, I will.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi ,
Sunday starts week #4 for me peg RIBA and sovaldi.
The shot i feared end the most turned out to be easy to administer. Rest for a couple of days following . Headaches body aches the worst of it . The rest of the week tired but still working . Granted not doing much else . Some days better than others . But if this works it will all be worth every side effect . I do shout out for help here when I need some reassurance and all have been helpful. Do..
Drink plenty of water!
Rest when you can
Eat healthy
Take your meds on time
Have easy to make foods on hand
Keep all doctors appointments
Stay strong and when you need help
Just ask!
Helpful - 0
883021 tn?1410262957
ty susan. Has your doctor noticed if the virus is none detectable yet?
Helpful - 0
883021 tn?1410262957
again the support here is great ty sue
Helpful - 0
883021 tn?1410262957
yes ty sue and good luck hope you are in the cure, I am feeling overwhelmed, and hoping to start, its better than the 48 weeks  the doc 1st told me, so 24 weeks sound s  much better, looking at my 2 yr old grand daughter everyday will give me the strength, and the help of every1 here, god bless
Helpful - 0
883021 tn?1410262957
wow wtg on your cure thats awesome. I am geno tpye 1a, so hopefilly I will be starting this combo in a month or so, wish me luck. and again congrats.
Helpful - 0
883021 tn?1410262957
thank you flynn
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Yes, I am finishing up on that treatment.  I started it back on 06/18/2014.  I finish next Tues.  My gastro/hepat  didn't feel like I was good candidate for the Olyssio either, for the same reason as sue4hula , because I was on the Telaprevir/Incivek (which is the same class of drug as the Victrelis) and I didn't respond to that drug and had possible wild mutations.  Also, since I was a long time non-responder to multiple treatments, it was recommended to go with the Peg, Riba and Sovaldi x 12 wks.  It is doable, but is not easy.  I haven't turned anemia, but I've had almost constant fatigue, a drop in my white blood cells (neutropenia) which required 2 shots of a rescue drug called Neupogen and I have had some mood irritability issues and also can't tolerate any sun.  With that all being said..., I haven't thrown up even once on this treatment, and I've worked out regularly at my gym or on my home treadmill.  Sue4hula is right, you do need to drink a lot of water and avoid the sun.  Another helpful hint, talk to other heppers whenever you are getting overwhelmed (if you do that is)..., there are many of us here on the message boards for you to gain support from.  Susan400
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Almost forgot (brain drain!)!  I am 1a, well compensated early cirrhosis. I treated before with the Victrelis combo in 2012 and didn't clear.  My Hepatologist and I didn't feel the Olysio would be a good option for me due to possible mutated wild virus still in my system.  
Good job on advocating for yourself!  You got this!!!   :)
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi there!  I am 4 weeks post treatment on this combo.  Hopefully I'll be joining Sandi and Almost60 in reaching SVR.  The time went fast.  Had some good and not great days.  Drink lots of water, stay active, but rest before you get to tired!   I had some emotional days; highs and lows.  Became anemic, but didn't need rescue drugs this time!.  Watch out for sun.  It was like kryptonite for me.  

Wishing you a successful journey.  We are here to help each other.  :)
Helpful - 0
7469840 tn?1409845836
Yes I successfully treated with that triple combo 12 weeks. You can follow my posts on my journey. I was genotype 4, and am now SVR12 cured! My co-traveler Almostsixty also SVR12 on the same Tx. You can checkout our posts for more info, or ask me any questions. Contrary to other people's experiences we didn't have any major issues with the treatment. Good luck!
Helpful - 0
683231 tn?1467323017
I am sure there have been people here on that treatment giving your question a push so it can be noticed and answered
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Hepatitis C Community

Top Hepatitis Answerers
317787 tn?1473358451
DC
683231 tn?1467323017
Auburn, WA
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Answer a few simple questions about your Hep C treatment journey.

Those who qualify may receive up to $100 for their time.
Explore More In Our Hep C Learning Center
image description
Learn about this treatable virus.
image description
Getting tested for this viral infection.
image description
3 key steps to getting on treatment.
image description
4 steps to getting on therapy.
image description
What you need to know about Hep C drugs.
image description
How the drugs might affect you.
image description
These tips may up your chances of a cure.
Popular Resources
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV and STDs.
PrEP is used by people with high risk to prevent HIV infection.