treatment options

[lindp12]

I am 62 no symptoms, previous long tx failed. Dr wants to start me on Solvadi, Ribavarin and pegasys (sp) - i see many are talking about oly - anyone know differences of tx options or where i can find out?
Then the biggie - getting insurance to pay, i was told i would have to go through a specialty pharmacy and they said IF your insurance company approves it.  She said a month supply of solvadi w/o insurance is $35,000 and you need 3 months of it.  

[patra_]

Have you or the Specialty Clinic filled out an application form w/the PAN Foundation (www.panfoundation.org)?

This is not a coupon program and, if approved, they pay the grant directly to the Specialty Pharmacy toward your coPay - nothing to do with your regular insurance so they can't say 'no'.

[Buba1962]

Hi ,I am also tx with Sovaldi ribavirin and Pegasys ,gt 4 ,treatment naive ,cirrhosis . 52 female . Week 3 starts Sunday . My insurance did cover me .with high copay .but considering the cost i am grateful .let me caution you to ask if the coupons provided by the drug manufactures are allowed with your ins . If covered .mine said no because of speciality pharm . Blue cross blames pharm and Pharm.. blames bl cross . Mostly due to fact the meds are delivered and can't redeem coupons ? Anyway if it works it will be worth any and all side effects that come ! ☺️

[susan400]

Hi there.  I don't know what your previous treatment was, or what your genotype is or whether or not you have cirrhosis.  If you are not cirrhotic and you've never been exposed to a protease inhibitor such as Incivek or Boceprevir, than, you might be a candidate for the Sovaldi and Olyssio.  That is preferable for alot of people who have 'issues' with interferon and the whole thing about having to give yourself a shot.  Olyssio was not an option for me due to my past exposure to the Telaprevir(Incivek) where I was a null responder.  Additionally, this is my #11 time at treatment and until this time, I have never heard the word 'undetected'.  But, praise be to God, on week 4 of this treatment, I got the great news that my viral load had gone undetected.  On week 8, I was also undetected.  This was like a miracle to me after being so disappointed at never clearing on all the other treatments.  I am on the medicines that your doctor has recommended.  The Sovaldi, the Ribavirin and the Pegasys interferon injections.  I just did shot number 10 last night and I have two more shots to go, or a little over 2 wk and 3 days left remaining. I am hoping and praying that I remain undetected after the end of treatment.  I hope that you have the same result, no matter which way you chose.  Susan400

[Dee1956]

Flyinlynn, this information is really good.  Thanks for posting.  There have been so many changes in the last few years and there will be more coming up.  This is a great tool.

[flyinlynn]

Also here is a link to the Sovaldi site they have info about how to get help and a lot of other info.

http://www.sovaldi.com

Is your a doctor a hepatologist or at least a gastroenterologist familiar with treating hep c?

[flyinlynn]

Just a couple of questions to help us answer your question.

Do you know what your genotype is? That is very important to determing the best treatment.

Have you had a liver biopsy to determine the extent of any liver damage? Whether or not you have cirrhosis also would help to determine the best approach.

What was your previous treatment and were you a non responder or did you relapse after treatment.

As far as insurance the makers of Sovaldi and Olysio have been helping patients pay for their medicines if the cant get insurance to cover it. Others here know a lot about that.

There are also new medicines most likely to be approved later this yeear and hopefully will be available by November December. There new meds have been having great results but from what I have heard so for mostly for genotype 1.

Here is a link to a ton of information about how doctors determing what
treatment is best for which patient it is from the AASLD American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases the HCV treatment guidelines.

http://www.hcvguidelines.org/sites/default/files/full_report.pdf

good luck
Lynn