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APPROVED - Update on drugs!

So excited - today got approval for BOTH Solvaldi and Olysio to be provided to me for a 12 week treatment using just these 2 drugs!  As you might recall from my previous posts that my Hep Dr. believes that this combo will be the perfect cocktail for SUCCESS!  Tomorrow marks exactly 1 year since I stopped the last treatment at 24 weeks of Riba, Victrelis and Pegasus.  HORRIBLE side effects, blood transfusions and detectable AGAIN at the post 12 week mark.  It actually took me 6 - 7 months to shed all the side effects and feel normal again.  That was my 2nd attempt to SVR and at 61 years old I am really praying this treatment is indeed the final solution.
I will be the 3rd patient he has doing this same program with many more trying to get approvals from their insurance companies.
I should start within a week and will post updates weekly on how I feel and the journey.
Keep the faith and blessings will often happen!  
Happy Grammy today for sure!!!
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Avatar universal
Hello,my name is Chris from Texas and was denied solvaldi/olysio due to it not being on the formulary.They stated that they were going to put my case on hold till things change with my medicaid paying for this expensive medicine.So if anyone can provide me with some inf on how to get my hands on some free meds or another way to get my appeal excepted by company that put my case on hold due to it not being on the formulary.Please reply my email address is ***@****
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Avatar universal
I should have also said that this is a pretty old thread.  You might want to post your comment on a new thread, where more will see it.

Again. Welcome to the Forum and God Bless
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Avatar universal
How wonderful that this is now available!

Good treating and good healing!
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Avatar universal
I am a genotype 1a female non responder, after 14 mos of dedicated peg-interferon treatment while working full time + horrific side effects that only worsened and near fatal drop in red blood count, losing 50 lbs, body and face laced with saturated poison sores, I quit! Determined never again to touch the stuff, I spent two years returning to near normal, back to square one and desperately wanting my energy back. My infectious Dr said in 2004, it would be at least 10 years before anything else comes down the pipeline, bingo. Approved one month ago, full coverage due to the gracious private community and God's Grace I am on Olysio and Solvadi, with little side effects, tomorrow, I will find out if my first labs show any reduction in the viral load. My advice Never, Never give up, take care of yourself and don't succumb to stress. If you are in it (stress) get out, as it will defeat your effort to heal. Pray for peace and that others have this chance before it becomes cost prohibitive and only for the rich. I can't believe I have this second chance!
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Avatar universal
Happy for you too!
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Avatar universal
So happy for you!
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Avatar universal
PS. I am 58-look 48-feel 98 lol
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Avatar universal
You guys are so inspiring! I have genotype 1a. what combo is my best hope do you think? I have never treated before. I feel like death warmed over for years and I can't imagine what it would feel like to feel good again! Yeah, I know, I am going to see a hepatologist but I just want you're opinions!
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Avatar universal
So glad to hear you feel so much better! I am 60 and will be starting solvaldi and olysio soon. I hope I feel better as well. Doc said I could wait on new meds but I am so tired of feeling weak and all the other crap that goes with the hep that I am not waiting on anything else, I can do 12 weeks, I know. Good luck to you and thks for posting that! Awesome.
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Avatar universal
Right on Grammy.    I recently was cleared and feel great.  We only need our fellow warriors to join our rank, and then the dragon will finally put in his place.  Happy to hear the update, and enjoy your newly deserved home.
Stay well.     ...Kim
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Avatar universal
The feeling of being virus FREE is indescribable!  I am almost 62 - and now because of those miracle drugs Olysio/Solvaldi I have great energy and stamina.  We are in the process of remodeling a home - top to bottom.....and I am doing tons of the physical work, painting, scraping, tiling, building....and so on.  Doing all this without pain, brain fog, fatigue and issues.  I cannot tell you all how different I feel !!!!  I still have stage 4 cirrhosis and I am hoping this ole liver will start healing a bit as my body gets stronger.... then I die from something else.  I will live a good health life without alcohol and vitamins and better eating habits.  But I promise I am not giving up junk food!!
Love to all and continue to kill your Dragons!!!
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683231 tn?1467323017
Hi Dan
Welcome to the forum.

Sovaldi is manufactured by Gilead pharmaceuticals and the "on label use" is per the prescribing information of Sovaldi with Ribavirin and interferon injections.

Olysio is manufactured by Janssen Research & Development the "on label use" per the prescribing information is again with Ribavirin and interferon injections.

The off label use means not using per the prescribing information. In this case it is using Sovaldi with Olysio with or without ribivirin. There was a clinical drug trial named Cosmos where the 2 medicines were used together with very good results. For that reason the American Association for the study of liver disease recommends this off label combination of medications for patients with specific genotypes. It is all very individualized depending on your genotype, weather you have treated previously with what medications with what result, and how much liver damage you have.

Are you seeing a liver specialist i.e. a hepatologist or at least a gastroenterologist? Have you treated previously? Do you have cirrhosis? Do you know what genotype of hep c you have. The answers will help to know what treatment might be recommended for you by your doctor. Also your doctors office hopefully will help you find a way to get your meds covered and the manufactures of the meds also offer assistance in getting you the medicines you need.

Good luck to you
From one vet to another 8 years Army
Lynn
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Avatar universal
My name is Dan I'm a Viet Nam era veteran where and when I contracted the Hep C virus. My Doctor had me wait years for Sokvodi/Olysio because I suffer from depression Interferon was not an option. The VA currantly does not offer the treatment.

Can someone explain what off label is and are the insurance companies more likely to approve it.
Thanks
Dan
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691935 tn?1421027090
anyone that is on Sovaldi is lucky in my book - in the US charging $1000.00 a day and calling it a miracle drug.  
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Avatar universal
Having same problem on appeal then got notice they rejected our appeal, now it goes to a personal hearing with a Court Judge to determine for the go ahead on the meds. Not really sure why they are not granting those that have been non responders to the other drugs interferon etc etc. I have to assume they will pay for another liver but will not approve the drug that cures the Hep C. Got  to turn this one over to God to handle for I am powerless, and praying my wife will have the perfect hearing and get approved. Good luck on your outcome ChevyS10.
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Avatar universal
Hi ,
I hope you will explain your situation to the drug companies, they have provided assisstence  to me.

Keep fighting for the Meds and you will prevail!
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Avatar universal
Have been on Olysio and Solvaldi the last 2 weeks. The only side effect has been a slight headache here and there but that's it!  Now Silverscript provided me my first 30 days and I just got word from them they denied coverage. My doctors are working on appeal but can you belive it? 1/3 done and they deny it. I'm a caretaker for my wife who has had 2 strokes and interferon is not an option. Funny thing money has top priority over life.
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238010 tn?1420406272
You go, Grammy! Looking forward to hearing about your SVR.

Keep us posted on how things go.

smaug
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Avatar universal
Those numbers you are providing are the same reason my doctor did not see the need to Q80K test me .... and now I just finished my 3rd week.  This treatment is so easy and my 2 week labs showed that all my levels were better then EVER before and that they were 100% normal range.  In a week they will do labs again and also check the viral load.  I am totally convinced this will be my LAST treatment!

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238010 tn?1420406272
You may be comparing apples and oranges when talking about QUEST 1&2 and Sovaldi/Olysio when talking about Q80K polymorphism. QUEST 1&2 were Olysio (simeprevier) and peg/riba.

COSMOS is a more appropriate comparison since it was sofosbuvir (Sovaldi) and simeprevir (Olysio). Below is what Ira Jacobsen said at last year's AASLD about the COSMOS results regarding Q80K:

"When looked at by HCV GT1 subtype, the results show that patients with the Q80K polymorphism did not fare as well. In cohort 1, 89% of patients with that polymorphism achieved an SVR12, compared with 100% of those with GT1a or 1b without Q80K. In cohort 2, 91% of those with the polymorphism achieved an SVR4, compared with 100% of the patients with GT1a or 1b who did not have Q80K. "

http://www.internalmedicinenews.com/index.php?id=2049&type=98&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=223225&cHash=da03e20e36

Granted, COSMOS didn't have a huge number of patients (80 in Cohort 1 and 87 in Cohort 2). Nevertheless, 89% and 91% SVR for those with the polymorphism are pretty darn good numbers. Good enough for me and my gastro, I'm 1a and planning to start Sovaldi/Olysio around the end of February (my gastro doesn't see the point of doing the polymorphism test).

smaug
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Avatar universal
Been taking Solvaldi 400mg once a day and Ribasphere 400mg twice a day for six days now to rid type 2 B hep C and very little side affects.  The worst is no sleep or sleeplessness and a minor very minor headache in the back of my head.  I never get headaches so I know it must be from the meds.  The doctor said that the studies shown say this regime shows it actually only takes 4 days to kill most if not all the virus.  But the regime still calls for 12 weeks.  How are you handling these meds and what have you heard?
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Avatar universal
May I suggest you send a message to HectorSF? I think he can offer you some very good advice. His case, similar to yours,  is nothing short of a miracle.

I wish you the very best.  Hang in there.

Nan
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Avatar universal
Hello GrammyA need all the help right now have liver cancer ,two tumors on liver r cancerous and trying to get the solvaldi and olysio .had no success with inter fur on and Pegasus  combo I don't know much about all of this and I want to live I'm on  two transplant lists and I'm scared to death thanks for anything
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Avatar universal
Hepcat I have hep c geno type 1 end stage liver disease cirrhosis and liver cancer and battleing two tumors .on two transplant lists.doc wants to start me on this cocktail of solvaldi and olysio but insurance denied me saying a proper prior authorization is required before they will ok it .this is new for docs as well .my meld score is a 25. I want to live I work each day with the love of my life.she would die without me .do you have any suggestions I may use to help my docs .thankyou much
          Frank 1953
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