APPROVED - Update on drugs!

[GrammyA]

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!!!

[cheflady]

COOL!!! congratulations and keep us posted, indeed a Happy Grammy Day.wishing you all the luck in the world love Jules x

[Pamelajean1]

Just went to quest dx and I see what you're referring to...curious now to see my results and if it is specific to Q80K. I'll definitely check and let you know.
Have a great day!

[Pamelajean1]

Good morning. Quest is testing Q80K for me. Had lab draw last Thursday, hep nurse called for results and found out it takes 5 days to complete. I should find out tomorrow or Monday but again testing is being done by Quest Labs. Hope that helps!

[ms maddie]

I read that Lab Corp has the Enhanced HCV GenoSure NS3/4 which includes testing for the Q80K in addition testing for resistance mutations to victrelis and incivik . However, when I checked Quest DX., it appears that their HCV Geno Sure does not include testing for the Q80K polymorphism, just the other two categories.
Also, was wondering if insurance covered the test, and if not what is the cost of it?

[GrammyA]

To answer the money question - here is what I know.  My drugs will be free and provided by the drug companies direct because I qualified with no insurance and only SS Disability income.  However, my doctor has 2 on this off label combo and they both were covered by Aetna Insurance.  He has others struggling with various insurance companies that are saying NO!  BCBS is the worse when it comes to a fast yes.  Once the drugs are added to the formularies for each insurance company they will be available.  Some companied LOCK down the formulary lists on an annual basis and will not add new drugs until the next year.  Others can be convinced by the doctors that it is needed immediately and perhaps get a special acceptance.  
Also, YES this is Off Label...... 2 pills per day only.... Sovaldi and Olysio.

[can-do-man]

I need to maybe back track that response I gave you sense I see your a geno type 1a... Yes you should check with your Doctor when you see him. Wishing you the best

"Q80K polymorphism: QUEST-1 and QUEST-2 studies"
"In  the simeprevir QUEST-1 and QUEST-2 studies, researchers reported in QUEST-1 patients with HCV genotype1a had almost 20% less SVR than HCV genotype 1b. Noted, at baseline the mutation Q80K was found in approximately 1/3 of genotype 1a patients. On the contrary, in QUEST-2 this mutation was infrequent and did not impact significantly the SVR rate".

"48 percent of U.S. patients with a HCV genotype 1a  had the Q80K polymorphism at baseline"
"Johnson & Johnson went on to perform an analysis pooling all subjects from the C205, C206, C208, C216, and HPC3007 trials, and found 48 percent of U.S. patients with a HCV genotype 1a  had the Q80K polymorphism at baseline, compared to only 19 percent of patients in Europe. The mutation is almost nonexistent in those with a genotype 1b infection."

http://hepatitiscnewdrugresearch.com/olysiosimeprevir-resistant-variant-q80k.html