Aa
Harvoni with or without Rib
I will be starting Harvoni in a few weeks. My Doc suggested I do either 12 wks of Harvoni with Ribavirin or 24 wks. of just the Harvoni. We decided on the 24 wks of the Harvoni. I am wondering if adding the dastardly rib on the 24 wk course is advisable. My Doc is willing to add it if I want to. I couldn’t find a 24 wk study w/ that combo. Any insight would be appreciated.
I am GT 1a, stage 4, and have relapsed after treatment 3 times. 2 times with Peg/Rib and once w/ Incivick, peg, and rib. Have been infected over 30 years.
Here we go again.
I am GT 1a, stage 4, and have relapsed after treatment 3 times. 2 times with Peg/Rib and once w/ Incivick, peg, and rib. Have been infected over 30 years.
Here we go again.
I firmly believe that Riba will be a thing of the past - and soon. This was reinforced by this presentation by Dr. Norah Terrault, considered one of the best in the field
http://www.uctv.tv/shows/Hepatitis-C-A-Disappearing-Disease-UCSF-Liver-Transplant-Conference-2014-29269
So, while I agree that those who are quite sick and for whom waiting for the next miracle drug seems tempting, I would go ahead and do the Riba if, upon analysis, it would give you the best shot for SVR
I can't begin to imagine the suffering for those who endured years of Interferon/Riba with paltry results at success.
Get a second opinion and do your homework and good luck with your treatment
http://www.uctv.tv/shows/Hepatitis-C-A-Disappearing-Disease-UCSF-Liver-Transplant-Conference-2014-29269
So, while I agree that those who are quite sick and for whom waiting for the next miracle drug seems tempting, I would go ahead and do the Riba if, upon analysis, it would give you the best shot for SVR
I can't begin to imagine the suffering for those who endured years of Interferon/Riba with paltry results at success.
Get a second opinion and do your homework and good luck with your treatment
After reading post here I immediately called my doctor which only his assistant was available and i asked about taking Rib for my treatment. She insisted I stay on Harvoni unless im still detected after week 4 then will prescribe Rib with my Harvoni treatment. If it helps why don't they prescribe it right away..
I am GT 1A. My viral load in May was 350,000. I was on a Peg/Rib treatment 7 years ago. My viral load went down then up. Higher then when I started the Peg/Rib. My MD got me on Harvoni under a grant to cover copays. I started on June 6.. I had blood work done on July 13. My viral load is 0. Undetectable after 5 weeks of Harvoni. My MD is keeping me on for 12 weeks. That is all that is needed for me and my virus was bad! No Rib is needed!
So it appears you and my husband will be starting the same treatment at about the same time. I sometimes feel that these real world trials give them the information they need to eventually find the cure for all. I am grateful that he has this opportunity to treat again. We know how expensive this treatment is coming on top of the previous failed one. I have to think that there is a reason for everything and this helps them to find a path to a cure for all, it was well worth what we having been through together.
May your treatment be easy for you and most importantly successful in curing you if this virus.
Nan
May your treatment be easy for you and most importantly successful in curing you if this virus.
Nan
Hi nan, I am glad you got an answer about that.
I remember when he had problems while on Sovaldi and the Rifaximin. While it is not exactly the same it is related so I was worried that it could reduce the Sovaldi
Glad you found otherwise.
I remember when he had problems while on Sovaldi and the Rifaximin. While it is not exactly the same it is related so I was worried that it could reduce the Sovaldi
Glad you found otherwise.
" but in reading the archives last week way back to 2008, I saw many posts saying Riba stops mutation."
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Many people post erroneous information. I guess they just do not do the research to obtain the facts. One cannot go by what people post if they do not back up their posts with links to the facts, research, data.
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Many people post erroneous information. I guess they just do not do the research to obtain the facts. One cannot go by what people post if they do not back up their posts with links to the facts, research, data.
Yeah Pooh- I saw that "best answer" above where it says it causes mutation-good mutation, but in reading the archives last week way back to 2008, I saw many posts saying Riba stops mutation. Go Figure.
Nan,
This is such blessed news!! I am really (all are) so thankful for no Riba!
Please know, although in prayer for him, since last August, when I came on forum, THE ANTE HAS JUST BEEN UPPED!! And hope appears to spring eternal. I will be in unceasing prayer and thanks for his harvoni 24 and believing for this to be "CURE TIME"... YES!!
More than best:)
Randy
This is such blessed news!! I am really (all are) so thankful for no Riba!
Please know, although in prayer for him, since last August, when I came on forum, THE ANTE HAS JUST BEEN UPPED!! And hope appears to spring eternal. I will be in unceasing prayer and thanks for his harvoni 24 and believing for this to be "CURE TIME"... YES!!
More than best:)
Randy
I wish you the best this time. You have a lot of people praying and pulling for you.
Thank you all for your kind support. It is very much appreciated as I know you all are fighting this same battle.
I don't know how this will go but I do know there is no choice in this. Though very difficult, I don't regret what we went through last treatment because it kept his liver function and billirubin stable and there are no signs of liver cancer. God willing he will reach SVR this go round.
Dee - I spoke to his doctor specifically about the Rifaximin (Xifaxin). If you recall I took him off it during his last treatment because his HE actually got worse while taking the Sovaldi and Ribavirin along with the Xifaxin and improved when I stopped the Xifaxin. I had also called the Gilead helpline at the time and the nurse I spoke to said he shouldn't take it on treatment.
Well his doctor says that she has spoken to reps of Gilead and they said its okay to take Rifaximin with Harvoni as the Rifaximin has a different structure than the Rifampin and it does not enter the bloodstream.
I don't know how things will go this time bit if his HE gets worse again I will definitely stop the Xifaxin. It has been doing a great job keeping his HE at bay so I'm hoping he can stay on it.
She also said that the omeprazole he is taking must be taken four hours before or after the Harvoni as it does lower the effectiveness of the ledipasvir.
My best wishes to all of you.
Nan
I don't know how this will go but I do know there is no choice in this. Though very difficult, I don't regret what we went through last treatment because it kept his liver function and billirubin stable and there are no signs of liver cancer. God willing he will reach SVR this go round.
Dee - I spoke to his doctor specifically about the Rifaximin (Xifaxin). If you recall I took him off it during his last treatment because his HE actually got worse while taking the Sovaldi and Ribavirin along with the Xifaxin and improved when I stopped the Xifaxin. I had also called the Gilead helpline at the time and the nurse I spoke to said he shouldn't take it on treatment.
Well his doctor says that she has spoken to reps of Gilead and they said its okay to take Rifaximin with Harvoni as the Rifaximin has a different structure than the Rifampin and it does not enter the bloodstream.
I don't know how things will go this time bit if his HE gets worse again I will definitely stop the Xifaxin. It has been doing a great job keeping his HE at bay so I'm hoping he can stay on it.
She also said that the omeprazole he is taking must be taken four hours before or after the Harvoni as it does lower the effectiveness of the ledipasvir.
My best wishes to all of you.
Nan
I am very happy for you to be starting tx, you have a very good chance of curing it. I think above it said 96% with just the Harvoni which is impressive. Much better than the 40% with Peg and Riba that I was told back in 2008
My best to you
Dee.
Highest SVR12 rate (100%) in treatment-naive and treatment-experienced patients treated with ledipasvir/sofosbuvir and ribavirin for 24 weeks
My best to you
Dee.
Highest SVR12 rate (100%) in treatment-naive and treatment-experienced patients treated with ledipasvir/sofosbuvir and ribavirin for 24 weeks
Sorry it is called Rifaximin, not sure why I have problems remembering the name of it.
I am very happy to hear, this is good news for you and hubby! :)
I hope the doctors remember he can't take the HE antibiotic while treating. I can't remember the name, starts with an R it can reduce effectiveness of tx
My best to you
Dee
I hope the doctors remember he can't take the HE antibiotic while treating. I can't remember the name, starts with an R it can reduce effectiveness of tx
My best to you
Dee
Hoping this is the ONE!!!!!
Good luck and wishing for a symptom free treatment
All my best to you both
Lynn
Good luck and wishing for a symptom free treatment
All my best to you both
Lynn
Best news ever Nan
Know how bad the Riba was in your husbands case.
As always, wishing your man complete success.
......Kim
Know how bad the Riba was in your husbands case.
As always, wishing your man complete success.
......Kim
That's great news Nan
This is the One for your husband. I just feel it!
Good wishes and kind thoughts for what I hope will be an gentle treatment with a big SVR pay out in the end!
~ Linda
This is the One for your husband. I just feel it!
Good wishes and kind thoughts for what I hope will be an gentle treatment with a big SVR pay out in the end!
~ Linda
Well, my husband had his appointment today with his doctor (hepatologist at a major NYC transplant center). The decision has been made. Turns out he (like you, Lynn) will take Harvoni alone for 24 weeks. What a relief! No ribavirin this go around.
He will start as soon as his treatment is approved which she said has been coming pretty quickly for post transplant patients.
Positive thoughts and prayers for a successful outcome will be appreciated.
Nan
He will start as soon as his treatment is approved which she said has been coming pretty quickly for post transplant patients.
Positive thoughts and prayers for a successful outcome will be appreciated.
Nan
Pooh, is this report suggesting that Ribavirin may cause mutation? Not sure I am reading this correctly.
Ribavirin does not stop mutation. Ribavirin is a mutagen. Ribavirin causes Mutagenesis.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2681971/
Mutagenesis is a process by which the genetic information of an organism is changed in a stable manner, resulting in a mutation.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2681971/
Mutagenesis is a process by which the genetic information of an organism is changed in a stable manner, resulting in a mutation.
Given what you said about chronic relapse, I'd do Harvoni with Riba because Riba blocks the mutation. As been said here before you can always reduce the Riba if it gives you trouble. But then again why not Solvadi/Riba only? So in essence, you'll be on Solvadi/Ledipasvir and Riba.
Hi
It is a bit more of a problem for those like myself with hiatal hernia. The Val e at the top of the stomach bottom of esophagus does not close completely so pretty much when I lay down I have acid creeping up my throat.
But I do like the saltines idea thanks for the suggestion!
Lynn
It is a bit more of a problem for those like myself with hiatal hernia. The Val e at the top of the stomach bottom of esophagus does not close completely so pretty much when I lay down I have acid creeping up my throat.
But I do like the saltines idea thanks for the suggestion!
Lynn
Interesting posts re: heartburn as my medical team were quite concerned about the effects that things like TUMS have on the efficacy of Harvoni and asked Lots of questions about m experience with heartburn and what I had used in the past to treat
Saltines and milk?
It's no problem for me now because I don't think I have ever taken a TUMS or anything like that
But we'll see if I get heartburn with the Riba.
Seems like there has to be a better way to treat heartburn that is more natural and would actually be good for you
Saltines and milk?
It's no problem for me now because I don't think I have ever taken a TUMS or anything like that
But we'll see if I get heartburn with the Riba.
Seems like there has to be a better way to treat heartburn that is more natural and would actually be good for you
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However, what the article is basically saying is that Riba causes a type of mutation that is beneficial in helping the immune system be able to get rid of Hep C and attain SVR.
We have to keep in mind that the drugs we take to get rid of Hep C do not actually kill the virus. The drugs either inhibit replication, interfere with replication, and/or boost the immune system to be strong enough to get rid of the Hep C.
Everything Riba does is not fully understood but it is well documented that Riba enhances the ability to get to SVR.
So, in this case, Riba is helping us to get rid of the virus by causing it to mutate in a beneficial way for those trying to get rid of Hep C.
These mutations are not at all the same as the resistant strains that can emerge during treatment with some of the drugs. The resistant strains that emerge during treatment with some of the drugs are strains that were already present even prior to starting treatment. They were just there is very small numbers. In that scenario, when the wild strains succumb to treatment, the resistant strains can emerge as dominant.
The Riba mutations discussed in this article (the one I provided the link to) are not those types of resistant strains. It is important to know this so people do not get frightened about mutations. Not all mutations are bad. The article is discussing mutations that Riba produces that are beneficial to people who are trying to get rid of Hep C.