Is my hep C back already?

[GP7852]

I finished sovaldi-olysio this past May 20th.I was clear after 4 weeks and still clear on my 12 week bloodwork.I was genotype 1 with stage 4 cirrhosis.One of the nasty side effects that disappeared after I cleared was the constant itching which I took cholestyramine powder to control.Another side effect was horrible leg cramps.2 days ago I started itching again and also had a couple of very slight (2 seconds)leg cramp,nothing close to what I used to get.My concern is has the hepatitis returned this quickly?I am not due for bloodwork until August 21.Can the cirrhosis be the cause of these side effects and can I still be clear?
                                                         Thank you for your input     Glen

[GP7852]

Thank you for your reply,it made me feel better.I was in a panic mode due to a line that Hector wrote plus the fact that I have failed to clear on everything in existence up until sovaldi-olysio came along and I had mentally convinced myself that my demise was almost here.Hearing your words will make it much less stressful waiting for my bloodwork results.
                         Thanks Again and be well     Glen

[AWorriedMom]

Like one of the other posters said, you still have cirrhosis. I have been SVR for 36 weeks and still have leg cramps and joint pain. Your liver is still very damaged. The good thing is that it will likely continue to improve over the years as long as you don't abuse it. Most people who are clear at 12 weeks post treatment will stay that way. Try not to worry.

[GP7852]

Thanks Kim for your words of support.My doctors nurse told me after I called her extension that they now want bloodwork 1 month after finishing so I should have the paperwork tomorrow in the mail.5 minutes ago I had my first bad leg cramp in a long time but I had not been drinking water tonight because I was going to the bathroom so much tonight I figured I was hydrated,I am hopeful I was wrong and that dehydration was the cause of the cramp.A good thing is I havnt been itchy in the last few days.I know there are other treatments coming out in the Fall but I would be so crushed if this disease has returned this soon.I really need the hepatitis to stop damaging my liver so this damn cirrhosis can heal as much as its able to.I will keep you posted to my bloodwork results as soon as I get it back.One thing you are absolutely correct about is how our minds can play tricks on our emotions.I hope this is all just a trick.
             Good Luck Kim and thanks for your reply-Glen

[Livelife777]

Glen.    I also have been having some symptoms which disappeared during treatment and are now back.   In particular joint pain.   At first it was alarming but worrying wont do any good.   The only real answer is the blood test.   As Nan says it could be the cirrhosis that's acting up and not the virus.   For me, I think it's auto immune but this has not been verified.  In the past when I've been anxious and would start to itch.  Cramps are also hydration issues.  Our mind can play tricks on our emotion which can mimic any syndrome.   Since your hep c has come back in the past I totally understand your concern.  From the current success of these meds the odds are overwhelmingly in your favor.   Should it come back positive the new meds will be available.   So sorry you are going thru this but try to stay positive.   Please keep us posted and I hope this last treatment will be your final one.        Kim

[GP7852]

Thanks Nan,just got off the phone with my doctors nurse and she is sending me the bloodwork paperwork in the mail.If its back I hope I don't have to go through the same fight to get on the next treatment.They finally gave in on the third appeal to give me the sovaldi-olysio.Lucky to have a real bulldog at my doctors office to keep hounding these insurance companies.
             Good luck Nan and feel great     Glen

[nan535]

Glen
It sounds that you have already decided the virus is back without bloodwork to confirm that.  I would strongly urge you to get the bloodwork done now for your own peace of mind.

You have cirrhosis. Even if the virus is gone for good, you will still be dealing with a damaged liver. Hopefully over time, things will improve.

Go get your bloodwork done!  If the results show its back, the new treatment in the fall (sovaldi/ledipasvir combo pill) has very high cure rates for all geno types including cirrhotics.  That is my husband's back up plan.

I can only imagine what you are feeling right now, but hang in there and know that one day soon you will see the end of this virus.

Nan

[GP7852]

Thanks again for your expertise Hector.That one line that you wrote,All people that fail treatment do so by relapsing after stopping treatment is a haunting line.As a lifetime failure at every treatment that has come along this was too good to be true.3 weeks after finishing I was still on a high from finally being undetected.Now until I can get some bloodwork I feel like I have been tricked.The thought of the return of the cramps,the itching,nosebleeds and the rest of the terrible branches of this horrible tree make me sick.There has to be something out there that can permanently get rid of this disease forever.
             Good Luck to you Hector

[GP7852]

Best of luck to you too Lynn
                     Glen

[flyinlynn]

I just finished Sovaldi/Olysio 6/10 GT 1a w cirrhosis.

My doctor 's plan is to check at week 12 post so in early September and again at 6 months just to be sure.

Hope we all make SVR
Lynn

[HectorSF]

Glen,

Cirrhosis and its complications can manifest at any time. Whether your symptoms are caused a viral relapse after treatment can only be discovered by testing your viral load. Pruritus/Itching is often a sign of a high bilirubin level.

When treating with SOL/OLY being undetectable at week 4 is no predictor of treatment success and all people are undetectable at week 12. All people that fail treatment do so by relapsing after stopping treatment.

I agree you should have a blood draw at 4 weeks after stopping treatment.

Hopefully you are still virus free and this is just a random flare up of your underlying cirrhosis.

Good luck with SVR!
Hector

[GP7852]

Thank you for your reply.Rather than the treadmill I am on the machine that you peddle and has the armbars you push and pull as you peddle and I use it daily.The diet is always good,lots of broccoli everyday since I read on the cirrhosis forum that broccoli has an ingredient that supposedly heals cirrhosis.I am going to take your advice to get piece of mind or unpiece of mind depending on the results and get my doctors office to send me the paperwork for the bloodwork,I cant wait 2 more months.Being 1a like myself have you experienced the non stop itching?Its truly a nightmare.I was so excited to finally clear after doing everything that's been available since I started treatments in the 80s.This would be so crushing to relapse while I was still celebrating.
                                      Thanks    Glen

[hoping4cure]

I'm a genotype 1a stage 4 as well. Most people are having their blood work done at 30 days EOT and then again at 120 days end of treatment. I thought mine returned because of bad muscle and joint pain that started 48 hours after my 12 weeks was up so I had my primary doc run the viral load test at day 20 and I came back clear. My BCBS only pays about $40 for the test so it's no big deal. I'm having my blood work run again on Monday with complete liver panel so I should know by next Friday if I'm still OK. Have your doc run the test to give you some peace of mind. Really helps to watch your diet and where I work out I do some seated leg presses which helps a lot, much better results than say a tread mill.