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Hep C Discussion Forum -> On Treatment -> Sovaldi Treatment Tracker
Post Info TOPIC: Sovaldi Treatment Tracker
OldenSlow


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RE: Sovaldi Treatment Tracker
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My doc wanted the 4 wk VL, but I only got the 8-weeker because I wasn't UND @ 4.  I did seek a treatment extension and it was approved for an additional 4 weeks.  Won't see another load check until EOT @ 16 wks. I'm good with that.

wayne



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66 y/o male - Geno 1b - F4 cirrhotic dx 2001 - 16 wk treatment w/ Sovaldi/Olysio/Riba - Und @ EOT+24 SVR

 
Tig


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Hi Everyone,

I must agree with you that it doesn't "say" no VL until EOT. (Should've asterisked it, my bad...)This really peaked my interest and I felt an answer or explanation needed to be found. What I should've said is, after all of the recent questions here and on other websites about doctors not routinely ordering VL's during the Sovaldi Tx, the anecdotal information indicates this to be true. In several cases, the same question was presented and this was the explanation. While the recommendation to perform the quant. viral load test mid Tx (Sovaldi) escapes any documented articles I can find, this explanation keeps repeating, and this was the reason given. I would welcome any assistance in finding the recommended testing protocol. So, please forgive my assumption and accept it as my opinion. 

While the effectiveness (Sovaldi)appears to be without question, I agree that a 4 week VL should be done, for a variety of reasons. One being the effectiveness of treatment is assured and a measure of relief is provided to the patient. Apparently many in the medical and insurance community are satisfied with an EOT test, but they are merely watching from the sideline, and the exorbitant cost of the VL likely plays into it. The patient should be allowed a voice and a vote when these considerations are made. If you have a doctor or insurance provider that is stonewalling you when requesting this test, perhaps you can provide your own anecdotal evidence supporting your case. Seems that they are....

Tig

 

 



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Tig

68yo GT1A - 5 Mil - A2/F3 - (1996) Intron A - Non Responder, (2013) Peg/Riba/Vic SOT:05/23/13 EOT:12/04/13 SVR 9+ years!

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jimbob


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Oh crap. This is exactly what my doc told me when I argued for a 4 week VL test. Of course,my argument was how can we know tx length and if it is working if we don't do a 4 week. He continued to argue that 99 % of this type treatment acheive SVR. I'm sure he was talking about their cases in office because I know drug info states 93%. Finally, I got him to do it. Now I'm concerned about the billing....

jimbob



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jimbob: 64 y/o, GT 1A, F1-F2, diagnosed 1996. Since 1970. SOT 3.5 mil VL on 3/10/14 with Sov/Rib/Peg for 12 weeks. Tx naive. UND @ week 4,8,12. EOT 6/2/14.
aprileee


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Thats so weird because my nurses tell me that I can get a VL whenever i want one......just to let them know and they will send in the order. However it does cost me $50 until i meet my deductible for the year, so I will probably just wait until the end since i am already UND. Unless her information has changed, it seems like quite a bit has changed in the last few weeks as far as what insurance companies are covering!
I like that tracker though, I wish I could have gotten my hands on one for my 24 week treatment when I first started! I made my own though, its basically the same thing. Thanks! :)

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33 years old Genotype 3a NO luck with Peg & Riba in 2013 but am undetected after 2 weeks of Sovaldi with Riba 2014 :)
Cinnamon Girl


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Thanks for posting this, Tig, very useful info. 

I must say I don`t read it as saying that the viral load test should only be done at EOT either though, and can`t see that written anywhere. 

Even though Sovaldi is such a powerful drug I should think that doctors and insurance companies would still need a 4 week vl result to know how well the treatment is working and whether it should be continued, especially as this is such a new drug regimen and with the cost of Sovaldi being so high. 

These are very useful treatment trackers though with easy to use printable charts, so thanks again for `tracking` them down!

 



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Jill 

(71 yo, lives in UK)

Was Gen 3a, 

24wks Peg Ifn/Riba, Sep 2010 - Mch 2011

UND @ Wk.4, UND @ EOT, 

SVR Nov 2011 --> Still UND @ EOT + 4 yrs.

 

 
Enavigo3891


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I got a 4 week VL - doc said he wanted it for his benefit, my benefit and my insurance company's benefit "in case they have any doubts". I will not get another VL until 12 weeks post treatment.  My doc said that's the schedule they are following for all patients in their hospital unless someone is not UND at 4, then they test them at 8 also.  I guess I didn't "NEED" one yesterday but I kind of wanted one as Tig mentioned, as "a moral booster". Just a little something to get me through the last 4 weeks but I'll have to wait until August!



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Born HepC + in 1983 ... diagnosed @ age 13 ... GT2 ... 12 wks of Sovaldi/Riba from 2/11/14 to 5/5/14  #ribazombie

1/30/14 - Starting VL 1,922,967 * 3/11/14 - UND @ 4 wks * 7/29/14 - SVR12 * 11/6/14 - SVR24 * May 2015 - SVR52 * MAY 2016 - STILL UND * FEB 2018 - STILL UND

 
mallani


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Hi Tig,

I agree with Matt. I don't see that VL tests are only at EOT. I think the 4 week VL is very important as treatment duration will still be influenced by time to become Undetected. Further Trial results will show whether cirrhotics can get away with only 12 weeks of Rx. Cheers.



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Geno 1b, IL28B CT,  x3 prior relapser,  ex-cirrhotic, 75 yo, did 48 weeks with Victrelis/Peg./Riba.  VL 1.28m at start, UNDET. at 8 ,12 ,16 ,24 ,30  and 48 weeks.  EOT 15 Feb 2013 , UNDET. at EOT + 28 weeks. SVR!  Still Undet. at EOT +5 years

Malcolm
Matt Chris


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Hey Tig

Thanks for the Gilead Sovaldi Tracker, I noticed that their is spots to insert viral load data before the 12 week so perhaps Gilead realizes its quite normal to get viral test results at week four. I probably missed it but I did not see in writing where it recommends only testing at week 12.

With all the pressure that Gilead is getting about price maybe by saying that its only necessary to test at week 12 its there lame attempt to lessen the cost of treatment that the insurance companies have to pay.

From what I have learned from my last months visit to my new Hepatologist knowing when you achieve UND during treatment is a key ingredient to how many more weeks of treatment is necessary to achieved SVR, he seemed to think this is especially important with cirrhotic patients as he said this time from UND status to EOT is the key window for achieving SVR    

matt      



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"And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make"

61 year old Geno type A1, F4 Cirrhotic, started 24 weeks on Harvoni 12-17-14 ,EOT-5 week = UND, 8-31-15 =UND , SVR-24 Baby YES! 
Tig


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Hi Everyone,

I located this treatment tracker, provided by MySupport Path (Gilead). It lists specifically the 12 and 24 week charts. Now that Sovaldi is considered the primary or backbone, it appears that many doctors are choosing to wait until EOT for the viral load, regardless of tx length. I guess this amounts to the fact that a Sovaldi backbone is so effective and some don't feel a viral load test during treatment is warranted. I agree with so many here on the forum, that a mid treatment VL is a real stress reliever and morale booster. However, with the ever increasing costs of this test, the insurance provider may or may not approve it if your doctor doesn't indicate necessity. It should be noted though that most labs pre authorize the VL test. But I also question whether the providers will agree with waiting that long, considering the cost of the drug(s) themselves. Until more proof of 90-95+% SVR is obtained, the insurance providers may request it themselves. Time will tell... The following link will take you to the MySupport Path website and there are two printable treatment graphs to help you follow and document your course of treatment.

SOVALDI TREATMENT TRACKER

 

Tig



-- Edited by Tig56 on Wednesday 9th of April 2014 04:35:58 PM

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Tig

68yo GT1A - 5 Mil - A2/F3 - (1996) Intron A - Non Responder, (2013) Peg/Riba/Vic SOT:05/23/13 EOT:12/04/13 SVR 9+ years!

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