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Cinnamon Girl


Guru

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Hi Annabanana, welcome from me too!  This is a very friendly and supportive group and I`m glad you found us. 

Having genotype 3 with a low viral load and normal liver enzymes you were wise to wait for better treatments rather than do the 24 weeks of peginterferon plus ribavirin, which is what I did 3 years ago and which was do-able but which wasn`t exactly a walk in the park.  A biopsy or non-invasive fibroscan (as Isiscat mentioned) would give you a more accurate idea of the state of health of your liver and either of those could detect and give a reading for fibrosis which won`t be seen on an ultrasound scan alone.

The recommended treatment duration for Sovaldi which applies to your genotype is 24 weeks, based on the `Valence` clinical trials.  You would need ribavirin too but not interferon.  Otherwise you could wait for Gilead`s all oral fixed dose pill combo of Sovaldi/Ledipasvir, which as Tig mentioned will hopefully be approved by the US FDA towards the end of this year, and which will also be effective for genotype 3.  Going by the trial data so far you may well only need to do 12 weeks with that combo.

We have plenty of people here also on treatment with Sovaldi combos who will be happy to share their experiences with you, and you might find it helpful to read some of the the ongoing discussions in the `On Treatment` section.  Please feel free to join in and ask any questions, we`re here to help!  Note that we also have a `search` box at the top of the page if you want to look for something specific.

Wishing you all the best of luck with whatever you decide!



__________________

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.

 

 
Huey


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Hi and Welcome.. I am a 3a just like you,  I have had mine longer and don't know at this point how much liver damage I have but I know i have some.  I am on week 12 of a 24 week Tx "Treatment"  Sovaldi and Ribo.  The thing that sets me apart is I am working the whole time, with the side effects and all.   It has not been EZ but it is do=able



__________________

  HCV Genotype 3a , now Psot-Tx was on S/riba. First VL was 5.8 mil on 7-5-13 then "und" at 3.8 weeks. 06/13/14 still und. off meds 3 days back on 7/29 Last pill 08/10/14 SVR+4

 
Isiscat2011


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Dang, Tig.  That was a good response.  I don't think I have anything to add to that.

 

Hi Anna:  

What Tig said.  

Okay, I just thought of something to add.  Assuming you decide to wait a while it wouldn't be a bad idea to have a fibroscan test.  Do you know about fibroscans?  If not, I'll be happy to elaborate.   And, take good care of your health in the meantime!  



__________________

Diagnosed in 2011, Incivek triple in 2011, tx discontinued, Genotype 1a, CT, VL 7mill, cirrhosis dx in 2012, age 67, waiting for new DAAs.
Tig


Admin

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Hi Anna,

Welcome to the forum! I'm glad you're here and look forward to hearing more about your plans for treatment. The fact that your liver health is still in good shape should give you plenty of time to weigh your options. The current recommended options for genotype 3 are a choice of 12 weeks of Sovaldi, Interferon, and Ribavirin or 24 weeks of Sovaldi and Ribavirn. The research continues to go on and there will be continuing changes and improvements to treatments for all genotypes, but time will tell. The newest drug mentioned of late is Ledispavir from Gilead and will be combined with Sovaldi, another Gilead drug. The FDA approval seems to be likely in October/November 2014, with distribution shortly after that. The trials utilizing Sov/Led in genotype 3 patients was extremely effective when combined with Ribavirin. Without Riba, the rates of SVR dropped dramatically. The use of Ribavirin has it's drawbacks in some cases, but you can read in the reports that it continues to be an extremely beneficial addition to these protocols. While some of the Riba side effects are unpleasant, they are controllable.  Who knows what will happen in another year. I think considering your current liver health, there isn't a critical need to treat, but this is a discussion and decision you make with your health care team. After the progress we've witnessed in the past 2 years, I can hardly wait to see what will be available in the next 2 years! I'll include a link to an article that should help you understand what's currently being evaluated and studied. It's a great time to treat with even more opportunities on the near horizon. Good luck Anna!

Tig

http://hepatitiscnewdrugs.blogspot.com/2014/04/easl-gilead-announces-phase-2-results.html



__________________

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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beingsassy


Senior Member

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Hi, welcome. I'm taking solvaldi and ribavirin and the side effects aren't that bad. I've had some hair loss, fatigue but no anemia or rashes. But I started using baby wash and shampoo my first day is my skin wouldn't dry out. The worst of it has been emotional and mental confusion. Had insomnia for a few days but that cleared up. I hope whatever tx you decide on is right for you. I was diagnosis end in 1994 but never did tx until this year because of the side effects from the interferon. I know other tx is coming up so talk to your doctor and see if it's best to wait. Good luck
Gigi

__________________

genotype 2 completed sovaldi and ribavirin on 6/4/14. SVR on 12/3/14
annabanana


Member

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Hi I am new to the forum.  I was diagnosed in 2002 but haven't pursued treatment as the doctors felt the treatment was worse than the disease.  I am genotype 3A and have always had very low viral loads (highest being 400,000) and normal enzymes.  I haven't had a biopsy but all tests say I don't have any fibrosis.  

I am considering the Sovadi/Ribavarin treatment but am very nervous about the side effects and length of treatment. I know there are new treatments being approved and should be available by the end of the year....are any of these new treatments going to be approved for GT3?  

All of your stories are inspiring...I hope to eradicate this virus so I can move on with my life.

 

 



__________________

GT3A            DX 2002              VL 400,000           AST/ALT normal         Started Sol/RIBA June 9 2014 for 24 weeks
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