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Hep C Discussion Forum -> General Discussion -> Knee replacement surgery with Hep C
Post Info TOPIC: Knee replacement surgery with Hep C
rblood


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RE: Knee replacement surgery with Hep C
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Hi Candace,

I to am on Medicare and I had Alt readings in the normal range but my viral load was 15 million. Medicare is paying for 12 weeks of treatment with Harvoni. I had a biopsy in 2012 that reveled I was in stage 3 fibrosis. I was tempted to do the interferon treatment at that time but opted to wait for the Harvoni to become available. I have two weeks and two days left to finish treatment. I agree with Tig on getting a biopsy.

If I were not stage 3 fibrosis I'm sure I would have had a harder time getting treatment. But at that point I would go to Gilead for help getting treatment like so many on this forum has done and been successful. I am 58. I also am insured with the Medicare Advantage program with Kaiser Permanente. They are the people that did all the work to get the treatment going for me. It did take them a while. They tried to get me started on treatment the first day it was available in Oct. 2014. But it wasn't until Jan of this year that I got the go ahead.

So that's my experience with Medicare. I hope things will eventually work out for you and your husband. Don't give up.......Roger



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Tig


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Hi Candace,

I'm sorry to hear your husband is feeling poorly following his surgery. You need to contact his doctor! If he's having post op problems, the doctor needs to be consulted about it.

I don't know what results/reports his doctors are referring to regarding Sovaldi effectiveness, because SVR rates are over 90+%, even 100% in some trials. When combined with the appropriare combination, it is one of the most effective, low side effect protocols on the market. I would seek another opinion. My ALT/AST levels varied pre treatment, often being within normal limits. Upon biopsy I was an F3, bordering on cirrhosis. So the ALT is important, but doesn't reflect the whole picture of liver health. He needs to have his fibrosis stage evaluated by Fibroscan or biopsy. That is what treatment authorizations have been based on lately, not the liver profile.

I'm glad that his new knee is working well. He must be thrilled to have his mobility back and hopefully without too much post op pain. The PT will help him greatly. Give him my best and be sure you give his doctor a call on those complications. Good luck!

Tig



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Tig

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CandaceV


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Hi again, my husband has Hep C, and it not getting treatment because his only liver enzyme anomaly is an ALT of 54.  Medicare won't pay.  His two gastros have recently stopped using Sovaldi due to too many relapses.  So he waits for something else or liver failure.  He's 60 y.o.

In the meantime, he had a total knee replacement on March 12th.  He's doing ok.  So far, the side effects are a low-grade fever, so he's on an antibiotic and got a shot of penicillin.  He's on oxycodone (without Tylenol, at my insistance) every 8 hours, down from every 4 hours.  He's on an aspirin every 12 hours for blood thinning, because the pharmacist said NO Xarelto for Hep C patients.  He takes Miralax for constipation from the narcotic.

On day 1 after surgery, he started sweating and vomited, but they said it was normal.  He continues to get the flushes and nausea, but no vomiting.  He has completely normal knee function, which is amazing.  They straightened his leg, he no longer walks like a penguin.  He will be in physical therapy for a long time.  Recovery time is about a year. 

Anyone here have a joint replacement with active Hep C?  Any warnings or advice?  Thanks so much.

Candace



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