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Hep C Discussion Forum -> On Treatment -> Have not begun treatment yet
Post Info TOPIC: Have not begun treatment yet
Cinnamon Girl


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Have not begun treatment yet
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Hello Mweichel (Mary), just wanted to welcome you to the forum!

The side effects do vary quite a lot but in most cases people are able to carry on working.  Your ongoing exhaustion and the fact that you work night shifts could make it a bit more difficult, I agree, although on the other hand some of our members notice increased energy while on Harvoni.  If your doctor wants you to take ribavirin with it as well then that could lead to lower Hgb levels and that could lead to a little extra tiredness but your doctor will monitor that.  As this is your first time on treatment (treatment naive) then you`ll only need to do 12 weeks, and I`m sure you`ll find it will go by quite quickly. 

Good luck with getting your insurance approval through, and try not to worry too much in advance about possible side effects.  It`s natural to feel apprehensive before starting treatment  and it`s good to be prepared in advance but you could find that it`s easier than you imagine.  The main thing is to take more rest when you need it, try and eat a healthy diet, get enough sleep and drink plenty of water so that you are well hydrated every day. 

Wishing you all the best of luck, feel free to join in, and do keep in touch!  smile

 

 

 



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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.

 

 
mweichel


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I havent started treatment yet either. Waiting for insurance approval for Harvoni. At my appt, my doctor mentioning that I may have to take Ribo with it, which we have to monitor my H/H due to possible anemia. I have been looking at different posts about side effects. I work full time and I already feel exhausted most of the time with nausea everyday. I also work nights which has thrown my sleeping way off. I just hope the side effects are tolerable.









58yrs genotype 1 viral load greater than 14,000,000 never had treatment

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58y/o GT 1a VL 14 million no prior treatment stage II fibrosis Ast 44 Alt 43
marktrux


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mallani wrote:
KPB wrote:

I am confused about relapse,  if Harvoni claims to cure Hep C, then how is it possible to relapse ?

 Harvoni doesn't claim to cure HepC.  It claims it can reduce the amount of virus in the peripheral blood to an Undetected amount, usually <15 i.u./ml, 12-24 weeks after finishing treatment.

 Actually, a TV commercial for Harvoni in the U.S. claims a "96 to 99% cure rate"  not SVR. I was confused about this at first, but realized the it is aimed at the "ignorant"general public that may understand the whole SVR/cure debate.

Here's a link: http://www.aidsmeds.com/articles/Harvoni_ION_1667_26906.shtml



-- Edited by marktrux on Friday 29th of May 2015 02:55:54 AM

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mallani


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KPB wrote:

I am confused about relapse,  if Harvoni claims to cure Hep C, then how is it possible to relapse ?

 Harvoni doesn't claim to cure HepC.  It claims it can reduce the amount of virus in the peripheral blood to an Undetected amount, usually <15 i.u./ml, 12-24 weeks after finishing treatment.

After SVR, we are not allowed to donate blood. This is because a tiny amount of virus may remain in the blood and hidden in various tissues. This tiny amount of virus can be controlled by our educated immune system, so we do not get any further damage from the virus . This information has been obtained from patients who achieved SVR from Interferon +/- Ribavirin.  This may all change when we get data from patients who achieved SVR from the DAA's.



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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
KPB


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I am confused about relapse,  if Harvoni claims to cure Hep C, then how is it possible to relapse ?



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SOT 06-01-2015,  VL - 1088513 , LOG - 6.04, Genotype - 1A , Fibrosis -  F3 , 59 yr. old male ,

VL - < 15 ,  LOG - < 1.18, @ 3 week blood test 

EOT 07-27-2015,  VL -   UND  ,   @ 9 week blood test  , 

NEXT BLOOD TEST - 08-01-2016
mallani


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KPB wrote:

would it be assumed that a high VL,  indicate that a person has been a carrier for a long time ? 

 Rather than 'carrier' I presume you mean 'infected'.

It seems strange, but the longer you have this disease, the lower the viral load (in general). The time required to develop cirrhosis varies enormously and can range from 20-50 years, depending on other factors. A lucky few never seem to have much progression.

As time progresses, the disease just seems to rumble along without too many acute flares. Flares can increase the VL by many millions, but the cirrhotics I know usually have a VL between 300K and 2M.



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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
Tig


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Hi KPB,

No, your viral load constantly fluctuates. Once infected, the virus enters the acute phase and that typically lasts about 6 months. During that period of time your immune system attempts to defeat the virus. Approximately 20% of people in the acute phase will defeat HCV themselves. The rest go on to the chronic phase of the disease and that's where we all ended up. As your immune system fights it, there are periods that it's less able to fight it, and the viral count can elevate. The days it kicks viral booty, the viral count drops. This will go on the entire time you are actively infected. A high viral load doesn't determine your ability to defeat it through treatment either. Some protocols require a longer course of treatment if the viral count is above 6 million.



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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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KPB


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would it be assumed that a high VL,  indicate that a person has been a carrier for a long time ? 



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SOT 06-01-2015,  VL - 1088513 , LOG - 6.04, Genotype - 1A , Fibrosis -  F3 , 59 yr. old male ,

VL - < 15 ,  LOG - < 1.18, @ 3 week blood test 

EOT 07-27-2015,  VL -   UND  ,   @ 9 week blood test  , 

NEXT BLOOD TEST - 08-01-2016
pl1952


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Hi,  I have 3 weeks to go  on a 3 month treatment of Harvoni and I've experienced some fatigue (not every day) and a few headaches.  Keep hydrated and you'll be fine!



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Me: 62 yr. old female, GT 1b, fibroscan 4.5; VL 650,975 as of 2/4/14;started Harvoni 3/6/15; SVR


Hubby: 59 yrs.; GT1b; fibroscan 25-cirrhotic; S/O for 12 weeks started tx 3/20/14; SVR56; fibroscan done 7-7-15 = 8.5
Ro


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I agree with Gracie!   I also worked thru prior treatments infergen, RIBA, incevik etc.  Harvoni is a piece of cake in comparison,  remember to rest when you are tired, eat well and stay hydrated.   Wishing you all the best!

Ro



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Gracie


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 No, the side effects of harvoni are minimal. You should be fine to keep working. I kept working on peg (interferon and RIBA) and Incevik, both of which were way worse. You may be a bit more tired at night, but should not have any problems driving or working. Best of luck!



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  1. Gracie

1A. Previously treated non responder Rebetron in 2000 And Incevik in 2014 with a breakthrough at week 12. Fibroscan 15.5. VL 6,000,000. Finished 24 weeks harvoni on Dec. 19, 2015. SVR. Latest Fibroscan 8.8.
KPB


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I haven't begun Harvoni treatment as yet, but I will be soon. I am concerned about the side effects of coarse, and weather they will effect my job duties. I spend 4 to 6 hours a day in my car, on a freeway. Stopping two or three time along the way. Do I need to take some time off work to get use to the effects of Harvoni ?



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SOT 06-01-2015,  VL - 1088513 , LOG - 6.04, Genotype - 1A , Fibrosis -  F3 , 59 yr. old male ,

VL - < 15 ,  LOG - < 1.18, @ 3 week blood test 

EOT 07-27-2015,  VL -   UND  ,   @ 9 week blood test  , 

NEXT BLOOD TEST - 08-01-2016
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