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Hep C Discussion Forum -> General Discussion -> HepC-quality of life
Post Info TOPIC: HepC-quality of life
Tess


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RE: HepC-quality of life
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Thanks for the article, Mallani!  I see it as encouraging, and a step toward support for treatment with Harvoni and other DAA's for patients that are in early fibrosis stages as well as later stages.  It says, "the data suggest that this interferon-free regimen is associated with significant on-treatment improvement in most aspects of HRQL for patients with early stage liver disease. Moreover, although advanced hepatic fibrosis is associated with HRQL impairment, viral eradication with sofosbuvir and ledipasvir leads to HRQL improvements irrespective of fibrosis stage."

While more studies are needed as treatments become more widespread, this limited study is encouraging!  My personal experience, from the standpoint of minor liver damage, is that treatment has resulted in a huge improvement in quality of life and work production.  I no longer wake with feelings of doom and depression but instead I wake up and look forward to facing the day.  This happened sporadically during treatment and several months after treatment it is the new norm.  I still have joint pain, and while it might not be associated with HCV, I'm hoping that it was and diminishes with time.

- Tess



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HCV Gen 1a diagnosed 2001; Labs 11/13/14: VL 1.2 million IU/mL, ast 88, alt 111. Harvoni TX 12 weeks.  EOT - 2/18/15, VL UND & normal ast/alt.

4 wks after EOT, VL = UND; normal AST/ALT at 4, 8 and 14 weeks after EOT.  15 weeks after EOT = Undetectable!
basser


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its nearly 8months since eot.am CURED.is great to be free of the dragon.am left now with picking up the pieces of life wrecked by hep c.i am alot better than i was 8months ago thanks lord.but im under no illusion there is a lot of healing to do physicaly and mentally .and it wont happen overnight.but im in a completely different place to where i was this time last year.i really thought that i was on my way out.and have been told since that i was.like most of us recovery is really up and down and i cherish the good days.i will never look at life the same way as i used to and things will never be the same.it will be better.was a good article that malcome posted in.and the after effects of hep c and post tx do have to be addressed.wish you all a speedy recovery and a healthly future                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                william  

 



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 william.61 yo.lives in uk.geno 1b.started sol/dac/riba sept 2014 12wks.am now svr and now had liver transplant on 19/07/ 16
coolheat


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Here ~ Hear Robin : )

 

Thanks Malcolm, I too appreciate the article, printed it even. Be interesting to see what time tells.



-- Edited by coolheat on Sunday 19th of July 2015 04:06:28 AM

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65 YO F, GT 1a1b, ast 14 alt 21, fibrosis 3/4 DX 1968 non a or b, TX 12 wks Harvoni, SOT 6.1.15, 1st bld wk: detected unquantifiable EOT 8.28.15 detected unquantifiable, 3 mo.EOT mid Nov.~SVR 12: ) UNDETECTED
Redbird29


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Thank you for another informative article Mallani.... It makes a lot of sense to me what is said. After so many years of having HCV there are bound to be lifetime consequences even after achieving SVR. So many people look at the new "miracle" drugs with the thought that they will stop the virus and with it gone all the symptoms of HCV will be gone also.  Sadly, miracles do not work that way but I will be absolutely blessed if (WHEN!!!) I achieve SVR and I know that even though the damage is done I will not be living with a time bomb in my body that gets progressively worse day by day.

Peace out~ Robin



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GT 1A Tx Naive Harvoni 8 WK

SOT 6/25/15 VL 468,000 AST 44 ALT 56 

EOT 8/25/15 VL - UND AST 21 ALT 30

ONE YEAR POST TX - UND AST 20 ALT 22
mallani


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Hi all,

This article from the latest 'Journal of Hepatology', shows that some interest is now being placed on assessing quality of life (QOL) after SVR.

http://www.journal-of-hepatology.eu/article/S0168-8278%2815%2900326-8/fulltext

The whole topic of symptoms of HepC (physical, mental and emotional), has been poorly researched and documented. It is very difficult to define the effect on quality of life, before, during and after treatment. It is obvious that even those with minimal liver damage may have problems. The article attempts to distinguish problems in treatments containing Ribavirin.

Prior to the DAA's, the difficult treatments and low SVR rates caused marked decrease in all aspects of QOL. Even most of the SVR's felt worse after treatment.

The obvious advantages of SVR are cessation of viral replication, decreased liver inflammation, reduction of portal hypertension, decreased incidence of HCC etc. This should be enough for most patients to feel more optimistic. However, the extra-hepatic manifestations may persist, so physical symptoms (joint pain, brain fog etc) may remain.

What I am trying to say is that many patients may have ongoing symptoms after SVR, but put up with them and focus on the benefits. 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
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