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Hep C Discussion Forum -> New Members Area -> Beginning treatment with Viekira pak Sunday.
Post Info TOPIC: Beginning treatment with Viekira pak Sunday.
Linuxter


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RE: Beginning treatment with Viekira pak Sunday.
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Hello Patrick,

Welcome to the forum (aka The Family) !

You'll do fine on the Riba, LOTS of Water is the key to a smooth ride, it makes ALL the difference.

Add to that good nutrition (e.g. lots of GREENS to help the body rid itself of toxins) and you've got it!

I just recently finished 12 weeks Sovaldi with Ribavirin and found if I slacked on drinking enough water, the side effects began to show up ... if I drank a GALLON of water per dayt ... side effects faded away. Drink 4 liters of water per day and you will do GREAT!

In case you need it, here's a link to Forum abbreviations

Congrats on getting started already ... you're on your way to HCV-Freedom!

 

Dave



__________________

63yy,HCV,2b,F3-A1, Sof/Riba,12wks Tx   SOT: 1/20/16, HCV-RNA 9,816,581, ALT 56, Hb 14.6

4wk: HCV-RNA <15 Detected, ALT 15, AST 17, Hb 13.6 EOT: 4/12/16, ALT 18 , Hb 12.9176a2f85d05d9c965eafe199f2ba9ba5.jpg SVR Achieved 7/8/16

 
Tig


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Congrats for getting started, Patrick! The above average stimulation you're feeling is very normal during the first days and even the first few weeks of treatment. Your mood will fluctuate and you will experience some fatigue. As you look around the forum, you'll see how others have dealt with these same issues. If you have any questions, please ask. Check out our search box above and you'll find some additional information. It's all manageable and we'll provide you with some tips along the way.

Don't forget to take your medication at the same time each day, eat a balanced diet and hydrate! Hydration is one of the most important things you have to do every day, without fail! Check our Nutrition section for some good ideas. I'm glad you're here! Good luck....



__________________

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!

Hep C FAQ   Lab Ref. Ranges  HCV Resistance

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pbr35586


Newbie

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Just an update to let you know how it went today. I was surprised that I felt pretty good today. Like I took some caffeine pills, I am so glad to finally start treatment. I got the first hit on that dragon today. Only 83 more days before I kill this dragon. I would like to thank everyone for making me feel so welcome.

Good Bless You All,

Patrick



__________________

I am Blessed!

I am a male aged 59 GT1a

VL 1631780

Liver Biopsy. 2 /2.2

Never treated

Have been aproved for Viekira Pak and 3 ribavirin 200mg twice a day

Starting treatment soon 7-3-16

 
K8


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Hi Patrick,

Welcome to the forum and congrats on starting treatment. Reading the posts on this forum really helped me understand some of the things I am experiencing during treatment.

This is my second time using Riba, I took the interferon and Riba over 7 years ago. This time, I, too, am blessed, to take the new drugs but because I am hep 2 B, I needed to take Riba with the Solvadi. All I could remember was last time on Riba, the treatment was so hard.
I finished after 6 months on this treatment, virus load returned but so much lower (600,000)

First week, I was hyper, lots of energy and "up". The second week, I would cry for no reason (just at night when I took the Riba). Anxiety came for longer stays. But as I continued treatment, realizing I was not going to die at any moment or become a wreck, the anxiety lessened

Then for 5 weeks, I was really hungry and eating a lot of meat. I experienced inertia /weariness as this was not a "tiredness" that could be fixed by sleep . Started to drink much more water as suggested by friends on the forum. Quite breathless, walking "REALLY slow" having to sit down several times to walk up the stairs... kept reminding my self that this will pass one day. I will not always feel this way.

As far as rage, there were days that were "dark" and I would just do my best to take time to be "quiet" and not say most of the things that were in my head. I remind my self that this too shall pass and it is the medication and I am not horrible, negative person. i have hurt my poor husband's feelings several times, he gives me a lot of slack because of the drugs.

I have 2 more weeks on treatment, somedays are tougher than others, but I am doing my best to curtail activities when possible. My close circle of friends are proud of me for taking care of myself.

The doc dropped my dosage of Riba last week to 600 as the past two tests have come back undetectable. The lower dosage is helping with the tiredness. I live in TX and the heat does me in right now, I limit my time as much as possible outside. Have hat, etc.

FDR (Franklin Delaney Roosevelt - USA president ) said at the start of WW2, "the goal has to be greater than the fear"... I say that often to myself. The goal is to be Hep C free and I am doing my best.( this forum brings great comfort that we are not alone and so many folks have shared their experience and hope.
I think about the folks on the forum a lot during treatment, they know exactly how this all feels.

Tonite, I fill up my "huge" pill box with the last two weeks of drugs. I am so excited about this event. One Day at Time with meds and I affirm my liver (and yours ) is healing.
The longest journey begins with the first step - congrats on taking the first step today and beginning a journey of healing and health.
K



__________________

K8

65 yr female.Gt 2 B.  Contracted Hep C approx 71, 

tested 2007 - vl 10mil   RIBA/PEGI in 2007 6 months,  undetected EOT,  VL 600,00 in 2008

tested in Feb,2016 VL less than 2 mil, SOT 4/25/16  SOL/RIBA for 3 months , EOT July 17th, 2016

AUG 12th blood work - undetectable 

 
Observer


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Welcome Patrick,

i did the Canadian version of the V-pak (holkira-pak) with the riba, and although I got a bit snappy at my family in the last month and a bit, the riba-rage wasn't much of a factor for me.

The side effects seemed to go through cycles for me, a rash for a while, then it went away and something else showed up, for me the worst was low hemoglobin but in the long run, it is SO worth it!!

i just came into the forum to tell the lovely helpful people here that I just got my 6 month post treatment blood work done and I am happy to say that nasty dragon is still undetected. (I was Und after the first month of tx) I feel pretty darn good, having a functioning liver is quite wonderful.

As others have said "Drink Water" and please follow a really regulated schedule. Eat something then take your pill(s) at the exact same time every day. HCV is a tricky virus and our best chance is when we never give it the opportunity to mutate.

Alison



__________________

61 y/o, Infected via transfusion Oct'83, GT-1a, F-4 cirrhotic,
tx Holkira pak/moderiba 12 weeks

4 years.... successful dragon slayer 
lonewolf


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I was at work on my first day of treatment. Same regiment- Viekira Pak plus 6 Riba. I felt at first like I took 3 caffeine pills. Very speedy and sweaty. Not real fun. Riba sucks, no doubt about it and puts you in a foul mood sometimes. A small price to pay. Well, it put me in a foul mood. You may or may not. But look at my latest post. After 12 short weeks I was cured. And undetected at less than 4 weeks. And now at one year. CURED! And I'll bet you will be too! Eat healthy, drink a ton of water and enjoy your ride to a virus free life like I did. Good luck!



__________________

Genotype 1a-Started Viekira Pak/Ribavirin on 3-5-15. SOT VL 21.8 million. Undetected at 4,8,10 and 12 weeks. 12 wks EOT-UNDETECTED

26 wks EOT-UNDETECTED

One year post treatment Not detected   CURED!!

Two years post treatment Not detected  Still cured!!
Tig


Admin

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Hi Patrick,

Welcome to the dragon slayer family! If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask. Stick around and we'll help you through it and help you celebrate your victory. If and when you feel the moodiness coming on, do two things, take that selfie and get away from the situation making you angry. It's the best way! A personal bit of advice, don't let anything in your pantry get the best of you!! Mashed potato flakes were my nemesis during treatment. Don't tangle with them when angry, lol! (Long story)

image.jpeg



__________________

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!

Hep C FAQ   Lab Ref. Ranges  HCV Resistance

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RAGDOLL


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Hi Patrick,  welcome to forum.  You have come to the right place this is a great family and those who have experienced RIBA WILL help you thru your journey.   The big thing to remember is lots of water and use sunscreen this summer faithfully.   You will do fine.   You might keep a journal on how things go each day.... And write down your RIBA times.... to reflect and laugh about later.  The time will go by faster then you think.   Keep in touch and let us know how you are doing.   CC. 



__________________

F 63,  1b  1974, no cirrhosis, fibro scan 5.8 F0-F1,fibro test .37 ,V/L 702987, ALT 90, AST 75.  ABBVIE Topaz II on 10-30-14 Viekira Pak no RIBA , EOT 1-22-15 SVR, ALT 37, AST 29, 4-15-15 SVR12 - fibro test .22,  1-21-16 SVR 52 ,  1-21-17 SVR 104! 1-21-18 SVR 3 years ,2020 5 years, 2022 7 years!
JimmyK


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Greetings,

First allow me to confess, I am a bit of a clown. I went into this with the intent of having fun and so far, for me anyway, that has helped.

With regard to RibaRage here is a suggestion.

If you feel it coming on....................... snap a selfie.

I am sure next year at this same time you will have something unique to look back on and it will crack you up. Make a scrapbook and title it DRAGON SLAYER!

Just don't use an expensive camera. LOL

Attitude is everything, well that and a gallon of water.

JimmyK



__________________

Harvoni TX 2 12 weeks. UND weeks 4, 12 and now EOT + 4 Weeks. SVR-12 09/29/16. All Glory, Honor and Thanks be to God.

"I go to war with the brothers I trust."
Sydhanrahan


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Hi Patrick,

good luck with your treatment. As Wendy and Jimmy said, RIBA takes time to build up in your body. A friend of mine was on it 24 weeks and seemed to have no emotional side effects at all. I think it depends on your usual headspace and therefore varies a lot from person to Person. 

I did get snappy but I think the depression and anxiety I normally have on board just magnified. Being pre warned is a good thing but unfortunately the other effect of hearing a lot of people talking negatively about a drug is that the old placebo effect kicks in and new patients might expect something to be worse than it turns out to be. 

One physical effect that is quite common is for haemoglobin levels to drop. Doctors usually have blood tests ordered every month while you're on RIBA to monitor your haemoglobin and if it's dropping too low they usually lower the RIBA dose. So expect some fatigue.

good luck with it all. Keep your eye in the end prize.

its a massive one.

Syd



__________________

Contracted Hep C 1969. Genome Type 2, treatment naive. Began 12 week RIBA/sof/Dac on 12/11/15. Cirrhosis. VL before treatment 4m. Treatment extended another 12 weeks without Riba. No virus detected at 9 weeks.
wendyo


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Hi Patrick, welcome to the family! This is the beginning of your Independence Day (from the dragon). Please explore the different threads and roam the site as it is a valuable tool. Lots of help, support and laughter here.

wendy



__________________

Wendy 53 y/o, DX 1994, geno 1A F1

1999 TX 1 - Inter -non responder 2001 TX 2 - Peg + Riba - viral load tripled and taken off

T3:  Harvoni 12 weeks Sept. 19, 2015 ALT 41 AST 30 VL 541800 UND at EOT and SVR 24 ALT 18 AST 26 platelets 223

 
robertsamx


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Welcome Patrick.    I have done RIBA two times, and as Jimmy said- it will take a few weeks to a month or so for the RIBA to build in your system. I had a bad time with insomnia, that started two weeks into my first treatment, then the RIBA rage came at about the 5 week mark. everyone is different, lots of folks sleep fine. Some don't have RIBA rage. Just drink your water.  Are you doing 12 weeks?  If so it will go by fast. 24 weeks is a little tougher!!

Knowing the rage could happen helps. You can feel it building, and control it fairly well. You will know if it happens, just be aware of it and take yourself out of the situations that trigger it.    Stay in touch---  RC



__________________

 M-68, 3 Treatments)( SOF-RIBA 2014)(SOF-RIBA-PEG 2016)(HCC 2016) (LIVER TRANSPLANT 8-2017)(VOSEVI-RIBA 2017)   SVR-12. 3-13-18   
JimmyK


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Patrick there is a lot of good information here to allow one to become quite informed.

I had Express Scripts last year and they were very quick to approve V-Pack for me. While I may not be the best example of how it works, there are plenty here.

Case in point and recent series of posts.

http://hepcfriends.activeboard.com/t62345805/one-year-post-viekira-pak-not-detected/#lastPostAnchor

I am actually kind of an exception to the rule. You will do fine and stay in regular contact here and the time goes by before you know it.

 

All my best.

 

JimmyK

 

 



__________________

Harvoni TX 2 12 weeks. UND weeks 4, 12 and now EOT + 4 Weeks. SVR-12 09/29/16. All Glory, Honor and Thanks be to God.

"I go to war with the brothers I trust."
pbr35586


Newbie

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JimmyK thanks for the quick reply. I don't know anyone who has gone through treatment. Express-Scripts will only pay for the Viekira pak. So that's what I'm on. The doctor was surprised that they agreed to pay for my treatment at all. She told me that they turn everybody down. But I am up for the fight.

Thank you

Patrick

 



__________________

I am Blessed!

I am a male aged 59 GT1a

VL 1631780

Liver Biopsy. 2 /2.2

Never treated

Have been aproved for Viekira Pak and 3 ribavirin 200mg twice a day

Starting treatment soon 7-3-16

 
JimmyK


Guru

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Posts: 1839
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Welcome to the Forum. Great place to be.

 

Rest assured it does not work that way. If you are going to have side effects, they build over time. If you make sure to drink about 4 Liters of Water a day it will help. You do not want to get dehydrated and these Meds will work to dehydrate you so stay ahead of the curve in that respect.

Avoid direct Sunlight.

As far as being at work the first day there will be little if anything you will notice. Drink a lot of water and you will avoid even the headaches that will come if you don't.

It took me six weeks to start feeling bad so no worries and again welcome!

 

JimmyK



__________________

Harvoni TX 2 12 weeks. UND weeks 4, 12 and now EOT + 4 Weeks. SVR-12 09/29/16. All Glory, Honor and Thanks be to God.

"I go to war with the brothers I trust."
pbr35586


Newbie

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Hello all,

 This is my first post. I will be starting treatment on Sunday July 3rd. I'm not real sure about the dosages of the Viekira pak the box has three pills in the morning and one at night. I will also be taking ribavirin 3 200mg pills in the morning and 3 200mg pills at night. One thing I'm really worried about is that I hear people talking about riba rage. I will be at work on my first day of treatment. Also I work in a secure facility so I really have to watch how I deal with people. Do the side effects take a week or so to devlope or start right away.

 Thanks in advance,

Patrick



__________________

I am Blessed!

I am a male aged 59 GT1a

VL 1631780

Liver Biopsy. 2 /2.2

Never treated

Have been aproved for Viekira Pak and 3 ribavirin 200mg twice a day

Starting treatment soon 7-3-16

 
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