Hep C Discussion Forum

Hey Rainy,

SO glad to hear it's epclusa! I was hoping it was!

DID SOMEBODY SAY ICECREAM!!!! Sounds like a good idea to me, a wee bit of sugar might indeed help the medicine go down!

Of course ... along with all that WATER! (I know, I know, not as soothing sounding and comforting as a nice jamoca almond fudge, or maybe a little maple walnut?, man ... I wish I had some "nuttin' better" in my freezer right now!), drool. 

We know you might not believe us (now/yet) .... but DO do the water. PLAN on it - get it organized, and set up your water "plan" now! Pre-portion, pre-measure, pack it with you, strive for the gal per day in any fool-proof method you chose. Just make sure you do it. Your going to be fine, the peeing all the time may well be the worst you experience! 

My fatigue was more and more pronounced in the decades and years approaching treatment, especially the last couple years prior to treatment, it was really at it's height 6 months prior to treatment and then during treatment and has improved now, slowly and immensely post-cure, and is still improving! 

Something to look forward to alright. Very rewarding when you start to loose the fatigue. 

I have not heard too many others say their fatigue was really "much" worse, or in some cases any worse, on treatment, compared to the fatigue they may been struggling through before treatment!

There are tons of benefits in loosing this virus, you'll see!

Glad Tig metioned about how they arrive at Fscores (i was going to go there too), and about ultrasounds. Imaging, such as U/S's do impart reallly, really good valuable info, but they are just an important "part" of defining your current health/liver states. ALL the bits of info - bloods and imaging and tests and physical exams (combined) help paint the best, fullest, overall "guessing/indications" they can muster as to the amount of damage any disease may have done to a person (or subsequently indications of improvements) - I would ask for the additional fibroscan - they are great to have, pre-treatment, as baseline (just like your other lab and imaging data are) and when repeated, as you go along, after cure, they all help in the measuring/guaging of future improvements.

I am betting they already assessed you/checked into your Hep A/B and influenza immunity. If you do not recall this, then ask about it at your earliest opportunity. You could also ask at your next appointment if they would order you a fibroscan. 

Happy pill down the gullet Friday.  C.

I did different meds than you including the dreaded riba, and I have never had such a sweet tooth in my life than when I was on treatment.   Cream and sugar in your coffee is just fine.

As Tig says, you can find ways to enjoy water...

a bit of lemon, lime, orange or cucumber sliced in it can make it refreshing.

And remember, it's much better than the headaches.

When you are virus free, I'm pretty sure your fatigue will lessen.

Mine did. It used to take me a week to vacumn a room cause I had such a short 'shelf life' I had to lie down every 5 minutes...now I can clean a few rooms in the house, then walk the dog, then cook dinner, then wash up from dinner....all without lying down! I can't believe how great it is to be normal 

So tomorrow is the big day. Yay

A

 

Hey Tig, I've heard great things about epclusa. Doc said most patients complain of headache and fatigue as side effects. I can't imagine being more tired than I am but we'll see. So as far as water, how many 16 oz deer parks are we talking say between 8am and 10pm? I love my coffee but I like a couple of teaspoons of sugar and cream. I've been worried about side effects because I have to work and am afraid of making mistakes. Im going to ask the doc about a fibroscan maybe a while after treatment is over.

I just realized I forgot to tell what they're giving me. Its Epclusa. I take metformin and the nurse said its fine to take together. I have my alarm set for 10pm for the metformin so Im just gonna take the epclusa with it. The main issues I have are terrible fatigue which I hope improves after treatment. They only did an ultrasound, not sure why they didnt do a fibroscan. Is one more accurate than the other? I guess I shouldnt be feeling pissed off about the early cirrhosis but Ive read about people that have had it for ages and drink like crazy and are only F1. Here I was dying to try a watermelon margarita but I refrained because I didnt want to damage my liver anymore. I need to thank my lucky stars cuz I know there are people worse off and I feel like crap feeling sorry for myself. Hey maybe that will go away after treatment with some of my other character flaws lol. Water. Lord. I struggle to do the water thing but I guess thats a must so I'll have to suck it up and get it down. So are you guys clear of the virus? Anybody take epclusa? I bought myself a pint of Talenti Gelato Cookie Crunch to calm my fears a bit this weekend. ð

Hey thanks for filling us in Rainy,

Like Tig, I too would love to know what particular drug treatment regime they chose for you as a GT2b. 

Friday will come soon, do not approach it with trepidation, but rather with that excitement you spoke of, focus on knowing you have made the right decision, you are doing the best possibe thing for yourself, getting rid of this damaging hitch-hiker. Tig is right, take comfort knowing GT2's respond well, a plus, to your favour. You will soon be rid of this HCV liabilty, and can soon look forward to seeing what things improve for you following.

On the good news side, I am glad your "new" doc encouraged you that it was now a good time to get rid of this virus, good they have got a fairly good (aprox) idea (your baseline data) of what things they will now watch and follow you for, and so you can all watch for improvements in them. All VERY good things, especially when you know they are planning to take care of you properly, according to standard "following" practises. As a team, you will all be working together, pro-actively in annihilating this virus, that act alone may start a cavalcade of health improvements. I for one, am encouraged that they have already indicated they plan to follow you well.

You might just end up being surprized and pleased what kind of things improve for you after cure!

We have seen quite a number of people improve, in all sorts of ways after cure. I consider I am one of those people Tig spoke of, I was also F3 and then F4 at one time, and I also had a fatty liver before cure, subsequently, post cure, I am now considered in the F0 range (by my last fibroscan result), and, there was no mention of fatty liver with my last ultrasound or CAT scan - so what do you think of that! I tell ya, I am some impressed how things have gone for me, and what things have quickly improved! I was not expecting it, or at least not so much, so soon! So, I feel very lucky to have received the amount of follow-up I have had, as without it, I (we) could not have judged what stayed the same or improved.

Follow-up is a good thing. Welcome it. In the meantime, relish this opportunity to trounce this virus into oblivion.

Good your bili and albumin are within normal limits. Good you had the ultrasound. No fibroscan? No CAT scan?

What other imaging, assessments or bloods have you had (recently, or since 2007)? How long do you think you had HCV before you were diagnosed in 2007? How are you feeling?

I will be happy to hear you got that first pill past your lips on Friday!  C.

 

Thanks for replying! I was diagnosed in 2007. A doctor checked for hepc because my enzymes were elevated. At that time only riba and interferon were available with dismal results and horrendous side effects. I chose to wait. I got a new pcp who asked if I had undergone treatment and I said no and she convinced me now was the time so I went for an ultrasound which shows F3F4 and early cirrhosis according to the doctor which I must say I'm pretty sad about because Ive never been a drinker but I am overweight and have fatty liver so maybe that contributed. I'm geno 2b ALT 140 AST 98 viral load 8.2 million. Bilirubin 0.8 Albumin 4.2. One thing is my platelets have dropped to 99 and spleen is slightly enlarged. So there you have it. I was told since I have early cirrhosis that it is irreversible which socks so I have to get tested for liver cancer every year I think he said.