Hepatitis C Support Group
Hepatitis C is a blood-borne viral disease which can cause liver inflammation, fibrosis, cirrhosis and liver cancer. The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is spread by blood-to-blood contact with an infected person's blood. Many people with HCV infection have no symptoms and are unaware of the need to seek treatment. Hepatitis C infects an estimated 150-200 million people worldwide.
Well, (now that's a deep subject) today I went back to the see the doctor that has been watching over me during my four previous attempts at slaying the dragon. He gave me the run down on the options I have available.
1, I can start a 12 week TX with the sofosbuvir interferon and RIBA that has a 75% cure rate and no problem with the insurance covering it
2. I can try with his support and letter writing to the insurance company to start a 12 week TX with sofosbuvir/olysio with a 85% cure rate. With the price being about $130,000 for the TX the insurance is not likely to approve it. The reason being is that since I already tried four treatments with Interferon they would deem me to be tolerable and would want me to do option one as mentioned above. The reason it's so expensive is because there is no competition for the only two manufactures of the drugs.
3. This option seems to be the more likely option. The doctor is adamant that by the end of 2014 there will be a new option that is in the final approval stages by the FDA. This option will be a combination of two meds in one pill that has a cure rate of 95% in trial studies. There are currently 12 companies competing to make this drug so the price is going to be reasonable enough that the insurance will cover it. No interferon or RIBA will be involved.
I guess since I've been dealing with this for 22 years now it's not going to hurt to wait. He gave me some good news in that since last years 11 month TX, although I relapsed it stopped the progression of the virus temporarily. Since I'm only at stage three the chances of it making stage four are less likely. He has always been straight forward with me so I don't have any reason not to trust him now. He was confident enough that he assured me that he will cure me of the Hep C even if it kills him. I like the attitude because like me there is not a negative bone in his body.
Now that I have something to look forward to I'm going to concentrate on having great summer spending lots of time with family and friends doing all the things I should be doing. Can't wait for the weather to break so I can get out and hit the links and the trails on the bicycle. I'm going to be sixty one this year and I'm certainly not going to act my age.
As always I will continue to look in on DS from time to time to see how everyone is mangling and if necessary offer some support if I can.
Good Luck to everyone here that is dealing with this. Be sure to remain positive and good things will happen. You are all in my thought and prayers.
1, I can start a 12 week TX with the sofosbuvir interferon and RIBA that has a 75% cure rate and no problem with the insurance covering it
2. I can try with his support and letter writing to the insurance company to start a 12 week TX with sofosbuvir/olysio with a 85% cure rate. With the price being about $130,000 for the TX the insurance is not likely to approve it. The reason being is that since I already tried four treatments with Interferon they would deem me to be tolerable and would want me to do option one as mentioned above. The reason it's so expensive is because there is no competition for the only two manufactures of the drugs.
3. This option seems to be the more likely option. The doctor is adamant that by the end of 2014 there will be a new option that is in the final approval stages by the FDA. This option will be a combination of two meds in one pill that has a cure rate of 95% in trial studies. There are currently 12 companies competing to make this drug so the price is going to be reasonable enough that the insurance will cover it. No interferon or RIBA will be involved.
I guess since I've been dealing with this for 22 years now it's not going to hurt to wait. He gave me some good news in that since last years 11 month TX, although I relapsed it stopped the progression of the virus temporarily. Since I'm only at stage three the chances of it making stage four are less likely. He has always been straight forward with me so I don't have any reason not to trust him now. He was confident enough that he assured me that he will cure me of the Hep C even if it kills him. I like the attitude because like me there is not a negative bone in his body.
Now that I have something to look forward to I'm going to concentrate on having great summer spending lots of time with family and friends doing all the things I should be doing. Can't wait for the weather to break so I can get out and hit the links and the trails on the bicycle. I'm going to be sixty one this year and I'm certainly not going to act my age.
As always I will continue to look in on DS from time to time to see how everyone is mangling and if necessary offer some support if I can.
Good Luck to everyone here that is dealing with this. Be sure to remain positive and good things will happen. You are all in my thought and prayers.
Option 3 is a sure bet. Personally, I'd wait. I was talked into doing Sofos & Olysio and now if I fail that... I am left wondering if ins will approve tx again....and I am also told it is best to wait about a year between txs, so... waiting for the best shot makes sense, IMO, if you can wait.
when I was treating with triple. There were times I didn't think I
could go on. And you pushed me!!! Thank you!!! I thought for
sure it would be over for you. Life is not fair some times but we
endure. And you will too!!! AGAIN!!! Good luck my friend!!!
Ozzie
http://www.natap.org/2013/HCV/082913_01.htm
Oz, I think since my first failed treatment 20 years ago I resigned myself to accept what ever end results were in store. I because I blame no one but myself for my condition it's only right that I have to stay positive about life. Someday the man up stairs is goin to come lookin for me so I figured I'd make it tough for him.
Since I've seen a lot of new members come along on DS that are scared to death as I once was I wanted to try to ease their minds. As you know it can wear a person down.
Good luck.
Bob