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.
I just started TX yesterday, I'm putting this thread here for anyone else who has tried, is trying, or will be trying this combo for us to share our experience. If there is already a thread on this please point me, but I didn't see one.
Me: Stage 4 cirrhosis, long term hcv/hiv, Isentress and Truvada.
A few years ago I tried Pegasys/Riba but only made it through 24 of 48 weeks, never went fully undetectable but almost. This time, going for 12 week TX with Sovaldi added. High dose of Riba, 1200mg, and 180 mcg of Pegasys. Hitting it hard going in. My platelets are already low, 50k or so, and liver function tests are elevated. Varices but no bleeding, take propronalol as a beta blocker. This will probably be my last shot at stopping the cirrhosis and curing the hcv. So I'm all in, and very thankful for the opportunity. Do or die. Literally.
Like I said I just started yesterday, and I'll update with side effects and bloodwork as we go along for hopefully the next 12 weeks.
Anyone else have experience with this combo?
Me: Stage 4 cirrhosis, long term hcv/hiv, Isentress and Truvada.
A few years ago I tried Pegasys/Riba but only made it through 24 of 48 weeks, never went fully undetectable but almost. This time, going for 12 week TX with Sovaldi added. High dose of Riba, 1200mg, and 180 mcg of Pegasys. Hitting it hard going in. My platelets are already low, 50k or so, and liver function tests are elevated. Varices but no bleeding, take propronalol as a beta blocker. This will probably be my last shot at stopping the cirrhosis and curing the hcv. So I'm all in, and very thankful for the opportunity. Do or die. Literally.
Like I said I just started yesterday, and I'll update with side effects and bloodwork as we go along for hopefully the next 12 weeks.
Anyone else have experience with this combo?
I'm starting S&riba next week, previous null responder to soc
I just had my 8 week nurse visit today and got labs drawn. EVERYONE says that I'm looking SO much better, this is ON tx, undetectable, the women are chasing me it is is so funny! I'm starting to feel young again.
Glad when this is over. Did my 9th shot today, 3 more in the refrigerator and it's the only thing there that I never want to see again :-)
The horror stories are probably 5x worse than you'll experience if it's the same for you as it was for me. Make sure though the doc is doing labs regular to check your blood for anemia while on tx.
On a positive note, any side effects also means the medicine is working, and doing its job! :-)
Woke up Saturday with bad muscle and joint aches. I drink a ton of water. Didn't get chilled till later afternoon. Tylenol alleviated that.
I have been eating a high protein high fiber diet. Eating lots of small meals and not had any nausea other than first day.
I have made myself be active which I think also has helped. Had to force myself to mow the yard yesterday. Thankfully it is only 2 acres.
So I think right diet, exercise/activity level will be my secret. May be worse next week but I'm not going to sit around and wait. I'm going to plow right thru.
I hope everyone else is doing well, and the 12 weeks really does go by pretty fast, except the final few weeks for me. I'm really counting the days, because I WANT MY BRAIN BACK. I'm in constant brain fog almost all the time, and feel so stupid most of the time. :-) I want to be able to concentrate again!
ive done a 55 gallon drum of interferon in the last decade and all it done was piss me off.
some sob created a miracle here..
Yesterday was my final dose of meds, a week ago I did my last Pegasys shot and yesterday I took my last Sovaldi and RIBA and today I had labs drawn. I got to see a doctor I hadn't seen in years, and was very happy to see her. She put me through my first course of therapy with interferon/ribavirin.
So today was a happy meeting with her and she is going to call me next week with my lab results. She says it looks promising because I went undetectable quickly, even with cirrhosis. Over the last 12 weeks my liver enzyme labs have improved a little, too. Nothing earth-shattering there but steady improvement. I'm looking forward to a decent night's sleep tonight...no more RIBA, YAY!!! That stuff keeps me awake way too much. I think I developed a love/hate relationship with them...haha. In a strange way I almost miss my meds, it's like I've been treading water and the meds have been supporting me and now I have to swim. I'm anxious to see the lab results for hcv rna next week. Undetectable, hopefullly, and then one more test 12 weeks from now.