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.

426 Members
21,304 Posts
0 Online
Gastrointestinal System
/ Hepatitis C Support Group

Will I be approved for Tx?

adlk1234
adlk1234
I just had an Abdominal Ultrasound a few weeks ago for another issue. It showed my liver to be normal in size. No hepatic lesion or intrahepatic biliary dilation. Liver is uniform, normal in echogenicity. I was infected probly 12 yrs. ago. Last viral load was 120,000 1 1/2 yrs. ago. The only symptom I have is nausea and that is probly from one of the 4 digestive issues I have. I have had major depression since 1998 and cannot take any treatment with interferon. My GI dr. suggests solvaldi/riba. I have Cigna medicare insurance who currently only pays for the interferon txs. but I can request prior auth. I am considering trying the new one coming in Oct. solvaldi/Lev or Lep (???) Does anyone have an opinion on whether I should even consider tx. at this time or if they think my insurance will ok the new tx? I am 59 yrs. old, so maybe I'll be long-gone before any bad things happen like cancer or cirrhosis-lol
Roboto
Roboto
If it was me and my insurance paid for it I would def do it. The virus destroys the liver. If you can get rid of it I think you should. I'm not an expert. Its just MHO.
lovefall
lovefall
Personally, I wish there were "treatments that worked" a while back because once the HCV kicks in full force - your whole world is changed completely....

LIke getting hit with a semi-truck........It is amazing how you can get thru years of doing just fine, and boom , what happened?

I don't know your genotype, that would be my deciding factor.....but I would treat with the right meds...
catmagic
catmagic
adlk - there is no way that any of us could even guess if your ins. will pay for tx. So many factors are involved - stage, genotype, and even the way in which your doctor presents the order request. Every insurance company plays by different rules and even then NONE are standard within that company. It's an "individual" decision or should be. They look at you as an individual - but of course they also factor in the high price of Sovaldi. The only way to find out is try - to go for it.
allaboutliving
allaboutliving
I would try to get tx. If insurance denies then there is an appeal process. No one can predict the logic behind denials, approvals, appeals or anything else when it comes to HCV tx. You have the luxury of time & health right now but it's better to beat the virus early & stop disease progression before it wreaks havoc on your liver & other organs. Go for it & advocate for it. Good luck!
WarriorGal
WarriorGal
One other thing. If ind rejects and you appeal an that doesn't work, contact Gilead. They will give it to you if you if your insurance won 't.

But I have a slightly different opinion than others, You want to treat for sure, but given your liver is in good shape I think i would wait for a tx without ribavirin. It's not as bad as interferon, but it can be tough for many people. If you work and want to keep working it is something to take into consideration.