Harvoni treatment

[Roxanism]

has anyone started the Harvoni treatment ?

[penn1023]

Good job Millie....we're all pulling for you.

[milliehepc]

Flyinlynn - (sorry for late response..takes me forever to get back to the site).

That is really a good explanation.  I just picked up my second bottle of Harvoni yesterday...So on to month two.  I understand now - if I am undetectable on 12 weeks - I wait another 12 weeks for the SVR which we all hope to reach.

I rather feel bad that I even said that about HIV...having a daughter and my beautiful granddaughter who was born with the virus - (now 22 - will graduate from college soon) I give anything so they would discover a treatment like they are now doing for Hep c.  I digress.  :-)

I am sorry you did not reach the SVR....I hope your next treatment is the cure.  They say, that even if were are not cure - the time one is on treatment is giving the liver a break so to speak.  

Thank you for you good wishes.  On to beat the dragon....Month 2.....

Thanks to all for the comments.

[Roxanism]

Yes , That is my understanding, But I am hoping or more than 12 weeks personally.  My liver labs have been very stable despite the cirrhosis for many months now.'No ascites, no edema etc.  Only lingering gremlin is the occasional bout with HE, but it has not become alarming or unmanageable.

I really really, want the best shot at a SVL/ I  stay thinking positive towards it all, plus being realistic to the possibility of failing the treatment.
   Something about my son going through all that he us willing to go through, for me to just infect the precious lobe he is donating.
  As you can imagine, So much of this inner fortitude is based on a spiritual connectedness which teaches acceptance and self honesty
above all, and  being there for others in whatever way I can. As well as the Medical component,  My gratitude is huge, since I have had many close calls already .

The Harvoni has had no adverse effect on me, I started it last Wed, and today  I went for the first labs. We'll see in time how it's going.
I am very interested in attending the end of the month HCV support group that meets on Wednesdays and once a month as well at UCSF. Do you have any info on those ? I would certainly appreciate it.
   I would love the support while i'm in this treatment.

I ope I hear more in detail if you reached a SVL.
Okay checking out for now, It is a bit easier to sleep these days. As long as I stay away from brain deadening  television. But sometimes it helps,

Thank you for your responses .

R

[flyinlynn]

Hi Millie

Just to add I was undetectable on treatment with Sovaldi Olysio and unfortunately did not make SVR sustained viral response.

Undetectable just means the virus is in amounts in your blood below the ability of the test to detect but it does not mean it has been eridicated at that point.

Once you complete a treatment and the virus is still undetectable 12 weeks later that means you are cured of hep c and the only way you would test positive for the virus is if somehow you got a new infection. That is the goal of hep c treatment to compleatly rid your body of the virus.

They have not found a way yet to do that for HIV so that is why they take the meds for life to keep the virus a bay as that is currently the best they can do at least for now.

Also you will always test positive for antibodies to hep c. Those are made by you body to fight the virus for example if you had measles you will test positive for antibodies but you do not have the measles virus in your body.

Good luck hope you beat the dragon
Lynn

[hepcandme]

"My concern is that - - you get SVR only to relasp - there is a possibility it comes back - so why not keep it at bay."

because once you achieve SVR, you are "cured"

Those who relapse may have reached an undetectable milestone but they were not cured

[milliehepc]

I started Harvoni October 17.  Treatment n....F2/F3..66 yrs. old.  I almost think its a placebo as I feel nothing.  I've not gotten yet the headaches or feel tire.  I had the blood work after 10 days, everything perfect - kidney, no anemia, and the alt and ast came out normal!  This would be the first time in years.  

I understand that the alt and ast have nothing to do with how much damage or virus one has (is this true) but it's nice to see them normal anyway.

I return 11/28 where I hope they do the test to show if its undetectable.  Not sure when this occurs.  

I wonder - why they don't make a pill like they do with HIV that you take for life to make the virus undetectable forever.  My concern is that - - you get SVR only to relasp - there is a possibility it comes back - so why not keep it at bay.  I would take Harvoni forever...lol