Anyone try the 12 week Sovaldi treatment?

[andyhawaii123]

Has anyone had experience with the new 12 week drugs? Specifically  Sovaldi and Olysio? I saw my Hepatologist at the UCSD Liver Center today and he stated since my liver is now under control and compensating he wants to address my Hep C 1a.  Somehow when I went through 7 months in hospital and Skilled nursing facility from major Cirrhosis problems cause by Portal Hypertension, my Hep C never attacked.  My viral load is extremely low at 15,283. I have never had treatment for it and my liver seems to be fighting it, the Dr. says.  Of course it could pop it's nasty face at me at any given moment, so I am definitely interested in treatment.  Apparently UCSD School of Microbiological Medicine  had some tie to the testing of the new drugs and my Doctor wants to start me on a treatment plan starting in Dec. or Jan.  I know the Zovaldi costs $1,000. per pill ($84,000 for the 12 weeks), but it's a lot cheaper than a transplant.  He said if my insurance companies gripe too much the UCSD Medical School may be able to kick in some funds.  I just wondered if anyone out there has done it, and What I could expect...Cure, Side-Affects, Insurance issues etc.  Any help will be greatly appreciated.  As always I wish everyone the Best.
Andy

[keepingOnkeepingOn]

So when he writes your script and paperwork for Ins approval, you'll have to have all the tests first. All in all it takes up to 2 months to complete the tests and script and all. So don't panic if there seems to be a delay. It's part of the process. Harvoni and Abbvie may be the same. It's all a process until you actually get the meds delivered to your door. From there out your on your way to board the marathon of hope train and killing this parasite.

[keepingOnkeepingOn]

You CAN get it like that but it' not prevelant. It must be blood to blood.

[keepingOnkeepingOn]

I'd jump for the opportunity. Waiting is dangerous. Your symptoms make you eligible. The only other thing they require is over 6MM viral load but hey, if you can get the drugs do it. What's a brief dull headache or fatigue when the symptoms of varices, bleed-outs, portal hypertension, cirrhosis, anemia and no hope are worse than any treatment sides from new drugs. In my last 3 weeks of S/O there was no fatigue. I'm good to go. I urge you to go for it. Turning that down would be foolish. Your doc knows S/O cures people. 95% success rate.
I'm glad I went on the S/O marathon of hope train.
With all your damage I would not wait. "Slow moving" virus? That can be debated. At some point it speeds up and it's all downhill from there.
It's been a long tedious road but I'm feeling much better than I have in several years. I had to decide to wait or to jump on the S/O treatment in the middle of summer. I jumped on it. At some point there is no time to wait.
You can't believe how just the virus alone is making us all so sick. We tend to blame symptoms on the liver damage. Once this damned dirty parasite left my body I realized how sick it alone causes us.
Harvoni is iffy so far. There isn't enough of info about actual cures.  S/O has had many cures. Seize the moment.
My 2 cents
The next best thing comes out in January by AbbVie. We are all getting cured one way or another. AbbVie is now taking over. I know the Pharmacists for AbbVie. 2015 is going to a good year for heppers.
You'll have to stop drinking while on treatment. Someone here says it's like pouring gasoline on a fire. That's a good way to put it.
Good luck.
Good luck.

[andyhawaii123]

Hi Mama, I'm so glad to hear the treatment worked for you.  I have heard, and researched the drugs and have seen nothing but good results.  If I may ask, did your insurance give you any problems? I have Medicare / MediCal coverage in San Diego, and I know my doctor had to go to bat for me to get the Xifaxan.  That $1800/month is nothing compared to the cost of these new drugs (and they were all Fast-track to the Market). I assume all I can do is wait for my Doctors to determine the best treatment course for me and then worry about the insurance coverage. I'd hate to have to fork over retirement funds, but if that's the deal, so be it.  Again, Thank you for your help and concern. I wish you continued success and all the best.
Andy

[AugustineMama]

I just finished the 12-week combo and am Undet at this point. It was a cake walk compared to the others. I can honestly say I did not have any symptoms.

[andyhawaii123]

I'm with you on that one,any side effects for 3-6month s beats the old 18 months of  interferon injections in the gut. 2 of my friends did that. It cured them bbut knocked them out. They both compared it to Kemo. Thanks for your input, i wish you the best. Andy