people on vic??

[ninjamonkey]

I am starting treatment soon or at least getting ready to start and I'm pretty sure I want to do Vic as my pi but I was wanting to get some info from those of u already on it. How are the sides? What are the sides? What advice would you give someone before they start or during?  

[FIREMAN79]

i just started the vic on monday, i have just been really nausous. i dont know if it's from the taste or just a side effect. i'll try the tic tac and mint. i am drinking alot of water, but i'll make sure to drink some right before taking the meds. my nurse suggested zinc cough drops, but thank didnt help at all. thanks alot

[frijole]

fireman
I use tic tacs.  My pharm nurse said to eat a mint before you take the pills.  I think taking a full galss of water -12-16 ounces - helps dilute the process and I don't get as bad an after taste.

What week are you on?

frijojle

[FIREMAN79]

does anyone have any solutioons for the taste  from the vic?

[ninjamonkey]

Thanks everyone for tour input I'm one of us who has to continue working so I'm just a little worried trying to choose the best plan!

[frijole]

ninja
Hi.  I am on my 7th week - 3rd of VIC.  One of the issues influencing me was that they allowed procrit in the trials and I knew I would get anemic since I did on standard SOC.  Incevik did not allow procrit in the trials, and, although that does not preclude the doctor from ordering it, my observation of what is happening on this forum is that a lot of doctors are hesitant to use the procrit with the INC and dose reduce instead.  This would not have been acceptable to me. I think the anemia issue was understated with the Incevik and I am flabbergasted by the number of members who had transfusions last week with INC -- 4, I think.

I am getting a little more anemic with the VIC although I don't have my lab results from last Thursday to confirm.  The VIC is hard to take 3 x a day, but it is okay.  I seem to have worse sx this time but my suspicion is that it is the PegIntron (used Pegasys last time) not the VIC.  

If I had to do it all over, I would still choose the VIC.

frijole

[sandysf]

I am finishing week 18 of tx with Vic.   I did not notice much of a change once added Vic.   Dry mouth, metallic taste, that was about it.  I was already tired and fatigued just from the lead in with SOC.  My white blood count dropped early on but that is from the interferon.   I was at week 14 before my hemoglobin dropped to 9.2.. which made me tired and had chest pressure, but not completely debilitating.  I stopped gym workouts within first month and I am not working so I stay home mostly, lots of rest.  Not sure if I could work through this but many are apparently.  My doc reduced ribavirin in week 14 and I have gone up and down since then.  When I am on 800 mg of riba instead of 1000 i do feel much better.  Anything we can do to help, let us know!

[beeblessed]

Didn't chime in right away since I have only been on VIC for a week.  I agree with AJ and Brianmo.  I had lots of short terms sides with the SOCs, every other day was different but usually tolerable.  I listed all my sides in my journal, if you care to have a look.  The VIC hit me pretty hard yesterday, and made me so weak that I left work early.  This morning, after I took all my meds, I climbed back in bed until noon.  I feel somewhat better but kinda wiped from yesterday.  I am hoping I can tolerate this because I am working thru tx.  Best to you!  I do think VIC is more tolerable than Incivek, from what I have read in the forum.  My doc said the anemia is usually caused by the Ribavirin, so I think maybe with triple therapy, it adds to that.

Rockymoe -- 8th tx????  OMG

[rockymoe]

I am on my 3rd week of vic after the 4 week lead. I am on my 8th treatment. I have not felt good at all. This treatment is kicking my butt and I'm hoping it is kicking the viruses butt. On my 3rd anti nausea drug and it's not working

[tiredturkey19564]

Hi, I'm on my 14th week of treatment with victrelis. This is what my doc put me on. He has 14 of us and all but one is undectable now. My 4th week blood vl was a million from 6 million. My doc was very unhappy . Went for my 8 week blood and my liver functions were all normal. No viral count because my insurance wont pay till 12.weeks. So I was scared, is this wooking? Got my blood results 2 days ago and it said no virus detected.Doc said I have to go 32 weeks total for treatment. My cbc's are low which are normal with the drugs. No cause for concern yet. I had a hacking cough for about 3 weeks which is a side effect. I started taking vitamin c and once in a while I'll have a cough or 2. This seemed to work for me.I'm very very tired. The second month I didn't go anywhere, too tired. Istarted back at the gym the 3rd month and forcing myself to go at least an hour a day. My age probably has alot to do with this. I'm a 55 year old retired female. I'm a previous non responder. I have to look at the end of the tunnel and know I'll be hep c free! GOOD LUCK!!!

[aj7538]

I started vic.last week. I also. Thought it wouldbe better to have 4 weeks of soc and then add final drug, giving my stomach a chance to get used to all the meds. I also thought I didnot want to have to eat that fat, especially first thing in the morning and 10 at.nite. Also, did not want the rash associated with the.inc. I am not positive but I think people on vic fare better. I was mildly nauseaous, just the first day.or so. Other than that just tired, but.i am starting.my.6 the week, so I expect to feek simething. It.has not been bad. My opinion go with vic. Good luck.

[can-do-man]

Hi there, i am now SVR thanks to VIC. I was a relapser with SOC only and have cirrhosis....... Myself i didn't find the sxs much different then when i was on SOC, anemia was a problem but procrit took care of it, did 48 weeks . From reading here it seems the side effects are much easier then Incivek.

Theres a few others treating at this time with VIC, frjoile, beeblessed?, Indy, and some others................. Best to you.

[ninjamonkey]

Thank you anyone else who has taken Vic or who is taking it??

[brianmo]

I went with Vic because of the fat needed with Inc and I knew I could not do it. Going with Vic the tx time is longer. My doctor said the main SE is anemia which seems to be the SE for all the drugs. I also did not want to add all the drugs at the beginning so I have had 3 weeks of just SOC and time to get used to it before adding Vic. Week 5.  Good luck and read all you can and discuss it with doctor.