How document "cure"

[soldieradvocate]

Finished 8 week Harvoni treatment in March. Just had the 3 month SVR lab and the virus is undetected. I need official and convincing documentation from my doctor to state that I am without question definitively cured in order to get a medical waiver. The audience for the letter will be medical personnel. What should I ask the doctor to include in the letter? My future career is riding on this statement. Any ideas? Thanks for your continued support.  

[dontworry_behappy1]

Here is an sample of a cure letter.   If your wanting something from your doctor…. this may provide the information your looking for.

This is a from a medhelp post of a letter received from a doctor.    


"To whom it may concern, Sherri----had chronic HCV. Now more then 24 weeks following the completion of combination (stated above) therapy, the viral level remains UNDETECTABLE. This represents a sustained viral response (SVR) to treatment, and with over 15 years of data collected on SVR patients this is a CURE.  The HCV Ab test may remain positive but this does not represent an infection.  It does not represent the actual presence of HCV, but only the body's defensive response to being exposed to the HCV .  This is the same body process that occurs when we receive immunizations to prevent childhood infections.  Again this production of antibodies does not equal the presence of infection and these antibodies may circulate in the body indefinitely.  Sherri --- had the "Gold-standard" for determining the presence of HCV: the HCV RNA PCR assay on 30 Nov. 11 which was NEGATIVE.  Sherri --- poses no known risk to herself or others in regards to HCV."
"Sherri --- liver biopsy showed stage 3/4 fibrosis.  My expectation would be for her fibrosis to regress over time, due to biopsy documented examples of improvements in fibrosis, and in some examples resolution, of patients with HCV after successful interferon therapy.  There have been consistent reports on the reversibility of liver fibrosis in humans when the cause of the underlying liver disease is eliminated as in this case.  Remodeling of the scar tissue can occur and a return towards architectural normality has been documented even in advanced fibrosis."

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Hepatitis-C/Cure-Letter/show/1662562

[soldieradvocate]

Unfortunately, the Army holds all the cards. They can demand anything they want. Unlike civilian employers. I thank all of you who responded. Appreciate the moral support.

[dontworry_behappy1]

I'm not a lawyer.  But I can tell you this is exactly what I would do if I had to provide this kind of proof.  Many people don't understand what Hepatitis C is about and what it means to have been treated.  Including doctors, employers, co-workers etc etc.  It really has a lot to do with lack of education….

Educate your employer in your response.  

[dontworry_behappy1]

The first thing you will need is the original of your blood work.  Not a copy.
I would ask for three originals so you will have one for yourself and possible one you may have to sent to "Gilead" and of course one for the
employer when you get the information together.  

Then you will need documentation directly from "Gilead" the makers of Harvoni.   I would start by contacting them directly at 650 522-5775.  I would ask for a letter from my doctor explaining the results and conclusion.  Make  sure you get good contact information from who you talk to at Gilead.  Ask Gilead what you need and what the letter should say.   This is your career and I would be ask Gilead for help with the details of this letter.

Please let us know the results.  This is a very important issue to many people…..AND its your career.