Just curious why Im non responder?

[saltavar]

Am I the only non responder after 8 weeks taking Olysio/sovaldi on this list? I know there are some who have cleared then relapsed. The only things I took while tx was vitamin D, and a multi. I have GERD and a touch of Barretts esophagus and take an occasional nexium. I also take a teaspoon of psyllium a day(3-4 hrs away from the meds) for regularity.Drank lots and lots of water. And lastly a few Activias now and then. Anyone spot a problem with this little protocol? Does age play a part?. Im 68. Weight 165 lbs. When they tell you theres a 90 plus success rate and you fail it makes a person feel like maybe they did something wrong .Blood test at 2 weeks was very close but no cigar.I was breezing through tx too. Most of my numbers normalized. WBC's went back up. alt/ast normalized.
.I cant drink coffee because of the acid. green tea the same. So I cant inhibit replication in that manner.  I am fairly healthy, strong heart, good cholesterol, no high blood pressure or any other issues. Family history is good. Please, any suggestions for next time(God willing there is one) Thanks to the person(Poooh8 I think) who sent kind words and a link. Very helpful! Lifted my spirits and gave some hope.
Thanks Bob

[saltavar]

As I said  the team pharmacist told me the nexium nor any ppi is an issue!

Neither is psyllium(away from the meds) 3-4 hours.

[mike716]

FYI, I called both Gilead and Janssen patient assistance about drug interactions with those I am taking (Lorazapam, multivitamins, vitamin E, ALA, PPC, thistle), and they said to cut out all of them except the multivitamins and the Lorazapam, which are supposed to not cause problems (according to them).

But IMHO, probably safest to cut out everything while on Tx. Nobody really knows what the real-life drug-drug interactions are. There just aren't enough studies.

[ms maddie]

("And as you said P-gp inducers but then you said omeprazole is a P-gp inhibitor so as I read that it is not the same thing.")

Yes, omeprazole is a P-gp inhibitor and not the same as an inducer.  However, in the insert that comes with the Olysio it states both inducers and inhibitors can affect the bioavailability of the drug.
An inhibitor is not a factor when it comes to Sovaldi but possibly the Olysio.  

Anyway this will soon be a non issue because the newer meds are coming and hopefully the PPI's won't be a problem.   As it is, there is no proof that they are an issue now.  

I pray that the newer meds will be the answer for everyone,  It's human nature to try and figure out why relapse occurs but that is for the researchers to figure out.  The dragon is running out of time...you will reach SVR in the near future.

[Dee1956]

Hi, I am so sorry.  You did nothing wrong, you did everything you were supposed to do.  Please don't blame yourself.
I think we have a tendency to try to make sense of something that there is not sense to.
When I started Incivek 9/1/2011, there was nothing in the literature about meds I was taking.  Despite listing them to the specialty pharmacy, the doctor, the nurse I ended up have a reaction when I finished the Incivek.
I called Specialty Pharmacy and was told 3 of my meds were now contraindicated or problems had been reported.
When I asked my doctor about it, he was not aware of the reactions, later told me that they did not discover until after I started tx. If not for the Specialty pharmacy I really would have been in trouble.  They seem to have the latest information before the doctors do.

I just wanted to say how sorry I am.  I relapsed with my first tx and was so devastated, thought my life was over.  There was nothing else I could try.  That was why I was so desperate to start the Incivek asap.  In hindsight I guess I should have waited a few months so real time results could get out.

Take Care
Dee

[flyinlynn]

Oh yeah forgot to mention I am a female GT 1a three time null responder with  cirrhosis and I relapsed at 12 weeks post treatment.

[flyinlynn]

I would suggest you check the prescribing information for Olysio there is a specific warning against sun exposure. The instructions talk about when used with interferon and Ribavirin but it is the Olysio causing the sensitivity

The most common side effects reported in clinical study participants treated with Olysio in combination with peginterferon-alfa and ribavirin were rash (including photosensitivity), itching (pruritis) and nausea. Serious photosensitivity reactions resulting in hospitalization were reported. Patients will be advised to limit sun exposure and to use sun protective measures during treatment with Olysio in combination with peginterferon alfa and ribavirin.

Good luck
Lynn