New triple-drug treatment for Hep C

Very good news that your job is secure! Obviously, your boss is willing to work with you, so get those thoughts out of your mind about not pulling your weight. You are ill and doing a difficult treatment, so you can't be expected to do the work you normally would.

Hugs,
Connie

Thanks again everyone for the replies and concern. It really is nice to talk to some people that know what is going on and who have experienced it in some form already. If for no other reason is to know that I am not alone. I am home early again from work, (something that has become standard procedure) I spoke with the General Manager of my facility today and was able (I hope) to hash out a plan to work only about 4 or 5 hours a day preferably in the morning for a little while until I am a little bit better on side effects and fatigue from this treatment. It was nice of her to understand what is going on with me (they all knew before I started treatment what was going to be happening just didn't know how bad it was going to be). I am very glad to see that they are willing to work with me until I get better. As I had said before I feel like when I get up in the morning I feel okay for about 5 or 6 hours before feeling like I got hit by a truck and would love to still participate at work. She agreed that they should be able to find a way that works for me and them mutually. And she was very sure to tell me to relax some and know that they understand what is going on and that no one is blaming me for leaving early and not being able to do as much. So this was just a quick little update to let everyone know whats going on annd that not all is lost at work for me. Now just to get these side effects under control and I'll be set.
BTW does anyone know a good nausea medication? My insurance foesnt want to pay for the ones that my doctor has prescribed...

Angie, try making a tea with the ginger.

Chef, you can also try the pregnant woman's antidote for nausea: Saltine crackers.

Hugs,
Connie

Star, it's nice to have you back. Sorry you had such a rough time with the Incivek, but your SVR thus far is good. Since you are not really ill with hep c, I think you have a very good chance of clearing the virus. Hang in there and let us know how the remainder of your treatment goes.

Best of luck!

Connie

   let me rephrase that. you are und.  the only way the virus comes back is thru reinfection, or mutation back to wild virus. 

Thank you that makes me feel a lot better about the meds they gave me to stop itching. Its only a 6 day pack. It has helped a lot!

Very good news, Star! Thanks for keeping us updated.

Hugs,
Connie

My TC called me recently and said that Mayo is no longer subscribing the triple treatment with Incivek as it is "too harsh on patients." She wants me to wait until the newer treatment minus interferon becomes available, which is expected to be on the market later this year.

Hugs,
Connie

From what I'm reading, you are not undetectable. You said you were in an earlier post. What's going on? Perhaps that's why they are now giving you Victrelis. You're not sounding abrasive, and blunt is good. Be well.

      hey chef,   i just finished the triple tx w/ incivek.  the tx is rough, but it works.  i had many side effects and also called my dr. in week 2, and said i want off this stuff.  my dr. calmly explained to me that triple tx is a response guided therapy.  you have milestones that you have to meet in order to keep treating.  if you dont meet the requirements for week 8, they stop tx.  if you respond rapidly(rvr) and remain und thru week 24  your chances for svr go to 94%.  not bad.  are you doing 28 or 48 weeks.

       the tx is rougher than past txs because the protease inhibitor is a (daa), a direct acting antiviral.  it works like a heat seeking missile.  it takes on the virus where it resides.  the interferon only circulates in the blood.  once i became und the sides lessened and the only sides i had was anemia.

       if your dr wont presribe pain meds for you try tylenol. it does help some.  for nausea ask dr for odansitron 4 mg chewable. 

        you are going to have some anxious moments and some transitional depression.  your dr can start you on a ad. and possibly some benzos for anxiety.

    if you cant hang at work, check out temp disability thru sdi. if that diesnt work ask about family medical leave (fml). 

       check back and let me know how your week 8 pcr goes.

       best of luck and keep up the fight      barry

         hey guys,   victrellis and incivek have different protocals.  we all know incivek protocal.

       victrellis has a 4 week lead in with peg+riba.  you have to have a 1 log drop in v/l.  then you add victrellis at week 5 and continue all 3 for 24 weeks.  thats a total of 28 weeks.  if you were a null responder or partial responder, or cirrhotic in your prior txs, you must do 48 weeks.   barry

       hey every1,     i hit the reply button and sat here in front of the pc for half an hour trying to figure out how to day this.

       "all i want to do is help"

        i dont post anything i cant support with a link

        if i post an opinion i will state that(my opinion only) 

       my bluntness is sometimes misunderstood.  i understand the feeling of support (which you guys do best) and the feeling of belonging to a network of people who all work together for the good of all.  this is getting too mushy, i need a shot of interferon to straighten me out.

       respectfully   barry