Steve's Sovaldi + Ribavirin Treatment Log, Part 1

Bob C. said...
Steve - I'm new to this thread and have a question. How were you approved so easily by your insurance to receive Sovaldi? I thought the insurance companies would fight and stall due to the cost.

I found out last year that I've had HepC Type 2b for over 40 years but ALT only 46. I have time - but would like to get rid of this sooner than later. Is there anything I should know before we approach the insurance company? (Kaiser in CA).

Thanks - you seem to be doing great - hope it continues - will be reading.

BC

Hi Bob C!
Fortunately there was no fight. It was approved just like anything else.
My Dr. just provided whatever info they needed.
They did require an HCV RNA test to be done and the results sent to them before approval. I did get initially put on hold pending them receiving that result being sent to them. But once it was, it was approved.
My doctor said that at that time he was getting others approved, too (as he knocked on wood).
He felt that they really had no basis to deny it, given that it is a clearly superior treatment. I think the whole world is aware of this at this point.
But you might want to try asap, because you never know when that might change. They may just be evaluating things at the moment.
Good luck and stay in touch!
Would love to see you start your own thread here, soon!

Watching your thread and all of the treating folks. Just want you to know you are being supported from Arizona. So exciting to see you and so many killing this virus. Hang in there! Big Hugs

Bob C. said...
Steve - Thanks for the info - I'm just concerned that the insurance company will insist on interferon first and I would have to prove I can't tolerate that. I guess I will find out. Will let everyone know.

BC

That's what I'm saying. It seems they're approving it in general (for now).
There's no evidence that I couldn't tolerate interferon.
Actually, for your (our) Genotype and the fact that you haven't treated before, you are the perfect candidate :) it's the highest cure rate of all.

Well, look who got priority review, meaning we should see it on the market in 4 months.
This is the Ribavirin replacement that Gilead broke trials with to go solo and in combination with Sovaldi, it cured pretty much everyone, regardless of their condition- if I remember correctly.
online.wsj.com/article/PR-CO-20140225-904316.html

Steve, you inspire us and the humor is well needed here. Look forward to your updates. Trying to bribe my rbcs with kale...we'll see how that works for em. Dr today and cbc results.

music

944s, If they are considering going this route, I hope Ontario somehow gets their heads on straight before they actually do take this turn. Believe it or not, 6 months of Interferon still costs $66,000 from everything I've read. It's not that much savings, especially when you add more Dr visits and other things that come up.
Even if my numbers are off some, I think if they actually force people to do the full on barbaric version of treatment (with inferior outcomes) just to try and save $$, there's negligence there somewhere...
Moral, at the bare minimum.
And how many will fail, then need to do the newer, more superior treatment, anyway?
I know America has the worst healthcare system and blah blah blah. Even medicaid is covering it from what I'm seeing...
That would be awful if they forced people into that.
Bob, you meant California, right?
And 944s, glad you got in before anything like this happens- which hopefully it won't :)

I have always heard very good things about Kaiser, personally.

Looking forward to it!

Well, the indigestion flared up something fierce last night! Was not fun at all. Feels kind of raw down there today :) I took pepto, Costco version of Tums, and eventually a Zantac. Will let Dr. Know tomorrow at appointment and see what recommendation is. It's kind of been hanging around for a few days waiting for its opportunity, I just knew it :)
Anyway, at lab now. Heading in in just a few.

Blood results from 3/3/14
3/03/2014- RBC 4.00 Hemo 12.8 Crit 38.0 (this after day 27 of treatment and before day 28)
2/18/2014- RBC 4.28 Hemo 13.7 Crit 39.7 (this after day 14 of treatment and before day 15)
1/08/2014- RBC 4.66 Hemo 15.2 Crit 44.0 (this was one month before starting treatment)
5/12/2012- RBC 4.49 Hemo 14.8 Crit 41.9 (this was at the time of discovery)
Normal RBC range= 4.40- 6.00
Normal Hemo range= 13.5- 18.0
Normal Crit range= 40.0- 52.0
If there any other numbers that matter, let me know.

Hi Steve, been monitoring and wanted to encourage you. My Dr always says lfts and platlets frequently move up and down, but your AST and alt are both remaining in the normal range
And that is great! Looks like your rbcs etc are not dropping drastically, and that is really good. I too had one acid stomach time after taking ribavirin, so I added a few slices of avacado to my meal right before taking the r. Be watching to see what you find out at the Dr. We are here for you!

music

Well, VL results just came in and God continues to test my sense of humor :)
Has anyone seen this yet with Sovaldi and Ribavirin?

3/03/2014- <15 Detected (this after day 27 of treatment and before day 28)
2/18/2014- 105 (this after day 14 of treatment and before day 15)
1/08/2014- 4.15 million (this was one month before starting treatment)
5/12/2012- 5 million (this was at the time of discovery)