My Sovaldi-Ribavirin Treatment Log

Sovalli and ribavirin for breakfast...here we go. Today is my first day and I'm scared as hell. Reading your posts have made it easier.

Hey teen! Sorry I missed your first post. I am on my 8th week and not having any side effects at all. Full of energy and sleeping like a rock. I had more labs done yesterday, they will post in the morning and I will share the results.

Please do not overthink this treatment like I did when I first started. I see lots of people causing side effects by stress and worry, so it is not uncommon to stress yourself into feeling sick. Without the Interferon, this treatment is very tolerable. Your liver enzymes should return to normal within the first week and some people even report feeling better. Staying hydrated and busy is the best thing to do. I have found playing and listening to music really helps, and funny movies are a tremendous help as well. Stay as happy as you can. You are beating a deadly virus and getting a new chance at life so you should be thrilled!!

GOOD LUCK TO ALL!!

My week 8 labs just posted online. WBC and RBC just under normal range. HGB increased and almost back to normal. Everything else on the CBC/Differential was normal. The Metabolic Panel was all still in normal range except my Glucose dropped 30gm/dl. I know the feelings of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and have not felt any. I felt fine during the blood draw, and I feel fantastic right now. I WILL NOT be getting online and researching glucose drops during Hep C treatment. I stressed enough the first couple of weeks over silly stuff and refuse to go through all that crap again. My Doc will call if he is concerned, so I will go about my day just like a normal person. Temps up to 85 today I'll be getting some badly needed sunshine. I had skin cancer on my face but treated it with medical marijuana oil and it is cured!! Now I use a marijuana based lotion to help protect my skin. This may be a big reason why my skin is looking so much younger. My mom uses chemical sunblock and she still got skin cancer. Her cancer treatment cost thousands of dollars and took several months, while my cancer treatment only cost a couple hundred and lasted just a few weeks. I wish more people would wake up to the truth about this miracle plant. Saves money and lives.

HOPE EVERYONE ELSE IS WELL AND HAVE A GREAT DAY!

Flagged Lab Results; WBC 4.0, RBC 3.98, HGB 13.3, Glucose 53

 

Aaah so that's what it is glucose drop. I'm not a snacker but peanut butter is becoming my friend.

WEEK 10 labs just posted online. This is day 66 for me. Only 19 more to go.

Complete Blood Count/w Diff showed my HGB dropped to 11.8g/dL. RBC dropped to 3.50g/dL. HCT was low for the first time at 36.7% MCV a bit high at 104.5 fL. Everything else on the CBC was normal. Platelets staying excellent around 200 for the entire treatment. All Diff (Neut, Lymp, etc,.) were still normal. 

Metabolic Panel/Liver Function all normal. AST-28, ALT-33, Bili-0.7. Alk Phos-70.

Fasting Glucose normal at 84.

B-12 was normal at 557pg/mL.

I have to have more test to check for nutrient uptake issues from past alcoholism.

OVERALL, I'm not sick, and still don't feel like I'm on treatment. I have some fatigue from the HGB drop, but it is still not bad. The worst part of this treatment was the first two weeks when I made myself sick with worry.

Still no viral load test and I may not get one until 24 weeks after my treatment ends. Reduced coverage and higher out of pocket cost. Thanks for nothing King O. 

 

IPC, All is well at your house, I'm so glad. Last day today at our house! Viral load tomorrow morning. Fingers and toes crossed. Hugs, Mama Lama

Sammanthac, Welcome! I would not worry about any sides. I see more people make themselves sick with fear of side effects than the actual drugs. I'm halfway through week 10 and only side effect is fatigue. All my earlier side effects were caused by stress and foolish ignorance. Plan on some fatigue, and stay hydrated to avoid headaches. Stay busy and remember the goal, not the race. GOOD LUCK!!

 

Hey iplaycarvin,
Hope all is well man, been cool reading your posts. I am day 4 of Sovaldi/ Ribavirin fun. I am a little edgy and thirsty as hell, with some headaches (probably dehydrated from treatment). I have gone down some interesting paths in my life, and I am not really sure how long I have had Hep C (I am guessing anywhere between 1993-2005, rewinding the memories). Stage 2, evidentially in the 2 mil (scarring is a little heavier from lifestyle). I am going to stop rambling and ask:
- I recreationally smoke marijuana. I have stopped for the 4 days thus far, a bit irritable to say the least. Doc and pharmacist say no, no studies really there??? What did your doctor say when you told him you were a medical marijuana patient? Did he think it was an issue with the results of the treatment? Thanks for your time.

MMJ will not effect the outcome of your tx. but it can cause you to forget whether you took your meds or not. be careful!!!!!

Live Aloha:

I was told to exercise 20-30 min a day. I go on walks with my wife and my new twins! Energy is good when SLAMMING water! Water, water, water! Best of luck!

Thanks Iplaycarvin, I really appreciate your insights.

Ktabsmi,
No matter how attentive docs may be, you have to be your own best advocate. Yours don't sound too with it so make it a point to call them when needed. If you let things go, problems develop and by then the problems are harder to fix. My docs were amazing, but still missed things at times. Most docs have too much on their plate and need you to remind them.

Hi Hold Fast, welcome to the forum. Following the posts is a great idea...but joining in might be good too. We hope to hear more from your about your own journey through treatment.

I'm a Moderator here, and the partner of a SURVIVOR...of End Stage Liver Disease due to Hep C, liver cancer, and alcoholic cirrhosis...he is 3 years post transplant AND undetected since May 1st of this year!

Good luck,

Mama Lama