Sovaldi + Olysio Only

Day 4 of treatment. Side effects: some fatigue & insomnia...nothing I can't handle.
I'll post again after next blood work...

Welcome! You should do fine with treatment. Side FX seem to be pretty mild from the dragon slaying crowd threads. One thing I noticed most often from those treating....gastric problems (gas, heartburn). If you have it pop up on you, try Omeprozole. Also, make sure to get enough water. My husband treated twice before the new meds. It was rough, but he obtained SVR the 2nd time. Big Hugs,

When you get those bloods showing the ALT/AST down in normal range, and the undetectable vl, you will have such wonderful emotions. When my husband, themister, obtained SVR with his 2nd barbaric treatment....he could hardly believe it. Hang in there. It will soon be over. If anything starts concerning you, someone here is usually around. Big Hugs,

Hi Mit,
Your doctor wants to be proactive with banding to avoid serious bleeds. He also was put on blood pressure medication (propranolol) for portal hypertension , and omeprazole (Nexium) to help the gastric stomach. All of this is pretty common with liver disease.

My husband had EDG's every 6 months to 12 months from 2005-2013, with banding done almost each time. They also can see the stomach. My husband had a gastric bleed that was life threatening in 2010. In Nov 2013 at a routine EGD, vericies were found in the cardia. That could not be banded and the stage meant it was just time before it would bleed. So he needed a TIPS procedure. At that point, my guy also was dx with ESLD and referred to a transplant center. Being proactive with EGD's for vericies banding can help prevent serious, life threatening bleeds.

As for feeling anything in the throat or any pain...there never was anything like that as the vericies are in the esophagus and stomach for him. They are so dangerous because without EGD or a bleed, one has no idea they are present. And SVR was not a cure for cirrhosis, just for Hep C. So we knew he would continue care for vericies. Big Hugs

That's great news!! Congrats!!



Kathy and Dennis
DDMom

Good luck to you, mit.
And that's great news for your family, Mama!

So happy for you,great news,still waiting for my call for appt to see about tx.

I am on day four of Olysio & Sovaldi.  I am a 58 yr. old woman with Genotype 1A.  I have probably had HepC for many, many years.  I really appreciate this forum.......especially the information on avoiding the dangers of sunburn.  I have also read on other sites that since the Olysio stays in your system after treatment, you need to continue to be careful about the sun.  I have not really experienced any of the noted side effects yet, but have noticed that my urine will change throughout the day.  I have had dark urine for the past 4 years.  I told my MD about this many times and he ignored it.  My liver enzymes were always high and he ignored that as well. Two years ago I switched doctors and was diagnosed.  Since starting this medicine I have noticed my urine changing throughout the day.  At times it is it's normal "darker than usual"....then it can be lighter than usual.....but then at times it is very orange looking.  I am hoping this is the drugs flushing the bad stuff out of me.  I am continuing to drink plenty of water.  The pharmacist told me that the drug is fully in my system 4 to 6 hours after taking.  It was around this time that I noticed the dark, orange looking urine.  Anyone else experience this?  Thanks!!

 I'm on my eleventh day of sim sof-some very exhausted days (job stress affects my energy level big time) some better, no headache, nausea, flu-like or skin problems to date. More like a five beer hangover. It seems as if my vision is affected and I have some ringing in my ears occasionally.  I take Sovaldi tab morning and Olysio about 4 or five in the afternoon because a friend who completed the treatment a couple of weeks ago said Olysio made him "aggressive". I find Olysio to have very little affect on me at all, but Sovaldi makes me tired and feeling weird. I think my last day is the same day as the first Seahawks game in September-something to look forward to as it seems like a very long haul.

I had to go through an appeals process with insurance company that my doctor mostly handled. The first answer was no, then maybe if I paid about $5,000/week copay and then approved with copay of $10 for Sofosbuvir and $62.50/week for Simeprevir. I will post the details if I can determine how it all happened.  I was stage 2+ in 2011. Best luck to everyone

I got my second week blood test results back with all liver enzyme levels well into the normal range for the first time in decades. Viral load results will be available in a couple of days. I hope this treatment is soon available to everyone needing it. 

Post Edited (12Weeks) : 6/26/2014 9:49:50 AM (GMT-6)

Response toy shalom

I was initially denied by my insurance company. My advise is to be persistent & push your doctor to resubmit the need based on avoidance of side effects. His write up is key!
Also, the Gilead web site has programs where they provide the meds for major discounts. Remember they are in a crucial time where more users equals better ratings!

Just remember that ANY sides will be far better than being in the throes of ESLD....many of you haven't seen it close up and personal yet.

Trust me, you never want to either. I know tx is no picnic for many, but hang in there, you will be so glad you did. And you always have us cheerleaders to keep you going when you feel you can't :)

Mae

Dearest,

My urine has fluctuated too..
I'm on my last 2 weeks and I also feel like my body is flushing itself...because of the often yellow urine.

Energy level is off the charts and insomnia is getting worse.
The occasional dull minor headaches have pretty much subsided since, in into my last month.

Hang in there...it gets better.