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Posted 12/14/2015 1:25 AM (GMT 0)
I can't wait to hear the EOT lab report on all three of you. I am very confident with the new treatment and have high hopes you all have eradicated the virus. Always good to see a finish line, right? Big Hugs
Posted 12/14/2015 2:00 AM (GMT 0)
It's the riba that has saturated your system. I'm so saturated my heart started pounding. I could have gone to the emergency room but I know how it goes.... "What medications are you taking?" Ribavirin
"Well stop taking it and go by the receptionist on the way out and pay $250 for the visit."

...then my heart might explode.


Congrads... you are on the home stretch.
Posted 12/15/2015 9:01 PM (GMT 0)
Today I take my last doses. I feel amazingly fortunate that I have gone through this treatment with so few problems. Also the virus has been "not detected" since the 4th week of treatment. My exhaustion has been the only big side for me. I already had the fatigue symptoms pre-treatment, they just got much worse as the weeks went on. Since I do not work and have a very supportive husband, I've been able to nap whenever I needed to. Now I'm hoping the symptoms don't hang on too long. I'm ready to be the new woman my doctor told me I should be!
All the support on this forum is greatly appreciated. Thank you all.
Posted 12/15/2015 9:43 PM (GMT 0)
Yippee Ki Yay...virgomrs! Really happy for you.
I think I posted previously that I started to feel better almost immediately post tx., then much better 2-3 weeks post, but in all honesty it took most of 6 months to " get all the way back". (I was very lucky to never really experience any symptoms or clinical evidence of liver damage from 37 years of hep c).
No surprise about the 6 months...there is solid clinical evidence that Ribavirin can take this long to clear.

In any case, in 3 months, I can't wait to hear that you're officially SVR!
We'll toast each other with a nice cup of chamomile tea...hahaha.

____________________________________________

2013 / Diagnosed and successfully treated for hep c geno 1b with Telaprevir, Interferon and Ribavirin...treatment duration 24 weeks.
Retired CRNA (aka nurse anesthetist)...approx 35 years experience in the ER and anesthesia.
Exposure was likely a bloody needle stick from a known hep b patient in 1977. Hep B never progressed to the chronic phase...my own, healthy immune system crushed it.
Posted 12/16/2015 1:23 AM (GMT 0)
Way to go Virgo !

I have 5 more daze to be in a daze. Then I'm going to hit the detox system and sweat and take cleansing herbs. We are coming back! What a great Christmas gift !
Posted 12/16/2015 4:48 AM (GMT 0)
So glad to hear from you virgomrs. I wish you a quick return to a vibrant healthy life!

Tblount...I'm still muddling along. The last few days have been tough, but I'm trying to get christmas presents bought. Those daily crowd fighting outings are hard.

I have an appointment scheduled for ealy January (I have to establish with a new PCP since mine quit) and going to get a referral to a new GI (since my current one says there are no side effects from my meds so will not treat them) for all of my follow up work. I'm not sure if the PCP will order a VL check before the 12 week mark. It was greatly reduced but not undetected at my 4 week check during treatment. Would love to see an undetected. Lol

Rubi
Posted 12/16/2015 5:43 PM (GMT 0)
I sure hope we all get undetected lab results. I've read a few patients mention that they didn't get undetected for a month or two after finishing 12 weeks. So, I'm not going to worry to much ...as long as my load count is under 200,000 since that's the threshold for a positive RNA test. I definitely will still be on a mission to get to
"not detected." I just feel my body needs a break from the riba bombardment.


I ordered my load count test from a support group that I used back in August but it's been a week and I still don't have the materials that I have to take to the lab that draws the sample. Maybe just seasonal overload on shipping services.

The riba got so saturate in my system it started to cause high systolic bp and chest pains so I had to cut back to a couple pills a day for the last couple weeks. That has really helped me feel better. I'm feeling so much stronger now and working a lot more. I couldn't simply take more bp meds because my diastolic pressure would drop so low I could hardly stand up.

I think you'll get back on track, feeling good and forgetting the tough times when you stop taking the meds.

It will be great to join the exclusive club of less than 100 thousand people who have been cured out of the 3.5 MILLION who have hep c in the USA.
Posted 12/17/2015 12:02 AM (GMT 0)
Oh dear lord. Rough night. Sniff sniff
Posted 12/18/2015 8:28 PM (GMT 0)
3 more pills after today... I think you have 5 more. I two two pills before my Riba arrived on the 28th. Lab drew blood yesterday. Should have results next week. Gilead said if my Dr. ordered another month they would provide... but I sure want this to be over.

Anyone else has taken or plans to take hep A and B vaccinations? I'v had shingles vaccination and I get flu shot every year since I learned how effective it is in reducing several types of heart diseases.
Posted 12/19/2015 12:27 AM (GMT 0)
I've taken one of the hep shots but haven't started the other one yet. It takes multiple visits. I do intend to do it though.

Yeah I'm still on five Ribas a day. Sunday is our last day to medicate. And I'm glad. I've really been struggling the last few days.
Posted 12/19/2015 1:00 AM (GMT 0)
Nice to know you will be finished with treatment this week. You made it! Big Hugs
Posted 12/20/2015 12:17 AM (GMT 0)
you'll be so much better when you stop taking the riba. I feel great most mornings before I take it. I'm done with it unless I must extend treatment. Several people I have talked to who have been cured, said we're saturated with the meds at the end of the treatment.

One last pill tomorrow!!!
Posted 12/20/2015 1:11 AM (GMT 0)
Yes, T. Our last pills are tomorrow. We did make it, Miz. Tomorrow I'll swollow down those last 6 pills and be glad that I hung in there. So glad I had everyone here to help me get through it. Such love and support. Thank you all.

Rubi
Posted 12/21/2015 6:17 AM (GMT 0)
Tuesday was my last pill.

Tonight I took to the streets again - for my first walk, in....awhile. (about 2 weeks). I was amazed at how much easier it was and how much better I felt during and afterwards! How encouraging is that!! I truly didn't think it would be better that quickly. Whew. I'm starting to think maybe I'll really get better. It has been so many years. I still have other longstanding issues going on so it will be interesting to see how much the hepatitis contributed to my disability. I am very optimistic that I will have been cured. Here's hoping!! Best to rubi and tblount - it really can get better!
Posted 12/21/2015 11:44 PM (GMT 0)
Oh good. I'm so glad to hear the positive comments, virgomrs. I swallowed my last pills last night. I did pretty good most of the day but am struggling some tonight. As bad as my side effects have been I was not expecting to run a marathon yet. So the fact that the fatigue, joint aches, weakness and nausea have not hit until 5:30pm is good news. Even the joint aches seem more isolated. Not every joint. This should get better every day. We should hear from Tblount soon. I hope he feels better too. Now we can be cheer leaders for those going through it.

Rubi
Posted 12/22/2015 7:03 PM (GMT 0)
NOT DETECTED !!!

Yeaaa, got my lab test this morning. CURED ! YES !

Finished meds two days ago and so very happy to be cured and finished with taking that harsh Ribavirin. It was tough but worth it. I'm feeling stronger and ready to detox from the treatment and get on with living.

Good luck to everyone! Thanks for your support.
Posted 12/22/2015 8:23 PM (GMT 0)
That is wonderful news, T! Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I have to wait 12 weeks. But I expect the same results.
Posted 12/22/2015 10:12 PM (GMT 0)
my favorite two words--NOT DETECTED yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah
Posted 12/22/2015 11:00 PM (GMT 0)

tblount said...
NOT DETECTED !!!

Yeaaa, got my lab test this morning. CURED ! YES !

CONGRATULATIONS!! Wonderful news! yeah yeah
Posted 12/22/2015 11:23 PM (GMT 0)
congrats on finishing treatment undetected.. 12 weeks to SVR
you got this!!
Posted 12/22/2015 11:39 PM (GMT 0)
It's still sinking in that my Hep c is gone. I still look at the clock and think about eating something so my meds won't be so harsh. I'm also feeling so much better than a month ago.

God Bless Gilead
Posted 12/22/2015 11:56 PM (GMT 0)
No more meds feels fantastic!!!!!!
Posted 12/23/2015 12:38 AM (GMT 0)
Congrats on finishing treatment with undetected labs! We never tire hearing good news ;)

Please don't forget to check back in in 12 weeks with your final lab results. Big Hugs
Posted 12/23/2015 12:52 AM (GMT 0)

Rubi said...
That is wonderful news, T! Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I have to wait 12 weeks. But I expect the same results.

Thought you did 12 wks? Why wait?
Posted 12/23/2015 1:06 AM (GMT 0)
Tblount,

From the Solvaldi website:

"Cure means the Hep C virus is not detected in the blood when measured 3 months after treatment is completed." Hope that helps. Big Hugs
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