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Steve's Sovaldi + Ribavirin Treatment Log, Part 1

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Posted 2/19/2014 1:29 PM (GMT 0)
Good news Steve and glad to hear your doctor see's improvement and I'm sure it will continue. I also eat raisins and spinach like music but always have, I buy big bags or raisins from Costco and have about 1 handful each night and to be truthful I never had any idea at all that they could help.

For eating spinach...I never was a fan of spinach but a few years ago my wife started making this delicious spinach salad that has strawberries and poppyseed dressing along with some sliced onion and shaved almonds and it tastes wicked! I have this salad usually once a week. I don't each much spinach otherwise.

Keep us updated as usual and glad to hear your numbers are looking better!

Allen
Posted 2/19/2014 5:49 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Allen and music!
I have always liked (cooked) spinach, but haven't had the opportunity to eat it lately. Might have to pick up a bag at Costco on my next trip.
Allen, looks like we have another thing in common. Considering how many times I hear you mention Costco- it's probably my favorite store- my family hates going there with me:)
One thing I haven't mentioned is that I also have hemochromatosis. Found out at the same time as I did hepatitis. It was like getting all the numbers in the lottery AND the mega!
Fortunately, it's the variation least likely to cause iron storage and doesnt appear that it is.
The only things I changed between first test result below and the second is that I stopped taking the "Super Duper Mega" vitamins from GNC and started taking a probiotic from Costco (I stopped taking it before treatment, though). My iron was initially high and thyroid high, too, but both of those things are normal now. I also avoid a lot of vitamin C since it helps iron absorption.
Fortunately I never liked alcohol, so I hardly ever drank in my life. Probably haven't had any since I was a teen :) Which is good now since I've apparently had hepatitis a long time.
Posted 2/20/2014 8:49 AM (GMT 0)
Day 16 pretty uneventful. A bit tired, but that's good. Got to sleep a little earlier last night and got up earlier today. Seems like whenever I have a few days off, I stay up way too late. Almost back to normal :)
I mostly wanted to mention that I was able to refill both prescriptions today. Was on the phone with them for something else and gave it a shot for the heck of it and the refills were approved.
Definitely don't want any complications in getting them on time, so maybe try filling them earlier than you normally would any other prescription. It worked for me. I was actually surprised, especially with the obvious cost involved (though I won't fully believe it until they arrive).
Posted 2/20/2014 11:11 PM (GMT 0)
Day 17 and I'm feeling as good as ever- even though I didn't get to sleep last night as early as I was hoping to, after all :)
Second round of meds did arrive today. Ready to roll!
Posted 2/20/2014 11:22 PM (GMT 0)
yeah... let er roll!!! Wonderful news!! Thanks for the update!!!


I love the good news!!

Sandia
Posted 2/21/2014 1:43 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Steve, just checking in on you. Was able to view the utube guy on sovaldi...hope he continues. Next labs for you? We can do this!

Music
Posted 2/21/2014 8:22 AM (GMT 0)
I just did blood, liver and viral load on the 18th. Still waiting on the elusive viral load results- could be in at any time.
I plan on going on 3/3 for the same tests. These will be at the one month mark. Then one month later and one month after that. After that I'm not sure yet.
Yeah, the guy Mike on the youtube channel is pretty awesome :)
Talk to you soon!
Posted 2/21/2014 2:24 PM (GMT 0)
Whats the link to the channel on YouTube Steve? I'll check it out sometime today when I have time...thanks.

Al
Posted 2/21/2014 5:16 PM (GMT 0)
Here you go!
www.youtube.com/user/Solvadiandmyhepc/feed
Posted 2/21/2014 8:25 PM (GMT 0)
Well, Viral Load results came in.
I'm right in the middle of happy/disappointed. So, in other words, I have no idea if it's good or bad once again...
If anyone can elaborate, that would be awesome!
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)
Posted 2/21/2014 10:24 PM (GMT 0)
Steve, I am not the most experienced at this and I am sure others with more info will come along - but, I would be elated! Looks like a strong med heavily hitting the virus! Great start - and it will only get more exciting. Your liver is smiling, big time :)

music
Posted 2/21/2014 10:44 PM (GMT 0)
So, 4,150,000 down to 105,000. Or 105???

That is HUGE.

Next time it will be null, I can feel it in my bones!

All these HEP docs are going to be doing fewer transplants at this rate!!!!

The MELD score will go down for getting a TP for AIH and Alcoholic Cirrhosis and HCC as they won't need so many livers...let's hope!

Hugs,

ML
Posted 2/21/2014 11:01 PM (GMT 0)
Simply 105.
On one hand, it is a pretty dramatic drop! On the other, it is a bit disappointing because many G2 are undetectable at 2 weeks.
But many people don't get tested for VL until after one month, so maybe my extra 2 week peek wasn't a plus after all :)
Dr should hopefully call before long and give me his opinion.
But if anyone has come across if this means something, feel free to let me know! I haven't found anything yet.
Posted 2/21/2014 11:06 PM (GMT 0)
steve,
With a huge drop like that, you're going to be fine. Congratulations!
Posted 2/22/2014 12:00 AM (GMT 0)

MamaLama said...
So, 4,150,000 down to 105,000. Or 105???

That is HUGE.

Next time it will be null, I can feel it in my bones!

All these HEP docs are going to be doing fewer transplants at this rate!!!!

The MELD score will go down for getting a TP for AIH and Alcoholic Cirrhosis and HCC as they won't need so many livers...let's hope!

Hugs,

ML

Actually, that's a great point, ML. There will be so many livers saved while still in their original body, that people in need soon will have a much greater chance of finding one!
Posted 2/22/2014 12:01 AM (GMT 0)

**David** said...
steve,
With a huge drop like that, you're going to be fine. Congratulations!


Thanks!!!

Post Edited (steve-ca) : 2/21/2014 5:39:04 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 2/22/2014 12:34 AM (GMT 0)
Well, Dr likes the 105 number and said he expects me to be undetectable at one month.
Sounds good!

Post Edited (steve-ca) : 2/21/2014 5:38:22 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 2/22/2014 7:02 PM (GMT 0)
Bump
Posted 2/22/2014 7:16 PM (GMT 0)
        hi steve,  i have treated hep c 3 times with various combos.  Anemia is part of the treatment to be expected.  i felt terrible when my hgb dropped to 10.9.  i had no energy, was white as a ghost, and was short of breathe just standing up and starting to walk.  you have a ways to go, before your dr will treat your anemia or reduce your dosage.  iron supplements are a big no-no.  instead my liver team rxed b-12 injections and folic acid oral supplementation to protect my heart and give you a little boost of energy. 

         dose reduction early in tx is counterproductive to tx success.  the two drugs you are taking are both nucleoside inhibitors.  they work by shutting down replication of the virus by 2 different approaches.  riba works in the blood.  sovaldi is a direct acting antiviral that seeks out the virus to stop mutations, and give your virus a virus. your tx protocol has different milestones that your dr is checking for.  DAAs will cause your viral load to plummet very quickly.  hang in there, 12 weeks of tx makes this tx safe for most.

    best  barry

 

Posted 2/23/2014 12:42 AM (GMT 0)
Day 18 and 19: have felt absolutely great.
Actually today (and most days since I started treatment) is probably as good as I ever have felt. Whether it really is, or just feels that way comparative to how I have felt the last few years, I don't know for sure.
I'm out doing shopping, errands, energy is fine, head very clear, focused, multitasking, great mood- just like the previous version of me :)
As I'm writing this, and actually thinking about what I'm saying, I feel like I'm choking up a bit.
I don't know for sure yet if this treatment will turn out to be the miracle I am hoping for and others have experienced, but I'm just so grateful that how I feel at this moment is what is in store for many on here and also around the world.
Also, thanks ppm guy for the great information!
Posted 2/23/2014 2:59 AM (GMT 0)
steve-ca said: "As I'm writing this, and actually thinking about what I'm saying, I feel like I'm choking up a bit."

Well, now you've got me going...I get teary eyed every time I hear good news.

The forum will be floating away if Mike gets these type of results!

Best,
ML
Posted 2/23/2014 5:47 PM (GMT 0)
Hi steve, hope today finds everyone doing well. Have a question about you tube Mike. Did you find out anything about his day 28? Doesn't show he posted after 27. Have a good day.

Music
Posted 2/23/2014 8:26 PM (GMT 0)
He did post his Day 28, but only on Facebook so far. It's all good news. Looks like he won't be doing a daily thing any longer, though.
/www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10203300790909880
Posted 2/23/2014 11:38 PM (GMT 0)
Tks. He was encouraging. Pray he continues svr24!

Music
Posted 2/24/2014 11:59 AM (GMT 0)
Steve, please give a big h.b.d. To that special person. Going for repeat on cbc/platlets this am to hope everything with the rbcs has stabilized. Pray everyone on the forum has a good day as we keep our eyes on the goal.

music
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