Allen's Sovaldi + Ribavirin Treatment Log

Thanks music, I have not taken the Zofran though I have some but did try Pepto Bismol and Gravol this week and they don't seem to help, Ginger Ale at time I think helps a little but I still always seem to have a nauseous feeling and about the only time I don't feel it as much is right upon waking up.

Thursday was the start of Month 2 for me or Week 5 of this treatment, I also went and had my viral load test done and was told the results can take up to three weeks, this is how it works in Canada or at least where I am located in Canada. I will also be given another Viral load test May 1st which should be my end date they said and then sometimes in August I will meet the specialist for a followup to confirm I am SVR.

The nurse I seen yesterday at the Hepatitis Support Centre told me its very possible the virus may be undetectable with this viral load test I had Thursday, that would be great news to say the least.

Despite the sick feeling I realize I am 1/3 finished the treatment and the rest of the time will hopefully fly by quicker and by May I will be done, basically right now if I'm tired I just go nap and I've stopped working out each day and instead just walk my dog once a day for about 30 minutes.

Things are going good otherwise.

I was told also at my meeting yesterday that I was the first in my city to start Sovaldi and now their are ten others taking it and the only reason more aren't taking it is because of insurance problems.

The nurse also mentioned she felt bad for patients this month who have to start Peg+Ribavirin and suffer the side effects when Sovaldi with less side effects is on the market but the patient cannot get it because his insurance won't cover it and neither will the province.

I'm not to worried about going back to square one, I've trained since I was 14 so I have alot of experience with injuries etc. and the only reason I decided to lay off of the cardio is I was doing the Focus T25 program for awhile for cardio and simply put I'm getting dizzy and can't keep up for now.

I still walk daily with the dog and sometimes do more so its not like I am a slug but for now the cardio is just a bit much and causing me to be dizzy, I may try it again next week but lately I have been very sick feeling every day and cardio I know won't make it better.

As soon as the treatment is over I will begin both cardio and light powerlifting moves until I get stronger and then back to normal workouts, I have half my garage converted to a gym with rubber flooring and have a squat rack with about 500 lbs of free weights so I really don't have far to go for a workout.

I've actually taken 3-6 months off working out and cardio many times in my life as a break and really don't have a problem starting over, I guess when you train your whole life it just becomes second nature and to me I know what has to be done and it doesn't worry me at all.

If I feel better in the coming weeks I may start doing cardio again but for now the shortness of breath and dizziness did not make me feel well and being an epileptic when I feel a certain way I know to take a break just in case.

I may try a small dose later as I have been on and off again sick feeling for what seems like weeks now...I can tough it out its just very annoying and hard to concentrate at times when I just feel nauseous.

I hear ya, I would rather tough it out and be cured.

AllenM said...
Hello everyone, this thread will be used to document my Sovaldi + Ribavirin treatment over the next 12 weeks and I will do my best to update everyone about *anything* related to my treatment including side effects etc. that I may encounter.

If any of you have ANY questions at all please ask and I will do my best to answer, I am located in Canada so certain things I may mention in this thread may only be applicable to Canada regarding insurance etc.

Patient Details(Some are vague to protect identity)

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Treatment Start Date = February 6 2014

Treatment Length = 12 weeks

Hepatitis Type = Genotype 2

Viral Load = 4.7 Million as of November 2013

Age = 40-45

Weight= 165-170 lbs

Height = 5' 9"

Other medications prescribed = (Epilepsy) + (Pain management)

Health = I walk the dog 30-40 minutes daily as well as do 30 minutes of aerobic activity 5 days a week(Monday - Friday)

Date I learned of infection = Early October 2013 a routine physical revealed a ALT level of 689, after further blood tests it was confirmed in November 2013 I was infected with the Hepatitis C Virus. Alt Levels have been down and up since then and as of 02/04/2014 ALT level was at 329

Support = Wife + Healingwell.com forums

Prescription for treatment = Sovaldi 400Mg(morning only) + Ribavirin 600Mg(morning) & 400Mg (Dinner)

Insurance Plan = SunLife Financial Canada - Public Service Health Care Plan

** 80% Coverage of treatment cost and the extra 20% treatment has been covered by me paying $3000.00 CDN out of pocket


--------------------------------------------

Here is an image of the one month's supply I was given, in three weeks I will be contacted and the second batch will be sent but I was told this combo of Sovaldi + Ribavirin shown in the photo is valued at about $25,000 because Ribivirin is NOT sold alone my insurance had to also pay for peg interferon and then they separated it for me from the packaging and removed the peg interferon I won't need.

VIEW IMAGE



I took my first dose about 90 minutes ago and so far I feel fine and I am hoping i won't notice many side effects but of course it could take days to notice them and possibly weeks. I was not sure of the amount of blood monitoring that needs to be done with this so I have asked Bioscript who filled the prescription to contact my specialist and ask as the monogram does not give specifics, it mentions weekly. monthly and as well every three months but of course thats my full treatment time so this has to be clarified.

I'm hoping others can also share logs of their treatment also when they begin treatment with Sovaldi so it can help those who have questions about this drug and how it works and affects everybody.

My hope is that Sovaldi and Ribvirin will cure me, I'm not sure *cure* is the word to say but I am hearing the word *cure* more and more each day even though I realize the virus simply goes into remission or becomes undetectable.

I'm also hoping that all drug competitors come on board asap and drive the price of these drugs even lower forcing a pricing war to the point where purchasing Sovaldi or competing drugs might be the same as purchasing antibiotics or at least within the range of everybody's budget.

I look forward to the day of watching TV and instead of seeing a show about the eradication of Polio I will watch a show about Hepatitis and how it has been eradicated!

Stay tuned for updates.....

Glad to hear the Zofran gave you some relief from that nausea!
Also, there's no reason to force the workouts- you can get back to them soon enough :)
Is waiting for the vl result as difficult for you as it was for me?
The first one was, anyway.
Hopefully you beat me on the results, though!

Hi, looking forward to your results...should get my first vl Thurs or Fri too.

music

Yes I had to go to my Epilepsy specialist and quite honestly he didn't have much info on Sovaldi but he said I was taking such a small dose I should be okay. I would rather risk having one seizure to be treated of this virus, I don't want to have one of course but if one happens not much I can do.

I work from home 95% of the time or better and do minimal driving so not too worried, doctor approved me for driving etc.

I went to Vegas in October when I was initially diagnosed and I didn't have a single drink as I was warned not too with my ALT being around 500+ at that time..I had no problems abstaining and instead we just had a trip that was alcohol free and got to see everything I didn't see when I went the last time for work related conventions.

I don't drink, so I'm good there. I might gamble a bit, though :)

Good. Remembered seeing that :)

Congrats Allen- that's great!
Here's to taking out those last 79 buggers starting now!!!

I'm sure I am probably at zero already as that blood was taken I think on the 6th and I am amazed the results are back that quick! The next 6 weeks will be even easier for me having this news, I won't say I was side effect free but in the end it will all be worth it!