Open main menu ☰
HealingWell
Search Close Search
Health Conditions
Allergies Alzheimer's Disease Anxiety & Panic Disorders Arthritis Breast Cancer Chronic Illness Crohn's Disease Depression Diabetes
Fibromyalgia GERD & Acid Reflux Irritable Bowel Syndrome Lupus Lyme Disease Migraine Headache Multiple Sclerosis Prostate Cancer Ulcerative Colitis

View Conditions A to Z »
Support Forums
Anxiety & Panic Disorders Bipolar Disorder Breast Cancer Chronic Pain Crohn's Disease Depression Diabetes Fibromyalgia GERD & Acid Reflux
Hepatitis Irritable Bowel Syndrome Lupus Lyme Disease Multiple Sclerosis Ostomies Prostate Cancer Rheumatoid Arthritis Ulcerative Colitis

View Forums A to Z »
Log In
Join Us
Close main menu ×
  • Home
  • Health Conditions
    • All Conditions
    • Allergies
    • Alzheimer's Disease
    • Anxiety & Panic Disorders
    • Arthritis
    • Breast Cancer
    • Chronic Illness
    • Crohn's Disease
    • Depression
    • Diabetes
    • Fibromyalgia
    • GERD & Acid Reflux
    • Irritable Bowel Syndrome
    • Lupus
    • Lyme Disease
    • Migraine Headache
    • Multiple Sclerosis
    • Prostate Cancer
    • Ulcerative Colitis
  • Support Forums
    • All Forums
    • Anxiety & Panic Disorders
    • Bipolar Disorder
    • Breast Cancer
    • Chronic Pain
    • Crohn's Disease
    • Depression
    • Diabetes
    • Fibromyalgia
    • GERD & Acid Reflux
    • Hepatitis
    • Irritable Bowel Syndrome
    • Lupus
    • Lyme Disease
    • Multiple Sclerosis
    • Ostomies
    • Prostate Cancer
    • Rheumatoid Arthritis
    • Ulcerative Colitis
  • Log In
  • Join Us
Join Us
☰
Forum Home| Forum Rules| Moderators| Active Topics| Help| Log In

Allen's Sovaldi + Ribavirin Treatment Log

Support Forums
>
Hepatitis
✚ New Topic locked
1 2 3 45 6 7 8 9
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
profile picture
music
Regular Member
Joined : Jan 2014
Posts : 273
Posted 3/7/2014 8:47 PM (GMT -8)
Hi Allen, hope you are feeling better. Zofran is for nausea, might want to ask your Dr re OTC for stomach. Looking forward to your labs...hang in there!!! You help us all with your posting.

music
profile picture
AllenM
Regular Member
Joined : Dec 2013
Posts : 223
Posted 3/8/2014 4:30 AM (GMT -8)
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.
profile picture
944s
Regular Member
Joined : Feb 2014
Posts : 45
Posted 3/8/2014 4:59 AM (GMT -8)
Hi Allen.
You should try as hard as it may be to not drop your workouts.
I do 45 min every other day and I`m not experiencing any sides. And some days heh, I skip one but work a bit longer the next. You`ve worked hard to get to that fitness level and putting it aside for a while puts you back to square one.Try doing less reps but keep the cardio up as much as you can.It`s tough but..
I`m in a clinic at a University teaching hospital and I get 1 viral load on my last draw.I think its an OHIP thing.
There are only myself and another here on this program.Some others tried but are having to do the red tape dance. I think, as we say here in Canada. We slipped one by the goalie re. coverage.
I start week six today.
Cheers
profile picture
AllenM
Regular Member
Joined : Dec 2013
Posts : 223
Posted 3/8/2014 6:08 AM (GMT -8)
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.
profile picture
ppm guy
Veteran Member
Joined : Apr 2010
Posts : 1261
Posted 3/8/2014 10:14 AM (GMT -8)
hi allen, i used zofran for my full year tx. 4mgs is a very small but effective dose. the info insert for zofran states doses up to 16 mg. is tolerable and safe. my wife gets it for cancer tx , and gets12mg IV, every 4 to 6 hours. looking forward to your v/l results.
barry
profile picture
AllenM
Regular Member
Joined : Dec 2013
Posts : 223
Posted 3/8/2014 10:16 AM (GMT -8)
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.
profile picture
MamaLama
Veteran Member
Joined : Oct 2010
Posts : 4907
Posted 3/8/2014 12:47 PM (GMT -8)
Allen, I am sorry you are having nausea...but it is a small price to pay for getting CURED before your liver is decompensated and you need a trasplant. Hang in there. Some folks have been known to have nausea for 9 months and then be rewarded for their agony with a nice new baby! Surely this is shorter and has a similar reward...A NEW LIFE....Y O U R S

Best,
profile picture
AllenM
Regular Member
Joined : Dec 2013
Posts : 223
Posted 3/8/2014 1:55 PM (GMT -8)
I hear ya, I would rather tough it out and be cured.
profile picture
music
Regular Member
Joined : Jan 2014
Posts : 273
Posted 3/10/2014 7:00 PM (GMT -8)
Hi Allen, just seeing how things are going for you. It must be the great brain function, but I keep losing people in this forum. Lol. Any new labs, etc.

music
profile picture
MamaLama
Veteran Member
Joined : Oct 2010
Posts : 4907
Posted 3/10/2014 7:39 PM (GMT -8)

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)

--------------------------------------------
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.....

profile picture
AllenM
Regular Member
Joined : Dec 2013
Posts : 223
Posted 3/11/2014 3:46 AM (GMT -8)
Everything is going ok, I was pretty sick feeling over the weekend and just felt nauseous and tired and eventually I ended up taking a Zofran and since then had two half pills and feel better. Yesterday was the best I had felt in awhile!

I still don't feel I have the energy to do nightly workouts and instead I went on a long walk with the dog and got out and ran personal errands yesterday to keep myself busy :-)

I am still waiting on my blood results from my viral load and my other blood draw thats every two weeks won't happen until next Thursday. This Thursday will be the start of my sixth week :-)
profile picture
steve-ca
Regular Member
Joined : Feb 2014
Posts : 213
Posted 3/11/2014 7:11 AM (GMT -8)
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!
profile picture
AllenM
Regular Member
Joined : Dec 2013
Posts : 223
Posted 3/11/2014 8:19 AM (GMT -8)
In Canada the typical wait time at least where I am with a city of 1 million+ the do the VL tests in batches so they quote you a 2-3 week wait time for the results.

As soon as I get the results I am sure I will be racing to the forums to post them. I actually am feeling better today also and was nauseous the last few weeks and not sure if its possibly the epilepsy medication or maybe my painkiller but something obviously making me nauseous and I always take my pills with enough food so not sure whats up.

Either way I start Week 6 on Thursday and just knowing I am half way makes me feel better...weather getting warmer up here also so thats a good thing ;-)

I was gonna go down to San Diego for a short visit to see my boss and have a short visit in April but we have decided we wo;; hold off until finished treatment as I don't want to go on a vacation and get sick or anything.
profile picture
music
Regular Member
Joined : Jan 2014
Posts : 273
Posted 3/11/2014 8:34 AM (GMT -8)
Hi, looking forward to your results...should get my first vl Thurs or Fri too.

music
profile picture
steve-ca
Regular Member
Joined : Feb 2014
Posts : 213
Posted 3/11/2014 8:39 AM (GMT -8)
I'm actually going to Vegas at the end of the month. It was planned in advance and I'm definitely nervous about it:) that will be at the 2 month point in treatment.
Hey, Alan. They checked your meds for complications with this treatment, right? Some of the medications that conflict are related to seizures, etc.
profile picture
AllenM
Regular Member
Joined : Dec 2013
Posts : 223
Posted 3/11/2014 8:44 AM (GMT -8)
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.
profile picture
steve-ca
Regular Member
Joined : Feb 2014
Posts : 213
Posted 3/11/2014 8:50 AM (GMT -8)
Alan, do you take any of these?
carbamazepine
phenytoin
phenobarbital
oxcarbazepine
They can actually reduce the levels of Sovaldi in your system.
See table 5 towards the bottom. You may not, but just in case.
www.rxlist.com/sovaldi-drug/side-effects-interactions.htm#DI

Post Edited (steve-ca) : 3/11/2014 10:54:51 AM (GMT-6)

profile picture
steve-ca
Regular Member
Joined : Feb 2014
Posts : 213
Posted 3/11/2014 8:51 AM (GMT -8)
I don't drink, so I'm good there. I might gamble a bit, though :)
profile picture
AllenM
Regular Member
Joined : Dec 2013
Posts : 223
Posted 3/11/2014 9:02 AM (GMT -8)
The epilepsy medication I take is called Depekane aka Valproic acid
profile picture
steve-ca
Regular Member
Joined : Feb 2014
Posts : 213
Posted 3/11/2014 9:07 AM (GMT -8)
Good. Remembered seeing that :)
profile picture
AllenM
Regular Member
Joined : Dec 2013
Posts : 223
Posted 3/14/2014 2:22 PM (GMT -8)
Hello again everybody, today I go some wicked news and it brought tears to my eyes and I feel so happy!

If you read the first page of this thread my viral load to start was 4.7 million and I just got a phone call telling me my viral load is now 79 after just four weeks of using Sovaldi +Ribavirn...I'm so fricken happy!!

Thats no typo everybody, I really did say seventy nine or seven nine whichever way you want to read it!

I'm praying all the others have these miraculous results I was just given, I've been feeling like crap lately with mostly nausea and just started Week 6 yesterday morning but this news only makes me stronger and I know I can tough this out for the other six weeks left in my treatment.

Thank you again to everybody on this forum for your support!
profile picture
steve-ca
Regular Member
Joined : Feb 2014
Posts : 213
Posted 3/14/2014 2:41 PM (GMT -8)
Congrats Allen- that's great!
Here's to taking out those last 79 buggers starting now!!!
profile picture
MamaLama
Veteran Member
Joined : Oct 2010
Posts : 4907
Posted 3/14/2014 2:54 PM (GMT -8)
Woo hoo. Good news all around today.
profile picture
AllenM
Regular Member
Joined : Dec 2013
Posts : 223
Posted 3/14/2014 2:55 PM (GMT -8)
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!
profile picture
steve-ca
Regular Member
Joined : Feb 2014
Posts : 213
Posted 3/14/2014 3:01 PM (GMT -8)
You probably actually are.
I've actually been seeing a lot of these really low numbers on early tests coming back around the web since I got mine. At the time, I only had found one other.
Looks like this is a common first step!
It's definitely RVR, to say the least :)
✚ New Topic locked
123456789


More On Chronic Illness

Expect The Unexpected: Coping With Life's Challenges

Expect The Unexpected: Coping With Life's Challenges

Hypnotherapy In Medicine

Hypnotherapy In Medicine


HealingWell

About Us  |   Advertise  |   Subscribe  |   Privacy & Disclaimer
Connect With Us
Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest LinkedIn
© 1997-2023 HealingWell.com LLC All Rights Reserved. Our website is for informational purposes only. HealingWell.com LLC does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.