TOPIC:

Got my case file in the post this morning that I'd requested under Freedom of Information Laws.

Most of it is run-of-the-mill back and forth between doctors and sume semi-related investigations by the Rheumatology Dept (who I got my viral load result from during an appiontment in June !?!?!).

I've attached a letter sent from the Hepatology Clinic to my GP Practice which I hadn't seen before. It shows just what we're up against in our attempts to get some kind of co-operation from the NHS.

btw It wasn't me suggesting 20 weeks of Sof/Riba therapy (my first medicine choice before the Mesochem Dac became available), I told my GP 24 weeks, and she got it wrong, but I'll forgive her that because she's doing my basic blood tests now.

The clinic also spelled my name wrong but you can't see that because I've redacted it.

The bit "actually containing the right active ingredient" way the fundamental issue I had to solve to get involved. This is not normally my problem, but in this context it becomes my problem.

I suspect if we can provision robust confidence in overseas source medications that the medical establishment's attitude.

The buyers club should also have an independent testers club so that patients can source medication from anywhere then send a sample for testing to provision confidence the supply chain used.

This won't convert all doctors, but it may well convert enough.

Dr Freeman,

I think the idea of an 'independent testers' facility is excellent, in fact it could be the last piece of the jigsaw puzzle necessary, not just for doctors but for anybody wishing to buy and use the generics with confidence. With 2 generic Harvoni's in Bangladesh and no doubt more coming, the ability to test them is needed yesterday.

Best wishes,
dointime

Got my 4 week GP bloods results today (copy attached):

ALP = 81
ALT = 10
GGT = 75

ALP and ALT seem to have settled into their (for me) 'normal' range.
GGT has dropped massively again, 357 to 194 to 154 to 75, almost in the 'normal' range.

These fake generics are bloody amazing!

Wow - Great Alt - Great news, well done !

The results look very good, Alsdad. The meds definitely work!

Don't know if you've seen Greg's 3 October entry Alsdad.

hepatitisctreatment.homestead.com/generic-daclatasvir.html

First email....very disturbing.

Second email.....somebody did it. Sprung it on them!

Step 1 Wait until test results come in
Step 2 Drop bombshell on two doctors
Step 3 Profit!!!

Just read it thanks Chester.

I put up a letter on this thread that I had obtained that was from my NHS consultant to my GP. I'd approached my GP about a script for 24 weeks Sof/Riba (which was my plan before the Mesochem Dac became available), and she asked the consultant for this and to monitor my viral load. The consultant was dismissive of generics, and said that viral load was the least of my problems with me wanting to take Riba. The same consultant had previously advised me (in a letter that I've also put up here) that, should a Sof based treatment eventually become available to me, I would have to take it with Interferon. This treatment option also requires (yes, you guessed it) Riba! This clown was just making it up as he went along.

This tells me two things, firstly, they forget what they've told you previously and rarely read your notes prior to consultation; secondly it's pot luck what they tell you on any given day according to their mood and therefore it's important to keep informed and not to accept the first thing they say but ask questions! I have heard many reports in UK of patients saying things like 'but I just read the latest EASL report and ' .......etc etc
And the consultant saying 'oh really?' etc etc

They have too many patients.

But now I have made an impression, so she will remember me

Hmmm. I wonder what the solution to having too many patients is?

My doc remembered me because I have complained many times about the high prices of hep c meds

Good point made in that first email on Greg's blog - about the Australian Government sourcing generics direct from India.

So, I'm now just over 8 weeks into my treatment. It's been mostly a doddle so far (he said, looking for some wood to touch). Had one very mild headache in the last week. Joint and muscle pain are still there but markedly improved from pre-treatment: I can now walk downstairs normally in the morning to get my cuppa and meds, as oposed to 'crabbing' downstairs sideways. I'm so optimistic about this, I've told my son and his best mate that I will probably be able to start taking them swimming again soon, which I'd had to stop earlier this year.

Just got back from having a fibroscan at my local hospital. I'd phoned them a few weeks ago to see if they did private consultations, and the clinic leader said that they'd be happy to do it on the NHS if my GP referred me. GP wanted a request from my hepatologist, which was easy enough to get. Handed it in to GP's last Monday, chased it up this Monday, and I was in the clinic this morning. A big thankyou to my GP Practice and the fibroscan clinic leader at my local hospital (who went over and above the call of duty in tracking down the referral letter to the CT scan unit, where it had been sent by mistake. A letter to the hospital commending her will be going out later). Fibroscan result was 4.9, so finishing my treatment on 12 weeks looks good to go.

Had some blood drawn for a vl test yesterday at Pall Mall Clinic, more as a personal reassurance than anything else. Assuming that it's still UND, I won't bother now until 12 weeks eot.

I feel like i'm getting toward the end of a fairly long road now, and I'm feeling quite relaxed about everything.

Hi Alsdad,
Well done for getting fibroscan done on NHS.
4.9 is a very good result!
My joints are playing up a lot on treatment specially my back and neck and I get a tention headache from the tight muscles in that area.