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I have just passed the 12 week mark on my second treatment (of 24 weeks) so I thought it was time to post an update. I relapsed after my first treatment at a time when many people were waiting for SVR results and knowing how much anxiety the thought of relapsing can cause I decided to keep things pretty low key. Now that some people have already commenced or are seeking re-treatment I think it’s pretty important to get it out there.
My bio gives my history of being a slow responder and then a relapser. I had another consultation with Dr Freeman through GP2U and commenced my second treatment (Viekira Pak, Solvadi and Ribavirin) on 3/9/16. A week after I started this treatment my father’s condition (prostate cancer) declined so I flew interstate and spent his final few weeks with him. It was a crazy time and my family were great in reminding me to take my medication. I did make myself sick once from trying to make up for missed tablets and getting dehydrated but Dr F helped to calm me down and get me back on the path.
Although my Dad didn’t live long enough to see me cured I did receive an email from Dr F while I was at my Dad’s ‘wake’ telling me that the results of my 3 week blood test showed that my liver functions (AST/ALT) had returned to normal already. We toasted that as well as my Dad! My 9 week results showed UNDETECTED so the bigger guns have worked well!!
I breezed through my first treatment with Sof/Led and Sof/Dac with minimal side effects. This second treatment has been a little tougher, probably due to the Ribavirin. I had major headaches initially but have found that I can minimise these if I make sure I drink enough water. I have had trouble sleeping and major dry skin and hair but although these are frustrating they’re not unbearable.
I knew when the virus had gone during the first treatment, knew when it came back and know that it is gone again now. Relapsing is devastating but there are other options and mine is working well for me.
I’ve been keeping an eye on my friends here who are starting their next treatment or have to wait a little longer (looking at you Gaj) and look forward to hearing your results second time around. Thanks as always to Dr F and for everyone’s support. Reading about the stories and the good news of others really does help.
So I have another 12 weeks to go. So far so good and hopefully it will be second time lucky.
Dear Coral, So happy to hear your labs are normal, and VL undetected at 9 weeks. The next 12 weeks should go by quickly. The headaches and insomnia seem to affect many, myself included…So sorry to hear about your father’s illness and passing..Thank you for your post. Wishing you best of luck with your treatment…Hopes and prayers for you to reach SVR this time!…..
Hi Coral,
Congratilations on getting succesfully. halfway trough your treatment. After failing previous treatment I can relate to this, it’s soo0 tough. But you seem soo determined
With all my 
, best of luck with your difficult journey back to health !!
Sorry for your lost, be strong and don’t loose youself into the pain…
Good luck this time arounf Coral. I know it will be good news……
Thanks for your kind thoughts Beaches, Fara, Fitz and Murr. It means a lot.
Splitdog – thanks – you’re on my watch list!
Greedfighter – thanks. I know, Dr Freeman is quite extraordinary. It’s hard to know quite how to reward someone who gives you your life back.Dear Coral
Thank you for sharing your treatment updates and congratulations on reaching halfway through and the riba. I send you condolences for your loss of your dad as a daddy’s girl I feel deep pain over loss for a daughter of her father. My own died 11 years ago but it still feels like yesterday. Pat1 lost her dear dad during her tx it’s somewhere in the maze of forum posts and I know it was tough. You are one strong woman facing up to retreating and family loss. The courage you take forward will be forever and that’s something not many people have. I think people who have fought this illness hard are really amazing in many ways, learning to ride out bad news, rejoicing in good news, uplifting others, reading insightfully between the written or spoken words to the heart of the real person. I’m sure serious illness across all types has a profound effect on most people who have walked in our shoes and it’s only good. Affirmation of the strength it takes is so important.
Sending love and huge splashes of happies on your halfway mark, and look forward to your updates Coral
Love from Ariel
Last night we enjoyed an amazing sunset which I managed to capture on my iPhone as I drove home from the hospital and I share it with you it’s so inspiring
Hi coral
, Good to hear you’re feeling positive and UND
Have been thinking of you and wishing you the best result this 2nd time round.
UND at 9 weeks? another 15 weeks of blitzing should see any stragglers off for good.Was sad to read of the loss of your Dad, it’s been a long haul turbulent time for you, keep strong, it should all be over with in a few months
You know where I am if you need a listening ear x
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