TOPIC:

Hi, I’m GT2. I hear that I’m a rare beast, similar to a Porsche 911 GT2 in rareness but not in performance. I’ve been chugging along on 5 cylinders for the past 33 years. It all started after a car accident in ’83, when I cracked my head, broke a few things, and ended up in ICU. During my repairs they topped me up with contaminated oil. The acute contamination turned chronic, affecting my main filter system, which turned a zippy little sports car into a sluggish lack lustre chitty-chitty bang-bang.








Three decades later, a virtual garage popped up run by a cool dude known in the trade as James “Dean” Freeman, the rebel with a cause. His fellow HCV cure crusader, Greg “Tonto” Jefferys, helped me navigate the bumpy road to access inexpensive after-market filter clearing treatments previously only available to a select few. Together, their direct and indirect advice and guidance helped me select the best possible solution to resolve my filter problems. Now after just 4 weeks, I start first time, every time, and every morning. The rough idle has gone and I’m progressively regaining my lost horsepower as the weeks pass. Most days I purr along at cruising speed.








A big thanks to Tonto, a previous GT2 owner, who drew my attention to an affordable solution with his appearance on the ABC’s 7.30 report last year and to the medical profession’s Lone Ranger, Tonto’s Kemo Sabe, our trusted rebel with a cause, who together paved an accessible cure path for all of us HCV sufferers. Thanks, Greg and James!

Hi GT2,

I loved your post nearly as much as I love our very own Lone Ranger and Tonto. Good luck with the results of your service tomorrow. Wishing you a smooth ride.

Coral

Hi GT2,
Welcome and thank you for posting your story.
Indeed magic pills and life saviours Dr. James Freeman and Greg Jefferys!
You are feeling already very good and you will get rid of the virus soon.

I wish you good luck and keep us posted!

Thanks Coral and isaing4 for your warm wishes

Congratulations isaing4 for your SVR4 and Coral for your 12wk UND and recent 24wk EOT … it must be a great feeling to finally get rid of this nasty thing.
.
Did you guys have any trouble with coffee during your treatment? At the end of my first week I was feeling a lot better and had a celebratory coffee with a neighbour at 4pm. She’s Italian and boiled up a traditional short black. Later that night I felt ordinary. The next morning I woke up bleary eyed and feeling sorry for myself, just as if I had a hangover. It lasted a day and a half … as if I’d had a big night on the turps. I’ve since reduced my coffee down to one instant coffee at lunch and have no further problems. I’m not sure if this was a coincident or not.

Anyone else had a similar experience?

Hi GT2,

Thanks for you post. I should point out that compared to Greg I am a midget and even have photographic evidence to prove it!



I'm the short balding bloke in the hat standing next to the legend! Actually I am a full Collingwood 6 feet ie 5' 11 3/4 and Greg is impossibly tall

Thanks for the photo Doc. I think that you may be selling yourself a little short ... Greg seems to be standing up hill ...

I'm glad to hear, from all reports, that the late breaker you presented at the International Liver Conference was well received ... it has certainly helped me with my dealings with my GP ...

Thanks for sticking your professional neck out on behalf of all of us HCV sufferers!

GT2 wrote:
I’ve since reduced my coffee down to one instant coffee at lunch and have no further problems. I’m not sure if this was a coincident or not.

Anyone else had a similar experience?

Welcome aboard GT2.....always wanted a Porsche since I was able to drive, but Mom knew better. I drive other high HP
vehicles at half the price of Porsches. Enough car talk. Like your caricatures of the sick vehicles...literally and figuratively.

Moderation will be your friend as you go along. AOMF, I take my meds with coffee ever morning.....no problem. Don't get
too paranoid as time goes on. Coincidences will occur, but take a deep breathe, sleep on it overnight, and collect your
thoughts.

Good luck with the rest of your journey. You are in good hands on this website...e.

WOWZERZ GT2! I'm not even gonna attempt to equal your skillfully crafted post. It's wonderful, and wonderful to have you join the fray Hope you continued success in your path to rockin' in the Hep C free world.
Thanks to James n' Greg ... the "average guy" heroes in our reality tv lives.

I had no problem with coffee GT2 but you could compile a book with everyone's different and shared experiences. The main thing is that everyone comes out the other end UND in their own time and way. It could be a coincidence or your body could be saying no to strong coffee at the moment (somewhat sadly). I agree with re_roll that moderation is the key along with good nutrition, exercise and a sense of humour (which you clearly have).

Hi GT2,

Coffee is a necessity for me!

But as others said, a little bit of moderation goes a long way during treatment....that and good fluids intake. Most of us seem to find that helps a lot.

Thanks for the tips re-roll, Coral, Gaj, and thanks for the compliment Matt.

Unfortunately I had mixed results today. The good news is that my ALT has come down from 61 to 34, so that is a good sign. My LFTs are:
Bili ALP GGT ALT ALB TP
22/2/16 6 84 45 61 45 81
9/5/16 8 76 34 34 44 78

The bad news is that the HCV viral load has not come back yet and my fasting glucose has shot up to 11.9mmol/L
Glucose Fasting mmol/L
19/3/12 6.2
28/6/12 6.0
9/5/16 11.9

My kidney function tests are all within range (Electrolytes, Urea & Creatinine) .
Na K CI HCO3 Urea Creat
22/2/16 139 4.3 101 25 7.6 75 eGFR: > 90 mL/min/1.73^2
9/5/16 141 4.4 104 30 6.3 75 eGFR: > 90 mL/min/1.73^2

I’m feeling heaps better than I did 4 weeks ago. However, I’m worried about the increase in my fasting glucose level. My question is, has anyone had problems with their glucose levels while on treatment and, if so, did it affect the effectiveness of their treatment?

Hey GT2
Love your original post
No problems with coffee, thankfully. Prior to starting Tx, if I hadn't had one before around midday I'd get the worst headache (and I never have more than 2 a day!) but that seems to have stopped
Strangely, my body seems to be enjoying chilli.
Too much red meat makes me feel uncomfortable
Different strokes......

Thanks Beaches.

Prior to treatment, I used to drink 6-8 cups of coffee a day in an effort to reduce fatigue ... still had to have a granny nap most arvos ... now knowing my blood sugar levels, it's no wonder why. Anyway, I've slowly cut down to 3 a day and now to one a day. At first I got headaches from the withdrawal, but I'm OK now. As you say, different strokes for different folks.

I think I may have just shocked my body ... slowly cutting down ... and then bang ... here you go, a coffee so strong the tea spoon stands up in it, and if you leave it in too long it starts to dissolve

Exercising first thing in the morning helps heaps for me.

GT2 wrote: Exercising first thing in the morning helps heaps for me.

Same for me, GT2. Morning person.
Yoga class 3 times a week (full time job has its benefits ) and ocean swimming the other days at this amazing place (Manly)

Good luck with your week 4 results. Friday 13 is nearly over for us

Great shot Beaches ... Manly is a beautiful spot ... it would be a pleasure swimming down there in the salt water, as opposed to the chore of chasing the black line up and down a chlorinated pool

Do you swim in the open water or in the salt pool at the beach?