TOPIC: No longer furtively reading posts here, joined Redemption trials

For more than a year I came as a guest to this site to read the posts. I couldn't see my way to actually getting the treatment. It took months to make up my mind to act. The greatest barrier was disclosing to having HCV. That is because I am a healthcare worker and have seen others with HVC (who like me have roles in which transmission is impossible) negatively discriminated against in our workplace.

After disclosing the HCV to my family doctor who urged me to see a specialist the hepatologist in turn organised a fibroscan. That fibroscan showed little cirrhosis and the liver function test (scan & tests all free thanks the New Zealand taxpayer-funded healthcare system) results within normal boundaries. Possibly these good results because of avoiding alcohol, smoking and other drugs as part of trying to maintain good health. Also genotype 2 is the most benign type of HCV. Maybe though I was just lucky.

Once I received all the test results I enrolled in Redemption trials. Now I am on treatment and wondering why it took me so long.

Welcome Mnem glad you made it and have started tx given your numbers you should have a successful outcome

cheers

Welcome Mnem, best of luck with the treatment.

Hello Mnem,

Like you I am a healthcare worker from NZ who had hep c so I can truly appreciate and identify with the implications, stress and stigma you experienced when you first found out. For those of you that are unaware healthcare workers (in most instances) have to disclose their status of a communicable disease to their employer and worse still may face having to be stood down from their role. Stigma surrounding HCV in healthcare is as ever present as it is anywhere - and in some cases much worse.

In November 2015 I first found out about generic treatment and in December I flew to Tasmania to collect a 12 week course of sof/led. I finished treatment in Feb 2016 and I was still detectable however I went undetected 4 weeks post treatment and have remained that way since reaching SVR 24 in early August.

I want to wish you all the best and every success for your journey and go you for getting off the fence and taking matters into your own hands. I hope your hepatologist are being supportive with your choice...If not please refer them to the NZ Hepatitis Foundation as they endorse the use of generics sourced via Fix Hep C, there are also many articles/features in the Talking Hep C publication that take doctors and specialist through the generic pathway.

Great choice, you'll be HCV free in a few months. The stigma of HCV over rides the excitement of the cure, to other people. I had only shared it with wife of 26-7 years so it was bitter sweet. Keep on keep' n on you'll get it done
In good health to you.

Hi Mnem,

The stigma of this disease can be such a burden and I can relate to the stress placed on people in healthcare and similar industries. Well done you for taking control and starting treatment. Good luck - things are lined up for a great outcome for you.

Could someone help me. I want to purchase the meds for hep c. I am very new at this and just want to be cured. I live in the us will they ship to the us

Hi Margie, yes help is at hand. Keep looking for the right threads on this site. There is a search function on one of the tabs at the top. Also the index tab. Take a look at the link in this piece (re.) posted by our fellow Forum member, Iain recently:

A nice article written by Lucinda Porter regarding importing generic HCV medication to the U.S.A, and FixHepC.

Apologies if this has already been posted previously.

hepatitisc.hcvadvocate.org/category/generic-harvoni

Thank you. I am just so confused on what to do

Hello Margie,

Just go here on this site

fixhepc.com/home/redemption-etrials.html

And select the appropriate link for the medications you want and fill in the form.

It's that easy

Feeling thrilled Here I am today with the results from my end of week 4 treatment - HVC rna UNDetected.

How fortunate I am, Next I keep on taking the pills until the end of week 12. More tests still to come, yet I am on my way to the holy grail of SVR12 and 24, and feeling hopeful. Thank you to everyone on this forum for your kind words and encouragement

Can't get better than that for week 4, Mnem! Think of all that dead virus you don't have to provide a home for, ever again.

Congratulations Mnem! Undetected!

Quick work Mnem! You're off to a flying start....

Congratulations M!
m