TOPIC: Starting tx tomorrow night

Got my three boxes of Harvoni generic and will be starting treatment tomorrow night so that I get a day to get used to it before work and to get rid of things that I should eat while on treatment and replace it with "approved" food

Congratulations Sharmon on your decision to get treated and to take control of your life. We hear from patients all the time that within just one week of starting their treatment, they feel much better than they have for years. Please also remember to drink plenty of water and to get plenty of rest, best of luck.

On day 4 today and no side effects yet. Drinking lots of water and keeping my multivitamin and Omega 3 and Zinc tab 12 hours on either side of the tx. Doctor was contacted for 4 week blood work and my family doctor and the MD at the liver center are deciding who will manage the treatment.

And the first few days tend to be the time where we see a bit of a flu like illness in some people, so, fingers crossed it continues to be a big yawn.

4 more pills left for the first 4 weeks and no side effects so far. I have 2 alarms set for 7PM and all doses have been taken within an hour of this time. I've tripled my water intake and the initial weight loss has stabilized (13 Lbs in the first 2 weeks). I have my referral for my 4 week blood work due on the 19th. Quantitative RNA /Ferritin levels / CBC . No AST for this one but I will get that for my EOT bloodwork. Much higher energy levels and no compulsory naps after work.

I am using disposable razors now and 3 days tops and they get trashed , tooth brush for the last four weeks is a pack of 20 cheapie ones pitched after 3 days of use as well. My main brush (Sonic Care is sorely missed and I bought new brush heads for it when I finally get to use it again.). L-Arginine and L_Lysine intake is through natural source only (red meat , fish and chicken) Just in case. No energy drinks and no supplements except Centrum 50+ , Omega 3 , 50 mg zinc and 1000 IU of D3 12 hours away from the dose.

I'm looking forward to hearing about the results of your first test!

Hi Sharmon,

Four weeks already and no side effects has to be good. You are taking such good care of yourself - well done you. Post those results when you get them.

Coral

Went for my 4 week test on Monday and will get the RNA results from my doctor on the 27th but the online results available that are abnormal are :

Platelet count = 132X10*9 /L (155 bottom of normal)
Monocytes = 0.9 x 10*9/L (0.8 is top of normal)

Ferritin is normal at 84 thankfully

fingers crossed for you

Have to wait a little longer , Ontario has a stranglehold on the test facilities for PCR testing (Only one is allowed to do the testing). Maybe by Friday I will know I hope.



Can a mod please move this into the appropriate section ?

Hello SHarmon,

Sorry to hear you're results are dragging. There is a lot of anxious waiting during treatment. It should be fine.

Patient Stories looks like the right place for this thread.

Thinking of you Sharmon,
I hope you have your results soon and can make plans for the rest of tx and be HCV free. Sending love and happies to you, hoping that you are doing okay with the anxiety of waiting it’s always a bit of a grind imho
Ariel

No results less than 5 weeks before testing in Canada because of a monopoly on testing that a single lab paid the government for 3 years ago. No testing except if you have an actively infected partner or jump through hoops to force them to. I will have to go to the US at EOT to get the final test done so I can get my answer before fall. A little disgusted with the Canadian health system at the moment. 1 year wait times for treatment after a 6 month wait after testing. Add a 2 month wait time for testing to make testing all but useless for during treatment progress. I will give the results once I get them back , not holding my breath for the Canadian system to wake up any time soon.

Hi Sharmon,

I find this odd about your not being able to get tested. I am also in Canada and I have had no problem getting tested by PCR on numerous occasions.

I had a PCR when starting treatment ,again at the 4 weeks,8 weeks and just the other day at 12 weeks and will have another at EOT.

Plus all my results have been posted to me online within 4 -5 days of the test being done.

Sounds to me like possibly your doctor is not properly advocating for you?

I wish you the best of luck..

S

I’ll be waiting for your results too
Hang in there and I hope like Songbird says you get good medical assistance with obtaining your PCR RNA asap
Love from Ariel