Hello again I made an appointment with a Specialist here in Bendigo just to arrange for Fibroscan etc. I am Genotype 1b with 3.13 million viral load. The Doctor at the Royal Melbourne was happy with my Fibroscan and also with the ultrasound….it appears that at present I have a fatty liver (which many people have anyway) but otherwise no obvious hardening/cirrhosis etc. I am aware just how “lucky” I was to be diagnosed through a bloody test which showed up liver function wasn’t so good. I am not seeing the Specialist here again because he tried to more or less say that because my first husband was an IV drug user that is where I caught the Hep C (even though I told him I didn’t use drugs and never had). Anyway I have a supportive GP and will be starting the med soon I hope (still waiting for delivery). I will contact the Hep C Clinic here in Bendigo to let the Hep C nurse know what I am doing. It will be interesting to see what sort of reaction I get.

Will post again once the meds arrive.

Lynne

Hi Lyn good on you. Dont let authority undermine your intelligence in taking this opportunity. Royal Melbourne hospital was not impressed with me. A cold response from the specialist, followed by a phone call by the clinic nurse in condescending tones telling me not to go ahead. 18 Days into it I know it is working. No real side effects apart from a bit of tinnitus. Feeling better than the last 2 decades. Had it for 35 years . Go everyone dont listen to them they dont walk in our shoes.

Hello again

I have received my medicine today. 400mg Sofosbuvir and 90mg Ledipasvir (separate bottles). I am arranging next week to take a weeks’ leave from work and will start my medicine today week. I am very nervous about side effects but I know I need to take the medicine to get rid of this awful virus. Reading your posts has certainly helped.

Wish me luck!

Lynne

I went to UK liver clinic yesterday.
Told ‘no treatment for minimum 8 months ‘
And ‘if I wanted to be monitored I would have to pay privately IF there were any Drs with space’

LG

I am surprised poodle, cause my dr gives me heaps of support. I was under the impression that they supported people on generics. change doctor’s. tell the nurse and dr that I get heaps of support there. kindly

Hi LG,

The UK NHS is not doing any monitoring anyway for people on Harvoni who have no other complications. They’ll only do a few blood tests if you are on riba as well. No PCRs during tx. You get the baseline bloods and then you get the pills and you get on with it. So you are not missing much.

dt

Hi DT, I do have a couple of concerns and a symptom slightly worrying me, it may well be nothing, but you would think you could ask your consultant? If they’re not treating you and not observing your liver or symptoms, what is the point of going to see them? And why are they being paid to see you? A letter or phone call would have been the cheaper option all round.

I wasn’t offered bloods or fibro, no observations taken even though my previous consultant had noted a few. The point is, I was told ‘I am not going to do anything for you in any area’ for 8 months and you are right in that he said the nurses would be dealing with it. I asked if he could guarantee 8 months , he said No’.

It is the feeling for many patients here, that when we wait months for an appointment, travel to it etc and they make you feel guilty for asking for any help in any area and like you are a worthless beggar that I find immoral.