Interesting reading Tigerfan, I can relate to your story.
I’m also very athletic
I’ve been involved in sports all my life and extreme sport most of it. My BP has also been controlled by meds. My kidneys have had lithotripsy twice. I don’t drink any alcohol at all. I drank the occasional wine or bubbly when young. Nothing at all for so long the smell makes me sick. I’m also a healthy eater, having lived the farming life for over 20 years it’s easy to grow your own food. So imagine my shock at two kidney ‘blobs’. A 4cm in one, a 1-2 cm on the other. Then every time I surfed omgosh my lower back! Agony. At first I blamed interferon damage. Then the frequency of having to go to the bathroom started.

Cut to scans and that stuff and yes I was making kidney stones!!!!
Meanwhile my old school chums are guzzling a bottle of Chardonnay every night and not active, and of course have nothing wrong with them except their hangovers which I don’t think they even know exist!

I guess it was HCV that was behind my similar issues you mention. The weird BP and yep the Kidneys as the Dr mentions they weren’t happy.

So here’s the good news…..
I was having colonoscopy every twelve months because I had a ton of nasties post interferon.
My most recent was my first clear one since hooray!

But that’s not my point.
I’m two years post clearing HCV with these miracle DAAs. As they were popping the machines onto me in theatre the anaesthetist says, are you an elite athlete? Your BP is 120/65 your heart rate is 56. I say no but I look after myself and have done sport all my life, I went for a surf yesterday.

Cue: laughter from Medicos
Me: You’re all giggling at the thought of me taking picosolax after a few hours surfing aren’t you?
Yup!!!

The cup of tea and biscuits were most welcome ha!

Sooooo…… maybe when you also are clear from HCV like myself you will start to find things really sort themselves out, things we learned to just deal with and live anyway.
I’m so relieved not to be making bad cells not to be worried about my BP and of course especially not to have HCV messing with my life
Wishes for the best for you too
Happy Splashes
Ariel

This is a good thread. I don’t drink so it was never relevant but it is to so many people and so, great question.
The drug interaction charts are available but there’s always other things to consider yes!
I really like what you said GF,
Treatment is the important thing! Start as soon as possible!
Happy Splashes
Ariel

“This is the most beautiful song ever written” – GAJ (rest In Peace our friend)

Today during the farewell we sat quietly and listened to GAJs favourite song. I was actually privileged to see Brian Wilson perform this during 2016, GAJ was seated beside me. I didn’t know that he thought this song to be “the most beautiful song ever written” I heard that today in a tribute to his life.

When we think about his work here and the legacy he leaves this is no surprise the lyrics are perfect.

Here’s to you buddy

https://youtu.be/AOMyS78o5YI

Hi Lyn
I am HCV free for almost two years because of these meds. The 12 week tx period went super fast after the first four weeks. I agree read some blogs here and you will find many people who have various sx but almost everyone clears the virus and life begins again for real. The brain fog starts lifting the energy levels increase the immune system starts to behave it really is a miracle and we are so very lucky to have this opportunity and this forum to get the best care possible.
Looking forward to hearing your labs as you go through tx and wishing you the best outcome.
Sending happies for your tx
Ariel

Dear Coral
Thank you for sending me your special words to include in my Tribute for our dear GAJ tomorrow.
He was indeed a dear and sweet man you summed his character so perfectly and yes the grief is enormous, the loss of our amazing friend has had created a wave of sadness around the whole globe. I’m honoured to read on the behalf of all who have sent me their tributes. Some have a copy of the eulogy I wrote but I will resend it before tomorrow with the edit in to include Corals words.

I feel at this time more than ever Gaj would want us all to keep the good message of the DAAs spreading and to support every person here seeking or going through tx. I am sure we can keep his light burning here by emulating his gracious and selfless presence on the forum to assist people in our own humble little ways.
With love
Ariel

Welcome Panthyra
So happy you are getting tx sorted here. I’m just one of the many many miracles that hang around here it’s so easy I just ordered my meds from here and yep they arrived, I took them, got labs done locally making sure that the assay ranges were top notch up to date of course, got all that help and more here, help during tx, and like GFighter says yes it works. I was clear by day 25 myself! It all varies for everyone we’re all different genotypes and different things coming into this tx but all the help you need is certainly here! Can’t wait for your first post saying you have received your meds.
Happy Splashes
From
Ariel

Thank you so much Beaches
You are helping me to talk in a time of deep grief. Yes the evening he walked into my house and we were headed to the Liver Tonic Fundraiser and celebration (he was driving the hours to the city) and we headbanged all night to punk bands of some friends who Pat1 kindly quoted in her beautiful tribute here.

GAJ was standing beside me when Sam said those words “for those for whom it came too late”

Earlier that evening when he arrived at mine he said yes I actually got SVR24, that was an enormous effort of long tx with a number of different courses of meds, that is between Doc and GAJ the things GAJ shared with me as a friend I will leave for the angels only, nobody needs to know all he went through but just know it was tough. Then as I looked at his eyes I saw that subtle sadness and said so what’s up hun? He told me the news about the cancer that has taken him from this earthly world.

He kept moderating during his radiation which failed him and then chemotherapy which debilitated and also failed him.

Throughout all the time of treatments and the worst luck at every turn GAJ was the Optimist.

Please know that he was surrounded in real life by as much love as he gave; if that is fathomable. He truly gave so much in silence, and the last taps on the phone thanking a couple of posts were actually made from palliative care after he had me help him pop just a thumb print to use his phone that was last Monday. I’m still amazed that he clearly called the nurse when I left the hospital that day (even reaching for the call button was tough) and had Help to get on the forum that one last time and tap the thank you button.
I will mention Romania of course thank you ROHCVfighter
I have tributes to read at Tuesdays farewell. Thank you to those who he was close to for your beautiful tributes.

GAJ went to his eternal fishing spot so peacefully and the things that happened during the last couple of weeks were most comforting given the situation.
I know some are coming down here to attend on Tuesday
I would like to thank Mgalbrai for his private support while I was at palliative care daily and his care this week at the loss of my good mate (and his good mate) I thank Beaches and Pat1 for their support and care.
I’m sure GAJ is watching us saying oh dear I better sort this out on the forum, don’t be sad.
Farewell for now eternal optimist.
I’m privileged to count you as my friend I could not have done it without you.

Hi Vororo
Long time between drinks as the saying goes….. good to hear from you but rotten circumstances for you.
I’m sad for your news and the usual anxious routine of waiting and tx again.
You’re so right when you say “sh*t happens”
Sending kind thoughts for you I wish I had the expertise to answer your query regarding “more accurate advice” but I am just another forum friend who is saying that I am thinking of you going through this time.
I’m glad that the tx is free that’s one good thing…..
wishes for a good outcome after all you have been through
Ariel