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Greatly exaggerated - absolutely not. I think the truth is complicated, and it depends on what the treatment was. The reports slightly bias those having a hard time, since who is going to complain about not having a hard time? I was able to work through all 3 treatments, and although it was not fun, it was not a nightmare. I would be a poster child for that doctor's opinion, but I was not typical. But I had a distinct advantage in that I had tons of knowledge and support. That said, if I had done boceprevir or telaprevir triple therapy, I doubt I'd be saying that I worked. Truth be told, if treatment was greatly exaggerated, then I would not have needed to write 2 books on how to get patients through treatment. And I bet if asked, that doctor would be hugely relieved at the easier treatments, knowing he/she would not be sending patients off to the ER for blood transfusions or worry about them being suicidal. Thanks for your comments Gerry.
only recently diagnosed.i was told by phone by a hepatitis specialist that the side effects of the old treatment were greatly exaggerated.of all the stories i have read it seems like a massive survival exercise with people unable to function properly never mind work.heres hoping the drug companies get into a price cutting war.
I think so, but access is a huge problem. Here is what I read: Two new additional drugs - simeprevir and sofosbuvir - have been approved for use in Australia but have not yet been listed under Medicare PBS. They will provide better cure rates and shorter treatment duration for people with genotypes 1, 3 and 4. But until the new drugs are PBS listed and subsidized, boceprevir and telaprevir will remain the two options for triple combination treatment. Sadly, the Australian government has rejected any indication that they will pay for Sovaldi when it is available. http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/health/government-refuses-subsidy-for-hepatitis-c-medication-sovaldi/story-fneuzlbd-1227071011515 Here are resources you can use to stay abreast of the latest news: http://www.hep.org.au/index.php?article=content/home http://www.hepatitisaustralia.com/ And although I think the Hep Forums (http://forums.hepmag.com) is the best forum ever, there is a good one for those living down under: http://hepcaustralasia.org/ I also like the facebook page Hepatitis C Down Under
Is Solvadi being released with in Australia. Is the price tag, still $80,000 per course of treatment
I've been reading Hep News for a long time now and this is a great example of reporting. Thank you for the article and the information.
Sovaldi should not be taken alone because of the risk of drug resistance. This is something you definitely don't want, because we don't know what would happen if we suddenly had a drug-resistant hep C strain on our hands. However, good news - by Oct 10, the FDA is expected to approve the daily combo pill Sovaldi/ledipasvir (called Harvoni in Europe) - it has better cure rates, easier to take, and I think it will be approved without ribavirin. Medicare is expected to approve it.
I have been prescribed the Solvadi with Ribavarin medications to treat my HepC. My insurance company said they would cover the treatment. I am required to take Ribavarin but only wanted to take the Solvadi. The insurance company immediately filled the ribavarin but is still deciding if they will provide the Solvadi. I am discouraged and disgusted. I have not taken any treatment as I was well aware of the side effects and could not deal with side effects while working and taking care of my home. Why is Ribavarin required? What is the reasoning of Medicare for requiring this drug when Solvadi alone has been proven to cure people? Regards.
George
I totally agree with last paragraph. I finish my post med(12 week) plan tomorrow after 12week olysio/sovaldi plan I started in May for geno 1 hep c. (with first stage cirrhosis ) I Had it 47 years and did not know... My final blood test for viral load showed undetectable as previous 5 tests. It showed that virus left in first 4 weeks of treatment. Did have some side effects but tolerable. Worst was Blistering on top of hands (porphyria cutanea tarda) week 5 to 9 only. Totally healed under care of dermatologist and a healing ointment. Very important not to get sun exposure on these drugs.
November 10, 2014