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Kim, one more thing ... my feet have been aching & burning for the past 15-20 years. My doctor had no answer. Yesterday I saw a neurosurgeon for lower back & leg pain. I brought up the feet just to see what he said. He only talked about diabetes & foot pain. And now this morning I saw your blog. Thank you for mentioning your own painful burning feet ... I used to run & then walked all the time & now my foot pain is constant. I will discuss this with my hepatologist when I see him on the 23rd. Thank you for your affirmation that there may be a correlation.
Thank you Kim! For your story. I have had HCV since 1975 at least & diagnosed with non A non B Hep until the first test for Hep C was developed in 1989. I did interferon treatment for 6 months in 1995 which did not work so I just accepted this would be the way I would die. I watched long time friends die from this disease including my uncle on July 4 2014, a close friend in 2008, another in 2009, my husband in 2009 & his brother last December. I read of Solvaldi when the FDA approved it December 2013. I began treatment with Harvoni (a Sovaldi combo drug) last November & at 2 weeks the virus was undetectable! I am so grateful for the researchers who did all the work leading up to this breakthrough! I am also grateful to the Patient Access Network Foundation which has covered the co-pay for me & will for the entire 24 weeks, ending May 2015. Gilead Sciences is now negotiating discounts for Harvoni with insurance companies; no one should let cost scare them away before talking to their Doctor.
I think the biggest thing for me was I was sick for so long before being diagnosed that when I finally went through treatment my family just didn't believe how sick I was and getting back to life they thought would be a snap. I am on disability and working part time now and still have a hard time with things. I take it one day at a time. I was an extreme over achiever. Have 3 degrees and now I cannot do a lot of things I used to do. My family is estranged from me because they do not understand. I think having someone who understands was and is the biggest thing that bothers me. Believe me I understand what you have been thru and going thru. I pray all the best for you. Suzan
I've known Kim for many years, and she is a truly good person. Kim is "Not without a fight", and those who know her could not be more proud.
This sounds so much like my life. I was being misdiagnosed for several years even though I told doctors to please check my blood for whatever I could have caught back when I was stabbed and had to have that blood transfusion. I left my fiannce'because I was sick and he was just like the doctors. My son watched in horror as I was running to the bathroom throwing up all the time and (he didn't know this part but the diarrhea). I knew that something was wrong but they said that I was fine. HOW? I was still pushing myself to work but had to go to an office job, as physical labor just wasn't working out for me any more. I was determined to get my son through college and he was determined; which made my determination a must. My son was born with Hydrocephalus and he's gone through 23 brain surgeries to date. He graduated high school and college with honors. One the Dean's list 3 time and a 3.67 GPA. He's a fighter. He's my rock. I will get through this some how; much through you and others in our groups that make this journey possible. Thank you for your story, Kimberly. I'm sorry that you were let down but I'm glad that you were finally able to rest and work on getting yourself better. I hope that this finds you well. Love and Hugs!!!
James
I have HAD hcv since 1973. I did not find out I had hepc until 1999. My PA and Gastrologist both hurried me into Interferon/Ribvairn treatments. Full throttle on the meds for 7/12 mos or 361/2 weeks. The interferon did not phase the virual load. All this time I was real sick from side affects. I just went home and Tried to eat better and "slow down" on the fried foods for 6 years, Contiuing getting worse my Gastrologist was moving his practice & referred me to a new Dr, best in town. They recommended me to HepC evaluation @ Baylor Medical, Dallas. I qualified & was put on the LiverTransplant List. One Doctor said 2 yrs @ I would need a transplant... Funny he missed it be 1 mo exactly. I was in the hospital for 10 days before I had a liver offer from an 78 1/2 yrs old Female,(I'm mail), perfect fit for a small guy. The virus continued to attack the my liver & have chirrious back. I got in a Baylor Trial Study using the compound "Harvoni". I was on 24 wk. program w/ Gileads. I went from millions virual load to thousands to hundreds, by the Third Day there was no sign of the virus & it's been a year, still clear. My hats off to Gilead & Baylor Dallas.
May 23, 2015