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Thank you for your newest post Jake and your encouraging words! I too experienced a significant CD4 and CD8 increase. I have been in the 800 range for CD4 in the last five years and saw an increase to 1010. For CD8, around 800 as well with an increase to 1034. We will see how things shake out in the next week or so when I finally get a chance to get back to the doctor.
Hi Kyle, Thanks, you're blog has really been instrumental for me as I too am HIV + co-infected with Hep C. Shocker, I never participated in any drug use, never even smoked marijuana, and no one ever believes me. I was never much of an alcohol drinker either. Had been infected with HIV in 2005 from an individual I had been dating but before that never had any symptoms of liver issues by any means. My gallbladder had to be removed in 2005 and they did liver test and CT scan everything was normal so again there was no question made about Hep C. I started to question abnormal liver enzymes in 2006 and my infectious specialist wasn't concerned as they were slightly elevated as he put it. Nothing to worry about but with my edging, he then asked did we ever check you for Hepatitis? My reply was I don't think so and that was when he tested me and we found I had Hep C. The news really shook me up much more than the HIV. I was so surprised because I felt I didn't fit into that category of someone who might contract Hep C. My infectious specialist switched me from Atripla to Complera in preparation for Hep C treatment in Sept 2014. So it was helpful to see you also had been taking Complera as well. As I noted in my earlier comments, I saw my Dr on April 17th and he confirmed indeed I am Hep C negative which was Day 45 of my treatment when those labs had been drawn. He explained why he felt I've been experiencing side effects. My immune system is in overdrive. My CD4 had gone up 40% to close to 950 and my CD8 1583 a 76% increase. The CD8 combined with the CD4 increase is a major indicator as to why I am feeling side effects. He called it die off affects from the virus as to why my legs cramp and I feel so flu like with the headaches most every evening. This should level off as the weeks go on and I should hopefully start to feel greater energy with less fatigue. The highest my CD4 had ever been was 630 and average would be about 550 so this is pretty remarkable. He did say not to be alarmed if my CD4 decrease some after things level off. But all in all my labs look excellent and I have responded very well. We spoke about the 12 weeks vs. 24 weeks of treatment. And he assured me, new information indicates 8 weeks for someone such as you Kyle is appropriate. And for someone like me who never had any prior treatments, over all good clinical labs with potential early cirrhosis that 12 weeks should be appropriate treatment. And that new information is constantly being communicated. And newer drugs and shorter treatments plans are just around the corner as well. This is an exciting time and great time for therapy. I am just so grateful because I believe Harvoni has saved my life and I feel so blessed. And I am very grateful for your blog because you really eased my fears so please accept my sincere gratitude. Thanks again, Kyle I hope you have continued great outcomes. Look forward in hearing the great news!
Jake, Thank you for your post! Congratulations on what appears to be a very successful treatment. I too was concerned about treatment length. I was shocked by my doctors eight week recommendation but it appears to have worked. I do have to schedule my follow-up appointment this month but have been traveling so much for work that it has been impossible so far. If it was just the lab work, I could go in an just have the viral load test done without seeing the doctor but my infectious disease specialist also treats my HIV so try to combine things to save money where possible. I will get back in before the end of the month and honestly haven't been concerned about an unsuccessful treatment since everything went so well initially. Hopefully the viral load test will confirm that concern wasn't necessary.
Kyle, thanks so much for this awesome blog. I have been Hep C positive since 2005, suspicion I might have been exposed in the 90's sometime. My specialist did Fibrosure test which showed early signs of cirrhosis which surprised my Dr. as well as me because other than my elevated ALT and AST all the other liver markers were in the normal range consistently. My ALT and AST have been pretty consistent with readings in the 60's to 70's. My liver scan showed very mild enlargement as well as my spleen, with no cirrhosis. However, early January 2015 I did start to experience fatigue, itching, body aches, over all just not feeling well. After several attempts with United Healthcare over a six month period which had begun back in September 2014 United finally approved Harvoni. What a nightmare that was getting approval. I started Harvoni Feb 24th and my specialist was on the fence should he check 3-4 weeks out or wait 6 weeks. He didn't want to be over premature so ended up doing labs at 6 weeks, April 9th which was D45 of treatment. Happy to say, Hep C undetected and my ALT and AST normal for the first time in years. Good News! I have a follow-up appt today to go over those results. My question is Dr. initially was leaning toward 24 weeks, however, new studies (as you know things are moving fast in the HepC world) indicates I could do 12 weeks. I am so confused and really want to be sure we hit it hard. Been researching internet, which can be good sometimes for information but we all know you have to take it with a grain of salt. One other blog, the question was around relapse. One women said, she relapse 3x after being HepC neg for the longest period 3 years. Her physician almost refused to treat her the 4th time. Anyway, she said they discovered she had 1 and 4. Who knows if this is all true but it does bring up the question what is the proper time period for treatment? Up to now I have had muscle spasm in my legs, with legs aching. The headaches, on and off. Then moments of incredible energy. Then I had an oblique side pull on my right side under my right rib cage. Major pull and pop with severe pain. As long as I didn't move or lay on the right side I was good but movement caused lots of pain. It started to subside over a week now it's just a dull ache 3 weeks. Mornings are worse then it eases up through the day. From what I understand oblique muscle strains and pulls, they normally see this in cricket fast bowlers and athletes. Me personally, just years of living with chronic pain due to scoliosis. So suspect it was due to that which caused the strain. Takes about 6 weeks to heal. Anyway, yes side effects but nothing compared to what I have read on the older therapies. Getting back to my question, today is day 53 for me and I wonder if you went for your f/u which would have been in April and if you still were reporting great outcomes? Thanks again for this awesome blog it's really been very helpful to so many of us. Cheers, Jake
Ruby, Thank you for post! For me personally, my doctor was initially concerned about the HIV medication I was taking but it turned out that Complera was fine to take with Harvoni but others HIV meds may not be. He knew about me taking fish oil and lecithin supplements to control cholesterol and triglycerides and I continued those throughout my 8 week treatment. I tried SAM-e for a few weeks after I completed treatment but discontinued it due to no significantly noticeable effects. The Super B Complex and a liquid vitamin (Buried Treasure VM-100 Complete) have given me a lot more energy since I completed treatment. My doctor did not tell me to stop taking vitamins during treatment. Due to the shorter treatment periods with the new HCV treatment meds, I would recommend that you definitely adhere to your doctor's instructions. Other options for researching what can and cannot be taken with Harvoni, you could read the prescribing info on the Harvoni website, perhaps call the manufacturers drug help line, or speak with your pharmacist in addition to your doctor. I suspect other new HCV medications have something similar (website and help line) if you're not taking Harvoni. I did not have a lot of damage to my liver due to my more recent exposure (since May 2011) and the fairly quick discovery that I had contracted it (January 2014). For someone that perhaps has significant liver damage, maybe less is best during treatment? I am not a doctor but that seems plausible to me.
Hi Kyle, I enjoy your blog. I have question here . Are you allowed all these supplements during tx ? I miss all mine but my Hepatologist took me off all supplements, herbals & Homeopathics while on Harvoni . Please enlighten me- what you've heard and is approved safe - I miss my multi's! Ruby
I am curious and would like to hear from others about how long it took for them to start feeling better after completing treatment. It was about six weeks for me.
harley37
Hi Kyle, wanted to be sure to post one year results. ALL clear and my specialist said it's considered cured. Most specialist stop checking after 3 months but my specialist continued to check every 3 months very closely. As of a week ago my labs look awesome, and my ALT 22 and AST 19 have remained in the very same range, normal since clearing the Hep C. This was awesome news. I am very grateful I saw your blog when I did. Really brought me comfort. Thank you again, and hope you're well. Cheers
April 2, 2016