Hello Karen. I'm into my 2nd week of an eigh-week Mavyret regimen. It's 2023, so it seems that it's clear how far treatment has come in the past five years. You're a lovely person. I'm grateful for listening to you here.
I went back to teaching and didn't see any comments. I hope you are cured and doing well. Thank you for your kind comments. I'm happy that you were able to start the easier treatments! Post back if you have time. xoKaren
You must be totally cured by now! One thing for sure, is that after getting rid of Hep C, you will begin to feel better than you have in a long time! Post back if you can. xo Karen
Hi Karen, All is well. All is well. Great card! Even tempered and emotionally well balanced. Hep C is a lot to go through, as is liver cancer and a liver transplant. Your strength is inspiring. Plus you look just beautiful too!!💝💝💝
Thanks so much sweet girl. I believe in looking at the good in life, and all things to be thankful for. I also know that many of my Best Friends suffer long term side effects. We moan and groan and move into the future!! Indeed all is well. xo
Hi Karen, I finished the 12 week treatment in 2014. You mentioned stiffness which is something that I had so bad. About two months ago I started taking Magnesium and it made so much difference. Once I alleviated the stiffness exercise was easier. That also helped. So now I'm getting stronger. The other thing that made the greatest difference is taking a teaspoon of Apple cider vinegar and lemon with four ounces of water several times a day. I haven't gotten to the Autophagy and one meal a day which seems to be a real key to health and longevity.
I agree with you! Sounds like you're doing all the right things. Please forgive me, because I just checked and my youtube messages were turned off. So the magnesium is wonderful and I have a youtube about that. The apple cider vinegar is so right. Keep up the good work and let me know how the election goes. Lots of Hepatitis in Hawaii and many people need good representation! xoxo
I finally cured in 2016 with the DAAs but have lasting impacts from the previous 3 interferon and ribavirin treatments. I also did the triple therapy with telaprevir that cured you - that was the nastiest of the treatments. Thanks for posting this. I never get through my to do list each day either. You're beautiful inside and out, Karen and we so appreciate you.
It WAS nasty treatment. OML the tummy problems are something nobody could ever understand. For those of us who survived, we are a tough bunch. I truly believe that a lot of the joint pain, and muscles and nerve pain are from that treatment. It did not go away after transplant. Interferon and ribavirin were tough on us. But we're here to talk about it. haha. I maintain a positive attitude, but some days it's good to just tell the truth about what we live with. Thanks for sharing Marie. xo
It's so good to hear from you. I didn't know how many of us were still around. It was pretty nasty. I'm staying with my daughter this weekend and we were just talking about how it kind of traumatized all of us. It made us into different people. We had to find this core inner reserve of strength. Sadly, some people's physical strength was already too low and they didn't survive the treatment. Thank YOU for sharing. It's like we were in a war and all had the same enemy.... We do our best and then we rest!! You're so beautiful to say that. Let's stay in touch. xoxoxo I appreciate your friendship.
I have friends that died young and did not even have hcv much less treatments for such ...point being? Nice to be alive PERIOD! SOMETHING can get ANYONE any day!
You have an amazing experience since you are Hep C free and have good mental and cognitive ability. The interferon was tough and very few were able to clear up the virus on it. Congratulations and thanks for letting others hear your encouraging story!
Enjoyed your positive attitude. I am 56 and had a bone marrow transplant in 2014 very suddenly. I am doing great now but often reflect on my prior health and where I am today.
I appreciate your comment so much. We enter into treatment with Western medicine knowing the side effects. I covered mine with faith and hope. Just being alive is a miracle, isn't it? Is a bone marrow transplant similar to an organ transplant as far as immune problems?
I'm sure you're like me, grateful for all of the medications, and also frustrated by long term side effects and symptoms. Some days I have mixed emotions. On days like today, so much gratitude. I just had a big bowl of watermelon and realize I would not be alive if not for all the meds. I hope you're able to do some of the things you love. BTW - I have a close friend who had a bone marrow transplant. We've just recently connected...
I’m a little worried now.. I contracted Hep C in 1983 at the age of 19 from a blood transfusion. I will be beginning treatment very soon and I already have most of the problems you talked about. That’s BEFORE the treatment! My husband wanted me to wait until treatment was less like chemo like it was early on. We asked my doctor if I could put it off and they said it would be fine. They would be vigilant with blood tests. They were. My husband and I decided 3 years ago that I should go on and get treated. I started tests and all of that to prepare and then my husband, Matt, passed away unexpectedly. Treatment got put off again until insurance could be straightened out. I just recently had the fibroscan and ultrasound required to begin the treatment now. It would be easier if I had Matt or in my case anyone in my life to help me get through this . We never had children. I hear this and wonder how I’m going to handle side effects, especially if there’s depression, alone and what if there are long term issues? It’s definitely concerning me.
Dear one, I have gone back to teaching and did not respond. I am sending you my sincere condolences for the loss of your husband. You have probably treated by now, and I hope that the side effects were few and you are cured to move into a bright future! Message me back if you have time. XO Karen
Thank you Karen, I have finished my treatment since June and every 6 or 7 weeks I keep getting sick (the same sickness i got from the meds) ,it passes after a night or two.
Take ahcc pills that would help you out alot it in hanceses you natural cell killers which are the white cells by 300 percent.. read the reviews on them you will be surprised they make the immune system strong an makes you feel powerful there natural mushroom pills. Make sure there ahcc
I'm sorry you're still sick and tired after Hep C treatment. I know that it can take a long time for the effects of the virus and meds to go away. The meds are pretty strong and invade every move Hep C takes to keep multiplying or morph to evade the drugs. I hope that time will lessen the effects. So glad you cured! Also, look at it this way: I had a stomach virus last month for 24 hours. I was still queasy and weak for about 10 days. That is just a small bug. Hep C is a big virus and attacks you whole body. I hope that every month brings more relief! xoxo Karen
Did you ever go back and get tested for antibodies? In some rare cases, it will cure on its own. Please get tested. I had NO SYMPTOMS until my liver failed. The cure is easy now. Keep me posted. Sorry I missed this one. xo
My father died months after taking Harvoni. He took it from October 2015 to Jaunuary 2016 test came back no tumors. April 2016 my dad died with five abdominal tumors and this was after taking harvoni he had no tumors before. My dad had colon cancer 21/2 years prior and always had great colonoscopies after. Harvoni killed my father! He was living fine with Hep C until he took those pills!
Hi Ruby I"m truly saddened by your dads death. It's so hard to lose a parent, especially after all he has beed been through to clear the virus. This has been a rough time for you. I've heard some say that also. Studies are starting to come out, and the statistics look like there is no numerical evidence of more tumors for any specific drug. I'll try and track one of the easier to read ones down and do a video about it. In the meantime, all I can do is say that a daddy always has his daughters heart and I miss mine every single day. He died very young from cirrhosis. He drank, but also had some tattoos and I"ve always wondered if he didn't have Hepatitis C. All my heart. xoxo
I was not too impressed with Karen UNTIL I realized that she is a transplant survivor ...instantly the woman qualified as AWESOME to me! Put me to shame awesome! Not to mention how fine looking she is!
Hay Dougie, haha! You're AWESOME for watching my RU-vid. We're survivors and I think we all deserve credit for clearing the virus and moving on. Are you trying to flatter me? Cause it worked. xoxo Karen
So sorry to be late. The riba is a hot mess and I hope you get on my website. I think there's on about riba rage, which is real. You just have to push so dang hard. A lot of people are clearing on it and aren't having as bad of long term effects as the older treatments. All my best to you. How long are you taking it?
@Eddie Brown Hi Eddie. I am on day 11 of second month of Epclusa. Like you I was scared to start treatment but I had to. I HAVE HAD NO SIDE EFFECTS AT ALL! Infact, I felt absolutely no effect! And just after 2WEEKS of taking my HPC was ALREADY UNDETECTED! So I am already cured but they say that I have to finish the 12 weeks treatment. So don’t be scared, be scared of HPC. I have to say that I am a plant-based vegan who eats lots of fruits and vegetables and I believe that was the reason my viral count was so strangely very low at only 214, so much that doctors were baffled! But I know it is because FRUITS and VEGETABLES clean our systems. When I finish Epclusa treatment I will eat tons of only fruits for a full week to regenerate my liver. Good luck to you with your treatment! You will be ok.
@@bluefairyuk I can always offer advice and encouragement, but it means so much when a reader shares their experience. Thank you so much for reaching out and taking the time. I hope you continue to feel good and are able to move into your life Hep C free soon!
@@bluefairyuk I would not take treatment if my viral load was that low. I too eat well and am expecting it to be low when I see the liver doc. in 48 hours. If it is that low I will not take it I will continue with what I am doing. Call me crazy but I'd rather not.
I been taking Maviret for 12 Days now. No mentioning side effects at all. I am more thirsty, sometimes i little bit more tiered and have mild headaches. All good! This new kind of hep c meds are seemingly very "wholesome"😉
Im curious if the hep c cures have been causing Cancer I have been reading others developed bone pre cancer for some full cancer and Ive just begun to look into this. Makes me think these combination therapy's are notat all iideal.
I've wondered the same thing. Of course there is NO way to prove it. I mean, even tracking all of us is hard. There isn't anyone who kept up with us all from the beginning. I started with a group from medhelp forum and many of them are gone. Ideal? Maybe not. Talk to me about your cancer. Pre-cancerous bone?
@@dougiequick1 I agree. Thanks for bringing that up. Even after getting cancer, I never doubted my decision to get rid of the virus. I don't think the tumor treatment and transplant would have been as effective because I was so decompensated. Hep C free is def the way to go.
I wondered why I havent seen you ...now I know 💓 Having gone thru Hep C treatment & it was successful....is there still physical discomfort ? For instance ....i still have pain or pains under my right breast area & a lot of discomfort in my hips when i try to lay on my sides ( too bad cause Im a side sleeper ) .i havent found much information about after successful treatment. Thank you for sharing , Myra
Hi Myra! I kind of hunker down and endure some of the lasting side effects. I do believe that pain near our liver area (under your right rib cage) can be from the old inflamed area. As far as hip pain. OML that is me too. I've been trying to sleep on my back and always wake up on my side. I actually thought of making a youtube about all the tips I've learned about sleeping positions. We cover it in yoga class. Spinal and hip pain can really be frustrating and I"m so sorry you are having to deal with it. Congratulations on successful treatment. Thank you for being so faithful to comment. It encourages me.... and feels less lonely. :)
I have the hip pain and nearly impossible to sleep on side! I THOUGHT it was from old motorcycle racing injuries...maybe not ehh? .... really bad shoulder and back pain on and off too ...my body is so trashed I cant tell what is old injury and which is something HCV and/or treatment related ...I have have suffered multiple compound fractures/ two steel plates/ 22 screws/ and a rod....broke EVERY rib on right side, punctured lung, cracked pelvis and managed severe A/C separations to both right and left shoulders ...what pain is from all this and what is from hcv and/or liver damage??
You're so inspirational, thank you for this video. 💙💛 Getting treatment as soon as the insurance company accepts my claim. I am currently in stage two at 8.4 very close to stage 3 and my genotype is 3. Very scared, your video brightened my thoughts for now, thank you for that.
Honey I hope your thoughts keep getting brighter. The treatment is pretty fast now. I just talked to a lady who has genotype 3. She's cured. Have you been over to hepatitis.net? It's online and has a forum and community of facebook. Also, you can find help getting your insurance questions answered if they are too sluggish. So happy and you need to know that MANY have ended up reversing cirrhosis after treating. xoxo Karen. Stay in touch and sorry this got stuck unanswered. xoxo
Hi Karen. I am genotype 1a. My viral loads were 200k last time. I just had them rechecked but dont have them back. I've had Hcv for about 12 years now. My dr suggested starting Harvoni. I am treatment niave. Do you know much about the new treatments and side effects??? I'm concerned bc I have a 3.5 year old and feel fine otherwise. Live a pretty healthy life. Just dont know enough about the new treatments.
I talk to people all the time who are on Harvoni and most of them have very few side effects. You may notice some mild fatigue. Your viral load can also create fatigue. Have you been over to hepatitisc.net? It's a forum that I help moderate on facebook, and people share their personal stories. I'm glad we met. You can get the support you need to finish treatment. I'm so happy that you'll be Hep C free to raise your little one and have a happy future. xoxo Karen Please stay in touch and find support at hepatitisc.net forum.
I was just diagnosed today with hep c and im completely scared and have no idea what to do with my life i was told treatment costed 80k i dont have insurance at all and flat broke ive never used a needle in my life and have no idea how i got this but i know i have to deal with it but how.
I just logged in and am glad to see you kind of "live" and just to let you know, it's all going to be ok. Let me get on my contacts and send you somethings. Karen xoxo I'm on hold. give me a second
The best forums are hepatitisc.net on fb and you can find tons of help there. Also Hepatitis C Family and friends and they are private. Also a Private counselor at Help4Hep will talk on the phone to you. It is a free call and they have a lot of information to help you get free help. Let us help you cut through the clutter and confusion. Call toll-free: 877‑Help‑4‑Hep (877‑435‑7443).
@@tylerkauzlarich1520 I felt that way when I was diagnosed. I got super sick and had it for 30 years. Still going strong. The new meds are awesome. Can you call that number? They can tell you how to get a doctor and also free or very little money for payment. xo
Hi karen what is the effect if the hep c not cured in treatment. I have a good friend he had hep c treatment he finished the treatment for 6 months but he go on again of drinking beer He is so alcoholic the doctor said he need to loss weight and stop drinking beer but he couldn't do it he said it's hard to stop the beer and he gained weight 10 pounds from 280 to 290 pounds now
Well, the hep c virus is gone, so the inflammation from that is no longer there. Alcohol basically destroys your liver slowly. If he already had some damage from HCV, he is committing a slow suicide. Have him email me - tell me why he want's to keep drinking. I've got a lot of videos about how my dad drank himself to death. You're a good friend to reach out. Tell me what they say. kk? xo Karen
@@KarenHoyt Yes his doctor already is commuting with him and everything is going well with him right now.is following up with him.i ask several questions at every appointment.
@@johnstrthr012271 It's so good that you help are with him at the doctor appointment. He's our mascot and has made it through so much with your help and support. Love you both. xo
I feel that in my case, the long term side effects of interferon and ribavirin combo + the telaprivir is neurological and muscular pain. There was some brain fog, but it was probably due to ESLD. I managed the pain from treatment by staying physically active and eating well. I'm SO glad that better treatments are available now! What about you?
@@KarenHoyt I was diagnosed with both acute hep B and C a few days ago and I'm thinking worst case scenario. I don't drink nor smoke, never been on any meds.
@@keithlamontbraggs It seems like we chatted on another video. Your chances of clearing the Hep C virus are good. You can also go over to the Hep B foundation site or give them a call. Ask your doctor, because you can keep Hep B in check and you can get rid of Hep C totally. Many co-infected people live long lives. Call 215-489-4900 or go to www.hepb.org and let me know if you need any more support. xoxoxo
I've been testing positive for hep. C for now about 20 years with No affects, signs or liver damage yet doctor after doctor I meet want me to start the New hep C treatment! I had take the old drugs back in 2001- interfereon to the point where I couldn't see my individual fingers! Suffice it to say that has scared me off and I live a normal lifestyle then as today - even have some wine and a beer at times! What is your advice______________________??
It's a tough call when you're feeling ok and have kept your viral load down. I assume your viral load is low, your liver enzymes are normal, and the hemoglobin and platelets are all within normal range. I lived the same way for most of my life. I had a good life, and didn't even know I was sick. Then in my late 50's, it all fell apart. The difference is that I didn't know and no one was assessing my liver. The facts are: there is a virus replicating in your liver that causes levels of inflammation. If left, it can begin to hurt your whole body. You may be one of those who never get very sick. Perhaps it's your genes. My advice, if it were me, is to take the 8 week treatment and be done with it. I would want to know the facts about my level of liver damage or any other extra hepatic manifestations. Long way of saying this, but congratulations for getting by this far! I hope you'll keep me posted on the decision making process and all to follow. xo xo Karen
I recently had a phone call from AbbVie and they're pretty proud of this drug. They are making great claims about it. I'm super glad to hear it from you first hand. Keep us all posted. MAVYRET
I'm on my last 2 weeks of Mavyrat with no side effects and I just got my blood work and I'm already cured. I still have to take my last 2 weeks but so grateful. I've had hep c for 16 yrs that I know of so time was ticking. Sooo grateful and omg my energy is back ❤😊❤😊❤
Im exactly in the middle of 8 week treatment and side effects are getting worse. I am alive like you say. Side effects are real tho. Getting dr.s too recognize is the challenge.
Hi Cris, I'm so sorry and wonder which side effects of the Hep C treatment are worse for you now? Also, may I ask how many more weeks you have to go? I'm glad your doctors are on it. xoxo Karen
Hi.just want ask many saying if man had a hep c , can have a child is it true..and can i know what type genotype do you have..any relapsed issue.. What i see in many videos most of the man diagnosed hep c after the had child.and some say if the carrier of the baby had hep only than the baby will get it..please enlighten me on that.
Hep C can NOT be passed through sperm. It's only passed through blood. A man will not pass it to his unborn child through conception. I hope this eases your mind and please forgive this was stuck in a youtube filter. xoxo Karen
Hey anyone here NOT taking vitamin K2? And if not? WHY NOT? Watch some videos here on youtube ! Why not? Sounds SO promising and is cheap! Tell everyone! Why not??
BTW I am what? almost 3 years clear of hcv? Lost 60 llbs since harvoni (unexplained weight loss) I was diagnosed with cirrhosis so they rxed me 24 weeks of harvoni ...Prior to harvoni cure I did 2 1/2 rounds of various interferon/ribavirin insults to my person for naught ....was on methadone for over 10 years but got off simultaneous with harvoni cure...stopped nicotine, stopped cola with every meal ....Still on an opiod but this time its buprenorphine (not sure I can kick this one ever though I WANT TO!) ...my supplements? Vit k2 both forms mk4 and 7 ...150 mg CoQ10 every 12 hours (squirt half into mouth take the rest in 12) .... magnesium GLYCINATE, probiotic, some questionable brain enhancement supplements, Krill oil, 1/2 of sublingual b12 (trying to find some energy)....I'm in my 60s on disability for years ....
What I find strange is even after hcv cure my neuropathy remains ....maybe not as bad but then I am 175 llbs now rather than 235. Hands are still red as beets! Anyone else have Dupuytrens Contracture? That is rearing it's ugly head with me over the last couple years ....VERY painful on occasion mostly not at all ...
When I treated, we were told K also. I wrote about it here. While on treatment, my doc cut me back because of varices bleeds. I put this blog on years ago. Glad you found it. www.ihelpc.com/liver-safe-vitamins-and-supplements-with-cirrhosis/
Neuropathy is probably from the long term interferon use? The old drugs were such a mess, but they cured many from the virus. Are you doing yoga with me?
