Hello everyone!
My name is Luis and I’m writing to you from Spain.
I found out I had Hepatitis B in February 2019.
At some point the previous year (2018) I got infected, I know this because I’ve been a blood donor for many years and my last donation was in December 2017, testing negative for HBV.
I never had any symptoms, perhaps a bit tired but I attributed it to work.
In 2019 I had some routine tests, I’m 48 years old and have always had fluctuations in my cholesterol.
My surprise was when the doctor told me everything was fine except for my transaminases.
Talking with the doctor to find out where this increase in liver function could be coming from, she decided to test me for HBV, HCV, HIV.
Evidently I tested positive for HBV and negative for the rest.
It was a hard blow, it took me a while to assimilate it but you have to live and keep going.
The results of my first blood test were as follows:
My hepatologist, seeing these results, decided that I had to start treatment with TDF.
In Spain, the treatment is free, so every three months I have to go to my hospital’s Pharmacy department to collect the pills.
Regarding diet, I haven’t made any modifications, mainly because living in Spain my diet has always been Mediterranean, lots of vegetables, legumes, fish, white meat and fruit.
After 20 months of treatment with TDF my results are as follows:
Hbsag 1381 positive
Hbsab <2 negative
Hbcab >8 positive
Hbeag negative
Hbeab positive
HBV DNA not detected
ALT 19 IU/L
AST 16 IU/L
GGT 16 IU/L
Platelets 191,000
During these months of treatment with TDF, the only effect I’ve noticed has been and still is a bit of tiredness but nothing that can’t be managed.
Regarding Urea and creatinine, always within normal values.
Receive a warm hug and let’s hope a cure arrives soon.
I translate the message into English, sorry for My English.
I hope you understand me.
Hi all!
My name is Luis and I am writing to you from Spain.
I found out about my Hepatitis B in February 2019.
At some point in the previous year (2018) I got infected, I know because I have been a blood donor for many years and the last donation was in December 2017, testing negative for HVB.
I never had any symptoms, maybe a little tired but I attributed it to work.
In 2019 I had some routine tests done, I am 48 years old and I have always had fluctuations in my cholesterol.
My surprise was when the doctor told me that everything was correct except the transaminases.
Talking with the doctor to find out where this increase in liver function could come from, she decided to do the tests for HVB, HVC, HIV.
Obviously I tested positive for HVB and negative for the rest.
It was a hard blow, it was difficult for me to assimilate it but you have to live and move forward.
The results of my first analysis were the following:
Hbsag 280,000 positive
Hbsab <3 negative
Hbcab> 8 positive
Positive hbeag
Hbeab negative
HVB DNA 347,000,000
GPT 264 IU / L
GOT 115 IU / L
GGT 51 IU / L
Platelets 145,000
My hepatologist upon seeing these results decided that I had to start TDF treatment.
In Spain the treatment is free, so every three months I have to go to the pharmacy service of my hospital to pick up the pills.
Regarding the diet, I have not made any changes, mainly because living in Spain my diet has always been Mediterranean, many vegetables, legumes, fish, white meat and fruit.
After 20 months of treatment with TDF my results are as follows:
Hbsag 1381 positive
Hbsab <2 negative
Hbcab> 8 positive
Hbeag negative
Positive hbeab
HVB DNA is not detected
GPT 19 IU / L
GOT 16 IU / L
GGT 16 IU / L
Platelets 191,000
During these months of treatment with TDF the only effect that he has been able to notice has been and still continues to be a little tired but nothing that cannot be overcome.
Regarding urea and creatinine always in normal values.
Receive a big hug and hopefully a cure will come soon.
Thanks for sharing your story (and translating it to English!), much appreciated. It’s great that you found out about your Hep B before anything major had occurred and it’s fantastic that the medication is so easy for you to get. It looks like they are working well because your levels are undetectable, which is linked to better health outcomes.
Please know that we scientists are all working hard for a cure. I hope you stay safe and everything keeps going well.
This type of medicine, whether for hepatitis B or C, is completely free in Spain, as in Europe.
Healthcare in Spain and Europe is universal and free for all citizens.
Yes, it is the same here in Australia and I think this sort of initiative has saved thousands of lives. Health care was free and medicine was very cheap for me (I think it was 10 euro or so for 2 months of Tenofovir) when I was working in Germany for 3 years, even though I was not a citizen. I am truly thankful for these policies.
Yes, TAF (Vemlidy) is the newest antiviral that is still in that ‘whatever’ stage where it costs more. Although, if your insurance will cover it, then it doesn’t cost the patient as much. I have mentioned previously, that I could see the amount that insurance was charged and it would range month to month but average was around $1100-$1200 per month.
I just googled it again and $1200 for month supply. Even if insurance covers 50-75%, it’s still $300-600 a month for pills that will be years or lifetime medication. I m guessing depending on your income, you can get the financial help from the vemlidy company, but I m sure if you have a somewhat average pay or above, you probably won’t qualify. I don’t know. I m just guessing.
On the web, found that the generic version won’t be out on the market until 2032. I read tdf came out 2001 and taf came out 2016, so I guess it makes sense. Just it’s worry some that for hepatitis b patients, having money or not can ultimately determine your health.
I remember reading @Joan_block and someone else explaining about a prescription discount card for Vemlidy. I don’t know if it was from the manufacturer directly or some other program but if I remember correctly, it greatly reduced the cost. Hopefully Joan or anyone else that knows about this can post a reminder and how to attain it.
But agreed, it’s more than disappointing that Vemlidy is so expensive when it is newer and safer and needed by so many patients.
Hi all, the Vemlidy “co-pay coupon program” is offered by Gilead, the manufacturer of the drug. My prescription plan through my husband’s health insurance told me about it and actually signed me up! But I also have an actual card with the following toll-free number. It may only be for the U.S., in which case check the website www.vemlidy.com as well for information:
#1-877-627-0415
Let us know if anyone is able to access this so others can benefit as well!! Always, Joan