Good day everyone.
I have known about my Hepatitis B status for about five years now. I have not experienced any obvious symptoms except that I hardly sleep well at night I don’t ever sleep deeply and lately just feeling tiredness but the virus has quietly cost me a lot. I have lost job opportunities because of it, and right now I am at risk of losing a scholarship to study for my Masters degree in Malaysia because I am told they may send me back if it is detected during the medical examination.
I have been managing with natural remedies because I genuinely cannot afford proper treatment. I recently tried to get a viral load test done and was quoted a price I could not pay. So I do not even know the full picture of my health yet.
What gives me hope is seeing people on this platform talk about achieving undetectable viral loads after treatment. That is what I am working towards.
My questions are:
Can someone guide me on what antiviral medications are available and accessible in Nigeria that I can look into?
Is it realistic to get my viral load to undetectable levels within about four months?
Are there any free or subsidised treatment options in Lagos that anyone knows about?
I am not giving up. I just need guidance from people who understand this journey better than I do. Any help or direction will be deeply appreciated.
Thank you.
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Hi @Adebola,
This does not seem fair at all. I hope you receive good news soon. You definitely deserve some positive news, I think you are long overdue for one.
Can someone guide me on what antiviral medications are available and accessible in Nigeria that I can look into?
Yes, I think TDF (Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate) is available in Nigeria. I am unsure about its access throughout the country.
Is it realistic to get my viral load to undetectable levels within about four months?
I say yes, it could be possible, depending on the viral load.
Are there any free or subsidised treatment options in Lagos that anyone knows about?
I am unsure about this. @Prince_Okinedo, could you provide any additional information on these matters?
It is good to hear that you are not giving up. It is a great attitude to have. Best, Bansah1
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My dear brother @Adebola , I appreciate your confidence in sharing your personal experience, and I’m very happy you are self-motivated and are not giving up on anything. This is great. You, or anyone shouldn’t suffer in account of their hepatitis B diagnosis.
As regards TDF, it’s relatively available even though not widely available based on location. Since you are in Lagos, you can walk into nearby Pharmacies to check. Unfortunately, at the moment, TDF prices are still very high up the roof. In my state, Delta State, I was running a subsidized TDF (about 65% price cut) to enable others living with HBV like me to address the 2 major issues of access and price.
On whether you can achieve undetectable HBV DNA within 4 months, I can’t say with all certainty. It is possible but this will depend on a number of factors including your current viral load, immune status. But what is important is you starting and allowing your immune system and the medication work things out.
Just to inform you that we are currently putting together a community of persons living with HBV in Nig. (CoPWHeB-Nig+) to galvanize our collective voices to begin to demand for better HBV care services from our policy makers and governments. We will be glad to have you join. You can send me Whatsapp message on +2347066233745 if you are inspired to join others living with HBV in Nig on this course.
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Thank you very, much for your response and I’m sincerely grateful for the encouragement. I will definitely be more than happy to be part of the Nigeria community looking forward to it.
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@Bansah1 Thank you so much my friend and brother I’m sincerely grateful for these responses they mean a lot to me. I pray I receive a good news soon thanks for the encouragement and making me to feel hopeful again. I am happy to be part of this great family with the encouragement, hope and making feel not alone.
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Hello @Adebola
I’m glad you have received some help from others in this forum.
I would like to add you could save further money by not using natural remedies. There is no scientific evidence that these work. And could even be doing your liver harm.