I received Symdeko 2 weeks ago, but when I received it I still had some Orkambi left. I was desperate to try Symdeko, but also felt guilty that I was going to waste Orkambi when so many people in the world still aren't able to get Orkambi (or any other meds to restore CFTR function). I also was having flashbacks to the time Acreedo messed up because they couldn't figure out how to bill my insurance (the same one they had been billing of rover a year) and I ended up missing several doses of Orkambi. I decided the responsible decision was to finish out my Orkambi which would allow me to have a few extra Symdeko tucked away in case I ran into a similar issue.
I am about to finish my first week of Symdeko and HOLY CRAP this drug is so much easier to take than Orkambi. You guys, I have continued to live my normal life for the past week! I can walk and jog and be a totally normal human being!! No gasping for air or aches or fevers, no elephant sitting on my chest! I am not terrified that I am digging myself into an early grave by taking this medicine the way I did with Orkambi. No MONTHS of torture before any reprieve. This is AMAZING!
I plan to give a one month update when I get there. I am noticing some things that make me believe that I am doing better on this medication than I was on Orkambi, but we all know how varied each day can be with CF and I want to have a better sense if these symptoms are flukes or actual signs of improvement before I write about them. Overall, I am very happy with Symdeko and I don't think I will miss Orkambi for even a second (although I am forever grateful I was given the opportunity to use orkambi for the past few years).
This is great news! Looking forward to the one month update! There are no medications available for my husband yet (he has a nonsense mutation), but I keep hoping we're getting closer!
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