Author Topic: Anyone getting itchy skin on Harvoni? (Read 28622 times)

DisabledHepcat · « **on:** January 30, 2015, 04:19:26 pm »

or is it just me.

cj · « **Reply #1 on:** January 30, 2015, 06:01:01 pm »

I have pct with hep c ...just be glad you dont have that ..painful several phelbotomy later and itching scabs since june ...been on harmonic for 17 days no real side effects except I been sleeping well...good luck with rest of your treatment ...light at the end of the road. Cj

DREJ · « **Reply #2 on:** February 01, 2015, 03:24:49 pm »

DisabledHepcat

High Billirubin numbers can cause itching. Been on Harvoni/ribavirin for 24 days and have not experienced any itching. Before liver transplant when Billirubin was high, itching drove me crazy.

Don

BattleTheBeast · « **Reply #3 on:** February 02, 2015, 08:35:45 am »

Hi Hepcat,

I had itching and a rash from Olysio when I was on S/O that was so bad they pulled me off of it after 8 weeks. I was trying so hard to stay the course but finally the doctor decided it was enough and I needed to be take off of it.

While I did have the itching I used every cream known to man I think along with Benedryl and a prescription version of an anti-itch med (can think of the name right now). For me, it helped if I stayed hydrated and kept from skin from drying out so lots of aquaphor (I was a greasy mess) at night and I used Vanicream during the day as well as hydrocortizone cream and even a prescription cream.

Hope your itching gets some relief soon, I know it's not fun. I would wake up in the middle of the night scratching myself raw. Check with your Doctor and see what he/she recommends that's best for you.

Mel

capefear · « **Reply #4 on:** March 22, 2015, 09:19:21 pm »

I'm day three and I'm itching like crazy as well. Glad to hear I'm not alone. Otherwise, no real effects to speak of. Maybe a bit tired.

I got a score of 4 on the Fibrosure test, which indicates cirrhosis, but the PA said other indicators in my blood work does not really point to cirrhosis. Anyone have experience with this?

atomic dog · « **Reply #5 on:** March 22, 2015, 10:37:57 pm »

CapeFear, drink lots of water and use Gold Bond or some other good lotion. I hope it passes.

Ruthie · « **Reply #6 on:** March 22, 2015, 11:10:57 pm »

Itching and red rash are a side effect. My itching subsided after 2 weeks. Like others have said, drink tons of water, use good lotion, and take an antihistamine as needed.

EleanorB · « **Reply #7 on:** March 23, 2015, 04:04:51 pm »

I'm day 11 on Harvoni and have developed a rash that itches, looks like small red bumps on lower arms and legs. What does your rash look like?

moma · « **Reply #8 on:** March 25, 2015, 01:11:27 am »

Only have 15 days to go on a 12 wk treatment. Thought I was home safe until 3 days ago when I woke up with a itchy swollen rash on my face and chest. I felt like my insides were burning but my skin was cold to the touch. Got into acupuncture today and that helped calm it down. Called the gastro. doc he prescribed a new antihistamine. It reminds me of the Interferon reaction. I was ready to throw in the towel earlier, panic set in, feeling better now. Remember being told there were no side effects? No matter what I still like a lab rat.
Happier Day Tomorrow,
MoMa

JoeK9999 · « **Reply #9 on:** March 25, 2015, 07:31:26 am »

I finished 12 weeks of Harvoni.
I experienced a little rash on one of my lower legs starting on week 11 of Harvoni which caused itching all over that leg. I am now 10 weeks post treatment
and still have itching on both lower legs sporadically. I got my general doctor to prescribe Clobetasol propionate cream which helps and also use Sarna lotion and Claritin. It's not so bad now, but still there. The rash was gone after 7-10 days of using the Clobetasol.

DisabledHepcat · « **Reply #10 on:** April 16, 2015, 03:05:15 am »

It's official , Harvoni made me itch like crazy. Ended up applying anti-itch lotion with menthol (Gold Bond) and applying it with a back brush just so I could scratch at the same time. Mostly my entire back, torso and upper arms. The only part of my body that didn't itch so much was my lower legs, hands and feet. Every once in a while a bump would appear and I would gouge it out since it was trying to get out, each time it was hard like a small stone. Than alcohol - neosporin and a band aid. I told my Doctor it seems I'm having a slight allergic reaction to Harvoni but I'm also allergic to HCV so. The itching went away about 4 days after my last Harvoni pill.

Debula · « **Reply #11 on:** April 16, 2015, 10:57:06 am »

I like the idea of applying the loton with the back brush LOL I am sooooo going to do that.
I have been itching for the past 5-6 years and was hoping that Harvoni would make it stop. I feel like my blood is dirty and the toxins are trying to get out (That is my own personal diagnosis since nobody knows why I have been going crazy itching for so long)
anyway..I am glad your itching stopped now. You must be so relieved!!

BubbaT · « **Reply #12 on:** April 20, 2015, 01:58:55 am »

Quote from: DREJ on February 01, 2015, 03:24:49 pm

DisabledHepcat

High Billirubin numbers can cause itching. Been on Harvoni/ribavirin for 24 days and have not experienced any itching. Before liver transplant when Billirubin was high, itching drove me crazy.

Don

Hi Don, what is like to have a transplant? I can't imagine that in my head, was it really difficult to go thru?
And how are you doing now?

jakas · « **Reply #13 on:** December 13, 2015, 03:46:36 am »

Old topic but YES the itching been there for a week before and now on Harvoni.
What helps for a while is after sun lotion, yes yes the one you use after the beach to cool your skin down.

jakas · « **Reply #14 on:** December 30, 2015, 01:30:10 am »

and the itchiness continues on my lower legs

Hepcfree2b · « **Reply #15 on:** February 02, 2016, 02:16:01 pm »

Quote from: DisabledHepcat on January 30, 2015, 04:19:26 pm

or is it just me.

I am beginning week five of eight on Harvoni and started itching about three days ago! It's driving me crazy as well, but am hoping that the end result is worth it.
My doctor isn't doing any testing or follow up appointments until I complete the treatment so don't know where my levels are at this point. At the start my VL was about 1.8 million with ALT/AST about 44 and 46 respectively.

Hepcfree2b · « **Reply #16 on:** February 02, 2016, 02:30:31 pm »

New to the forum and sooo grateful to have found it!
Diagnosed with HepC around 1990...pretty much asymptomatic so never sought treatment. I began Harvoni treatment one month ago with VL of 1.8 million and ALT/AST levels approx 44 and 46 respectively.
I had mild headaches the first week...no big deal.
About three days ago a started itching on my lower arms and strangely enough, my ears! I pretty much itch all over now. I have found that if I stay busy it's not all that bad.
My prescribing doctor gave me the info sheet when he prescribed Harvoni and said I will see you in eight weeks! Don't get me wrong, I am so grateful to even have my insurance covering the treatment; but feel a little lost.
Glad you guys are here so I am not feeling so isolated!

Bobbybaby · « **Reply #17 on:** February 02, 2016, 02:54:14 pm »

Yo. I just started Harvoni yesterday 6 PM. But I do have itchy skin in winter anyways. I use Aloe Gel. That stuff is super for me.

By the way I am told I have some Cirrohsis conditions after having HEP C for all these years. Anyone dealt with that.

At moment I am in excellent mood since I have but a $5 co-pay each month for Harvoni. And figure the Cirroshis takes a back seat.

gnatcatcher · « **Reply #18 on:** February 02, 2016, 05:30:29 pm »

Hi, Bobbybaby --

All the decades I had Hep C caused me to have cirrhosis, too. Since you say "some Cirrhosis conditions," perhaps yours is mild (also called "compensated cirrhosis")? The experts are discovering that getting rid of Hep C not only allows the non-cirrhotic parts of the liver to regenerate but often allows the cirrhotic parts to get better (less fibrotic). My hepatologist has told me that if my FibroScan score of 19.5 goes down to below 12, I will no longer have cirrhosis.

Managing cirrhosis is no big deal. They'll send you for an ultrasound twice a year, so that if anything worrisome shows up, it gets caught early when it's easy to fix. And of course we can't drink alcoholic beverages.

You're right -- cirrhosis takes a back seat. Curing Hep C is the best thing for you to be doing, since getting cured of Hep C helps with the cirrhosis. too.

Best wishes with your treatment.

Gnatty

Lynn K · « **Reply #19 on:** February 03, 2016, 02:35:44 am »

Hi Bobby

Yes I was diagnosed with cirrhosis as well on liver biopsy in Jan 2008.

I saw on your other post you are Treatment-experienced. Since you are Treatment-experienced and have cirrhosis I assume you are either being treated with Harvoni and Ribavirin for 12 weeks or Harvoni alone for 24 weeks.

Either way best of luck to you
Lynn

Rocket Girl · « **Reply #20 on:** February 03, 2016, 08:09:35 am »

11th day on Generic Harvoni. I feel good. Mild headache above left eye on and off, so I drink more liquids. Making it to the Gym every day. Can't wait for my Lab results in 4 weeks.

gnatcatcher · « **Reply #21 on:** February 03, 2016, 08:16:22 am »

RG, glad things are going so well for you. -sounds like you know the drill: more liquids and exercise did it for me, too. Wishing you great lab results.

Gnatty

Rocket Girl · « **Reply #22 on:** February 03, 2016, 08:19:11 am »

HepCfree2b, Welcome! You have low numbers which can only be good. Your about 3 wks ahead of me. I'm on Generic Harvoni / 1A. We are going to be great and Free very soon!

Rocket Girl · « **Reply #23 on:** February 03, 2016, 08:26:56 am »

Gnatty, thanks so much! I've waited so long for this and spent a great deal of money on natural therapies up to this point. Fingers crossed

Bobbybaby · « **Reply #24 on:** February 03, 2016, 09:34:22 am »

Gnatty, Lynn K,

Thank you both so much for your responses. Yes I found out years ago I had Hep C and endured the injection method of treatment til it was knocked out or at least NMF in my count. As I had unpleasentness with injection treatment as soon as Doctor said NMF I dropped the injections. Hep C came back.

Several years later my in-law raved about Harvoni knocking out his Hep C. So I am now on it for two days. I do have some Cirrhosis damage but as Gnatty posts lets get rid of Hep C now then deal with Cirrhosis issues. I did have endoscopy and all is well there.

As a side note my in-law developed a plethora of health issues after he completed Harvoni treatment but I do not think that is more than poor luck.

Thank You all

Barbara Marin · « **Reply #25 on:** February 19, 2016, 03:21:38 pm »

I've had itchy skin for years, rashes, bumps, constant itching at times. My Harvoni tx was last year and I cleared the virus. However the itching and rash have continued. So I went to the dermatologist who biopsied one of clusters of bumpy itchy things. I have a diagnosis: lichen planus. There's lots of googlable info. on this. It tends to be lower legs, ankles, inner wrists, back, scalp and sometimes in and around the mouth. I was prescribed a cream called Clobetasol Propionate 0.05 and it is helping on my back, lower legs and on my wrist. There is no cure for this kind of rash and I have read that there are associations between people who have Hepatitis C and/or chirossis with lichen planus. If you have a rash like this it is worth going to your dermatologist to find out, as the cream really has helped me.

Bobbybaby · « **Reply #26 on:** February 19, 2016, 03:41:49 pm »

How interesting. I naively figured I got itchy scratchy show in winter by being fair skinned BUT it surely could be the HCV collateral. As I earlier mentioned above I use an aloe vera gel to sooth my skin and that is effective. I don't have rash but do have itch.
I have been using Harvoni for 2.5 weeks now and see no meaningful change. I still in winter mode with itchy skin. Beats the near dementia I endured with Interferon injections but remains an issue I'd like to fix.
I will get a read on load reduction in a couple weeks and will let you know. I am hoping for the best.
1st things 1st lets get rid of HCV then address other issues.

jakas · « **Reply #27 on:** February 19, 2016, 04:48:21 pm »

10 weeks on Harvoni here and have itchy skin on both my legs just beneath the knees so I guess it will go away but had it for over 2 years now. Use just some coconut oil or vaseline or something like that, it helps for 2-3 days

Bobbybaby · « **Reply #28 on:** February 22, 2016, 04:00:56 pm »

Itchy skin seems to be stabilized a bit. I have a new issue. Someone wants to hire me away during this period on Harvoni. I'm a bit interested but at same time letting them know I need time. I'll make the best decision for me. If I pass on offer I can always console myself with the savings of $5,000 a month by just keeping my current health insurance and job.

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Author Topic: Anyone getting itchy skin on Harvoni? (Read 28622 times)