Author Topic: My Sov / Riba 12 week journey (Read 18555 times)

Raney · « **on:** June 17, 2016, 01:07:19 pm »

Good afternoon!! I am sharing my journey because of all of the side effects that I had read, had me terrified. I want to share with anyone else on a 12 week Sovaldi and Ribavirin combo TX my experiences, which so far, haven't been bad AT ALL.

I started June 11, so I am on day 7.
I eat a light meal, sometimes cereal, sometimes toast. I take my sovaldi first, then about 15 mins later, I take my 3 Ribavirin. I also take Vit D 2000 and B12 1500 (my counts were low BEFORE tx) about a half hour later. I have heard water is the key.. I drink about 8 bottles a day or more (my water bottle holds 33.8 oz and I fill it up about 3 times), which is easy in Las Vegas..it is so hot. I also drink green smoothies as someone said they help too. I haven't had any side effects yet. (I did have to go to the Dr for anxiety symptoms (shortness of breath, chest hurt), but I have a lot going on in my life. It is not related to the riba, as I was in the Dr 2 weeks prior for the same thing. I have since quit smoking and it has subsided 100%.) I eat fish, salad, or a light dinner and take the other 3 Riba.

The only thing I notice different is that I am in bed by 10:30p and up at 6:30a, where as before, I was in bed by midnight and up around 7:30a. It could be because I am 45 years old and I work, go to the gym, and besides being 100+ degrees here in Vegas everyday..I attribute the "early to bed, early to rise" to my lifestyle (busy, busy, busy).

It has not affected my work in the least bit. Before TX, I was prone to migraines but haven't had 1 inkling of a headache at all.

I get my 1st labs at the 2 week mark (next Saturday). I will check back in weekly, (or sooner if there are any changes in side effects) with my general progress, and my lab results when I get them.

I hope this gives others the hope that this tx is not as bad as our minds make it out to be. I know my head was spinning reading all the side effects. This forum and the special people on it, their feedback, made me push forward and boy am I glad I did!! Remember, the experience is different for everyone but my body usually reacts to medicine with side effects and so far .. NONE!

Good luck on all of your journeys with TX and remember...there IS a cure!! STAY POSITIVE!

KimInTheForest · « **Reply #1 on:** June 17, 2016, 02:40:57 pm »

Thanks for sharing the report of your first week, Raney. So great to hear that you are sailing through with no side effects so far! I am sure it will encourage others who may be apprehensive about starting.

kim

Raney · « **Reply #2 on:** June 17, 2016, 02:53:45 pm »

Very welcome KimInTheForest.. That is my hope.. to bring some positive experiences to the forum and shed a light for others.

Have a great day!

Raney · « **Reply #3 on:** June 24, 2016, 01:16:28 pm »

Day 14. So far, still...no side effects. I had my colonoscopy yesterday and still took my meds in the morning without food. I knew it would be over soon and I ate right after my procedure.

I hope that tx is going well for others. I only have 2 weeks in, 10 weeks left, but, I am here if anyone has questions or wants to talk.

I go for my 2 week (and 1st labs) blood work tomorrow so I will report back in when I know the numbers.

Have a great day!

brie41 · « **Reply #4 on:** June 24, 2016, 07:33:14 pm »

Hi Raney,

I am so glad to hear how well you are doing. I would think the Riba might be a problem, but I think others have said it was only really bad when used with interferon. How far things have come over the last 5 years. Sounds like you are doing everything right and I wish you continued good health throughout your treatment. I just found out that I am svr 6 weeks after an 8 week Harvoni treatment. I did have some side effects, but mild all in all. Hang in there. Brie

Raney · « **Reply #5 on:** June 24, 2016, 08:11:54 pm »

Thanks Brie!! & congrats on your SVR!! yay!

KimInTheForest · « **Reply #6 on:** June 24, 2016, 08:18:14 pm »

Yes, congrats on your SVR6, Brie!

And that's great you are having smooth sailing so far, Raney. Keep it up!

kim

Raney · « **Reply #7 on:** June 24, 2016, 08:51:33 pm »

Thanks Kim!

KimInTheForest · « **Reply #8 on:** June 24, 2016, 09:27:34 pm »

Quote from: Raney on June 24, 2016, 08:51:33 pm

The stress I believe is that my mom's been staying with me for a month. Her house a.c. went out .. Her and I have never got along. Ever. She's very negative. She's on 24 hour oxygen and her heart only works at 25%. She says she wants to die and argues. I refuse to argue with her but that is when my chest gets tight and I get short of breath. Ugh.

Good luck Raney! That's a very difficult situation. I too was in the midst of difficult and unhealthy (toxic) family relations during my treatment. Very hard with any treatment, but where ribavirin is involved it became a great burden for me (what with the anemia and the riba rage). I believe the toxicity (riba and family) and lack of support I had at that critical time in my life is partly what led to the serious health decline I have experienced post-treatment. It was just too much for me. So take care of yourself, Raney! We are vulnerable during this treatment process - more vulnerable than we may realize. Do whatever you have to to remove yourself from negative energy.

best,
kim

Raney · « **Reply #9 on:** June 24, 2016, 09:32:58 pm »

You are right. Thank you.

Raney · « **Reply #10 on:** June 25, 2016, 06:07:10 pm »

June 25. Day 15

Went for 1st bloodwork this morning.

I have had a headache on my left side of my head today. I also have had (acid reflux??) today too. Oh, and no matter how much water I drink, my mouth feels dry. I guess thats the 1st set of side effects. I have read these are normal...but dangit.

Going to take a Tylenol now. I will report my labs when I have them back.

AussieRosa · « **Reply #11 on:** June 26, 2016, 07:01:34 am »

Hi, Raney. Good to hear that you've started treatment and have been side effect free. The headache could just be a 'typical' headache and not a sign that you're about to experience them regularly as a side effect. I certainly hope that is the case. I had stomach problems with Ribavirin, ended up being that it irritated my stomach and caused a dormant helicobactor pylori infection to flare up. It's unlikely you'll have serious stomach issues though. Have you checked the interactions with antacids and sovaldi? The combo I was on allowed zantac/ranitidine and mylanta an hour after my meds. Might pay to find out what is ok to take and have some at hand in case it becomes an issue. Wishing you all the best with the rest of your treatment.
Rosa

Raney · « **Reply #12 on:** June 26, 2016, 02:09:21 pm »

No headache today...so you are probably right Aussie Rosa (not necessarily a side effect, just a headache) . . Also, I didn't take my b12 today and I don't feel tightness in my chest.

Thank you.

brie41 · « **Reply #13 on:** June 26, 2016, 06:56:13 pm »

Hi Raney,

Wow I can't get over your liver enzymes and viral load. My viral load was always in the millions. Your numbers look so good already! I made sure to take my Harvoni after dinner as I didn't want to risk stomach upset and hopefully getting enough water will help with the dehydration. I was so thirsty all the time while treating. Best of luck. Brie

Raney · « **Reply #14 on:** June 26, 2016, 07:02:34 pm »

Thank you Brie. . those numbers were before treatment. I hope they stay that way and my viral load disappears.

The lab said it takes 2 or 3 days to get results from Saturdays bloodwork. (That was my 2 week mark (15 days) & 1st lab since started tx) I will share the numbers as soon as I get them.

Raney · « **Reply #15 on:** June 30, 2016, 11:39:42 am »

Just got my 1st labs back.
Alt 14
Ast 13
Hgb 13.2
Hct 38.6
Plt 295
Rbc 4.60

Everything is in perfect range!! My next test is July 9 to recheck counts & viral load. Omg. I'm so hopeful & excited!! Oh & still can't detect a side effect to mention. Yay!

brie41 · « **Reply #16 on:** June 30, 2016, 02:40:59 pm »

Congrats Raney,

Those numbers look great!! You are on your way and glad to hear you are not experiencing any side effects too! Brie

Raney · « **Reply #17 on:** June 30, 2016, 02:43:24 pm »

Thank you very much Brie!!

AussieRosa · « **Reply #18 on:** July 01, 2016, 02:32:14 am »

Good news, Raney. I hope the rest of your treatment goes just as easily as it has done so far. Best of luck!

Raney · « **Reply #19 on:** July 06, 2016, 02:58:24 am »

I think I missed my pm dose of ribavirin. I thought I missed a dose before & counted extra pills...which is crazy because I know 100% that since I started 24 days ago, I have been taking my meds on schedule..my alarm on my phone goes off.

Tonight, my alarm went off but my came over about 10 mins later, and then we left to the NA meeting.

I remember there being extra pills but can't remember if it was 2 or 5. There are 5 extra now.

Should I skip it until my morning scheduled time or ??

Raney · « **Reply #20 on:** July 07, 2016, 11:31:53 am »

Day 26 migraine from hell. I do get migraines but rarely. This one is the worst ever. Not saying it's the meds but I have noticed I haven't been taking in as much water as before.

Raney · « **Reply #21 on:** July 14, 2016, 10:19:06 pm »

My gastro called me today. My 4 week labs show "undetected" yay! 34 days in today and feeling great.

KimInTheForest · « **Reply #22 on:** July 14, 2016, 10:23:39 pm »

Quote from: Raney on July 14, 2016, 10:19:06 pm

My gastro called me today. My 4 week labs show "undetected" yay! 34 days in today and feeling great.

Wonderful news, Raney! You got this!

kim

Raney · « **Reply #23 on:** July 14, 2016, 10:47:11 pm »

Thank You much KimInTheForest!! Headed in the right direction...

AussieRosa · « **Reply #24 on:** July 14, 2016, 11:03:30 pm »

That's what we all love to hear. Great news. It feels wonderful, doesn't it? So happy for you, Raney. You'll be getting that SVR12 result before you know it. How are you going with sides?

Raney · « **Reply #25 on:** July 14, 2016, 11:10:04 pm »

AussieRosa.. Thank you & no real sides to mention..had a, as in 1, headache.. Probably just aheadache. Had a migraine, come to find out I have an astigmatism in my left eye...I ordered glasses and have been good since.

The panic attacks I mentioned in the other topic, the er visits for shortness of breath & chest pain, I am sure we're just stress induced panic attacks. Most likely from Googling side effects for days before I started treatment.

The only thing I do have now is my sciatic nerve is messing up. Thank God I went to high school with a chiro who is helping me get it under control. I have physical therapy every morning, they also put me on prednisone for inflammation & ibu 800.

So far, so good!

AussieRosa · « **Reply #26 on:** July 14, 2016, 11:12:40 pm »

Glad to hear it, Raney. Sounds like you're going to get through this smoothly. Keep us informed. I'm looking forward to your EOT and cure

Philadelphia · « **Reply #27 on:** July 15, 2016, 04:27:29 am »

Great to see you powering through treatment. Your numbers are fantastic. Keep it up!

Raney · « **Reply #28 on:** July 15, 2016, 11:35:26 am »

Thank you Philadelphia!

its time · « **Reply #29 on:** July 16, 2016, 07:21:14 am »

all great news Raney.... keep powering thru

Raney · « **Reply #30 on:** July 16, 2016, 10:19:55 am »

@ it's time: Thank you!

.

Raney · « **Reply #31 on:** September 06, 2016, 10:51:40 pm »

Yay!! I'm finally done with my tx.. have been undetected since week 4. Went for blood work today. .Fingers crossed. I only had a slight headache .. one . During tx. Hoping that is all.

Hope to see all of you graduates with some great news as well.!!!

hummingbird57 · « **Reply #32 on:** September 07, 2016, 09:47:36 am »

Raney - that's great news. To finally be rid of this!

KimInTheForest · « **Reply #33 on:** September 07, 2016, 11:51:06 am »

Congrats on reaching EOT, Raney!

kim

Raney · « **Reply #34 on:** September 07, 2016, 12:14:19 pm »

Thank you hummingbird57 & Kimintheforest. I really mean it. I never would have started if I didn't have this forum and such great people who were here to give me the real answers and experiences. Thank you again so very much.

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Author Topic: My Sov / Riba 12 week journey (Read 18555 times)