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Hepatitis C Main Forums => On Hepatitis C Treatment => Topic started by: almost done on January 22, 2015, 11:00:08 pm

Title: side effects for an active old person?
Post by: almost done on January 22, 2015, 11:00:08 pm

hi all

I'm 64, work part time, exercise, bike and have had hep c 1a for 40 yrs...   I'm scheduled to start Harvoni shortly. I wanted to know if I will feel crappy enough during treatment to not want to work or exercise or do all the activities that I do now.

I tried treatment yrs ago unsuccessfully.  Dr said Harvoni is the real deal.  I have never felt bad...all these years, but am wondering if I'll feel even better after treatment.

Any suggestions, tips or feedback on whether energy will change dramatically during treatment?

Thanks to all.

Title: Re: side effects for an active old person?
Post by: Lynn K on January 23, 2015, 03:13:09 am

You will be fine especially as you are already active this should be a breeze for you.

So not getting out of going to the gym this time no excuses ;)

You can do it!

Title: Re: side effects for an active old person?
Post by: kate0b1 on January 23, 2015, 06:00:30 am

good morning and welcome almost done, I could barley walk the dog around the block on triple therapy lol. I did work but that was about all I could do.  This is a whole new world we are in, I took it a little easy at the gym the first week just to make sure i wasn't going to pass out ! after that i went back to my reg routine (i wish this routine worked better though lol). there is a ton of support here for sides/vents and anything else you can think of. Grab a bottle of water and jump in.

kate

Title: Re: side effects for an active old person?
Post by: lporterrn on January 23, 2015, 04:46:15 pm

Almost done - You probably won't get much sympathy for your age - I know people over 80 who did well on this treatment. I took Harvoni (with ribavirin) and stayed active. I even went dog-sledding. It was my 3rd treatment, and it was much easier than the older regimens, although it would have been much easier without the ribavirin.

Title: Re: side effects for an active old person?
Post by: Lukey on January 23, 2015, 06:53:38 pm

Hi AD and welcome,

I'm 63 and I had headache and flu like side effects for a few days, then they went away. Ask to see if you can take some Tylenol for a few days, it can really help. Chances are you won't have much trouble at all with Harvoni.

Keep us updated on your progress.

Joe

Title: Re: side effects for an active old person?
Post by: Bob V on January 23, 2015, 10:34:45 pm

Hi Almost Done.
Today was Harvoni dose 47 for me. I'm 62 and I swim, bike or run everyday. Knowing that I was going to start Harvoni I cut back on the intensity and the distance of my training. I don't work so I nap in the afternoons.

 "For me" the first couple of weeks I didn't notice anything different. Then one day it hit me, went for a run and my legs felt like I was running in dry sand, no power...same thing on the bike. Along with this I also started feeling like I was over trained or coming down with a cold. I kept doing my SBR each day and gotta say the overall feeling has improved the last two weeks. I still have no power and I'm slow. Ex my regular 6.5 mi run pre tx was an easy 1:05 now it's a tough 1:20.
 
Most people on the forum say they feel better after a couple of weeks and my brother felt much better after starting Harvoni, so your experience might be different.

Good luck and if you feel up to it keep riding the bike.
Bob
---------------------------
Dx hep non AB 1972, Hep C 1991
GT 1A
VL 3.7m pre Tx, 1/13/15- less then 15
Liver B 1992, unremarkable
Liver ultrasound 2014, normal
Treatment Interferon 90's x2 failed
Started Harvoni 12/08/2014

Title: Re: side effects for an active old person?
Post by: davefisher15 on January 25, 2015, 10:41:48 pm

I am a 64 year young male, I too hit the wall at week 4. I am working through it. Some days you just take a time out. If it doesn't get any worse that this it will be a piece of cake.

And speaking of cake, has anyone's appetite gone crazy?

Title: Re: side effects for an active old person?
Post by: Bob V on January 26, 2015, 01:15:52 am

Welcome Dave. Yes my appetite has gone crazy too. I hope it does get any worse for you.
Good luck Bob

Title: Re: side effects for an active old person?
Post by: TC on February 04, 2015, 09:56:42 am

Hi you old guys...I'm an old gal. 67. I've been on Harvoni 2 weeks. A few headaches and slowed down very little. Gym: lift light, yoga once a week, spin classes 3x week and walk outside weather permitting. First week had daily stomach aches taking drug at night. Now take it in morning with yogurt, resulting in fewer stomach aches. I drink plenty of water all day..Maybe that helps

Title: Re: side effects for an active old person?
Post by: Bob V on February 04, 2015, 11:17:20 am

Hi TC and welcome. Keep up with the spinning and yoga. Remember it's ok to skip a day if you're not feeling it.
Bob.

Title: Re: side effects for an active old person?
Post by: TC on February 04, 2015, 01:28:47 pm

Thanks Bob. Good advice. Forgot to mention loose stools. Anyone else?

Title: Re: side effects for an active old person?
Post by: Jdemaris on February 05, 2015, 08:49:02 am

We are all different. No one can say with certainty that you won't feel effects.  I'm 62 and very active. Still doing heavy physical work every day.  I probably had Hep C  for 45 years.  I'm on my 10th week of Harvoni and have had some vertigo to the point I could not work for a week. At that time I could hardly drive.  Headaches and a lot of fatigue also. Had a few mornings that after I was up an hour, I felt like going back to bed.  Just have to fight it. Still have the headaches and fatigue but the dizziness is pretty-much gone.