Hepatitis Forums
Hepatitis C Main Forums => On Hepatitis C Treatment => Topic started by: 6stringfla on October 02, 2015, 11:59:56 am
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Today, I took my 1st Harvoni pill and pray that I am on the way to a Hep C free life. I was treated for 3.5 months back in 1996 when all they had was Interferon. It made me worse so I haven't done anything since. Just had blood work that showed F3 and was approved for Harvoni. I am excited yet cautious in my enthusiasm as I know that sometimes it doesn't work. But there has never been a time when the odds have been so much in my favor.
GT 1a
VL 2.3
F 3
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Today, I took my 1st Harvoni pill and pray that I am on the way to a Hep C free life. I was treated for 3.5 months back in 1996 when all they had was Interferon. It made me worse so I haven't done anything since. Just had blood work that showed F3 and was approved for Harvoni. I am excited yet cautious in my enthusiasm as I know that sometimes it doesn't work. But there has never been a time when the odds have been so much in my favor.
GT 1a
VL 2.3
F 3
Welcome to the forums, 6string - and to the Harvoni journey! You will in all likelihood be cured! Remember to drink plenty of water. It helps lessen any side effects. Some people on Harvoni experience no side effects other than the "Harvoni high", which is actually pretty nice. ;)
cheers,
kim :)
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Thanks so much! I will be sure to drink plenty of water. I know I can't have grapefruit but is squeezed lemon in my water OK?
Thanks again!!!
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Thanks so much! I will be sure to drink plenty of water. I know I can't have grapefruit but is squeezed lemon in my water OK?
Thanks again!!!
Yes, lots of people here are squeezing lemon into their water to make it more interesting so they can drink a larger volume. Seems to have health benefits too. Also… No antacids like Tums within 4 hours either side of Harvoni.
kim :)
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Thanks Kim!!
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Good afternoon 6tringfla.
Welcome. Looks like we have been living with this devil for about the same length of time. I just started my treatment on Monday (9-28). I was never willing to try treatment before because the side effects were crazy and I did not think the odds were in my favor for a cure. You have to wonder after all of these years, what you thought of as normal is actually not normal and how things will change when the virus is no longer attacking things in your body. I have always thought of myself as healthy, energetic and motivated. Wondering how things will be different when I an cured :-*
I have had minimal side effects. Although I generally drink 64+ oz of water per day, I am finding that is not nearly enough now. I also seem to be hungrier than normal. I am not even sure those could be considered side effects just differences.
Hope your journey is a good one and I am glad we found this forum, it has been great to communicate with others who will know what we are dealing with.
Cindy
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Thanks for your warm welcome, Cindy. It is comforting to make this journey with others as I have lived alone so long with this disease.
I read in a forum somewhere (not sure if it was this one) that after a week and a half, the person felt more energetic and alive. I hope I get my energy back from being cured and not find out that my apparent lack of it is just because I'm 61. But whatever He has in store for me I will try to accept with a grateful heart. I pray you, too, are healed and enjoy every day of the rest of your life, as each day is a gift. May we look past the aches, pains and discomforts of the days that we might see the gift in each one! The dragon has been defeated!!
Kevin
6stringfla
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Thanks so much! I will be sure to drink plenty of water. I know I can't have grapefruit but is squeezed lemon in my water OK?
Thanks again!!!
Welcome 6stringfla! I'm guessing you live in the Sunshine State. Best wishes on your Harvoni recovery journey. I have a question re: the interaction with grapefruit. I'm on Sovaldi (one of the drugs in Harvoni) and Daklinza. I wasn't advised to avoid grapefruit (love it!). I plan to check with my specialty pharmacist, but wondered if there were specific warnings you were given re: interactions? I take calcium (though reconsidering this with the new findings on this) + Vit D and the pharmacist told me no interactions or special instructions with this. So maybe some of interactions with Harvoni are not a problem with Sovaldi alone.
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I'm sorry, I don't know. The pharmacist told me that grapefruit and grapefruit juice actually intensify the Harvoni and thus its side effects. Also I was told not to take Calcium, Tums nor antacids within 4 hours of taking Harvoni because the Harvoni needs an acidic environment to be effective. I'm not sure which chemical these warnings interact with. Please call your pharmacist and may your journey be sweet and successful!! The dragon has been defeated!!
Kevin
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All the best for your treatment Kevin and Cindy. You're right you know, the odds ARE in your favour. They aren't definite but they've never been better.
I've heard the grapefruit/antacid info, but can't add any more than that, sorry. Don't like grapefruit, don't take antacids, so just glossed over all of it. :)
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Cindy 1955...Exciting to think about what the new 'normal' might feel like isn't it? Best to you on your journey as well. I'm guessing from your post that you have experienced an increase in appetite and thirst with Harvoni. I wonder if increasing fiber in your diet might help? Sounds like you already drink lots of water. ;)
6stringfla and Philly...I did find info re: calcium interacting with the ledipasvir in Harvoni. I guess I will stay away from grapefruit until I talk with the pharmacist.
Mary
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I too just started Harvoni. I heard all the horror stories about interfuron. wasn't willing to go down that route. remember saying back then I was waiting for a pill with minimal side effects. I had no idea about 5 years ago when I said that, it would c'ome true so fast. the word "cure" had me skeptical, but it is true from so many testimonies. WOW!
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Onmyway;
Welcome. I just finished week 1...YEA. It has been a good week. I have been able to continue my normal exercise routine and have felt good except Saturday evening but I am chalking that up to the fact that I decided to cut out caffeine completely so I think it was the caffeine withdrawal headache more than anything. I still drink TONS of water because I am really thirsty and seem hungrier than normal but that is no big deal. I am trying to be sure that I don't do anything that may react negatively with the medication. Not even taking my daily vitamins, I am sure I can do without them for a few months. Only 11 more weeks to go...what an awesome Christmas gift.
I hope your journey is a good one and an anxious to hear from those who are on the same track that we are.
Cindy
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Welcome Kevin! And welcome Cindy!
This is a soft place to land whilst you go through this treatment.
Keep on keepin' on!
;) Marianne
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Hi.. Your post caught my eye.. as Its almost a mirror image of my situation.. I have been infected since the mid 1970s ... first Dx 1980... never tx.. although I did get interferon about 11 years ago for skin cancer.. but I quit after just a few weeks... Now I have been approved for harvoni . . I go see the doctor Tuesday for a class on the medication..? Med class.? NOT SURE IF I will start tx Tuesday or not..
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Congratulations and welcome Solonghcv!
Very expensive meds, so I guess a class can't hurt(?)... Welcome to the journey! Harvoni will likely be a cure for you! Drink lots and lots of h2o!
God bless :D