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Author Topic: Has anyone else gotten anemia from the added Ribavirin to Harvoni?  (Read 11638 times)

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Offline doglover820

  • Member
  • Posts: 11
Hello All,
I'm new to the forum and started Harvoni a month ago.  I've been feeling fatigued and got dizzy and weak from low blood numbers.  Does anyone else have a problem with ribavirin?
Diagnosed 2003 with Hep C and cirrhosis but probably got hep c in the 70s
Tried Interferon and ribavirin for 6 months - no luck - 2003
Diagnosed 2011 with liver cancer and told I needed a liver transplant
Tried Telepravir and ribavirin to clear up Hep C before transplant - got bad rash and had to quit
Tried Bocepavir and ribaviran - didn't work
Got transplant in Jan. 2012 but still had Hep C
Started Harvoni and ribavirin on Feb. 11 - undetected after 2 weeks!!

Offline donk

  • Member
  • Posts: 31
Re: Has anyone else gotten anemia from the added Ribavirin to Harvoni?
« Reply #1 on: March 14, 2015, 05:00:34 pm »
I'm not taking rib with harvoni but I did in the past with peg-intron. I had the low blood counts, hives, and persistent cough. Good luck.

Offline mistycat

  • Newbie
  • Posts: 1
Re: Has anyone else gotten anemia from the added Ribavirin to Harvoni?
« Reply #2 on: March 15, 2015, 01:00:17 pm »
Hi - In 2010 I was on Peg Interferon and Ribavirin and did have very low hemoglobin count after several weeks in. Yes I was very tired. When the numbers reached the lowest acceptable (sorry I don't recall now what that is but it is a standard protocol) the dose of ribavirin only was cut back.

I was given weekly injections of Procrit for about a month until the numbers went back up. I felt much better then too. The Ribavirin was increased again and I had no more issues with Ribavirin after that for the duration of 24 weeks. Unfortunately after stopping treatment I relapsed and am on Harvoni now. This does not mean your treatment will not work, only that Ribavirin can cause issues.

To everyone fighting this 'dragon' stay positive, we will be cured.  Everyone of you will be in my prayers every day.

Offline Lynn K

  • Global Moderator
  • Member
  • Posts: 4,546
  • Get tested, get treated, get cured, fight Hep c!
Re: Has anyone else gotten anemia from the added Ribavirin to Harvoni?
« Reply #3 on: March 15, 2015, 02:55:50 pm »
I am taking Harvoni for 24 weeks and after 9 weeks added 1200 mg Riba. By week 3 of the adds riba my HGB was down to 9.3 with 11.1 as minimum normal for a female. My doctor does not want to add Epo as I did in the past when I was on Interferon and Riba. So we reduced my dose down to 1000 mg and my HGB is holding steady at the minimum my doctor wants to see 10.0

Just have to tough it out for 7 more weeks

Good luck
« Last Edit: March 15, 2015, 02:57:22 pm by Lynn K »
Genotype 1a
1978 contracted, 1990 Dx
1995 Intron A failed
2001 Interferon Riba null response
2003 Pegintron Riba trial med null response
2008 F4 Cirrhosis Bx
2014 12 week Sov/Oly relapse
10/14 fibroscan 27 PLT 96
2014 24 weeks Harvoni 15 weeks Riba
5/4/15 EOT not detected, ALT 21, AST 20
4 week post not detected, ALT 26, AST 28
12 week post NOT DETECTED (07/27/15)
ALT 29, AST 27 PLT 92
24 week post NOT DETECTED! (10/19/15)
44 weeks (3/11/16)  fibroscan 33, PLT 111, HCV NOT DETECTED!
I AM FREE!

Offline doglover820

  • Member
  • Posts: 11
Re: Has anyone else gotten anemia from the added Ribavirin to Harvoni?
« Reply #4 on: March 15, 2015, 03:10:36 pm »
Hi Lynn K and Misty Cat,

My HGB was 9.3 last week.  It was 8.3 before that and the Dr. reduced it.  They check it twice a week now and I live about 50 miles from the lab!  My last day will be May 6, 2015 so I'm on the same schedule as you LynnK.  I started with something like a 12 and it kept going down so Dr. reduced it to 600 mg a day.  I feel OK today but some days I feel like I have absolutely no energy.  I thought he would reduce it again since I feel so weak sometimes but he really wants me to stay on it with the Harvoni.  I don't want to take any chances because if it doesn't work then I'll never get rid of it.  So like you, I can tough it out.  But I can't wait to feel good!  Do you think when the Hep C is gone that we'll feel fantastic?  Wouldn't it be wonderful?
Diagnosed 2003 with Hep C and cirrhosis but probably got hep c in the 70s
Tried Interferon and ribavirin for 6 months - no luck - 2003
Diagnosed 2011 with liver cancer and told I needed a liver transplant
Tried Telepravir and ribavirin to clear up Hep C before transplant - got bad rash and had to quit
Tried Bocepavir and ribaviran - didn't work
Got transplant in Jan. 2012 but still had Hep C
Started Harvoni and ribavirin on Feb. 11 - undetected after 2 weeks!!

Offline Lynn K

  • Global Moderator
  • Member
  • Posts: 4,546
  • Get tested, get treated, get cured, fight Hep c!
Re: Has anyone else gotten anemia from the added Ribavirin to Harvoni?
« Reply #5 on: March 15, 2015, 03:52:51 pm »
Hi

I will be done on May 4th just a couple of days before you Happy cinco de Mayo!

As far as feeling better I have cirrhosis so that may take a while but just knowing I am free of hep c will feel good enough for now.

Good luck
Genotype 1a
1978 contracted, 1990 Dx
1995 Intron A failed
2001 Interferon Riba null response
2003 Pegintron Riba trial med null response
2008 F4 Cirrhosis Bx
2014 12 week Sov/Oly relapse
10/14 fibroscan 27 PLT 96
2014 24 weeks Harvoni 15 weeks Riba
5/4/15 EOT not detected, ALT 21, AST 20
4 week post not detected, ALT 26, AST 28
12 week post NOT DETECTED (07/27/15)
ALT 29, AST 27 PLT 92
24 week post NOT DETECTED! (10/19/15)
44 weeks (3/11/16)  fibroscan 33, PLT 111, HCV NOT DETECTED!
I AM FREE!

Offline Mike

  • Member
  • Posts: 999
Re: Has anyone else gotten anemia from the added Ribavirin to Harvoni?
« Reply #6 on: March 15, 2015, 04:41:39 pm »
Anemia is a common side effect of Ribavirin; but it can be managed through dose reduction, additional medications to boost the red blood cell count and so on.

The goal is to trudge through this and get through treatment. I know it's not fun - but the Ribavirin can really make a difference in final outcome.

Best wishes, Mike
Genotype 1a
Treated 2001 with PEG and RIBV
Treated in 2014 SOL+PEG+RIBV
Cured July 2014

Offline doglover820

  • Member
  • Posts: 11
Re: Has anyone else gotten anemia from the added Ribavirin to Harvoni?
« Reply #7 on: March 15, 2015, 06:21:22 pm »
Thanks Mike.  Maybe I'll mention some kind of blood supplement to my dr., he didn't mention it.  I only have 51 days left and I'm doing it no matter what!
Diagnosed 2003 with Hep C and cirrhosis but probably got hep c in the 70s
Tried Interferon and ribavirin for 6 months - no luck - 2003
Diagnosed 2011 with liver cancer and told I needed a liver transplant
Tried Telepravir and ribavirin to clear up Hep C before transplant - got bad rash and had to quit
Tried Bocepavir and ribaviran - didn't work
Got transplant in Jan. 2012 but still had Hep C
Started Harvoni and ribavirin on Feb. 11 - undetected after 2 weeks!!

Offline Mike

  • Member
  • Posts: 999
Re: Has anyone else gotten anemia from the added Ribavirin to Harvoni?
« Reply #8 on: March 15, 2015, 07:13:48 pm »
Talk to your doctor about it. One of the medications is Epogen, which is injected.

You're probably better off riding it out if you can - but there are some options that can help you better tolerate the effects of Ribavirin. Your red blood cell count will determine the best option (if needed).

Best wishes, Mike
Genotype 1a
Treated 2001 with PEG and RIBV
Treated in 2014 SOL+PEG+RIBV
Cured July 2014

Offline charly8

  • Member
  • Posts: 113
Re: Has anyone else gotten anemia from the added Ribavirin to Harvoni?
« Reply #9 on: March 26, 2015, 02:02:15 pm »
I am now having issues with the riba.  I added it 4 weeks into my 12 weeks of Harvoni.   I now have 3 weeks left so I have been on it for 5 weeks.  We have reduced my dosage to 900 mg.  I was fine for about 4 weeks but the 5th week hit me hard.

Oh that old feeling of riba all comes back to me now. 
1a, VL  1.05 Mil, ALT 47
Fibrosure F3 December 2014
Fibroscan F0-F1 March 2015
1995 INT & RYB -non-responder
2007 PEGIN & RYB 72 weeks tx - partial responder relapsed
1/23/15 Started Harvoni 12 weeks, EOT 4/17
2 week blood work -  <15 Und. (ALT 25)
4 week blood work - <15 Und. (ALT 29)
2/20/15 added RYB (4 weeks into 12 of tx)
8 week blood work - <15 Und. (ALT 23)
(EOT) 12 week blood work - <15 Und.
4wk POST tx VL - Und. (ALT16, AST 17)

Offline Lynn K

  • Global Moderator
  • Member
  • Posts: 4,546
  • Get tested, get treated, get cured, fight Hep c!
Re: Has anyone else gotten anemia from the added Ribavirin to Harvoni?
« Reply #10 on: March 26, 2015, 08:25:57 pm »
Hang in there charly I am right behind you 5 weeks 4 days to go Riba Harvoni

We can do it and then we will be finally freeeeeee!
Genotype 1a
1978 contracted, 1990 Dx
1995 Intron A failed
2001 Interferon Riba null response
2003 Pegintron Riba trial med null response
2008 F4 Cirrhosis Bx
2014 12 week Sov/Oly relapse
10/14 fibroscan 27 PLT 96
2014 24 weeks Harvoni 15 weeks Riba
5/4/15 EOT not detected, ALT 21, AST 20
4 week post not detected, ALT 26, AST 28
12 week post NOT DETECTED (07/27/15)
ALT 29, AST 27 PLT 92
24 week post NOT DETECTED! (10/19/15)
44 weeks (3/11/16)  fibroscan 33, PLT 111, HCV NOT DETECTED!
I AM FREE!

Offline doglover820

  • Member
  • Posts: 11
Re: Has anyone else gotten anemia from the added Ribavirin to Harvoni?
« Reply #11 on: March 27, 2015, 01:25:27 pm »
I'm feeling better now with the Harvoni, Riba combo.  A couple of weeks ago I was completely wiped out.  I have 40 days to go but my doctor did say because we had to reduce the Riba by 3 pills a day that I might have to take them all longer.  He has to discuss it with my transplant people.  I'm still counting down to the original date though.  But if I have to, I'll surely keep it up but I can't wait to start feeling stronger again!!

Good Luck to all of us!!  At least now we have a chance!!
Diagnosed 2003 with Hep C and cirrhosis but probably got hep c in the 70s
Tried Interferon and ribavirin for 6 months - no luck - 2003
Diagnosed 2011 with liver cancer and told I needed a liver transplant
Tried Telepravir and ribavirin to clear up Hep C before transplant - got bad rash and had to quit
Tried Bocepavir and ribaviran - didn't work
Got transplant in Jan. 2012 but still had Hep C
Started Harvoni and ribavirin on Feb. 11 - undetected after 2 weeks!!

 


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