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Author Topic: Seem to have Constipation from Harvoni  (Read 18068 times)

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Offline Lukey

  • Member
  • Posts: 319
  • Let Thy Food Be Thy Medicine
Seem to have Constipation from Harvoni
« on: January 11, 2015, 10:28:49 pm »
Is that typical? I'm on day 5.

Logged
Male -  HCV since 1982 - Born 1951 ~ Geno 1a

Did 8 weeks of Harvoni in 2015. Got normal AST & ALT and undetected VL by week 5, then relapsed 4 weeks post.
-----------------------------------------------------------
July 5, 2018 : began 12 weeks of Vosevi with a VL of 540,000 and AST & ALT of 65 and 105.
2 weeks in : AST 19, ALT 20
5 weeks in : AST 18, ALT 12, VL "<15 detected"
10 weeks in : AST 19, ALT 14, VL "<15 not detected"
4 weeks post : "<15 not detected"

Offline Lukey

  • Member
  • Posts: 319
  • Let Thy Food Be Thy Medicine
Re: Seem to have Constipation from Harvoni
« Reply #1 on: January 11, 2015, 11:10:26 pm »

Do any of you take Magnesium during Harvoni Tx? I do, but at least 4 hours away from Harvoni. Not sure if it would be a problem anyway, but Mg increases fluid in the bowel and helps relieve constipation, which Harvoni seems to be giving me, at least for now it is.

My stools have been very solid and I had to really work to have a BM today.
I could also try some prune juice.
I eat tons of fiber, so it's not from lack of fiber.
Logged
Male -  HCV since 1982 - Born 1951 ~ Geno 1a

Did 8 weeks of Harvoni in 2015. Got normal AST & ALT and undetected VL by week 5, then relapsed 4 weeks post.
-----------------------------------------------------------
July 5, 2018 : began 12 weeks of Vosevi with a VL of 540,000 and AST & ALT of 65 and 105.
2 weeks in : AST 19, ALT 20
5 weeks in : AST 18, ALT 12, VL "<15 detected"
10 weeks in : AST 19, ALT 14, VL "<15 not detected"
4 weeks post : "<15 not detected"

Offline Lynn K

  • Global Moderator
  • Member
  • Posts: 4,546
  • Get tested, get treated, get cured, fight Hep c!
Re: Seem to have Constipation from Harvoni
« Reply #2 on: January 12, 2015, 04:58:14 am »
are you drinking enough water?

Perhaps try a stool softener like colace

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a601113.html

Of course check with your doctor, pharmacist or Gilead my support pats but I don't see that on the list of meds to avoid.

Good luck
Logged
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 Lukey

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  • Posts: 319
  • Let Thy Food Be Thy Medicine
Re: Seem to have Constipation from Harvoni
« Reply #3 on: January 12, 2015, 08:13:35 am »
Hi,

Yes, I do think I'm drinking enough water.

Is it typical to get constipation from Harvoni? If so, does it go away after a while?
I have tended to have sluggish bowels before Tx, now it's more pronounced.
Logged
Male -  HCV since 1982 - Born 1951 ~ Geno 1a

Did 8 weeks of Harvoni in 2015. Got normal AST & ALT and undetected VL by week 5, then relapsed 4 weeks post.
-----------------------------------------------------------
July 5, 2018 : began 12 weeks of Vosevi with a VL of 540,000 and AST & ALT of 65 and 105.
2 weeks in : AST 19, ALT 20
5 weeks in : AST 18, ALT 12, VL "<15 detected"
10 weeks in : AST 19, ALT 14, VL "<15 not detected"
4 weeks post : "<15 not detected"

Offline BattleTheBeast

  • Member
  • Posts: 817
  • Female, 57 - SVR12 as of 7/23/15!!
Re: Seem to have Constipation from Harvoni
« Reply #4 on: January 12, 2015, 09:57:24 am »
Hi Joe,

Make sure you add some Fiber into your diet, I have had that issue on and off while I have been on treatment. It helps to keep the fiber intake up and lots of water.

I am trying to deal with any issues I run into with adjustments to my diet vs. taking any type of medication. I just want to make sure I have the best chance to get to SVR so trying manage it all with the right food.

You can try some dried plums, mango, banana is also good. I am on a smoothie trip in 2015 and that's helping me a ton.

Mel
Logged
~Mel~
Hep C, Type 1, 10/11  viral load 8,238,340, AST-60, ALT-57 Bili .6  Stage 4 cirrhosis,
Week 4 VL <15 AST 20 - ALT 27 Bili .9
Week 9 - switched to Harvoni VL UD!! AST 20 ALT 19
EOT date is 4/30/2015,
SVR 12 is 7/23/15 ACHIEVED!!! 
and SVR 24 ACHIEVED!!

Offline Roger

  • Member
  • Posts: 171
Re: Seem to have Constipation from Harvoni
« Reply #5 on: January 12, 2015, 04:35:59 pm »
Joe,

Dried plums are a good and easy method of getting fiber.

I religiously eat about 6 of them 3 times a day. 

Makes the Harvoni Blue's go away.
Logged
Genotype 1a
2006 - Dx
2009 Biopsy      - Stage 2
2013 FibroScan - Stage 2
2014 FibroSure - Stage 3

Started Harvoni 11.21.2014 Viral Load - 313,593
12.26.2014 - UND (at 5 weeks)
At 8 Weeks - UND
EOT 02/12/15 - UND
12 Week EOT Blood Work - UND

Offline Lukey

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  • Posts: 319
  • Let Thy Food Be Thy Medicine
Re: Seem to have Constipation from Harvoni
« Reply #6 on: January 12, 2015, 04:46:19 pm »
Thanks for the ideas. I don't think I can tolerate plums because I have chelated mercury for 4 or 5 years using ALA and it kind of loused up my GI tract.

What I might try is eating just vegan foods for a while and quitting meat. It seems that vegan foods like nuts, seeds, and veggies should improve my bowel function. I have something called IF1 [intestinal formula 1] which is an herbal blend that's great at making you poop 12 hours after taking it, but I don't want to jeopardize my possible SVR and I don't think I should take it.

I may try some type of gentle laxative for a while if my gastro's nurse approves of it.
Logged
Male -  HCV since 1982 - Born 1951 ~ Geno 1a

Did 8 weeks of Harvoni in 2015. Got normal AST & ALT and undetected VL by week 5, then relapsed 4 weeks post.
-----------------------------------------------------------
July 5, 2018 : began 12 weeks of Vosevi with a VL of 540,000 and AST & ALT of 65 and 105.
2 weeks in : AST 19, ALT 20
5 weeks in : AST 18, ALT 12, VL "<15 detected"
10 weeks in : AST 19, ALT 14, VL "<15 not detected"
4 weeks post : "<15 not detected"

Offline Lukey

  • Member
  • Posts: 319
  • Let Thy Food Be Thy Medicine
Re: Seem to have Constipation from Harvoni
« Reply #7 on: January 12, 2015, 08:49:02 pm »
I'll tell ya what I think should relieve constipation, is temporarily avoiding meats, just as long as a lot of plant foods are eaten in place of it, like nuts, seeds, whole grains, tons of vegetables, fruit, etc.

Some things that are known to add to constipation are processed foods, fried foods,  flour, cheese, meat, lack of exercise, and more.

Plenty of water helps too.
Logged
Male -  HCV since 1982 - Born 1951 ~ Geno 1a

Did 8 weeks of Harvoni in 2015. Got normal AST & ALT and undetected VL by week 5, then relapsed 4 weeks post.
-----------------------------------------------------------
July 5, 2018 : began 12 weeks of Vosevi with a VL of 540,000 and AST & ALT of 65 and 105.
2 weeks in : AST 19, ALT 20
5 weeks in : AST 18, ALT 12, VL "<15 detected"
10 weeks in : AST 19, ALT 14, VL "<15 not detected"
4 weeks post : "<15 not detected"

Offline Lynn K

  • Global Moderator
  • Member
  • Posts: 4,546
  • Get tested, get treated, get cured, fight Hep c!
Re: Seem to have Constipation from Harvoni
« Reply #8 on: January 13, 2015, 12:16:28 am »
here are the official side effects from the prescribing info sheet for Harvoni

Table 2 Adverse Reactions (All Grades) Reported in ≥5% of Subjects Receiving 8, 12, or 24 Weeks of Treatment with HARVONI
HARVONI 8 weeks
HARVONI 12 weeks
HARVONI 24 weeks
N=215
N=539
N=326
Fatigue
16%
13%
18%
Headache
11%
14%
17%
Nausea
6%
7%
9%
Diarrhea
4%
3%
7%
Insomnia
3%
5%
6%
Logged
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 Lukey

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  • Posts: 319
  • Let Thy Food Be Thy Medicine
Re: Seem to have Constipation from Harvoni
« Reply #9 on: January 13, 2015, 06:28:46 am »
I'm not the only person to complain about constipation on Harvoni here.

It may not be Harvoni that caused it. It may have been that I had cut back on my Magnesium dosage for a while. My bowels seem to be moving better now that I've increased my Mg doses again. I don't take Mg near my Harvoni dose.

They had told me not to take antacids near Harvoni, but I guess it's OK if they're taken 4 hours away from Harvoni (not that I take antacids anyway). The girl at the  specialty pharmacy also seemed concerned about Magnesium but Mg is something I seem to need right now to help my bowel function, and hopefully it's not going to jeopardize my Tx, and I don't think it will.
« Last Edit: January 13, 2015, 06:46:24 am by Lukey »
Logged
Male -  HCV since 1982 - Born 1951 ~ Geno 1a

Did 8 weeks of Harvoni in 2015. Got normal AST & ALT and undetected VL by week 5, then relapsed 4 weeks post.
-----------------------------------------------------------
July 5, 2018 : began 12 weeks of Vosevi with a VL of 540,000 and AST & ALT of 65 and 105.
2 weeks in : AST 19, ALT 20
5 weeks in : AST 18, ALT 12, VL "<15 detected"
10 weeks in : AST 19, ALT 14, VL "<15 not detected"
4 weeks post : "<15 not detected"

Offline Lukey

  • Member
  • Posts: 319
  • Let Thy Food Be Thy Medicine
Re: Seem to have Constipation from Harvoni
« Reply #10 on: January 13, 2015, 06:44:26 am »
I didn't sleep well last night. I think I need to take something to relieve my headache. Felt like I had a nasty head cold in bed, but I don't think it's really a cold, just "die off symptoms" from dying virii or something, or just Harvoni SFX, which for many seem to be temporary.

Tylenol in doses under 2000 mg daily is safe for Hep C people on Tx, is that right?
I'm thinking that I really need some right now to help get me through the headache part of this Tx. I'm going to call my Gastro's office today and see what they say about it. I'm willing to bet that they will approve of some type of OTC pain reliever.

Got up at 5 AM and took some Peppermint oil in coconut oil and some magnesium citrate and chloride, which helped some but not enough. I very seldom take OTC meds like tylenol but in this instance I think I'm going to, to help me try to get that SVR.
« Last Edit: January 13, 2015, 06:48:19 am by Lukey »
Logged
Male -  HCV since 1982 - Born 1951 ~ Geno 1a

Did 8 weeks of Harvoni in 2015. Got normal AST & ALT and undetected VL by week 5, then relapsed 4 weeks post.
-----------------------------------------------------------
July 5, 2018 : began 12 weeks of Vosevi with a VL of 540,000 and AST & ALT of 65 and 105.
2 weeks in : AST 19, ALT 20
5 weeks in : AST 18, ALT 12, VL "<15 detected"
10 weeks in : AST 19, ALT 14, VL "<15 not detected"
4 weeks post : "<15 not detected"

Offline Lynn K

  • Global Moderator
  • Member
  • Posts: 4,546
  • Get tested, get treated, get cured, fight Hep c!
Re: Seem to have Constipation from Harvoni
« Reply #11 on: January 13, 2015, 10:40:28 pm »
yes 2000 mg daily is the max dosage of Tylenol (acetaminophen). But remember to read labels many OTC combo meds may contain acetaminophen so it is easy to get too much.
Logged
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 Lukey

  • Member
  • Posts: 319
  • Let Thy Food Be Thy Medicine
Re: Seem to have Constipation from Harvoni
« Reply #12 on: January 17, 2015, 01:33:26 pm »
The constipation I was dealing with for a few days seems to have gone away. I seem to be having about 2 comfortable BMs daily now. It's kind of like I have better bowel function than I had before Harvoni but it may be too early to judge that.

Actually my headache seems to be mostly gone too. I didn't need any Tylenol yesterday or yet today.

Joe
« Last Edit: January 17, 2015, 04:39:42 pm by Lukey »
Logged
Male -  HCV since 1982 - Born 1951 ~ Geno 1a

Did 8 weeks of Harvoni in 2015. Got normal AST & ALT and undetected VL by week 5, then relapsed 4 weeks post.
-----------------------------------------------------------
July 5, 2018 : began 12 weeks of Vosevi with a VL of 540,000 and AST & ALT of 65 and 105.
2 weeks in : AST 19, ALT 20
5 weeks in : AST 18, ALT 12, VL "<15 detected"
10 weeks in : AST 19, ALT 14, VL "<15 not detected"
4 weeks post : "<15 not detected"

Offline CHepCFree

  • Member
  • Posts: 66
Re: Seem to have Constipation from Harvoni
« Reply #13 on: February 01, 2015, 01:53:03 pm »
I too had constipation.   Drank lots of water and prune juice.   That did the trick.   I am just finishing up week 8 and it was seeming to resolve when I had to go off the meds due to ringing in my ears.   I had them checked for damage and all was ok so now I'm back on.   Back to constipation.   Be sure to report side effects to Gilead or your prescibing pharmacy. 
Logged

Offline anniemybaby

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  • Posts: 133
Re: Seem to have Constipation from Harvoni
« Reply #14 on: February 01, 2015, 02:05:37 pm »
Hi lukey I also had headaches which kept me up I asked my Dr n they told me I could take advil pm I also had problems not moving my bowels I took n OTC laxative hope your feeling better
Logged
Annie

Offline Islandgirl

  • Member
  • Posts: 295
  • Started Harvoni 12/3/14 - EOT 2/25/15
Re: Seem to have Constipation from Harvoni
« Reply #15 on: February 01, 2015, 02:39:30 pm »
Hi Lukey,  I seem to be having the opposite problem off and on - along with vile gas.  I'm not happy about it but tell myself that (I'm on my 3rd/last bottle - day 54) it's just my system flushing dead dragons.  Off and on I still have the occasional headache but 2 325mg Tylenol takes care of it.  Like you, I'm gonna make it to SVR no matter what 8)  Hope you're symptom free soon.  ....Islandgirl
Logged
1b, treatment naive, positive for Hep C since 1994; thought to be transmitted via blood transfusions in 1976
Started Harvoni 12/3/14, EOT 2/25/15
12/31/14 labs - Virus Undetected, ALT/18, AST/34
3/25/15 labs - 1 mo post 12 wk Harvoni TX Virus Undetected!!  :) ....Islandgirl

Offline Islandgirl

  • Member
  • Posts: 295
  • Started Harvoni 12/3/14 - EOT 2/25/15
Re: Seem to have Constipation from Harvoni
« Reply #16 on: February 01, 2015, 02:41:14 pm »
Hi Lukey,  I seem to be having the opposite problem off and on - along with vile gas.  I'm not happy about it but tell myself that (I'm on my 3rd/last bottle - day 54) it's just my system flushing dead dragons.  Off and on I still have the occasional headache but 2 325mg Tylenol takes care of it.  Like you, I'm gonna make it to SVR no matter what 8)  Hope you're symptom free soon.  ....Islandgirl
Logged
1b, treatment naive, positive for Hep C since 1994; thought to be transmitted via blood transfusions in 1976
Started Harvoni 12/3/14, EOT 2/25/15
12/31/14 labs - Virus Undetected, ALT/18, AST/34
3/25/15 labs - 1 mo post 12 wk Harvoni TX Virus Undetected!!  :) ....Islandgirl

Offline Islandgirl

  • Member
  • Posts: 295
  • Started Harvoni 12/3/14 - EOT 2/25/15
Re: Seem to have Constipation from Harvoni
« Reply #17 on: February 01, 2015, 02:42:05 pm »
Hi Lukey, Recently, I seem to be having the opposite problem off and on - along with vile gas.  I'm not happy about it but tell myself that (I'm on my 3rd/last bottle - day 54) it's just my system flushing dead dragons.  Off and on I still have the occasional headache but 2 325mg Tylenol takes care of it.  Like you, I'm gonna make it to SVR no matter what 8)  Hope you're symptom free soon.  ....Islandgirl
Logged
1b, treatment naive, positive for Hep C since 1994; thought to be transmitted via blood transfusions in 1976
Started Harvoni 12/3/14, EOT 2/25/15
12/31/14 labs - Virus Undetected, ALT/18, AST/34
3/25/15 labs - 1 mo post 12 wk Harvoni TX Virus Undetected!!  :) ....Islandgirl

Offline Islandgirl

  • Member
  • Posts: 295
  • Started Harvoni 12/3/14 - EOT 2/25/15
Re: Seem to have Constipation from Harvoni
« Reply #18 on: February 01, 2015, 02:43:29 pm »
Hi Lukey, Recently, I seem to be having the opposite problem off and on - along with vile gas.  I'm not happy about it but tell myself that (I'm on my 3rd/last bottle - day 54) it's just my system flushing dead dragons.  Never had constipation associated with the Harvoni.  Off and on I still have the occasional headache but 2 325mg Tylenol takes care of it.  Like you, I'm gonna make it to SVR no matter what 8)  Hope you're symptom free soon.  ....Islandgirl
Logged
1b, treatment naive, positive for Hep C since 1994; thought to be transmitted via blood transfusions in 1976
Started Harvoni 12/3/14, EOT 2/25/15
12/31/14 labs - Virus Undetected, ALT/18, AST/34
3/25/15 labs - 1 mo post 12 wk Harvoni TX Virus Undetected!!  :) ....Islandgirl
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