Hello All! New and Starting Harvoni, Questions About Feeling Better if Cured?

[nxs450]

Hello I am new here. Little history I am 55 year old male and was diagnosed with Hep-C, Genotype 1b in 1999. I did Interferon/Ribavirin in 2000. It did not work, was the worst thing I have ever been through and will never take it again.

I am starting Harvoni on 12/4/15, Yeah! and don't know what to expect. I do not have cirrhosis  and haven't really had any problems other then not feeling well at times like fatigue, bad brain fog, joint and body aches. I don't really know if it is from Hep-C or just getting older. I would like to here from others that have been cured if they feel a lot better after being clear of the virus?

Thanks!

[Mugwump]

Hello and welcome nsx450
Because you do not have cirrhosis you should experience little side effects from Harvoni. Think of it this way: if your liver has a great deal of dead and dying cells that need to be exchanged during and after treatment then there will necessarily be more disturbance to the liver. When the dead liver cells are flushed from your body it effects your renal system and is why staying hydrated during treatment is very important. In some ways it is like going on a marathon and having your system go into overdrive for a short period of time.

If you do not have any other underlying health issues with digestion or your renal functions then you should sail through the treatment.

In my case I have cirrhosis and it effected me more than most. However there was a period during treatment where it was amazing. We are starting to call it the Harvoni high. I suddenly felt like I was in my 20s, full of energy and all my bodily functions improved drastically. You should not experience this as much as those of us who have more damage to our livers.

The headaches were not at all serious but some do experience, anxiety, bowl disturbance and fatigue during treatment and shortly afterward. But no where near to the degree that interferon and riba can put you on your back.

I was very unfortunate and caught a severe flu in the last 4-5 weeks of my 24 week treatment so I do not know how much better I would have felt if I had not caught the flu during treatment.

I am currently 7 months post treatment and cured. My energy level and overall health is much better than it was pre treatment. Before treatment I was starting to use a cane and was losing strength and muscle tone because of cirrhosis and could not work for more than a few hours at a time. I suffered rectal bleeding and it is now gone, I did not have the endurance and suffered bowel trouble constantly because of cirrhosis.

All the best and I am sure you will slay the dragon!

Eric

[beto]

nsx450 (that a car) 

My two cents.  I did have cirrhosis (which may have reversed if I can trust my liver scans).  My sides were mostly tolerable, and heavier in the begining week.  I have read hundreds of threads on Harvoni, Viekira, Riba side effects, as have many of the folks you will hear from on this forum.  Most likely it will be a walk in the park. however, for some it has been rough (you will hear from them).  It is very unpredictable, but if you have survived peg...  this will be easy by contrast even if you have issues.  Good news is it usually gets better with time.  Most deal with headaches...some gastro issues...for me it was dizziness and spaciness. Many barely notice a thing.

Curiously, post has it's issues and all we can do is to speculate as to why.  If you have had a virus for decades that copies itself a trillion times a day, even if you were lucky enough to have been Asymptomatic, it is likely that many changes have happened in your body and not just your liver.  Also, this omnipresent pathogen is suddenly gone and your immune system may then start to turn its attention to other problems.  Anyway a fair number of people have had issues from mild to well...intense, post treatment.  Of course just as many report they feel fine.

As for EOT, mostly folks report gradually feeling better.  I have encountered very few that suddenly sprouted wings.  Some folks feel fine but disappointed that they do not feel fantastic.  You have been without symptoms, so who knows.  The good news is you will be cured and will not have the infection stigma riding on your back.  Truly you are very lucky to get the meds and to have only the memory of Peg/riba behind you.

You are good to go my friend.  Enjoy the ride.  You have all our support.

peace

[nxs450]

Thanks Mugwump, and beto!
Yeah the Interferon/ribavirin was hell. It was before the Peg. I did 3 shots a week. I was able to deal with the physical sides but they didn't tell me about the mental crap that can effect you. At the 8 month mark I thought I was going crazy, major OCD, Major depression, etc. I found out later my wife was so worried she hid my guns.

I seen a few on here with some depressive sides, but at least if I am aware it is a possibility it won't be a surprise if it happens. I have also been on HRT for 4 years now due to what I believe was caused by the Interferon. It has actually helped a lot with fatigue, brain fog, etc. I still have issues and hope if the Havoni works it will improve things even more.

Hopefully like you guys mentioned because I have no real physical issues I may respond very well to the treatment. Most of the time my liver profiles are normal. At the most only ALT's or AST's being slightly elevated.

[SIXFOOTFOUR]

nxs450

Sounds like Im similar to your dx. I contracted via transfusion in 1971 and was dx for Hep C 30 yr later when I went to donate blood. My labs were never off the chart usually only elevated alt/ast but still in normal ranges. My liver was 3-4 fibrosis no cirrhosis.

Overall my stamina had been decreasing and some bowel problems on and off and stomach queasiness off and on.

Harvoni was a breeze for the 12 weeks and was undetected from first test and now 6 months EOT undetected. I felt at times on Harvoni more energy then Ive felt in a long time only things were light headache if I did not stay hydrated.

Post Harvoni for about 4 months I had a lot of gi problems and at times tired. Its 6 months now and overall no side effects , normal labs and I thing I do feel a little better overall.

So best of luck, your recovery / cure should go well

[nxs450]

SIXFOOTFOUR
I found out during a blood test for life Insurance. Glad to here you are doing well and hope it continues! Sounds like a few are taking a while to stabilize post treatment.
Does anyone know if being genotype 1b makes a difference?

[jberlin]

Hello,

Welcome to the Hep C Forums.

I moved this thread to this forum 'On Hepatitis C Treatment' as it fits better here.

And yes, the old 48 weeks of Interferon & Ribavirin was hell and seems like the dark ages now, doesn't it.

Good luck, take your meds, listen to your medical professionals, keep us updated on your progress & get cured!

-jack
(Hep C Board Moderator)

[Philadelphia]

Hi and welcome! For some drugs geno 1b is awesome! Viekira for eg. Great strike rate there.

I thought I was asymptomatic with my hcv, but in hindsight I was very sick, I just refused to lie down and die. I was rapidly moving towards decompensated cirrhosis.

I'm one of the lucky ones: a few symptoms at the beginning of tx but an awesome uncomplicated post tx. I'm back at work full time in a demanding and stressful managerial position, feel good, am heading to Canada/US/Cuba for 5 weeks holiday over the Christmas period and generally feel normal. Good normal not hcv normal.

I've just had my 12 week post treatment blood tests, so I'm hoping with every fiber of my being for SVR12.

All the best! For some people it's a rough road through treatment but for others it's much easier. Hope it's easy for you.