Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.
November 09, 2024, 08:22:22 pm

Login with username, password and session length


Members
Stats
  • Total Posts: 55133
  • Total Topics: 4851
  • Online Today: 287
  • Online Ever: 3061
  • (September 25, 2024, 11:40:40 pm)
Users Online
Users: 0
Guests: 240
Total: 240

Welcome

Welcome to the Hep Forums, a round-the-clock discussion area for people who have Fatty Liver Disease, Hepatitis B, C or a co-infection, their friends and family and others with questions about hepatitis and liver health. Check in frequently to read what others have to say, post your comments, and hopefully learn more about how you can reach your own health goals.

Privacy Warning: Please realize that these forums are open to all, and are fully searchable via Google and other search engines. If this concerns you, then do not use a username or avatar that are self-identifying in any way. We do not allow the deletion of anything you post in these forums, so think before you post.
  • The information shared in these forums, by moderators and members, is designed to complement, not replace, the relationship between an individual and his/her own physician.
  • All members of these forums are, by default, not considered to be licensed medical providers. If otherwise, users must clearly define themselves as such.
  • Product advertisement (including links); banners; and clinical trial, study or survey participation—is strictly prohibited by forums members unless permission has been secured from the Hep Forum Moderators.
Finished Reading This? You can collapse this or any other box on this page by clicking the symbol in each box.

Author Topic: Starting Harvoni, how to improve effectiveness?  (Read 7228 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline bloodandkoolaid

  • Newbie
  • Posts: 1
Starting Harvoni, how to improve effectiveness?
« on: May 24, 2016, 06:04:23 pm »
Hi everyone, I was diagnosed with genotype 1 at 17 years old, and now at 24 I am starting 12 weeks of treatment with Harvoni. Two big questions here:

Firstly, does anyone know any ways to help the drugs be as effective as possible? I'm trying to stay hydrated, eat right, and get lots of sleep, but is there anything else? I've heard others mention consuming extra acidic foods/drinks, but is there evidence about this being helpful?

Secondly, is anyone else here taking Harvoni who is young, in relatively good health, treatment naive, with no cirrhosis? I'm very hopeful about fast and long-lasting treatment outcomes. Does anyone in my situation know how long they were taking Harvoni for before they became undetectable?

Thank you!

Offline FutureThinker

  • Member
  • Posts: 711
  • Onward and upward!
Re: Starting Harvoni, how to improve effectiveness?
« Reply #1 on: May 24, 2016, 06:55:33 pm »
Hi B & K, I just completed 12 weeks of Harvoni, but I'm in my 60s ---- but pretty healthy overall, no cirrhosis, treatment naive and had the virus 40+ years. No real symptoms until ~ 6 years ago, primarily fatigue. This treatment was A BREEZE for me, had the "Harvoni High" with increased energy and better mental clarity.  The 3 months flew by, no significant problems at all. However, not all get by so easily, as  you have probably read on this forum. But most do very well on Harvoni.

Re: optimizing Harvoni:  My doctor specifically said "no herbs"; otherwise, I was OK'd to take a calcium supplement, glycosamine sulfate and vitamin D3, plus antihistamines as needed for seasonal allergies.  I drank ~ 80 oz. of water daily and made sure to get my 2.5 mile walk in every day. I eat pretty healthy and just ate what I normally do, didn't add anything specific except the increased water. I did notice an increase in appetite and chose to watch that; I gained 3 # on treatment.The Harvoni has a dehydrating effect, so the water is very important. Nausea is one of the more common side effects so I chose to take my pill with food, based on the advice of several forum members.  I did notice a bit of stomach "acidy" feeling occasionally, but that was it.

It also was recommended by a forum member not to make any drastic changes to your diet/life/etc. if possible during this time; just keep a steady norm for yourself and keep stress to a minimum if possible.

The studies show that most people are undetected @ 4 weeks, some as early as 2 weeks, but not all -- I wasn't until my 8 wk labs.  There is an excellent study posted by dragonslayer under "Frequency of Tests" in the "On treatment" category that shows that even if one does not show UD at the end of 12 weeks, they may still go on to reach SVR 12 weeks later.  SO -- don't get upset if you aren't UD right away! Your 4 week labs are done 1) to ensure you are taking the drug and 2) to make sure the drug is working.  They like to see a 2 log + decrease in your viral load at that time.

It's a scary time, but try to focus on getting to the other side, the side of SVR. And think positive thoughts! I am a firm believer in the power of positive thinking. There are many amazing people on this forum, so I hope you find comfort in the information and support here, as I did. I am sure some others will chime in -- hope this helps, and welcome to the forum!  The future is bright, FT
Treatment naive
Likely contracted mid-70s
Diagnosed 1a, 2011
F1-2
Harvoni X 12 weeks, completed 5/17/16
Pre-treatment: VL 3 mil, AST 64, ALT 84
4 week labs: VL 30, AST 21, ALT 14
8 week labs: VL UD!!!, AST 22, ALT 16
12 week labs: VL UD, AST 23, ALT 14
2 wk EOT: VL UD
12 wk EOT: VL UD, AST 22, ALT 13 =  SVR 12! Yay! 
Last hep appointment: VL UD, AST 19, ALT 12 = SVR 39! I AM DONE!

Offline KimInTheForest

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,972
  • Believe in yourself
Re: Starting Harvoni, how to improve effectiveness?
« Reply #2 on: May 24, 2016, 06:57:34 pm »
Welcome to the forums, bloodandkoolaid, and to the Harvoni journey!

The ledipasvir in the Harvoni will be neutralized in an alkaline stomach environment, which is why no Tums or anything like that 4 hours either side of taking Harvoni. But other than that, I think the Harvoni will work to its maximum effectiveness regardless of what you do or don't eat or drink. (Although it is good to stay hydrated for other reasons - minimizing treatment side effects, especially headache).

Many people become undetected by Week 4 of a 12 week Harvoni course. Some people even by Week 2. But for others it takes longer. However long it takes, that does not seem to affect anyone's treatment outcome. People get cured just the same and just as permanently regardless of when they first turn undetected on treatment. (I was undetected by Week 4.)

You will in all likelihood be cured, and permanently, as a result of this treatment. :)

best,
kim
Kim Goldberg (Nanaimo, BC)
1970s: Contracted HCV (genotype 3a)
2015: Cured with Harvoni + ribavirin (12 weeks)
MY STORY: https://pigsquash.wordpress.com/2016/01/28/undetectable-my-hep-c-story/

Offline Lynn K

  • Global Moderator
  • Member
  • Posts: 4,546
  • Get tested, get treated, get cured, fight Hep c!
Re: Starting Harvoni, how to improve effectiveness?
« Reply #3 on: May 24, 2016, 09:55:23 pm »
Don't take anything you do not have to as far as supplements or OTC meds. If you commonly use any acid reducing medicines (Tums, Prilosec, Pepsid or similar) discuss with your doctor how to take them properly with Harvoni. Or ask us or just avoid them if you can.

Best to take your meds at the same time every day but if you are late just take your missed dose asap and return to you normal schedule.

There are no dietary restrictions or recommendations as far as just taking Harvoni nothing you eat as food will effect treatment one way or the other.

Good luck to you. This medicine is like a miracle for most of us you will be cured believe it!
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 brie41

  • Member
  • Posts: 191
Re: Starting Harvoni, how to improve effectiveness?
« Reply #4 on: May 25, 2016, 10:21:48 am »
Hi B&K,

  Welcome and hope your treatment goes smoothly.  You are young, so I imagine you will feel just fine.  I finished my 8 week Harvoni treatment a few weeks ago.  I took my pill with dinner to avoid any stomach issues.  Keep up with your water intake.  Really makes all the difference in how you feel.  It made me so dehydrated, I had no problem getting at least 80oz. a day. So if you take your pill at the same time and don't miss any doses you should do great.  I also changed my toothbrush weekly, a bit much, but made me feel better.  I also sterilized nail clippers, tweezers, etc.  Best of luck to you!  Brie
Diagnosed  HCV, 1A 2006
Viral load 6 million
Ast/Alt always in the 20's
F0-F1, never changed
Treatment naive, started 8 week Harvoni 3/15/16
4 and 8 week labs undetected
6 week eot labs undetected
13 week eot UNDETECTED!

Offline Philadelphia

  • Global Moderator
  • Member
  • Posts: 1,157
  • It only looks like I know what I'm doing
Re: Starting Harvoni, how to improve effectiveness?
« Reply #5 on: May 28, 2016, 07:09:45 pm »
The best way to maximise your chance of a cure is to take your tablets every day. Oh and discuss any other medication you are on with your dr before starting.

Otherwise, stay the course, stay healthy. :)
CURED SVR24  Class of 2015
Wk 12 post EOT 30.11.15: ALT 14 AST 22 GGT 22 VL UND
Week 19 07.08.15: ALT 17 AST 23 GGT 25
Week 12 18.06.15: ALT 21 AST 23 GGT 28
Week 8 25.05.15: ALT 23 AST 27 GGT 30 VL UND
Week 4 20.04.14: ALT 30 AST 36 VL 40
Treatment start 23.03.15: ALT 137 AST 185 VL 342,600
Cirrhosis Child-Pugh A, Genotype 1a - Viekira Pak + riba 24 weeks
Total failure interferon/ribavirin/boceprovir Mar 2013
https://www.hepmag.com/blogger/grace-campbell

Offline morab

  • Member
  • Posts: 232
  • Lives in the woods
Re: Starting Harvoni, how to improve effectiveness?
« Reply #6 on: May 29, 2016, 10:56:35 am »
Welcome to the forum,
You have come to the best place for advice, I have had Hep C 1a for over 40 years,
I am at 6 weeks into tx naive Harvoni for 12 weeks.
I just got my 4 week lab results on Friday and I am UNDETECTED!
Hang in there and you will do really well with youth on your side!
Morab
3/2016 G 1a
Alt 84
Ast 62
Fibrosis score lab 0.66
quantitation 894,670
4/23/16 day 6, naive Harvoni 12 week treatment
5/27/16 week 4 lab results UNDETECTED AST 23 ALT17

 


© 2024 Smart + Strong. All Rights Reserved.   terms of use and your privacy
Smart + Strong® is a registered trademark of CDM Publishing, LLC.