viekira pak and ribavirin and ... Insomnia

[Mimi]

Hi, I'm on day 3 of viekira pak with ribavirin.  Feel ok, first night slept well. On day 2 felt my heart beat faster and could feel it thumping in my head and ears. Had trouble sleeping... Day 3 and again heart beating in my head
Any advice? Dont feel tired, my bf said i seem almost a bit hyper but that could change if i dont sleep again...

[I fightis thetitis]

Hi Mimi,

Not to worry, those are common symptoms.
I was on Harvoni for 24 weeks, which is a DAA similar to Viekira Pak with small variations.

My symptoms were anxiety, (heart pounding side FX) awful insomnia and major ringing (tinitus) in my ears.
What helped me was deep breathing relaxation tech for 20 min a day, or really any form of relaxing meditation will do to calm the anxious mind.
Drink massive amounts of water and focus on the fact you are about to be 100% virus free. Happy thoughts!!

The DAA's affect some of us like a mild stimulant. Known as the "Harvoni high".

Absolutely nothing to worry about.. some speculate this is the immune system releasing natural endorphines as the DAA's starve the virus's ability to replicate.
Whatever it is hopefully your sides continue to be mild.

Thank god for these DAA's as the interferon treatments came with mad side FX.

All good things,

Greg

[Mimi]

Thanks Greg.
Slept ok last night but woke up to pounding heart again.
Will try some breathing exercises... 
Good to know its not just me 

[Philadelphia]

the biggest problem I had with VP + riba was my haemoglobin count dropping, and in the first two weeks, my bilirubin riding. My specialist reduced my riba dosage from 5 little blue pills to 2 little blue pills per day and all came back to normal. And I cleared.

Try to focus on happy shiny things and don't think about the pills. Our minds play games with us. I found being busy was the best therapy I could get.

Good luck, you'll blitz this.

[Mimi]

Hi Philadelphia!
Im on day 12 now and i feel ok. At the start i was really anxious that is probably why i couldn't sleep.  Now i feel good, better than before treatment. I have more energy, just hope it stays this way...
Congratulations on getting better!  Hopefully I'll have the same result 
Take care

[merril]

Hi Mimi, from the posts I have read insomnia is often a side effect. My doctor gave me low dose Vistaril ,non narcotic, not addictive, it does help. My rash is better, found the Aveeno all natural creme and that helps. Have read on this site about people having " sweaty" episodes . I have them a bit at night, am taking the Harvoni as a morning pill. As a retired nurse, I do think a lot of this is the meds hitting their peak in a 24 hour period. Even though the meds should be around what they refer to as a steady state blood level, they do tell you to take it at same time daily . So, I think some side effects come and go . Some of it is likely your immune and endocrine system trying to come back to normal. I start week 4 of 12 weeks tomorrow. Hang in there and talk to pcp or specialist for help managing treatment symptoms. We can do this.

[Mimi]

Thanks Merril.
I'm ok with the sleep for now. I have my 2 week bloods tomorrow and for now no major side effects. The first 3 days were a bit rough but now I'm quite sure it was mostly the nerves and anxiety. Just had a bad dose of the flu and doc sent me to hospital to get checked out, got my bloods done there, it was day 9 of treatment and they came back good.  So no sign of anemia creeping in as of yet. I feel i have more energy than before treatment, bit odd but hope it stays 
Glad your rash is better, stay out of the sun!
We will get there!
Stay in touch!