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Author Topic: Taking 8 weeks of Harvoni instead of 12  (Read 7953 times)

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Offline taliah

  • Member
  • Posts: 19
Taking 8 weeks of Harvoni instead of 12
« on: December 17, 2015, 03:47:31 pm »
Apparently, the side effects for me are pretty unusual. Most people don't end up a weepy mess on Harvoni. (The insomnia is pretty normal.)

I was originally approved for 12 weeks of treatment, but my doctor said given the side effects and my low viral count to start with, it makes sense to do only 8 weeks of treatment. Now, I should call the pharmacy to cancel the last 4 weeks. (I guess or I could keep it and decide if I want to take it after my 8 weeks are up.)

I feel like such a wimp for tapping out early, especially since my prescription was fully paid for (except for $5 copay). :/ But hopefully, 8 weeks will be enough.
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Offline tkflex36

  • Member
  • Posts: 30
Re: Taking 8 weeks of Harvoni instead of 12
« Reply #1 on: December 17, 2015, 05:35:20 pm »
If it was me I wouldn't call the pharmacy. The sides may get better and you may need the 12 weeks. Just try and hang in there, it will be worth it in the end! How long have you been on so far?
Logged
Geno 3A, dx in 2001, 34 years old
Pre tx labs 12/21/15
VL 507,000
ALT 96
AST 136
Started trial of sovaldi and velpatasvir on 1/6/16
Week one blood work 1/13/16
VL  <15 detected
Alt-22
Ast-17
Week 4-2/3/16...VL-UNDETECTED
*don't stop fighting til the dragon is dead*

Offline Bree

  • Member
  • Posts: 576
  • "Today is a good day for a great day!"
Re: Taking 8 weeks of Harvoni instead of 12
« Reply #2 on: December 17, 2015, 05:41:46 pm »
Yes, I agree.  I would opt for the 12 weeks.  I would not cancel.  It increases your odds of a cure which is why you are doing this.  Maybe there are other things you can do to help with the weepiness?  If you can get more sleep that helps... some of us need meds for sleep while on treatment.  Perhaps meditation can help...
I wish you the best!  Bree
Logged
Dx 1997 Geno 1a
2002-2003 PEG Intron/riba (48 wks) respond/relapsed
Pre-Harvoni - Viral Load: 13.5 M - Log 7.1
Fibrosure Score F1-2  Pre-Treatment:  AST 73 / ALT 88

7/6/15 Started Harvoni (12 weeks)
10/5/15 HCV NOT DETECTED (One week post EOT)
11/9/15 NOT DETECTED!!! (6 wk post)
12/21/15 NOT DETECTED (12 wk post) 
3/14/16  NOT DETECTED (24 week post)AST 26 ALT 18
SVR ACHIEVED!!! 
CURED YES!!!

Offline taliah

  • Member
  • Posts: 19
Re: Taking 8 weeks of Harvoni instead of 12
« Reply #3 on: December 17, 2015, 07:24:38 pm »
I'm on week 6 right now.

It's possible the side effects will get better, but from reading other people's accounts, I doubt it. I guess I'll still get the medication in case I decide to take the last month's.

I will be on vacation for two weeks starting Saturday. So if it's about getting more sleep, I'll definitely be getting that! But my weepiness/moodiness/depression definitely started before the insomnia, so I don't think it's just insomnia/fatigue.

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Offline Mike

  • Member
  • Posts: 999
Re: Taking 8 weeks of Harvoni instead of 12
« Reply #4 on: December 18, 2015, 04:52:49 pm »
I would probably plow threw the last 4 weeks for good measure (provided your doctor is supportive and there are no clinical/medical reasons why you should stop at 8 weeks).

Depression was a big problem for me, as it was a known side effect of Interferon (be thankful you didn't have to take these injections). It was managed with Prozac.

Despite the side effects, the outcome was well worth the hell I went through while on treatment.

Hang in there if you can.

Best wishes, Mike

Logged
Genotype 1a
Treated 2001 with PEG and RIBV
Treated in 2014 SOL+PEG+RIBV
Cured July 2014

Offline taliah

  • Member
  • Posts: 19
Re: Taking 8 weeks of Harvoni instead of 12
« Reply #5 on: January 05, 2016, 02:35:57 pm »
I finished week 8 today. I had holidays for the last two weeks and pretty much slept straight through it, and feel much better now. So I think I'll make myself take the next 4 weeks as well.
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Offline Bree

  • Member
  • Posts: 576
  • "Today is a good day for a great day!"
Re: Taking 8 weeks of Harvoni instead of 12
« Reply #6 on: January 05, 2016, 02:46:24 pm »
Quote from: taliah on January 05, 2016, 02:35:57 pm
I finished week 8 today. I had holidays for the last two weeks and pretty much slept straight through it, and feel much better now. So I think I'll make myself take the next 4 weeks as well.

Thanks for letting us know Taliah!  I'm glad you feel better and are up for the last 4 weeks.  Extra insurance against this virus is a good thing.  4 weeks will go by before you know it.
Logged
Dx 1997 Geno 1a
2002-2003 PEG Intron/riba (48 wks) respond/relapsed
Pre-Harvoni - Viral Load: 13.5 M - Log 7.1
Fibrosure Score F1-2  Pre-Treatment:  AST 73 / ALT 88

7/6/15 Started Harvoni (12 weeks)
10/5/15 HCV NOT DETECTED (One week post EOT)
11/9/15 NOT DETECTED!!! (6 wk post)
12/21/15 NOT DETECTED (12 wk post) 
3/14/16  NOT DETECTED (24 week post)AST 26 ALT 18
SVR ACHIEVED!!! 
CURED YES!!!

Offline BillT

  • Member
  • Posts: 573
Re: Taking 8 weeks of Harvoni instead of 12
« Reply #7 on: January 06, 2016, 11:31:30 am »
Hi Taliah,
            I can tell you from personal experience that the lack of sleep can be a monster.I don't like taking drugs to help me sleep but you may want to talk to your doctor about something to get you through the treatment.It made a HUGE difference for me the last 2 weeks,and it sounds like it helped you to.Just something to think about.Let us know how it goes.
Logged
Contracted 1973 Military
Diagnosed 1980
Pegintron treatment 2004 unsucessful
Genotype 1b
FibroScan 10 (F2)
Start Viekira 10.17.2015

AST 40 ALT 69
VL 440k
10.31.2015/Week 2 Labs : AST 14/ALT 17
No VL done
10.14.2015/Week 4 labs : AST 14/ALT 14
VL UNDETECTED!!!
12.11.2015/Week 8 Labs : AST 12/ALT 13
No VL done
01.05.2016/EOT labs : AST 15/ALT 13
VL UNDETECTED!!!

12 WEEK SRV:UN-BLOODY DETECTABLE !!!!!!!!

24 WEEK SVR:UNDETECTABLE!!!! Thank You God.

Fibroscan 6Mo. Post Treatment 7.15.2016-5.3(F1)
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