Major anxiety about starting treatment

[Jabbaone1488]

I am not very computer savvy so hope im doing this right! I am stressing hard. Just got my Harvoni in the mail, and starting tomorrow! I failed miserably with interferon/ribaviron 6 yrs ago, due to the most hectic side effects, and even though they say its easier,  im wigging out and real scared. People count on me to live and I cant wilt.. Just needed to hear some reassuring words...thanks

[Mike]

Hi Jabbaone,

Harvoni is nothing like Interferon and Ribavirin. Most people do just fine with minimal or no side effects.

The same can't be said about Interferon and the side effects aren't comparable.

I think you will be pleasantly surprised (especially since you have a reference point).

Best wishes, Mike

[KimInTheForest]

Welcome Jabbaone! I think you'll be fine with your Harvoni treatment. Most people experience very minor side effects or none at all on Harvoni. You cannot compare it to interferon/riba treatments of old days. Totally different ballgame.

Drink plenty of water. It seems to help with headache in particular, if you happen to have that side effect. I did 12 weeks of Harvoni and never had a headache once. So even though that is the most commonly reported side effect on Harvoni, doesn't mean you will experience it.

Welcome to the Harvoni journey, and let us know how you are doing!
kim

[Jabbaone1488]

Oh wow! You realy are out there! Thank you.. I dont know why im so stressed about it, but it sure is cool to have people who have gone through it too, to bounce off of..thanks!

[gnatcatcher]

Welcome, Jabbaone1488 -- this is a wonderful community you've joined.

MANY people on these forums have experienced great anxiety before swallowing that first Harvoni pill, especially if they endured the awful treatments of the "dark ages" of HCV care. YOU didn't fail with INF/RBV -- the treatment failed YOU! This is a fresh start with a much easier-to-take medicine with a VASTLY better cure rate. Take one pill every day, keep well hydrated, and the chances are very good that it will be quite easy. I had few, mild, intermittent side effects and felt far more energetic on Harvoni than I had felt in years. Even better, the Harvoni quickly got rid of the HCV.

Gnatty

[HazelAustralia]

Hi Jabbaone,
I had really bad side effects from interferon and ribarviron too, and I was very anxious before starting treatment. As others have said it's definitely out of that league (I'm on Vikeira Pak and Ribaviron - but there are similarities). For me, it came down to the fact that I really want to get rid of this virus and this is a really good opportunity - one that plenty of people in the world don't have - yet.

I am also the only breadwinner, if that's what you mean. Just be sure to rest and go to bed early whenever you can. Is there a good friend outside the family who you can talk to about what's happening, so you can talk to them or maybe call on them if needed? I don't necessarily want to be leaning on my family through this and my medical care is rather hard to come by, so I appreciate just having someone else knowing what's going on. If you have ever done any stress relief or relaxation exercises, now is the time to start them again!

Best wishes
Hazel

[jag2455]

I too experienced anxiety but the reward of being cured trumped all fear!  I just began my final 4 week bottle and it has been a cake walk.  I take pill one before sleep and the only side effect has been slight headache which is cured with water.

Wishing you the best......but most of all cured!

[Lynn K]

Hi and welcome

I treated 3 times with interferon based treatment first was 3 shots a week of interferon Alpha as that was all there was back then. Then once with peg interferon 1 shot a week with ribavirin and the 3rd with the same plus a trial med. each treatment was a long miserable 6 months.

I had to treat for 24 weeks of harvoni due to my cirrhosis and we later added ribavirin for the remaining 15 weeks just to make sure. The Riba kicked my butt a bit because of anemia but the first 9 weeks of just the Harvoni were a breeze. Like others have said I also had a couple of mild headaches but I also had a feeling like extra energy at least up until we added the Ribavirin.

When I took the first pill it's dumb but I said to myself

Over the lips and past the gums look out hep c dragon here it comes!

Good luck
Lynn

[Philadelphia]

I think it's understandable to experience anxiety, especially if you've done inf/RBV but this treatment is not comparable. It's generally much easier on you. You might experience some  side effects, but nothing like the Bad Old Interferon Days.

This is a great time to be accessing treatment. Good luck.

[Jabbaone1488]

I feel blessed that you all are kind enough to reply, so I truly thank you all. I dont have my whole print out, but I have 1a, I am stage 4 cirrhosis, and viral load is 11million. After reading a lot, I am now concerned as to why I am only doing 12 weeks as opposed to 24? It seems that with my viral load so high and the previouse treatment would have warranted more than 12 weeks.  Then again, I am just so blessed and thankful that my insurance covered me at all! I am so sick. I go to work for 8hrs, come home, eat when I can, shower, and sleep for 12hrs.. Even with that, I could sleep more! I am hoping that I will be able to live with some vibrancy after this. Im only 40, but lived lije a gluttonously and did alot of damage at the end of a needle.. Today, im drug free, married to a wonderful woman, and hopefull....Thank you all again!

[Philadelphia]

It would be super Useful if you could put that info you just quoted into your sig. Many of us do it, it just saves people asking you the same old questions.
(edited because of ridiculous auto correct words)

[slats1056]

 Jabba, Don't sweat the small stuff. I can relate to everything You posted except the sleep and previous treatment. YOU GOT THIS, kick back and take it easy! The stress and anxiety are for nought. Though I have had a rough time, I am still working 45-55 hours a week and am able to manage the Sxs. and aftermath in various ways that are not Pharmacological yet still function and carry on with Life.
 Keep Your chin up and keep up the good fight! Welcome to the forums. Do some research and digging around here. You will find it a well spring of info. and knowledge. Ask away and respond at will! By the way I'm not Will!

 LAUGHTER IS A TRANQUILZER WITH NO SIDE EFFECTS, SO PLEASE TAKE IT REGULARLY!

[beto]

Hey jabbaone,

You definitely got some feedback .  I was diagnosed with a cirrhosis score from fibroscan and my doc tried for 24 weeks which I did not get.  I too did the 12 weeks.  This drug is the real deal and will cure you...nuff said.  I am clear of the virus as of 12 weeks post and a recent scan indicated a much lower fibrosis score (that I am taking with a grain of salt and a wait and see).

My sides were not bad at all and the few issues I had, I was sort of ; "bring it on bitches" and thought of them as proof the meds were working.  I travel a lot in my job and when I do I am loaded up with work away from home.  I never once was not able to do my job and though there were a few uncomfortable sides along the way, I also had some unbelievable energy bouts known as the "harvoni high".  Enjoy the ride...you may find yourself a bit anxious again when waiting for labs.  You will post about it and all of your new cronies will come out of the woodwork to cheer you on.  Dude...you so got this.

[beto]

one more thing...because of your treatment experience and f4, you should be eligible for 24 weeks.  I would keep fighting for that and get your doc behind you...though 12 will do the trick.

[Lynn K]

Hi

Per the prescribing information sheet for Harvoni

https://www.gilead.com/~/media/Files/pdfs/medicines/liver-disease/harvoni/harvoni_pi.pdf

Treatment-experienced** with cirrhosis 24 weeks†

† HARVONI+ribavirin for 12 weeks can be considered in treatment-experienced genotype 1 patients with cirrhosis who are eligible for ribavirin [see Clinical Studies (14.2)]. The daily dosage of ribavirin is weight-based (1000 mg for patients <75 kg and 1200 mg for those ≥75 kg) administered orally in two divided doses with food. Refer to the ribavirin prescribing information.

Are you also going to be taking ribavirin along with harvoni for the 12 weeks? Either that or 24 weeks of harvoni alone is what is recommended for prior treatment patients with cirrhosis. I have seen some recent realworld data that the 12 weeks of harvoni with ribavirin has been slightly more effective than the 24 week option.

If you can handle the ribavirin side effects that might be a good option for you.

What was your prior treatment?

Lynn

[Else]

Welcome Jabba!  I think you'll find the Harvoni course of treatment pretty easy.  Especially compared to treatments of old.  Don't forget to drink tons of water.