Author Topic: 6th day of Harvoni, effects questions.. (Read 10863 times)

jakelin · « **on:** October 12, 2016, 03:39:43 pm »

Hello all you good people, took my 6th pill at 6:00am today, first week coming to a close. A few questions about what I've noticed. Insomnia, never have slept well, short naps through day and from appox. 11:00pm to dawn I am awake. At 6:00am take my pill and about an hour later my forearms feel ice cold for a short period. Aside from that, no problems until about 8 hours into day when I feel very weak and nauseous. I will eat some crackers and drink water and after about 2 hours I seem to get my strength back and all is well. But those 2 hours or so are tough, not intolerable. I've also noticed the palms of my hands are starting to get some white areas, which is a good sign, so I stare at my palms a lot now.

I see my specialist next week for my next two week supply and will ask about this also. BP/Pulse in normal range. Just wondering if all this seems normal. Thanks..

Grateful Gmom · « **Reply #1 on:** October 17, 2016, 11:28:32 am »

Hi Jakelin!!
Congrats from another Harvoni/hepC newbie. Are you drinking a lot of water? I read some great tips before I started treatment 3 days ago and water seems to help. I'm also making sure to get enough protein/balanced diet as best I can.
I feel different things coming in "waves" and will drink a glass of water and it subsides. The achy joints I just had to take Tylenol for. No tingling or arm coldness though, but I feel chilly and normally never would.
It would help if you could get longer stretches of rest during the night? Maybe ask about Melatonin, my team said that was fine.
The way that I'm trying to look at these aches, head pressure and fatigue is that the armies of virus are being busted up and eradicated in their little hidden pockets and they don't like it !!! BAM, ZAP, take that HepC!!!

Rickta53 · « **Reply #2 on:** October 23, 2016, 11:38:39 pm »

Hello Jakelin,
I'm on day 24 now and waited to share my sides effects for a few weeks in case things changed. Largest side for me is my Tinitis, (ringing in ears), is getting worse as days go by and I'm assuming the concentrations of drug in our bodies are increasing too. Insomnia is number two side for me sure, its like being "wired" mostly late at night when trying to sleep (I take my pill in am). I have had some muscle/ joint aching especially where I have had previous problems but otherwise do most all activities just I did before. I read some people gaining weight but I seem to still be losing weight very slowly even though I'm eating more and healthier and drinking loads of water. All negative effects mentioned above is a small sacrifice to actually cure a disease, so whatever comes I'm ready to fight. Just hang in there and hope for the best healthy future possible.

Rick

Tlk60 · « **Reply #3 on:** October 24, 2016, 10:43:34 am »

Day 5 of Harvoni and the main thing going on with me is bloating, terrible gas and constipation!!! I am taking Miralax in the morning, eating prunes and drinking the awful prune juice and NOTHING!!! In addition I am drinking water like crazy....Anyone else have these side effects and if so, what did you do???
I am not at the miserable point yet and luckily that is all that is going on...no insomnia, no joint/muscle pain, no headaches or fatigue...I am thankful for that much but I need some help with the GI issues.

dragonslayer · « **Reply #4 on:** October 24, 2016, 10:51:42 am »

I eat big salads every night which has kept me regular as clockwork before, during, and after treatment. Dont know if it would work for you, but it might be worth a shot.

brie41 · « **Reply #5 on:** October 24, 2016, 11:45:46 am »

Hi Tik60,

I didn't have any extra issues with bloating or gas while on Harvoni. Although it is something I struggle with often. I recently started drinking a tablespoon of Braggs apple cider vinegar. I mix it in a glass of very warm, not hot or boiling, water with a tsp of either lemon or honey. I have noticed that even though I am regular every day, it helps to get things moving and I have noticed a decrease in gas and bloating. I drink it before dinner and I really like how I am feeling. I also use a straw and rinse my mouth out after drinking it to protect my teeth. Hope you feel better soon. Brie

Tlk60 · « **Reply #6 on:** October 24, 2016, 12:01:29 pm »

Thank you guys so much! I will try both of those things. I happen to have brought a big salad with me for lunch here at work today and I also have apple cider vinegar at home as well as lemons and honey.

It is quite embarrassing here at work to run to the bathroom when the urge to pass gas hits. tee hee I have warned my co-workers. hahahaha Thank goodness I work with a bunch of awesome people who are so very supportive.

safe haven · « **Reply #7 on:** November 01, 2016, 02:48:41 pm »

Hi, wonder if someone can help!! I am on day 24 of harvoni. Still tired , short of breath on very little walk. Also I am very emotional, can cry on any little thing. I work 8-5 and by 2pm starting to loose all my concentration and feel sickly. I am a single parent of 2 kids (9 and 5 years). Pick them from school and then home chores and everything. By night I am dead tired. I am not sure what to do. Spoke to my doc, he thinks it is normal and nothing needing to done. I have waited for treatment for 10 years, can not complain, but I m finding this treatment time very difficult.
Would my tiredness go down after a while? I am on 8 week regime. No other problems at all. Thank you

andrew j · « **Reply #8 on:** November 01, 2016, 05:50:42 pm »

You are going through a profound transformation as the meds work to clear the virus from your body.
Energy levels can, and usually do, fluctuate wildly.

Your symptoms sound pretty normal to me (tiredness; shortness of breath; feeling a bit nauseous ... emotional).

Are you drinking enough water? - and eating enough (esp. 'gentle' foods (whatever that means for you))?
... Perhaps some nice teas?

I felt much better during treatment, but I was full-blown symptomatic before that.
I have felt tired and emotional, though, for the 5 or so months since finishing treatment.

Hoping you are feeling better soon.

A.

safe haven · « **Reply #9 on:** November 02, 2016, 02:24:00 pm »

Thank you very much Andrew J, it makes me feel better. Yes, I am not eating well. I am worried and stressed most of the days for no reason. I am not drinking much either, surely will start now. I felt pressure at the back of my head last night and it made me sick. I did not sleep well since I have started but I presume insomnia is normal.
Just wondering how would I feel when I'd b told I m cured.
Thank you once again

FutureThinker · « **Reply #10 on:** November 02, 2016, 04:16:07 pm »

Hi Safe Haven and welcome to the forum! I completed my Harvoni treatment in May and achieved SVR 12 in August.

I didn't have any significant sides during treatment, but I did find that having a full stomach, or at least a fairly full stomach, made me feel better. Feeling hungry did not feel good. I did gain ~ 5#, but that was a small price to be rid of the "dark cloud" and have lost most of it.

So try eating small amounts during the day, if you can, healthy food not junk. That may help. And drinking enough water is HUGE to your well being!! I think you'll feel better just by eating more and drinking more very soon.

And we all know stress isn't good for us, whether we're infected w/ HCV or not. Try to stay positive, take a deep breath, and focus on your goal -- getting to the goal of SVR. Keep your eye on that goal.

I hope this helps and we are here for you! Keep us posted and remember ------
the future is very bright! FT

andrew j · « **Reply #11 on:** November 02, 2016, 08:06:35 pm »

I agree, FT.

Yes - the combination of 'Harvoni High' (a sort-of 'energising of body and mind', coupled with insufficient water (and food) - and other stresses and worries you might have - that may be why you're not sleeping so well.

One thing I have learnt is to try to relax when I am in bed.
It can involve 'conscious breathing' (which is actually a therapeutic technique - but is also part of yogic practice, I think):

Focus / concentrate on your breathing, and try to just slow down and relax that breathing a bit.

Also, relaxing your body / feeling it's weight sinking into the mattress.

Or just simply relax your body.

I'm always amazed at how rarely I / we actually do that.
Years can go by without ever feeling truly relaxed!

All is well.

Best wishes,

Andrew.

safe haven · « **Reply #12 on:** November 04, 2016, 05:26:05 pm »

Hello Andrew and FT, thank you very much for the reply. For nausea been prescribed a tablet. I am drinking better than before now, during the day i feel OK. But my sleep is still the same pattern, I only sleep for 2 hours then I am wide awake. I am trying to keep myself relaxed as you said Andrew.
Got my week 2 blood results today and been told from 3 million its down to 40 now. I hope that the rest of treatment goes well too and hope everyone gone through or going through this is doing alright.

andrew j · « **Reply #13 on:** November 04, 2016, 06:35:44 pm »

Sounds good, SH.

Hoping things smooth out a bit more for you.
You look to be well within normal parameters, though.

Best wishes,

A.

safe haven · « **Reply #14 on:** November 08, 2016, 09:30:28 am »

Thank you A,

I am into my week 5 , counting my days now. Since last week BP spiking to 160/100,
told my doc. I am determined to get through to it. Dr just want me to keep an eye.

The journey is well on the way!!

SH

andrew j · « **Reply #15 on:** November 08, 2016, 07:06:37 pm »

I am sorry that things haven't been as easy for you as they are for come, SH.

You are obviously a stoical person - and a brave person.
Good on you!

Wishing you well, and hoping that that BP behaves itself!

Best regards,
Andrew.

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Author Topic: 6th day of Harvoni, effects questions.. (Read 10863 times)