I start next week

[DesertGuy]

On the 1st, I begin the dual Sovaldi and Ribavarin for 24 Weeks's genotype 3. Not looking forward to this, I am half assed depressed now. Need some advise on a few thing's will my tolerance to sun be (should I be in it)?  I'm 59 yr old male and in 2005 thru a biopsy was told I had cirrosiss. Healthy tho--gave up all pills and alcohol in 2005. Except getting quite crazy. Did not even know the new drugs were approved until April. Now all of a sudden I'm trying to save whats left of my liver. I read of side effects--and get a little freaked out.

[Marysee]

Desert guy .. Great news for you, the Sovaldi is a miracle drug and from most of our experiences with little side effects...the Ribavirin made me very edgy, they call or RIBA rage...but the Peg interferon is by far the worst,so be thankful you don't have to endure that. Good luck with your treatment and keep us posted.

[optimystic]

hang in there Desertguy. we will be reading your posts. you have our support.

[lporterrn]

Hi,
The sun sensitivity isn't as big a problem with these drugs as it is with Olysio. The big issues are agitation, insomnia, itching, headache, fatigue and anemia (which causes fatigue, lightheadedness, weakness and shortness of breath). Sounds horrible, but these are usually gradual and can be managed. Keep in touch with your doc and the forum, and you will learn how to do this. I did it 3 times, once for 48 weeks, and it was not the hardest thing I have ever done. It is so worth it. I am now free of hep C, and it feels great!

[DesertGuy]

Okay--In August I am scheduled to be in the middle of the salt flats for 10 days--zero shade and 100 degree days--will be part of a team---am I going to be able to handle it?--should I cancel?

[lporterrn]

Hard to say. Doing what? It's not the sun so much as the condition you might be in, what you are doing and how you handle heat and exertion. It isn't usually bad the first 4 weeks, but it starts to be noticeable about then. I went dog sledding 6 weeks in to treatment and was OK, but coming home I was faint just getting up from my airplane seat. If it was something I really wanted to do, and my doc said I could hold off treatment for a month or two, I might consider that. 

[canythingbutaverage]

I've been on Rib in prior treatments, not only does it dry out the skin, it also makes you more photosensitive. In combination with Sovaldi, which i'm presently on, it would be very challenging to handle that kind of intensity.

If you are in shape, your body is used to higher temperatures, you aren't in latter stage Cirrhosis, then you'll be better off, but it's still going to be very hard. You'll have some serious sun burns, possibly second degree burns by the time you're done without constant attention to your sunscreen needs. If the headaches i get from only a few minutes of sun are any indication, i would be hesitant at best to consider a job like that. 

Also you say Dual Sovaldi, are you taking two pills of it, or Sov/Rib?

[DesertGuy]

Sov/rib  combo--so you are advising no--correct?--don't want to be in the middle of nowhere with sunburn I guess

[willie g]

Hey Desert guy GOOD luck.I'm just Finally getting started too.today was the last day for insurance company to give YES on new drug or no,opt. Old way. I didn't know insurance company's had a set deadline.my Dr. Called Friday and said they had 36  hrs. And my Dr. Wants me to get started now ,and the Dr. Nurses etc. Are very good about getting back etc. Which makes me very lucky.I was offline for a while because I was in mountains where no reception but this is a very good site with very caring folks. Again GOOD luck as I sit by my phone GENO 1.   WILIE g.  HI LUCINDA!

[lporterrn]

Hi Desert Guy -
It can be quite confusing - many people who have taken ribavirin also took interferon, so trying to figure out what side effects are from ribavirin can be difficult. Technically, ribavirin is not known for causing photosensitivity (like what is found in Olysio). However, ribavirin is very irritating/drying to the skin, and so is the sun. Although I am not concerned about you getting a sunburn, I am concerned about a lot of other things. Since there is no way to predict this, I would consider postponing the treatment start date if medically approved, or skip the trip.

[Mike]

Hi Desert Guy,

I was on RIBV twice and never had any issues with photosensitivity.

In fact I was hiking in the Everglades in mid-July which is not only hot; but also very humid (though these were relatively short day hikes)

The desert, however is a different beast, as it is hot with no humidity and dehydration can happen in minutes when one is in this type of environment.

What you might find is that fatigue and shortness of breath may (or might) become an issue. I'm not sure if I would commit to a 10 day venture not knowing how you'll feel 3 days in to it.

Best wishes, Mike

[DesertGuy]

All good replies--just what I was looking for