Harvoni Side effects

[Katie]

Almost everything you ingest, breathe or put on your skin goes through the liver and since ours are compromised we need to pay attention.  Sometimes we can't help it, but I figure a little pain, say for a moderate headache, is better than always using medication.  Be sure to question your GP on any antibiotics prescribed as well.  Some are much easier on the liver than others and they often forget about your liver disease if you are there with some unrelated problem.  Be proactive and if you have a local pharmacists, they are a wonderful resource to advise you, even on some supplements and other medications, both OTC and prescribed.

The aspirin, ibuprofen, Motrin, Advil, Naproxen, and Aleve  are harmful to patients with cirrhosis because they are blood thinners and internal bleeding is dangerous. Since the liver produces the clotting factors you'll notice your doctor will test your blood's clotting ability with liver disease and if your liver is not producing the clotting factors the last thing you need are blood thinners.

Coagulation panel (prothrombin time or PT, and international normalized ratio or INR): These tests measure blood's ability for normal clotting and prevention of bleeding and bruising. This is the function of certain proteins called clotting factors that normally are produced in the liver. Normal values are about 9.5 to 13.8 seconds.

Hope this makes sense and helps.

Welcome to all the new people and Best of luck to everyone!

Katie

[Katie]

Hi Audrey,  I don't know where that friend is getting their information as no one has been post treatment long enough to have that information.  By looking at this forum, the cure rate is very good, even with those taking the 8 week treatment if they meet the criteria.

Katie

[kaemicha]

I just found this on CNN.com. And, not to belabor the subject but I thought it ironic that it would be on their front page while we have been talking about it.
____________
http://www.cnn.com/2015/04/15/health/study-acetaminophen-dulls-joy/index.html

(CNN)Feeling so happy you just can't stand it? You might want to pop some acetaminophen.

A new study has found that acetaminophen, the main ingredient in Tylenol, most forms of Midol and more than 600 other medicines, reduces not only pain but pleasure, as well.

The authors of the study, which was published this week in Psychological Science, say that it was already known that acetaminophen blunted psychological pain. But their new research led them to the conclusion that it also blunted joy -- in other words, that it narrowed the range of feelings experienced.

"This means that using Tylenol or similar products might have broader consequences than previously thought," said Geoffrey Durso, a doctoral student in social psychology at Ohio State University and the lead author of the study. "Rather than just being a pain reliever, acetaminophen can be seen as an all-purpose emotion reliever."

Subjects evaluated pleasant, unpleasant photos
How much is too much Tylenol?
How much is too much Tylenol? 02:42
PLAY VIDEO
The researchers tested their thesis by showing 82 college students 40 photographs -- some of highly pleasant images, such as children with kittens, and some of highly unpleasant images, such as children who were malnourished.

Half of the participants in the study were given "an acute dose" of acetaminophen -- 1,000 milligrams -- and the other half were given a placebo with the same appearance. The subjects were then asked to rate the photos according to how unpleasant or pleasant they were.

Those who took the acetaminophen rated all the photos less extremely than those who took the placebo.

"In other words, positive photos were not seen as positively under the influence of acetaminophen and negative photos were not seen as negatively," the authors reported.

Drug did not alter sense of magnitude in general
The researchers followed up by testing a group of 85 people to see whether this change in judgment applied just to emotions or whether the drug blunted people's evaluation of magnitude in general.

This group showed the same blunting of emotional reactions. But acetaminophen did not affect how much blue they saw in each photo.

But people who participated in the study did not appear to know they were acting differently, said Baldwin Way, an assistant professor of psychology who was another of the study's authors.

"Most people probably aren't aware of how their emotions may be impacted when they take acetaminophen," Way said.

Each week, about 23% of American adults -- or 52 million people -- use a medicine containing acetaminophen, according to the nonprofit Consumer Healthcare Products Association.

The authors said it was not known whether other pain relievers, such as ibuprofen and aspirin, have the same effect. But have no fear -- they plan to study that question, as well.

[Lynn K]

Yes as I said I am speaking as someone with advanced liver disease so the rules change with cirrhosis especially with portal hypertension enlarged varicies and GAVE (Gastric antral vascular ectasia) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gastric_antral_vascular_ectasia

For people less than F4 don't take tylenol for people with advanced cirrhosis don't take anything else. But only take Tylenol with care less than 2000 mg a day.

Also when I mentioned Nyquil I was talking about the capsules they have no alcohol http://vicks.com/en-us/browse-products/nyquil/nyquil-dayquil-severe-caplets-co-pack

But they do have 325 mg of acetaminophen (Tylenol) per caplet and a dose is 2 so one dose is 650 mg of Tylenol. The 4 doses allowed in 24 hours  would put you over at 2600 mg so if you did not realize that and took additional Tylenol that would really shoot you over the top and is where some Tylenol overdoses happen.

So the decision after of course discussing with your liver specialist is based on the extent of liver damage what you should take for pain.


Also if you are alcohol free for at least 6 months that will allow you to be eligible for a liver transplant at most if not all transplant centers. But if you are currently or recently abusing alcohol or for that matter any illegal drug yes that is correct you will not be eligible for a transplant.

Do you have any symptoms of cirrhosis Michelle? Have you been told your MELD (Model for End-Stage Liver Disease) score or child Pugh score?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Model_for_End-Stage_Liver_Disease

http://www.mayoclinic.org/medical-professionals/model-end-stage-liver-disease/meld-model-unos-modification

In medicine (gastroenterology), the Child-Pugh score (sometimes the Child-Turcotte-Pugh score) is used to assess the prognosis of chronic liver disease, mainly cirrhosis. Although it was originally used to predict mortality during surgery, it is now used to determine the prognosis, as well as the required strength of treatment and the necessity of liver transplantation.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Child-Pugh_score

http://www.hepatitis.va.gov/provider/tools/child-pugh-calculator.asp

Both of those are used to stage the severity of your cirrhosis and how high you would be on the liver transplant list.

I am MELD 8 and Child "A" for reference.

Although the MELD is currently used for liver transplant list placement previously the Child Pugh was used.

Just trying to help here but always confirm with your doctor

[Defendo]

Thank you Katie and Lynn!  This information is very helpful.

Jay

[kaemicha]

Yes as I said I am speaking as someone with advanced liver disease so the rules change with cirrhosis especially with portal hypertension enlarged varicies and GAVE (Gastric antral vascular ectasia) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gastric_antral_vascular_ectasia

For people less than F4 don't take tylenol for people with advanced cirrhosis don't take anything else. But only take Tylenol with care less than 2000 mg a day.

Also when I mentioned Nyquil I was talking about the capsules they have no alcohol http://vicks.com/en-us/browse-products/nyquil/nyquil-dayquil-severe-caplets-co-pack

But they do have 325 mg of acetaminophen (Tylenol) per caplet and a dose is 2 so one dose is 650 mg of Tylenol. The 4 doses allowed in 24 hours  would put you over at 2600 mg so if you did not realize that and took additional Tylenol that would really shoot you over the top and is where some Tylenol overdoses happen.

So the decision after of course discussing with your liver specialist is based on the extent of liver damage what you should take for pain.


Also if you are alcohol free for at least 6 months that will allow you to be eligible for a liver transplant at most if not all transplant centers. But if you are currently or recently abusing alcohol or for that matter any illegal drug yes that is correct you will not be eligible for a transplant.

Do you have any symptoms of cirrhosis Michelle? Have you been told your MELD (Model for End-Stage Liver Disease) score or child Pugh score?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Model_for_End-Stage_Liver_Disease

http://www.mayoclinic.org/medical-professionals/model-end-stage-liver-disease/meld-model-unos-modification

In medicine (gastroenterology), the Child-Pugh score (sometimes the Child-Turcotte-Pugh score) is used to assess the prognosis of chronic liver disease, mainly cirrhosis. Although it was originally used to predict mortality during surgery, it is now used to determine the prognosis, as well as the required strength of treatment and the necessity of liver transplantation.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Child-Pugh_score

http://www.hepatitis.va.gov/provider/tools/child-pugh-calculator.asp

Both of those are used to stage the severity of your cirrhosis and how high you would be on the liver transplant list.

I am MELD 8 and Child "A" for reference.

Although the MELD is currently used for liver transplant list placement previously the Child Pugh was used.

Just trying to help here but always confirm with your doctor

Lynn,
I really appreciate all of your input and knowledge. I've thought about the fact that I know almost nothing about my liver except that after my biopsy, 28 years ago, I was told I had cirrhosis and no one has ever disputed it.
The knowledge from the medical community, did not inform me of much more. No ensuing doctor ever really followed up on it, consequently, I know virtually nothing.
I found out I had hep c after being stuck with a acupuncture needle, while on the job. Before that I didn't have a clue I had hep c.
I will check the links but I just don't really want to know too much but I will have a lot of questions for the doctor, next week.
Bottom line for me, my liver condition has never been addressed other to say that I have a liver condition.

And..thanks for the info on Nyquil. I didn't know that and I would take them.

[Lynn K]

Sure good luck at your doctor visit I am sure you will learn a lot

[kaemicha]

I'm sure you all will be the first to know what he says!
 

[Davidlm1]

Well, first labs back after 4 weeks and still looking at a VL of 3.2 mill. Was expecting a hard road to go. Was certainly hoping to get a none detected result back but still have 7 weeks of treatment left so not going to be too discouraged now. Will be doing my 6 week labs next week and seeing my doctor the following Monday. Seems the fatigue and fogginess have lessened which is a relief.  Would like to hear more about how the 1B genotype folks have been doing with results. Seems most of the writers have been 1A. Wishing best of luck to all. David

[Katie]

Hi David!  Hang in there.  If you go to the search bar on the left ,under the STATS tab and type in 1b, it will bring up all of the posts commenting on it.  Looks as if quite a few people are 1b.  Their info may be helpful to you.

Hope everything goes good for you and it seems 1b's respond very well with Harvoni.

Keep the faith and be good to yourself!

Katie

[MEG]

Defendo and Katie and Lynn...thanks so much for digging up all this information on the Tylenol/NSAIDS issue.

It's great to have it here for others' future reference. It's pretty confusing. Involves going deep into the study of liver function, then its disease, and then the drugs mechanism of action...and lastly putting all that information together...that's why medical professionals go to school!

Michelle, I'm so sorry you haven't gotten the medical attention you've deserved. Hopefullly, that has all changed now...

Best luck to everyone! I'm officially impatient for this therapy to be done.

4 more days.

Last dose, on Monday, April 20!

[Katie]

Good for you Meg.....I have my blood work on the 20th and will get results the 27th.  I am certainly hoping for results like Dragonslayer so I can have a good summer.  I've been feeling really good, but get very tired late afternoon.  Low energy, so we'll see what's going on.  I feel as if I am cured, so I hope that is confirmed.  If not....so be it and I know Harvoni did wonders for me.  I still feel better than I have in YEARS!  I get tired, but I no longer have that horrible weakness from fatigue.  And I know we are all heading in the right direction and so is the research.

I'll be thinking of you and everyone on this journey and wish you all the strength to fight and beat this monster.  We are true warriors and we have each other.

Katie

[MEG]

Oh Katie---your SVR check and my last dose...sistah!

I'm holding you in my heart for a cure....with all that our bodies have gone through, the winter transitioning into Spring, it's really hard to tease out our fatigue, our moods...

Visualizing a lab report that says: NOT DETECTED for you.
Hugs, Katie. You're such a pleasure. I hope you're enjoying your garden coming alive...Meg.

[kaemicha]

Meg,

Thank you and congratulation on almost being done with your treatment.

Be well - stay well.

Michelle

[Lynn K]

Hi Meg

Right behind you 150 Harvoni down 18 to go!

Finish line is in sight starting my end of a long run push and kick it to the tape!

[Valsblessing]

I am so happy for all the folks on the "home stretch"! I went for my 4 week blood draw toy and all they did was a CBC? I was so bummed! Totally thought it would be for ALT, AST and/or VL....I asked the technician what they were looking at and she said anemia? I expressed my disappointment at not seeing if I had cleared the virus and she said some people quit the minute the found out they were clear. Wow! I would take it as long as possible, mine is 12 weeks, just to know it's gone. Plus, I have an excellent Hepatologist and trust his advice. On the bright side, from what I could tell, all my labs were within the ranges stated...I cannot wait until I am also on the tail end, and again, So Happy for you who are....your posts have been a Godsend for me....Thank You.....hope you go gor th and be Blessed.....

[mario555]

LOOKING FOR 24 WEEKS PATIENTS... Hi everyone. I want to hear from people doing Harvoni without Riba that are at the tail end of their treatment. I want to compare notes! I have 13 days left out of 168 pills. I started having "pinching" pains in my liver area and was wondering if I am starting to "burn" the remainder of my liver! I have been pain free since week 3 or 4 and the pain returned at week 21 or so. Anyone in the 24 weeks regimen feeling pain?

[Davidlm1]

Thanks Kate. Going to check it out on stats for 1B folks. My doc says it is the most difficult one to get rid of but has seen excellent cure rate results with Harvoni so I am staying encouraged. Have had this disease since the 70's so giving more than 4 weeks to get rid of it seems reasonable. Keeping the faith on it and wishing the best to everyone who takes the time to share, question or even debate on this site. Glad to have it available. David

[MEG]

Hi David....

According to Gilead's published Harvoni studies in the New England Journal of Medicine,  Geno 1a and those with the IL28B nonCC mutation are, historically, since interferon days and now with DAA's like Harvoni, the more difficult to SVR...

I'm 1a with the nonCC mutation...But here on this blog, 1a folk, so far are achieving SVR. I've seen one geno 1b report here and she has achieved SVR....

Here is a link to one of the phase 3 Ion studies....Page 8 breaks down the results by genotype and other characteristics...

http://www.nejm.org/doi/suppl/10.1056/NEJMoa1402355/suppl_file/nejmoa1402355_appendix.pdf

If you google "new england journal of medicine, sofosbuvir+ledipasvir, you can find them all. From the initial Phase 1 through phase 3.

Best luck. Your chances have never been better for a cure!

[MEG]

@Val

Welcome Val...I'm surprised that your hep didn't ask for a viral load or LFT's--- it seems there's variance among our physicians re: how often to draw which labs...some go a bit overboard(mine) and others don't want to know until 12 weeks post treatment...

How interesting their rationale for not testing.....

Good luck! Truth is that even if you're positive at 4 weeks*many still are, unless you have extenuating circumstances(cirrhosis, prior treatment failure) you would be kept on therapy. It's not like in the interferon days of response guided treatment and duration...Meg

[Valsblessing]

Thanks so much for your response Meg. My VL was 489 thousandish.....in Jan of this year and never had prior treatment. I have, however supposedly had this since transfusions at birth on an AFB back east....was told I had a "weak liver, and or undeveloped liver" at age twelve. Could not metabolize medications...IE: slept two days from car sickness meds, seizure from appendectomy IV....just weird reactions since as far back as I can remember! Probably the main reason I was not a good candidate for Interferon. I am sooooooo grateful that this HARVONI is running so smoothly....low key headache and sleepy....no big deal. I Appreciate your feedback...

[MEG]

Ah Val....you have a very, very excellent chance at a cure.....

I'm so sorry that you received it thru a blood transfusion since birth. It's amazing that you've done as well as you have.

What are your liver function tests like pre treatment.?

I hope it stays smooth for you. I think that you're one of those people who will notice dramatic effects(positive) of your liver function and overall health since your poor liver has been compromised all your life...I wouldn't be surprised to hear from you, after treatment, of this constellation of symptoms, pains, that you thought were just part of being alive, resolving themselves.  Let this be true....

Meg.

[MEG]

@Lynn.

<i>Finish line is in sight starting my end of a long run push and kick it to the tape!</i>

That's my girl! What a great visual. Putting that one in my front pocket for the next few days....;-)

[dragonslayer]

Hi David....

According to Gilead's published Harvoni studies in the New England Journal of Medicine,  Geno 1a and those with the IL28B nonCC mutation are, historically, since interferon days and now with DAA's like Harvoni, the more difficult to SVR...

I'm 1a with the nonCC mutation...But here on this blog, 1a folk, so far are achieving SVR. I've seen one geno 1b report here and she has achieved SVR....

Here is a link to one of the phase 3 Ion studies....Page 8 breaks down the results by genotype and other characteristics...

http://www.nejm.org/doi/suppl/10.1056/NEJMoa1402355/suppl_file/nejmoa1402355_appendix.pdf

If you google "new england journal of medicine, sofosbuvir+ledipasvir, you can find them all. From the initial Phase 1 through phase 3.

Best luck. Your chances have never been better for a cure!

Thanks for the link, Meg. Like you, I'm 1a with  the IL28B status of TT, the worst for interferon cures. Apparently, they dont test for that much when administering Harvoni because the difference in response and relapse rates between those with and without the mutation is statistically insignificant, which was not the case with the earlier treatments.

[Valsblessing]

Hi again Meg...ALT was 101, AST 89 in January. I am so happy to hear your words of encouragement as I have felt as tho I have "pushed" myself thru life! Not all the time, but, a lot of the time....I thought it was psychological....I have no idea what life is without this....I am 61 years young....and the women in my family have incredible longevity, actually have three Aunts who lived past 100! Thanks again....you made my day! I wish you Blessings.

[Kate101]

Day 9 and everything is tolerable except for the anxiety/blood pressure/crazy heartbeat. Can't get Doctors appointment till the 24th.
All day I have felt high as a kite…like I smoked something funny or took to many strong pain meds…Would normally have enjoyed but kinda scary!
I am so lucky and thankful to even get this drug I hate to fuss. I do wish that Gilead would have published all/most of what appears to be common side effects.  It would be better to let folks know what might happen instead of thinking you are alone. If I had not found this site I would be camped at the ER. If I tell my family they will think I am complaining because all the disclosures say Havroni is no big deal.BS
Has anyone written to the FDA so they will update their findings?

Kate101

[Defendo]

Hello Kate,

I am on day 17.  My blood pressure has increased too.  I know that moderate exercise will help, but I just do not have the energy yet.  I am hoping I will become more energized as treatment progress.

I think we all should remember that while the side effects of this drug are much less severe than previous treatment options, it is still a very new and powerful drug. The truth be told, even Gilead does not know all the side effects because their data is based on a very limited population of HCV positive patients.

Of course, for marketing purposes Gilead is going to downplay any sides.  Do not worry about your family, they simply do not understand.  HCV and tx do not appear obvious to people so they assume if you are walking and talking, you are ok.

I found found the how I feel varies from day to day. But there always seems to be some issue each day I have to deal with. Sometimes headaches, sometimes nausea, sometimes joint pain.  I have had period of blurred vision too. Sometimes my mind just can not concentrate.   

Also different people respond differently to the effects of Harvoni. But as long as you can manage the sides, it is worth the temporary suffering.

The only way the FDA will update any information on Harvoni will have to be from results of clinical studies. I do not think they will update any information solely on patient reports.

At this point I am only concerned with what my first test on my viral load will show.  I am hoping for undetectable at the end of the first 4 weeks.  If that happens, I will endure any suffering and pain that may come my way!

Peace,
Jay

[Kate101]

Right on Jay!

I get to test at 2 and 4 weeks. Not sure why but I cant wait! This is my 2nd go around as well.  So I too have a true appreciation so far I would have walked on hot coals for this stuff. I just needed to event I guess.

Thanks,

Kate

[MEG]

Katie, Paul, Lynn and all....wanted to make sure you know about this new thread.  Tpropane posted an excellent read about viral loads on DAA therapy that talks about how people who are still somewhat detectable go on to SVR....not like the Interferon days...

http://forums.hepmag.com/index.php?topic=2597.0

[Lynn K]

Hi Meg

Thanks I saw that great info! I was UND at weeks 4 and 12 haven't been tested since for viral load and wont be again until EOT in SEVENTEEN MORE DAYS!!!

oops was I shouting lol

I was also UND at weeks 4 and EOT 12 weeks of Solvaldi and Olysio so I will have my fingers, eyes and toes crossed waiting for my 12 weeks post treatment results.

[MEG]

@Lynn...What shouting? I heard well-earned excitement...LOL!

How long post EOT on S/O did you become detectable?

[Lynn K]

I was only tested at 12 weeks post.

My before treatment viral load was 2 million my 12 week post in Sept 2014  was 2.4 million.

In November the FDA added the recommendation that GT 1a with cirrhosis should treat with Sov/Oly for 24 weeks instead of the 12 weeks I treated for.

Oh well.....

[Defendo]

I wanted to update everyone on my experiences this last week.

As I indicated in my first post to this forum, I began to develop symptoms in my left knee that were similar to Gout on day 7 of TX.  I had three past episodes of Gout over the last 8 years, always in my left toe. So I have experienced these kinds of symptoms. In past episodes, I had big time swelling in the toe joint.

Even though I have gout medicine, I do not know how it would react with the Harvoni, so I did not use it.  Instead I took a holistic approach and drink sour cherry juice, took some glucosamine, and an NSAID at bedtime.   By last Wednesday, the symptoms had cleared up.

Here is the strange part!  Wednesday night I began to feel pain or cramping in my  right calf.  Yesterday I just thought it was cramps from not drinking enough water.

But this morning my entire lower right leg is painful and I can hardly walk on it. I noticed this morning that the pain is in my calf, but my right foot is swollen.

Although similar, this is different that the episodes I had before.  I am convinced it is being caused by Harvoni. It may not be gout, but it is some form of arthritis that I did not have before Harvoni. 

I have left a message with my nurse, but it is the weekend and I do not consider this an emergency yet.  What sucks is that my son and I are going to a "Cat Circus" this afternoon and I do not know if I can make it. Climbing and descending stairs is very painful and difficult.  Unfortunately, I live in a townhouse and I have stairs.

Has anyone else had this kind of experiences?  Today is only my 18th day, so I hope this is something that will pass and not something I will have to deal with throughout the 22 weeks.

Peace,
Jay

[atomic dog]

Hi again Meg...ALT was 101, AST 89 in January. I am so happy to hear your words of encouragement as I have felt as tho I have "pushed" myself thru life! Not all the time, but, a lot of the time....I thought it was psychological....I have no idea what life is without this....I am 61 years young....and the women in my family have incredible longevity, actually have three Aunts who lived past 100! Thanks again....you made my day! I wish you Blessings.

I hear you on that pushing yourself through life. Hep C is like a huge stone around your neck. Let's pray this is the dawn of a new day.

[atomic dog]

OK, so not much discussion about actual side effects on this Side Effects thread, so I thought I'd get back on track: I have numbness in one of my little toes, and considerable itching (more like pins and needles). I've heard that the numbness is a bad thing (toxicity?). I'm going to resume taking alpha lipoid acid (that's been OK'd by my clinical pharmacist who runs the Harvoni program). Not sure if anyone else has experienced these symptoms, but I would recommend you try the ALA; it's used widely in Europe to relive symptoms of neuropathy in chemo patients and I've used to alleviate nerve pain caused by diabetes.

[Katie]

Hi Jay,  I have no idea if this is what you are experiencing but a dear friend of mine had a history of gout in his feet.  One day his knee was swollen and red and similar to gout.  It then went into his calf with severe cramping and eventual the muscle felt "hard" and he had difficulty putting weight on it.  It turned out the bursae sack in the knee ruptured and the fluid went into his calf.  When he finally went to the doctor he was told a concern of that was the possibility of blood clots forming.  He was not on any medication and was not going through any treatment.  I would suggest you see your doctor as this may be similar to what you are experiencing.  Is it caused from Harvoni?  Could be since any new medication might trigger a condition you already have but wouldn't really be considered a side effect.

Anything like this is really painful and hope it feels better soon.  You should probably stay off of it and keep it elevated and maybe try alternating ice and heat packs to see if that helps along with massaging to keep it loose.

Good luck!

Katie

[Debula]

Hi all
I started Harvoni 2 days ago.  The only thing that I feel and is annoying me is pain and a bloating feeling in my liver it radiates all the way back to my kidney.  I think others have experienced this too.  I can live with it but it is uncomfortable and annoying mostly.   I hope this goes away. 
And so far that is it.

[atomic dog]

Debula, Congrats on starting this potentially life-saving journey. One theme you hear over and again on this site, and it is so in my own experience as well, is that side effects come and go, they wax and wane and sometimes wax again. I've had a rough patches (I'm at the end of Week 9) but for the most of the time things have gone well. Like everyone says, drink lots of water, eat healthy, rest, and do some fun, life-affirming things (spend extra time with friends and family, listen or play your favorite music, whatever brings you joy. In the end, that's what this is all about.

[Mugwump]

Hi all
I started Harvoni 2 days ago.  The only thing that I feel and is annoying me is pain and a bloating feeling in my liver it radiates all the way back to my kidney.  I think others have experienced this too.  I can live with it but it is uncomfortable and annoying mostly.   I hope this goes away. 
And so far that is it.

I have almost the same level of liver damage. I am happy to tell you that at about 12 weeks tx with harvoni the pains in the liver and kidney region will reduce. In the past month I have suffered from the flu and a nasty cold that both my wife and I got, now the hay fever season is upon us and the trees are starting to spread their nice yellow dust all over the place so sleep has been a problem for me. As you know avoid all meds that are strong nsaids. So I am just suffering through it for the sake of what is left of my liver!

The pain is most likely being caused by the excess of bilirubin created as dead liver cells are exchanged by the liver. Some people do not experience as much discomfort from the problem but I suspect this if only people with less liver damage than F4.

In the first few weeks expect to pass much more fluids, in fact for the first month and a half I was up taking a leak every 2 hours like clock work... but my 4 week vl test came back as <15 and my blood work has all showed that my liver is functioning normally again. Don't be surprised if you experience tinnitus and a jump in blood pressure. BUT again my bp has come down to where it was at pre treatment in the past two months, I am on the last month of treatment and see my GI on Monday. He will write me a req for the vl test follow ups. 

Keep your stick on the ice, you will beat the disease!

Greetings
Eric

[BubbaT]

Also, I would add that in the first weeks it's very important to eat as lite as you can, don't try to eat a heavy meal, avoid animal protein if you are F4 just for the first 2 weeks,  I found that the lemon water I'm using is working well for me....
I'm juicing a whole lemon in 16 ozs of water and adding I packet of real stevia,
I stopped coffee, and I'm drinking this around the clock and my hydration is maintained so I'm not getting headaches.. And the joint and  leg pains I was having are gone...

I visited to GI yesterday, all labs good, he took a picture of some blisters that developed on my hands and fingers at week 5-6 , my hands and fingers had swollen-and developed small plasma filled blisters, this lasted for 7-10 days and when I would rub my hands together if felt like intense burning in my hands, really strange..

 

I'm at week 7  Tuesday and everything has improved for me, the pain in the abdomen has diminished, no real symptoms other than gastric noises in abdomen, and I have been getting about 10hr sleep a day, which is great,

I was 226 at start of Harvoni, now I'm at 212, so I'm stoked about that...Yay!

[SunIsOut]

Hello everyone,

My energy is doing very well and I have worked in my yard everyday this week and today was painting the Gazebo from 11:00am till 8:00pm.  I am not taking any pain medication and rarely use them.  The only stuff I am dealing with is tinnitus and blurry vision.

I continue to eat lots fruits, yogurts, nuts, all meats and fish, mostly water to drink 98% anyway, granola bars and ice cream.

I start my 3rd bottle on Tuesday and have my next labs on May 1st! 

I hope everyone gets better and I am doing well.

[MEG]

@SunIsOut

You sound like you're doing wonderfully. So happy to hear this...I have friends who live in Bethesda and they have been ecstatic this week with the cherries peaking and everything else coming alive.....They've been sending pix and they are glorious. 

PS: my last pill is tomorrow! 12 weeks went by much quicker than I anticipated. Whew.

[Debula]

Thank you all for your comments:)

Eric, I am happy to hear that this will go away. YAY.  I am really glad to hear that your liver is functioning well again.  That in itself is a miracle.  Are you on 24 weeks too?

Atomic dog, It is weird how sides come and go.  It is an experience in itself

Bubba, I am doing my best to eat better.  Have been eating a lot of salads and veggies.
I think I need to eat less but more frequently.  I seem to feel hungry more too.
Meg, congratulations on being on your last pill!  I hope my 24 weeks go by fast

SunisOut I sounds like you feel great. That is awesome!

I wish you all well.

I am so glad I have this forum and the wonderful people who contribute

[crazycanuck]

I wanted to update everyone on my experiences this last week.

As I indicated in my first post to this forum, I began to develop symptoms in my left knee that were similar to Gout on day 7 of TX.  I had three past episodes of Gout over the last 8 years, always in my left toe. So I have experienced these kinds of symptoms. In past episodes, I had big time swelling in the toe joint.

Even though I have gout medicine, I do not know how it would react with the Harvoni, so I did not use it.  Instead I took a holistic approach and drink sour cherry juice, took some glucosamine, and an NSAID at bedtime.   By last Wednesday, the symptoms had cleared up.

Here is the strange part!  Wednesday night I began to feel pain or cramping in my  right calf.  Yesterday I just thought it was cramps from not drinking enough water.

But this morning my entire lower right leg is painful and I can hardly walk on it. I noticed this morning that the pain is in my calf, but my right foot is swollen.

Although similar, this is different that the episodes I had before.  I am convinced it is being caused by Harvoni. It may not be gout, but it is some form of arthritis that I did not have before Harvoni. 

I have left a message with my nurse, but it is the weekend and I do not consider this an emergency yet.  What sucks is that my son and I are going to a "Cat Circus" this afternoon and I do not know if I can make it. Climbing and descending stairs is very painful and difficult.  Unfortunately, I live in a townhouse and I have stairs.

Has anyone else had this kind of experiences?  Today is only my 18th day, so I hope this is something that will pass and not something I will have to deal with throughout the 22 weeks.

Peace,
Jay

Hey Jay that has been one of my complaints venting in this forum and to my liver Dr. is the calf pain and swelling.  There is not much I have done but when i spoke to someone here they gave me the advice to drink lemon water all day and change to a raw veggie and fruit diet with lean protein.  It was happening everyday and night but now its just a few times a week.  I feel it is another side effect of the Harvoni.  So far my side effects almost made me say screw it and quit but people here encouraged me to keep trying day by day.  One other thing my glands in my neck swell and my face so keep an eye out for that as well.  I hope it helps.

[Philadelphia]

Denial, I found myself eating a lot when I wasn't smooshed with side effects. I ate little but often (1st breakfast, 2nd breakfast, early lunch, late lunch, dinner, supper then something before I went to bed). I didn't need much though, I just kept grazing.

[crazycanuck]

Mel I am so very happy for you that tomorrow is your last pill!!!!!! What a wonderful feeling knowing it's over.  Thank you for helping me this last week not quit on myself.  I wish you alllll the best!!!

[UwasvWahya]

Hello Everyone ~

I have been reading posts here for several hours now and it seems to me that I've found exactly the forum that I need to join, so here I am.
I was kind of blindsided when diagnosed with Hep C in October of 2011. Long story short, I had a drug abuse issue (relapsed after 13yrs. clean) that led to some legal problems which consequently landed me in prison. While being processed into the NY State prison system you undergo a complete medical screening. It was during this process that I discovered that I was Hep C positive.
Thankfully and gratefully, I am clean & sober again now since November of 2011.
Since my release earlier this year I have been seeing a gastroenterologist.
After going over my medical history, drug abuse history and diagnostic test results, he is convinced that I became infected sometime back in the early 1980's much to my surprise.
He just prescribed me 12 weeks of treatment with Harvoni which my insurance thankfully covered after additional testing.
Well, I picked up the prescription Friday afternoon and took my very first tablet at 6pm. At about 10pm, out of nowhere, I awoke from a sound sleep and proceeded to the bathroom where I discovered that I had a very severe case of diarrhea.
As if this wasn't bad enough in and of itself, approximately 5 minutes after entering the bathroom I began to violently vomit also. The diarrhea continued to attack all night long. Not to be gross, but I literally went through easily a dozen pair of boxers. I felt as though I had a bad case of the flu over the next 2 days and I have not taken another Harvoni tablet since and do not want to until I have a chance to talk to my gastroenterologist first thing Monday morning.
Of course, the curiosity is driving me crazy. Has anyone else had this kind of an experience with Harvoni? If so, is this something that goes away after a few days or does this type of side-effect continue?

[crazycanuck]

Hello Everyone ~

I have been reading posts here for several hours now and it seems to me that I've found exactly the forum that I need to join, so here I am.
I was kind of blindsided when diagnosed with Hep C in October of 2011. Long story short, I had a drug abuse issue (relapsed after 13yrs. clean) that led to some legal problems which consequently landed me in prison. While being processed into the NY State prison system you undergo a complete medical screening. It was during this process that I discovered that I was Hep C positive.
Thankfully and gratefully, I am clean & sober again now since November of 2011.
Since my release earlier this year I have been seeing a gastroenterologist.
After going over my medical history, drug abuse history and diagnostic test results, he is convinced that I became infected sometime back in the early 1980's much to my surprise.
He just prescribed me 12 weeks of treatment with Harvoni which my insurance thankfully covered after additional testing.
Well, I picked up the prescription Friday afternoon and took my very first tablet at 6pm. At about 10pm, out of nowhere, I awoke from a sound sleep and proceeded to the bathroom where I discovered that I had a very severe case of diarrhea.
As if this wasn't bad enough in and of itself, approximately 5 minutes after entering the bathroom I began to violently vomit also. The diarrhea continued to attack all night long. Not to be gross, but I literally went through easily a dozen pair of boxers. I felt as though I had a bad case of the flu over the next 2 days and I have not taken another Harvoni tablet since and do not want to until I have a chance to talk to my gastroenterologist first thing Monday morning.
Of course, the curiosity is driving me crazy. Has anyone else had this kind of an experience with Harvoni? If so, is this something that goes away after a few days or does this type of side-effect continue?

Glad you made it to this forum UwasvWaya.  What you experienced is what I experienced.  Along with the diarrhea and vomiting was extreme stomach pain, joint pain, anxiety just overall feeling drained. But thanks to someone here he taught me to drink lemon water all day and stick to a raw veggie and fruit diet and keep thinks simple.  I hope this journey is not too hard on you and I wish you the best!

[UwasvWahya]

Glad you made it to this forum UwasvWahya.  What you experienced is what I experienced.  Along with the diarrhea and vomiting was extreme stomach pain, joint pain, anxiety just overall feeling drained. But thanks to someone here he taught me to drink lemon water all day and stick to a raw veggie and fruit diet and keep thinks simple.  I hope this journey is not too hard on you and I wish you the best!

Thank you very much for your speedy and informative response to my post CrazyCanuck. This is exactly what I had hoped for, that some fellow Harvoni patients would offer up some helpful advice that had helped them overcome these devastating SE's. I am very appreciative  for your sharing with me what helped you to be able to successfully continue the Harvoni treatment. I also wish you all the best in your journey. God bless you and thank you once again.

Sincerely,
~ Rich  -aka-  UwasvWahya

[Mugwump]

Thank you all for your comments:)

Eric, I am happy to hear that this will go away. YAY.  I am really glad to hear that your liver is functioning well again.  That in itself is a miracle.  Are you on 24 weeks too?

 

Yes. Stage 4 liver damage calls for 24 weeks tx. If Harvoni was around only 2 years ago I most likely would have got by with 12 weeks tx. But that is how the cookie crumbles, the way my liver was deteriorating I might have been taken out by a bought of the flu or even a bad cold. I had to give up working last year because of the disease and now I feel confident and am slowly getting back at the grind.

I have noticed more pronounced myalgia in my major muscles in the last month which has started to effect me to some extent but I am hoping that this too goes away post treatment in a short time. The great part is that for the first time in two years my back is not hurting from muscle weakness as my strength is good because my liver is obviously doing the job of supplying adequate energy to my system.

Thank you very much for your speedy and informative response to my post CrazyCanuck. This is exactly what I had hoped for, that some fellow Harvoni patients would offer up some helpful advice that had helped them overcome these devastating SE's. I am very appreciative  for your sharing with me what helped you to be able to successfully continue the Harvoni treatment. I also wish you all the best in your journey. God bless you and thank you once again.

Sincerely,
~ Rich  -aka-  UwasvWahya

We have not heard of people vomiting after taking harvoni. The instruction sheet indicates that the med is metabolized within 4 hours. So I would talk to your specialist about what to do if you should experience this again.

Drink lots of water and try to avoid anything that will upset your stomach is all I can suggest as there is no doubt that harvoni very quickly speeds up the way your renal system works!

Antacids are a no no within 4 hours of taking Harvoni so the best way to balance your system is to increase your water intake. I have been taking the pill on an empty stomach and at first did notice that there was some nausea associated with the drug after about 2 hours but and I stress this, if I drank some water it quickly passed.

It is documented that the lidiposvir component in Harvoni is best metabolized in a more acidic environment, so my reasoning has been to avoid foods that will absorb stomach acid until the Harvoni is metabolized and instead use water after taking the pill to ease the acidity of an empty stomach then eat about 2 to 4 hours after taking the drug.

Hope you get over the nausea and reach SVR.
We all deserve a chance to finally see the end of this nightmare disease!

God Bless All
Eric

[BubbaT]

Thank you very much for your speedy and informative response to my post CrazyCanuck. This is exactly what I had hoped for, that some fellow Harvoni patients would offer up some helpful advice that had helped them overcome these devastating SE's. I am very appreciative  for your sharing with me what helped you to be able to successfully continue the Harvoni treatment. I also wish you all the best in your journey. God bless you and thank you once again.

Sincerely,
~ Rich  -aka-  UwasvWahya

@ uswaya, @ Canuck ,

Hello guys,

The first week was the hardest for me, I had diaherra , fever, chills,  and vomited in the first week..
Lightheaded, dizzy right before vomiting...  I had 2 episodes of the fever chills lasted 1 nite...

The 2 week , chronic loose stools, headaches..

Week 3, I stopped drinking coffee and started using juiced lemons in water around the clock, and eating only fruit for brkfst, and salada, no animal protein or very little,   As I continued this I began to feel less side effects and feel less pain In abdomen , and better overall..

Week 4 - developed swollen hands and fingers, and small blisters covered my fingers and hands...

Week 5-6.  Less side effects, better overall, feeling well..

Start week 7 tues.

I have a theory that if you started treatment with a high VL and you are F4 you will experience more severe side effects,
But, as I stated its a theory... So ask your Dr.

Glad to hear your doing better Canuck and uswaya...
You also debula...
Congratulations to Meg..

[crazycanuck]

Thank you very much for your speedy and informative response to my post CrazyCanuck. This is exactly what I had hoped for, that some fellow Harvoni patients would offer up some helpful advice that had helped them overcome these devastating SE's. I am very appreciative  for your sharing with me what helped you to be able to successfully continue the Harvoni treatment. I also wish you all the best in your journey. God bless you and thank you once again.

Sincerely,
~ Rich  -aka-  UwasvWahya

Rich your so welcome! Also I rub peppermint oil on my calves and take tylenol extra strength for the aches and joint pain.  When I was feeling overwhelmed by it all I spoke to my Dr. and he prescribed me something to take for when those times come.  This route may help you too with tough emotional and physical side effects.  YOU are not alone and I found comfort and help here of all places.

[UwasvWahya]

@ Uwasv, @ Canuck ,

Hello guys,

The first week was the hardest for me, I had diarrhea , fever, chills,  and vomited in the first week..
Lightheaded, dizzy right before vomiting...  I had 2 episodes of the fever chills lasted 1 nite...

The 2 week , chronic loose stools, headaches..

Week 3, I stopped drinking coffee and started using juiced lemons in water around the clock, and eating only fruit for brkfst, and salada, no animal protein or very little,   As I continued this I began to feel less side effects and feel less pain In abdomen , and better overall..

Week 4 - developed swollen hands and fingers, and small blisters covered my fingers and hands...

Week 5-6.  Less side effects, better overall, feeling well..

Start week 7 tues.

I have a theory that if you started treatment with a high VL and you are F4 you will experience more severe side effects,
But, as I stated its a theory... So ask your Dr.

Glad to hear your doing better Canuck and Uwasv...
You also debula...
Congratulations to Meg..

Rich your so welcome! Also I rub peppermint oil on my calves and take tylenol extra strength for the aches and joint pain.  When I was feeling overwhelmed by it all I spoke to my Dr. and he prescribed me something to take for when those times come.  This route may help you too with tough emotional and physical side effects.  YOU are not alone and I found comfort and help here of all places.

@BubbaT  -and-  @CrazyCanuck


Good afternoon guys,

And thank you for your responses. I so appreciate this forum and having the support of others going through this treatment.
I will be speaking with my Gastroenterologist tomorrow and I'm hoping maybe he can prescribe a medication to be taken concomitantly with the Harvoni to lessen some of these SE's. I have been reading non-stop and several sites say there are a few available. I'm wondering if anyone here has had any good experiences with any of these meds?
I'm paying very close attention to your responses and I'm certainly going to have to make some serious dietary changes as it's very clear to me now that most of what I experienced was due to what I had eaten shortly before taking that initial dose. I'd had 2 cheeseburgers and a big bowl of peanut butter cup ice-cream....definitely not a good move and I won't make that mistake again.
So, I'm going to have to give up my coffee and I've drank coffee non-stop all day every day my entire adult life so that'll be a major change for me.
I'm also going to have to have to stop drinking milk which is another thing that I have drank by the gallon daily for years.
I've actually always had very bad eating habits. Of course, I love all the stuff that is NOT at all good for me just generally, much less while I'm doing this treatment of course, so these really will be MAJOR changes for me. At 5'-11" tall and 240lbs. I can definitely stand to lose about 50-60lbs.
These are changes I've actually wanted to make for years but lacked the actual motivation. The reaction that my body had to the Harvoni though and my desire to be rid of the Hep C is enough to motivate me to the max. So, the lemon water all through the day combined with a raw vegetable and fruit diet it will be from here on out.
I never did take my temperature during those 2 days so I don't know if I had any fever. I just know that I felt like I had the flu so my guess would be that I probably did have a fever.
As to any stomach pain, I don't recall any but doubt I'd have noticed if I did. I have Grade III Anterior Spondylolisthesis, secondary to chronic Bilateral Interarticular Pars Spondylolyses among other spinal issues. These issues cause severe sciatica in both of my hips and legs along with lower back pain. Unfortunately, the surgeons won't touch me. They say I'm too high-risk and that I require several different surgical procedures and not one of them believes that I'd be any better off when they were done. So I've been a chronic pain patient since 2000 and am already on a high-end extended release opiate and walk with the assistance of a cane now for the last 7yrs.
I'm also already on alprazolam for severe panic disorder and low dose Prozac for depression I think these meds may tend to keep any emotional type SE's at bay thankfully.
Of course I'm aware that all these chemicals have to be processed by my liver and that is very troubling in and of itself to me, but living in constant pain and having panic attacks almost daily is something that I definitely do not miss in the least bit. So, with those meds it's pretty much the same situation as with the Harvoni.....My doctors and I have had to ask the question, do the benefits outweigh the risks and/or the side-effects? Conclusion: YES

So BubbaT ~ Am I correctly reading your post that you do NOT have the diarrhea and vomiting SE's any longer? And the SE of swollen hands and fingers w/ small blisters has stopped? That now you are experiencing little to NO side-effects at all?

Crazycanuck ~ Am I correct that you are no longer having the diarrhea and vomiting SE's since you've started the steady lemon water and raw veggie and fruit diet?

Because they'd be convenient, How about those water flavoring products , are they OK to use? I know a lot of them have caffeine in them. I wonder, do they make one that won't produce a negative effect?

God bless and keep you both safe and healthy. And again, thank you very much.

Sincerely,
~ Rich   aka   UwasvWahya
 

[Katie]

Hi Rich..All the advice given to you is good and healthy eating will benefit you in many ways.  I can't tolerate caffeine but decaf doesn't bother me and I love the coffee flavor.  If you get a good brand it tastes just as good and I have served it to coffee snobs who didn't have any idea. 

Since it still is the flu season, it may have been an unfortunate coincidence, but I am glad you realize your diet wasn't very good for you or your liver.

Once your digestive system stabilizes, if you eat things you like in MODERATION, you shouldn't have to give up everything.  It isn't good to feel as if you are being punished because when you do "fall off the wagon" it is more likely you will over do it.  This holds true with healthy dieting as well.

Good luck to you and hope you start feeling better.

Katie

[UwasvWahya]

Yes. Stage 4 liver damage calls for 24 weeks tx. If Harvoni was around only 2 years ago I most likely would have got by with 12 weeks tx. But that is how the cookie crumbles, the way my liver was deteriorating I might have been taken out by a bought of the flu or even a bad cold. I had to give up working last year because of the disease and now I feel confident and am slowly getting back at the grind.

I have noticed more pronounced myalgia in my major muscles in the last month which has started to effect me to some extent but I am hoping that this too goes away post treatment in a short time. The great part is that for the first time in two years my back is not hurting from muscle weakness as my strength is good because my liver is obviously doing the job of supplying adequate energy to my system.

We have not heard of people vomiting after taking harvoni. The instruction sheet indicates that the med is metabolized within 4 hours. So I would talk to your specialist about what to do if you should experience this again.

Drink lots of water and try to avoid anything that will upset your stomach is all I can suggest as there is no doubt that harvoni very quickly speeds up the way your renal system works!

Antacids are a no no within 4 hours of taking Harvoni so the best way to balance your system is to increase your water intake. I have been taking the pill on an empty stomach and at first did notice that there was some nausea associated with the drug after about 2 hours but and I stress this, if I drank some water it quickly passed.

It is documented that the lidiposvir component in Harvoni is best metabolized in a more acidic environment, so my reasoning has been to avoid foods that will absorb stomach acid until the Harvoni is metabolized and instead use water after taking the pill to ease the acidity of an empty stomach then eat about 2 to 4 hours after taking the drug.

Hope you get over the nausea and reach SVR.
We all deserve a chance to finally see the end of this nightmare disease!

God Bless All
Eric

Hello Mugwump ~

Thank you for your response. It seems that everyone is in agreement that water and fresh fruits & vegetables is the key for dealing with the side effects of the diarrhea and vomiting which I experienced.
Needless to say I will be making major changes to my dietary intake in order to successfully complete my Harvoni treatment plan. These are actually changes that I've wanted to make anyway in an effort to drop some excess weight.
I'm a chronic pain patient due to major spinal issues and although I was only recently diagnosed with Hep C in 2011, my Gastroenterologist has concluded that my date of infection was in the early 1980's. 
While I was reading your post where you mentioned your myalgia, it got me wondering now just what kind of a role the Hep C has been playing in my pain situation all these years and I'm hoping now to notice a decrease in my pain levels upon completion of my Harvoni treatment. I had never realized the two things could be related until I read that in your post. This could be a very welcome side benefit from Harvoni. Any drop in my pain level would be most welcome as I'm sure you can imagine. Once again, thank you for your response.

God Bless you and keep you healthy.

Sincerely,
~ Rich   aka   UwasvWahya

[SunIsOut]

Well another 8 hours painting the gazebo.  I did a two-tone and it is really slow around the lattice.  The ceiling took 4 days with priming, painting and getting into all the tight spaces.  My neck hurt from looking up so much but I did not take any pain killers.  I got the first coat of concrete paint on the floor and will do one more coat all around.

Given that this is a side effects forum for Harvoni, I must say that I do not have anything that I consider new!  I have had the tinnitus and blurry vision for a while and hope by EoT that it will pass.

I do not take any other medications except herbal stuff and eat fresh foods for about 12 years now.  I do not get sick and do not have allergies, or get colds say maybe once in 4 or 5 years.  Definitely have the low blood platelets and stage 4 on the hep stuff.

I think after this week I will have worked my way to the sailboat and can start getting it ready for the season.  I still have to plant my annuals and clean the shed.  I have always had a work hard habit and just get medieval on my home projects.

I have two sailboats to prepare this season where one is to sell it and the other is to sail it! 

For those commenting on changing their eating habits.......By all means do but eat good stuff and your fine.

I feel genuinely bad for so many of you with these compounded ailments and honestly do not have a remedy save try to find alternative therapies, do not eat chemical food (if you cannot pronounce what is on the label.....don't eat it).  Go fresh, minimize restaurants.  This is a recommendation for all folks not just Harvoni patients. 

Before I changed my diet some 12 years ago I was having major allergies (two sinus surgeries), get sick and then I thought after the second sinus surgery and I thought I was getting another major infection that this must be coming from the inside not the outside.  This was my personal grand epiphany and I started doing colonic hydrotherapy and basically flushing my body out.  I have not looked back since.  I use a netti pot if I feel stuffy but have not used in it a long time either. 

The old saying that 'You are what you eat"  is a truism!!!! 

[SunIsOut]

Have a great week everyone! 

[Katie]

Good job Sunisout!  Happy you are getting everything done so you can have the time for your sailing!  From previous photos I know your yard is beautiful and I can tell you do quality work.  I have my remodel done and am getting it organized.  Still have to build a bookcase to get rid of some boxes.  I decided to cover the daybed with Tie Dye and it looks awesome!  A very cheery craft room and I can hardly wait to be creative on a smaller scale!  Of course I need to get out in the garden soon so that may wait for a stormy, rainy day.  It will be a blessing to have such a cheery room to work in this winter.  I did good!

I am feeling better but still lack afternoon energy.  Of course, I never experienced any horrible side effects other than difficult fatigue and depression for about 10 days during week 8 & 9 of treatment.  It came one day and 10 days later it was gone.  Very strange!  The rest was a piece of cake for me.  I have blood work tomorrow to see if I have cleared the virus and it is almost 8 weeks since I ended the treatment so I am a bit anxious but hopeful.  I won't get results until the 27th and I'll let everyone know.  Either way, I am feeling better than I have in years so it is all good and moving in a positive direction.

Hoping everyone has a good week!

Katie

[UwasvWahya]

Hi Rich..All the advice given to you is good and healthy eating will benefit you in many ways.  I can't tolerate caffeine but decaf doesn't bother me and I love the coffee flavor.  If you get a good brand it tastes just as good and I have served it to coffee snobs who didn't have any idea. 

Since it still is the flu season, it may have been an unfortunate coincidence, but I am glad you realize your diet wasn't very good for you or your liver.

Once your digestive system stabilizes, if you eat things you like in MODERATION, you shouldn't have to give up everything.  It isn't good to feel as if you are being punished because when you do "fall off the wagon" it is more likely you will over do it.  This holds true with healthy dieting as well.

Good luck to you and hope you start feeling better.

Katie

Hi Katie ~

Thank you for your response. Yes, I am very happy that I joined this forum, it's exactly what I needed. I've received lot's of great advice which I'm extremely grateful for and I'm now gung-ho again about the Harvoni treatment. I just want to speak with my Gastroenterologist tomorrow morning so I can tell him what happened and get his input on the situation.
As to my diet, I've actually wanted to change my eating habits for years, mostly to lose excess weight which would relieve some of the pressure on my lower back and of course for the other obvious health benefits. I have just lacked the motivation to stick to a strict diet but the necessity of dietary change in order to complete the Harvoni treatment now has me committed.
I had to chuckle when I read about the coffee switch in your post because I did that exact same thing to an old roommate for an entire week and he still doesn't know about it to this day. I had to purchase a large container of Folger's decaf out of necessity, as it was the ONLY coffee left in the ONLY market in town during a major blizzard, and we were completely out of coffee. For an entire week we "woke-up" drinking decaf and I was the only person in the house that knew it was decaf because I had dumped the green can of decaf into the regular red Folger's container knowing full well that this coffee connoisseur would be clueless as long as he didn't see the green can.....lol

[BubbaT]

Rich, you're a trickster! Ha coffee trick, lol

Just to clarify on the questions you asked,  at week 7,  I am feeling much better,
The blisters are gone and my GI took of picture to send to Gilead, I continue with loose stools, but no more vomiting issues... And I'm also like you in regard to weight.

I'm 5'8". and 226 at the start of Harvoni, now I'm 212,

 I lost 12 lbs in 2 weeks and I feel like I can continue to lose weight now that I have got my diet under control, I'm convinced that I'm helping my liver by not giving it animal protein like red meat, I had some serious sides right before starting and the first 2 weeks, but once I started the lemon water and went to fruit and salads and very low salt soup , I feel good... And I haven't felt good in20 years...

Also I'm eating wild sockeye for protein, and brown organic rice, and using raw organic stevia in my lemon water...


So keep on my friend, you are going to start feeling well soon...

[UwasvWahya]

Rich, you're a trickster! Ha coffee trick, lol

Just to clarify on the questions you asked,  at week 7,  I am feeling much better,
The blisters are gone and my GI took of picture to send to Gilead, I continue with loose stools, but no more vomiting issues... And I'm also like you in regard to weight.

I'm 5'8". and 226 at the start of Harvoni, now I'm 212,

 I lost 12 lbs in 2 weeks and I feel like I can continue to lose weight now that I have got my diet under control, I'm convinced that I'm helping my liver by not giving it animal protein like red meat, I had some serious sides right before starting and the first 2 weeks, but once I started the lemon water and went to fruit and salads and very low salt soup , I feel good... And I haven't felt good in20 years...

Also I'm eating wild sockeye for protein, and brown organic rice, and using raw organic stevia in my lemon water...


So keep on my friend, you are going to start feeling well soon...

Hi BubbaT ~

LOL....yeah that coffee trick was pretty funny for sure.

I want to thank you for sharing all this information with me because I am now once again excited about this Harvoni treatment whereas I had lost that after having the reaction I had to the medication.
The best way I can think to describe what happened to me is that it was "explosive" and "violent". I truly felt as though I had been poisoned. I can't remember ever having felt like that in my life before. I don't think I'd have ever ingested another Harvoni had I not joined this group....seriously. But after you and others here have shared with me your experiences and methods, I am once again excited about it.

Glad to hear that those blisters cleared up for you. And very happy to read that the vomiting stops completely.
Loose stools I can handle with no problem. It's the explosive diarrhea that I can do without. I want to be able to cough or sneeze without having to jump in the shower and change my shorts, ya' know? If I happen to be out and about, or even just home by myself and I feel the need to pass gas, I just want to be able to do so without the fear of "Sharting"

I agree with you that your probably helping your liver big time by the elimination of red meats from your diet. I will be doing the same exact thing.

I'm looking forward to the added benefit of the weight loss because I do not like being as heavy as I've become, it's uncomfortable for me.

What do you use as a salad dressing BubbaT? And I've also been meaning to ask you what time of day you take your pill ? Do you take it with a meal? Before? After?

I'm so looking forward to being able to honestly say that "I feel good" again.

God Bless,
~ Rich   aka   UwasvWahya

[Mugwump]

LOOKING FOR 24 WEEKS PATIENTS... Hi everyone. I want to hear from people doing Harvoni without Riba that are at the tail end of their treatment. I want to compare notes! I have 13 days left out of 168 pills. I started having "pinching" pains in my liver area and was wondering if I am starting to "burn" the remainder of my liver! I have been pain free since week 3 or 4 and the pain returned at week 21 or so. Anyone in the 24 weeks regimen feeling pain?

Mario, yes there is still some times when my inflamed liver gives me some discomfort. And in the past month and a half unfortunately both my wife, who does not have HCV, and I have caught the annual galloping crud! She had the flu vaccine, I did not so I am certain that it was the really bad strain that slipped under the radar this year. It hit like a freight train and caused me weeks of HCV like symptoms during treatment.

So how much of my symptoms are associated with the flu and side effects is a moot point. I will tell you that at week 12 to 14 of treatment I felt so good that I just knew Harvoni had already completely eliminated the beast.

The flu season this year was brutal. For those who do not have severe liver damage long term and never went through interferon and a treatment failure it is completely understandable that every ache and pain causes concern. Mario in my case I am certain because of the way I felt at 8-14 weeks of treatment that all these symptoms are coming from other something other than the Harvoni.

I guess losing my ability to do heavy work and having constant flu like symptoms for years is something that has made me a little insensitive but yes here is hoping that I quickly get back to the way I was feeling before this years flu season hit. This crap is getting the way of going fishing and even though I never signed a pre-nup with my wife waiving her ability to restrict my fishing rights, like one of the people we fish with did, my wife understands and puts up with our philosophical mantra "I fly fish, therefore; I am!"



 

[CHepCFree]

During my treatment on Harvoni I experienced shortness of breath.   This has continued after end of treatment.   I just received results back from a chest x-ray and I have some serious changes to lungs which was not present previously.  I have to do some follow-up but this is pretty scarey stuff.    Please contact your physician if you are having any lung or breathing issues.   

[Katie]

That would be scary!  What kind of changes, if I may ask?  Did you have any kind of flu or cold while on treatment?  So sorry to hear you now have something else to deal with.

My thoughts and good wishes go out to you!

Katie

[Defendo]

Thanks Katie,

I spoke to my speciality pharmacy and they repeated that gout is not a reported side effect of Harvoni.  I disagree, but who am I? 

My foot and calf have improved significantly.  The pharmacist told me that I could take Ibuprofen for pain and inflammation. So I started taking it Saturday and it has made a huge difference.  Today I am able to walk without limping or pain.  But I am just staying off of my feet as much as I can until I am certain all these has subsided.

The pharmacist also told me that I could take Colcrys with the Harvoni for episodes of gout.  But that would be a last resort for me.  I will stick to the sour cherry juice and Ibuprofen to manage any future episodes.

Thanks for your help and concern   

[Katie]

Who are you?  You are the guy experiencing all the discomfort, not them.  Stay proactive!  Glad you are getting some relief.  Crutches or a cane might benefit you until it is all gone.

Wishing you well and know this journey can be tough but in the end it will be worth it!

Katie

[KC]

I am new to the forum. I have been taking Harvoni since March 18, 2015. I was just declared as "UNDETECTED" for the virus today! I have probably had Hep C for decades. Obviously, I am very excited that I am possibly cured. My health was starting to be affected the past couple years.

As for the side effects from Harvoni, I am almost 5 weeks in treatment and I have had very few. I actually haven't felt so good in a long time. Two or three mornings a week I wake up with a slight headache but as soon as I get up and move around it goes away. I do have muscle pain and body aches in the morning but again, I get up and they subside. I have tons of energy but have trouble falling to sleep once or twice a week. To me, none of this is a big deal in order to be rid of this nasty virus. I take the Harvoni about 12 midnight. Again, I can't stress that I am feeling pretty good overall! I know that there are some that get more side effects and I feel very fortunate. I do drink A LOT OF WATER. When I say a lot I mean all day long. Well more than a gallon. Not sure if that could be helping but I have to wonder. Just saying...

I hope this post gives encouragement to you. All of my numbers (blood work) are down to where they should be and as of today, I am undetected. I will be on treatment for 12 weeks. I was very nervous in the beginning of side effects but I am a walking, talking believer that they are very mild at least to me and I am a whimp. 

[Walkinthawoods]

Hello Everyone ~

I have been reading posts here for several hours now and it seems to me that I've found exactly the forum that I need to join, so here I am.
I was kind of blindsided when diagnosed with Hep C in October of 2011. Long story short, I had a drug abuse issue (relapsed after 13yrs. clean) that led to some legal problems which consequently landed me in prison. While being processed into the NY State prison system you undergo a complete medical screening. It was during this process that I discovered that I was Hep C positive.
Thankfully and gratefully, I am clean & sober again now since November of 2011.
Since my release earlier this year I have been seeing a gastroenterologist.
After going over my medical history, drug abuse history and diagnostic test results, he is convinced that I became infected sometime back in the early 1980's much to my surprise.
He just prescribed me 12 weeks of treatment with Harvoni which my insurance thankfully covered after additional testing.
Well, I picked up the prescription Friday afternoon and took my very first tablet at 6pm. At about 10pm, out of nowhere, I awoke from a sound sleep and proceeded to the bathroom where I discovered that I had a very severe case of diarrhea.
As if this wasn't bad enough in and of itself, approximately 5 minutes after entering the bathroom I began to violently vomit also. The diarrhea continued to attack all night long. Not to be gross, but I literally went through easily a dozen pair of boxers. I felt as though I had a bad case of the flu over the next 2 days and I have not taken another Harvoni tablet since and do not want to until I have a chance to talk to my gastroenterologist first thing Monday morning.
Of course, the curiosity is driving me crazy. Has anyone else had this kind of an experience with Harvoni? If so, is this something that goes away after a few days or does this type of side-effect continue?

[Walkinthawoods]

I had one day of similar violent vomiting.  Gastro immediately called me in to run blood work.  Was concerned about the pancreas levels ? (need to do some research on this) but said since the symptoms subsided so quickly he was not too concerned and to keep him posted.  Only dealing with dull headaches at this point.  Three weeks into treatment.  Enzyme levels have normalized already.  Miracle drug!

[Kathy C]

My Hep-C Dr. Called me last week to say that my latest lab work showed that I am undetected.

I am very happy, just praying that it stays that way.
I am doing good, my stomach is somewhat better but I have a bloated stomach often.

Good luck to everyone with hep-c.  Try and stay positive.

[Katie]

Congratulations Kathy!  How great for you so just keep doing what you are doing and celebrate!   

Katie

[Valsblessing]

Hello...so glad to have this forum...I have been following since 3/11 which was one week before I began HARVONI. My question is....anyone else so fatigued that you are basically down? My only real symptoms are mild headache and constant, unrelenting fatigue. I just started having the fatigue 6 mos. prior to treatment and now it's worse! Thank God my husband is taking over the reigns at our business because there is no way I could work right now! I see so many people feeling more energy and holding down jobs and I can't figure this out! My mind does feel clearer for sure....but, body is not cooperating. I was told all my childhood I had a "weak" liver, have never been able to take OTC drugs even, born very early and jaundiced., resulting in blood transfusions. Just need to hear if there are others out there sleeping through their treatment? Thank you and may we all be free soon!

[davidsconfused]

Hello...so glad to have this forum...I have been following since 3/11 which was one week before I began HARVONI. My question is....anyone else so fatigued that you are basically down? My only real symptoms are mild headache and constant, unrelenting fatigue. I just started having the fatigue 6 mos. prior to treatment and now it's worse! Thank God my husband is taking over the reigns at our business because there is no way I could work right now! I see so many people feeling more energy and holding down jobs and I can't figure this out! My mind does feel clearer for sure....but, body is not cooperating. I was told all my childhood I had a "weak" liver, have never been able to take OTC drugs even, born very early and jaundiced., resulting in blood transfusions. Just need to hear if there are others out there sleeping through their treatment? Thank you and may we all be free soon!

I've been so tired and sleepy I haven't been able do much of anything since about 5 hours after I took my first Harvoni and I like 8 days to go on my 12 weeks. Basically I've lost almost three months since I've had three days this whole time I've felt like and was able to do much, consisting of two half days and two whole days and they weren't consecutive. These two whole and two half days were the best days  I've had in at least three years, though. These days gave me great hope for when this is over and I get the Harvoni out of my system. On top of this I've had bad muscle and joint pain ranging from aggravating to bad for over a month, now. If it gets rid of the HCV it was well worth it, though.

[Valsblessing]

Davidsconfused....thank you for responding. I was really feeling like the Lone Ranger here. I'm not glad you are tired all the time too, but, misery loves company. I haven't wanted to whine about this because I di been incredibly blessed to be getting this off my back! I feel guilty because I'm barely functioning and also concerned about after treatment? When did you start your HARVONI? I am 5 weeks in on this Thursday. The brain fog has greatly improved. Headache about a 4 on a scale of 1-10....how about you? Let's stay in touch okay? I wanna see if your fatigue subsides, or mine. Take care.....appreciate the feed back.

[Valsblessing]

Davidsconfused....just noticed you did mention only 8 days left! Yay! Congrats on that. Will you do me a huge favor and let me know when the fatigue lifts after you are done? I don't get to have a VL till June 12th and I need all the encouragement I can get.... thanks again.

[BubbaT]

Hi BubbaT ~

LOL....yeah that coffee trick was pretty funny for sure.

I want to thank you for sharing all this information with me because I am now once again excited about this Harvoni treatment whereas I had lost that after having the reaction I had to the medication.
The best way I can think to describe what happened to me is that it was "explosive" and "violent". I truly felt as though I had been poisoned. I can't remember ever having felt like that in my life before. I don't think I'd have ever ingested another Harvoni had I not joined this group....seriously. But after you and others here have shared with me your experiences and methods, I am once again excited about it.


Glad to hear that those blisters cleared up for you. And very happy to read that the vomiting stops completely.
Loose stools I can handle with no problem. It's the explosive diarrhea that I can do without. I want to be able to cough or sneeze without having to jump in the shower and change my shorts, ya' know? If I happen to be out and about, or even just home by myself and I feel the need to pass gas, I just want to be able to do so without the fear of "Sharting"

I agree with you that your probably helping your liver big time by the elimination of red meats from your diet. I will be doing the same exact thing.

I'm looking forward to the added benefit of the weight loss because I do not like being as heavy as I've become, it's uncomfortable for me.

What do you use as a salad dressing BubbaT? And I've also been meaning to ask you what time of day you take your pill ? Do you take it with a meal? Before? After?

I'm so looking forward to being able to honestly say that "I feel good" again.

God Bless,
~ Rich   aka   UwasvWahya

Hey Rich, how you doing this week?
I take the pill in the morning when I first wake up, usually chase with a big lemon water, maybe have a banana
Or orange with it, and I'm good for 4hrs, then stay with low salt, no artificial sweeteners , no sugar, only raw stevia, the glucose level is a concern when you are F4, by all means don't use aspartame !

Your diet is the most important thing right now that you can do to help the liver mitigate all this WAR that's going on inside of your body, just like you mentioned about the violent vomiting episode, it was bad for me as well, but I'm convinced as the Harvoni kills the virus and you help by your diet, that gives your liver a chance to recover for all the hell its been through, However many years you been fighting hepc... Me it's been 35+,

the dressings I like are good olive oil and cider vinegar raw organic. Love Italian .
I start week 9 Tuesday .

Ps I wasn't laffing at you, but the sharting line was funny, I know exactly what you mean, the first 4 weeks I was a regular in my office... Fan on...
The GI told me most of his complaints was diaherra...

Get well my friend..

[Mugwump]

UwasvWahya and Bubba

When I first started on Harvoni I swear that I could have powered a natural gas engine. I was even tempted to do the blue angel right in front of my GI to prove it. I was a walking woopie cushion. Fortunately it eased up by Christmas when we had company but for the first month and a half it was down right ridiculous!  I even cut one that made my clinic nurse wince right in her office on the first follow up. So to say that there are no effects on the digestion, well at least until your liver starts to work properly again is rather narrow minded IMO.

I felt like this guy with the onset of anxiety, a bad temper and fears about my health!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYSMm0Oj5HU

[Katie]

You definitely have a way with words Mugwump!  Hahahaha

[UwasvWahya]

UwasvWahya and Bubba

When I first started on Harvoni I swear that I could have powered a natural gas engine. I was even tempted to do the blue angel right in front of my GI to prove it. I was a walking woopie cushion. Fortunately it eased up by Christmas when we had company but for the first month and a half it was down right ridiculous!  I even cut one that made my clinic nurse wince right in her office on the first follow up. So to say that there are no effects on the digestion, well at least until your liver starts to work properly again is rather narrow minded IMO.

I felt like this guy with the onset of anxiety, a bad temper and fears about my health!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYSMm0Oj5HU

Hahahahahahaha !!! Mugwump, your hilarious bro    That kinda gas a fella' can have some serious  fun with if he gets creative. It's when a fart becomes some "shart" that worries me. 

[BeWell]

Wonder what you think of this article
http://www.healthline.com/health-news/allergy-drug-could-best-sovaldi-harvoni-040815
Not sure if this will come as a link. If not just copy it to your browser.

Get well,
Mila

[dragonslayer]

Wonder what you think of this article
http://www.healthline.com/health-news/allergy-drug-could-best-sovaldi-harvoni-040815
Not sure if this will come as a link. If not just copy it to your browser.

Get well,
Mila

Not sure why you posted this in the side effects thread, but this info has previously been posted in the research section:  http://forums.hepmag.com/index.php?topic=2610.0

So far, it seems to do a decent job with mice!

[BeWell]

Sorry got lost again... Damn side effects... Anybody saw my thread???

[UwasvWahya]

[Mugwump]

@UwasvWahya

All I can say is duck tape and photo shop is a blast! Come to think of it duck tape and a depends might help if you are worried about it.

I was tempted to temporarily get a seniors chair with a lid for the duration and sleep in the back room with the cats!

I suspect that those of us with liver damage will necessarily experience more bowel disturbance than most. But as I stated and I am F4 and was F2-3 in 2004 when I underwent 48 weeks of peg/riba. At that time I did not experience as much of a gas blast during treatment.

You should start to have less bowel trouble very soon so HANG IN THERE, we are all pulling for you!

All the best
Eric

[philsky]

I am on day 14 and I feel like a new man. Fog has lifted, mild headache once in a while, however, my libido is like a 20 yr old! Also, my sore hands and arthritis like symptoms are disappearing. I could tell after day 2 on Harvoni that it was working. What a life saver.

[philsky]

I should have mentioned that as a safety precaution, I started to take a probiotic a few days before beginning Harvoni and I have not noticed any rough lower GI problems at all. I still take vitamins and the probiotic daily and compared to Pegasys , this is a cake walk!

[Mugwump]

I should have mentioned that as a safety precaution, I started to take a probiotic a few days before beginning Harvoni and I have not noticed any rough lower GI problems at all. I still take vitamins and the probiotic daily and compared to Pegasys , this is a cake walk!

Welcome philsky!
Come to think of it I went out and went on a Greek yogurt binge before Christmas. I used it with olive oil and made my own salad dressings along with feta cheese. My wife does not like olives but I know that they are great with digestive issues as is a good yogurt. It may have helped me get over the gas blasts.

Great to hear you feel the way I did after the first month of treatment. It is amazing how having your liver suddenly do the job it was made to do for the first time in years can be so uplifting..

@UwasvWahya your turn is coming this is a miracle drug!

Eric

[Wilson]

I have not posted in about a 40 days. I finished medication on the 10th of march. 30 days post  treatment still undetected. My physician says based on the research trials if your clear at 30 days post. Then your chances of success increase to 99.96%. I have not thought about in over a month. I don't have to see the physician any more. She wants me to do virial load first week in June. She'll call me with results. We had the 120 day post talk last week. She believes I am cured.  I am finished thinking about past. Now I can relax. Moving on. Best of luck to you all.

[Katie]

Congratulations Wilson!  I came back Undetected at my 8 week post treatment just this week and am feeling good.  I am having another blood draw in 8 more weeks, primarily because I was still detected at EOT as a precaution, I guess.

SO move forward with JOY and live life to it's fullest!

Here's to Harvoni!

Katie

[Mugwump]

Congratulations Wilson!  I came back Undetected at my 8 week post treatment just this week and am feeling good.  I am having another blood draw in 8 more weeks, primarily because I was still detected at EOT as a precaution, I guess.

SO move forward with JOT and live life to it's fullest!

Here's to Harvoni!

Katie

Oh Katie that is marvelous! I still have 2 weeks to go and because I was VL <15 at 3-4 weeks and right now I am finally in shape to actually go back to working part time for the first time in over two years I thank my lucky stars that we lived long enough to see this. Get out and get yourself a nice silver slab and do it on the BBQ with this;

As a marinate mince fresh young ginger root, minced garlic, a good sushi grade soya sauce, one small sprig of fresh thyme, fresh fine ground black pepper, cooking saki and a very small amount of lemon juice and sweetener of your choice.

Fillet the fish but leave the skin on, de-bone as much as possible then marinate for several hours in a fridge.
Dry the fillets and oil the skin with a good cooking oil.
Then on a low temp grill place the fillets skin down and grill slowly on a low grill heat and cover until the fish is completely firm and beautiful.
Serve with sticky rice and fresh fiddle heads roasted and then finished in a pan with a small amount of the marinate that was left over from the fish.
I like to have eel grass or sea lettuce with coho as it is the tradition of the west coast to have a sea vegetable with coho.

Wilson thank you for giving us all a boost with the good news!

Eric

[Katie]

Oh Katie that is marvelous! I still have 2 weeks to go and because I was VL <15 at 3-4 weeks and right now I am finally in shape to actually go back to working part time for the first time in over two years I thank my lucky stars that we lived long enough to see this. Get out and get yourself a nice silver slab and do it on the BBQ with this;

As a marinate mince fresh young ginger root, minced garlic, a good sushi grade soya sauce, one small sprig of fresh thyme, fresh fine ground black pepper, cooking saki and a very small amount of lemon juice and sweetener of your choice.

Fillet the fish but leave the skin on, de-bone as much as possible then marinate for several hours in a fridge.
Dry the fillets and oil the skin with a good cooking oil.
Then on a low temp grill place the fillets skin down and grill slowly on a low grill heat and cover until the fish is completely firm and beautiful.
Serve with sticky rice and fresh fiddle heads roasted and then finished in a pan with a small amount of the marinate that was left over from the fish.
I like to have eel grass or sea lettuce with coho as it is the tradition of the west coast to have a sea vegetable with coho.

Wilson thank you for giving us all a boost with the good news!

Eric

Oh Eric...will you marry me!  I could use a gourmet cook!  HA HA.  I actually have some wonderful sockeye in the freezer, but won't be Bar-B-Q ing today.  We have 90 mph gusts with a downpour and think we've gotten about 4 inches of rain last night & this morning.  The power just came back on so I can have my coffee!

You are on the home stretch so keep us posted how you are doing.  I am feeling good but get really tired early afternoon and my energy level is low, but one little step at a time.  We must be patient and let our bodies heal!

Hope everyone is moving towards clearing this alien monster.  It is amazing!

Katie

[Karen1124]

Hi Katie,
Congrats to you girlfriend! Everyone is doing so well!! I haven't been getting notified of post for some reason I am glad I checked it!
So happy for you! Have a great day! Life is good!! Karen

[mario555]

166 pills down and 2 to go! Can't wait! I will take my last pill tomorrow!
For all of you who finished your treatment and have received your VL4-8 or 12 please let us know how it turns out! It is so encouraging for people like me to see real world results...

[mario555]

166 pills down and 2 to go! Can't wait! I will take my last pill tomorrow!
For all of you who finished your treatment and have received your VL4-8 or 12 please let us know how it turns out! It is so encouraging for people like me to see real world results...

[mario555]

Sorry about the double posting, I screwed up somewhere...

[Debula]

Congratulations Mario555!
Wow you did it!  Please keep us posted on your outcome
Take care and good luck!!

[Katie]

Hi Katie,
Congrats to you girlfriend! Everyone is doing so well!! I haven't been getting notified of post for some reason I am glad I checked it!
So happy for you! Have a great day! Life is good!! Karen

Thanks Karen!  It was a nail biting 8 weeks but deep down, I just knew I would clear!  Harvoni is surprising many people with this EOT low detection and then later clearing, so everyone be positive and have faith that Harvoni is really a miracle cure!  Hopefully the side effects folks are experiencing after treatment ease up, and disappear.  There is still much to understand to get it right, in my opinion.

Good hearing from you!

Katie

[mario555]

Debula. Thanks for the encouragement! I had a similar treatment history and my 'statistics' are also similar. I see you are facing 24 weeks also! I don't worry too much about the chances of success because 24 weeks is most probably "overkill" by 4 to 8 weeks (my view). I "felt" cured after week 17 or 18 which is the time where I got a second run of heavier side effects. Since then, it has been smooth sailing and I "feel" cured. So good luck and try to stay within the parameters of the people in the studies (ie; no weird diets, no special nutritional changes)

[Katie]

Hi Mario!  YAY...you are just about done after your long treatment!  Well done, my friend.  I experienced a similar situation during my treatment.  Week 8 & 9, I had a horrible bout of depression and fatigue for about 10 days that was something I had never gone through before.  Then one morning I woke up feeling great again!  No one has an explanation for this but I like yours!

I am excited to hear about your progress and anxious to hear you have joined the caravan of the cured.  Sending you JOY and healing light!

Katie

[Debula]

Debula. Thanks for the encouragement! I had a similar treatment history and my 'statistics' are also similar. I see you are facing 24 weeks also! I don't worry too much about the chances of success because 24 weeks is most probably "overkill" by 4 to 8 weeks (my view). I "felt" cured after week 17 or 18 which is the time where I got a second run of heavier side effects. Since then, it has been smooth sailing and I "feel" cured. So good luck and try to stay within the parameters of the people in the studies (ie; no weird diets, no special nutritional changes)

Thank you also for the encouragement!  When you say you "felt" cured -what did it feel like?  Sorry I am such a curious person I am probably driving everybody crazy with my questions
I never thought of that!  "Staying within the parameters of the studies"  Good point! 
Be well, take care and I hope for SVR to all!!