Author Topic: Ok...what should I NOT eat while taking Harvoni? (Read 33591 times)

lockettal73 · « **on:** April 01, 2015, 07:01:08 pm »

I'm starting my treatment tonight and I'm looking for advice on what not to eat. I want to make this experience as easy as possible. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Corey · « **Reply #1 on:** April 01, 2015, 11:03:59 pm »

I am finishing week 4. Haven't noticed any foods to avoid. Whatever you decide, drink lots of water.

Lynn K · « **Reply #2 on:** April 01, 2015, 11:11:26 pm »

Anything you want but if you have any liver damage you should consider a health diet as should everyone really. More fruits and veggies less fat less sodium but that is for all the time not just on treatment.

I had a slice of pizza yesterday

KimInTheForest · « **Reply #3 on:** April 02, 2015, 12:07:20 am »

Since antacids are contraindicated with Harvoni (Harvoni requires an acid environment) and apparently should not be used 4 hours on either side of taking Harvoni, you might want to stay away from foods that would cause you to reach for Tums - at least during the time of day you are taking the Harvoni…

Good luck with your treatment!

Kim

atomic dog · « **Reply #4 on:** April 02, 2015, 01:03:32 am »

Always good to eat low fat and avoid spicy foods when trying to cut your liver some slack. And drink lots of water. There are foods that are beneficial to the liver: avocado, almonds, blueberries. http://www.rodalenews.com/foods-your-liver

Lynn K · « **Reply #5 on:** April 02, 2015, 01:24:47 am »

I never said the pizza was a good idea lol

just saying that it shouldn't be a problem unless it makes you want to reach for the tums

I doubt having a few bad habits once in a while would effect treatment more so you waistline

davidsconfused · « **Reply #6 on:** April 02, 2015, 03:37:01 am »

That four hours either side can be a LONG eight hours.

Bituman · « **Reply #7 on:** April 02, 2015, 08:57:15 am »

Quote from: Lynn K on April 02, 2015, 01:24:47 am

I never said the pizza was a good idea lol

just saying that it shouldn't be a problem unless it makes you want to reach for the tums

I doubt having a few bad habits once in a while would effect treatment more so you waistline

Hey thanks Lynn! Then no guilt about the TX style BBQ I'm planning? I'm breaking out my smoker this weekend for some brisket, ribs, and hot links. WARNING for some of you, the next comment may cause your head to explode. I trim hardly any fat from my brisket, and smoke it fat side up. This is a dual purpose event: celebrate Easter and my (hopefully) good labs tomorrow.

Bob

Ledoc01 · « **Reply #8 on:** April 02, 2015, 06:06:17 pm »

Good luck with the labs Bituman; mmmm BBQ sounds so good :-)

LOL @davidsconfused you're right about those long hours. I've devised my own workaround. It might sound crazy but there is (at least to me) a method to my madness.I get up 1/2 way through my nightly nap (generally 4 am or so) and take my Harvoni; then I crash for another 4 hours or so and get up and eat thereby bypassing the awareness of time. I knock off eating, a couple hours before crash#1 so I'm in a fasting state when I take the pills. I have some issues..like GERD, hiatal hernia and something I don't remember...for which I normally take a PPI (60mg dexilant) which means I have to take the new allowed PPI dose (20mg Omeprazole) at the same time as the Harvoni. I'm not sure (and the more I read and talk to my Dr's I realize they don't really know either) but I think a lot of the side effects I experience result from the lower PPI dose.
Time will tell how the whole treatment thing works out but I'd rather sleep through as many of the unpleasant hours as I can.

I have a ton of empathy for all those who have had the harsh treatments of the past. I just hope this works and maybe we'll even see them develop a vaccine against this beast so others won't have to deal with this in the future.

atomic dog · « **Reply #9 on:** April 02, 2015, 10:24:35 pm »

Quote from: Ledoc01 on April 02, 2015, 06:06:17 pm

Good luck with the labs Bituman; mmmm BBQ sounds so good :-)

LOL @davidsconfused you're right about those long hours. I've devised my own workaround. It might sound crazy but there is (at least to me) a method to my madness.I get up 1/2 way through my nightly nap (generally 4 am or so) and take my Harvoni; then I crash for another 4 hours or so and get up and eat thereby bypassing the awareness of time. I knock off eating, a couple hours before crash#1 so I'm in a fasting state when I take the pills. I have some issues..like GERD, hiatal hernia and something I don't remember...for which I normally take a PPI (60mg dexilant) which means I have to take the new allowed PPI dose (20mg Omeprazole) at the same time as the Harvoni. I'm not sure (and the more I read and talk to my Dr's I realize they don't really know either) but I think a lot of the side effects I experience result from the lower PPI dose.
Time will tell how the whole treatment thing works out but I'd rather sleep through as many of the unpleasant hours as I can.

I have a ton of empathy for all those who have had the harsh treatments of the past. I just hope this works and maybe we'll even see them develop a vaccine against this beast so others won't have to deal with this in the future.

So weird, I have all your ailments,

Lynn K · « **Reply #10 on:** April 03, 2015, 04:13:10 am »

Hey Bitman

It's your life. As much as I know I should eat better I don't.

Problems are wacky schedule and I do not cook at all, zero, zip, nada.

So just call me the poster child for everything what not to do re eating except I don't drink soda just never developed a taste.

OH well I am who I am I try to get a salad once in a while

Enjoy you BBQ!

Perca05 · « **Reply #11 on:** April 07, 2015, 02:18:46 pm »

Only thing I have noticed, is I get Montezuma's revenge the day after I eat spicy Mexican food. It's been fairly consistent.

BubbaT · « **Reply #12 on:** April 12, 2015, 08:09:37 pm »

@Lynn,

I'm amazed you can eat that stuff with your level F4, you must be compensated well and improving.
I had to stop eating red meat and anything processed or fried, and when ever I messed up and It was often, with me being at work an trying to maintain a supervisory position, it was stressful and making my symptoms worse...
My food choices were bad, there is NO healthy fast food....anywhere,

Since I have my diet under control now, I can function a lot better, I have lost about
7 lbs since I started Harvoni .

And my target is to lose 20 more...

I bet I feel a lot better then!

But like they guys at work say, smoke em if ya got em! Lol

I can't afford that no mo!

Lynn K · « **Reply #13 on:** April 12, 2015, 08:39:37 pm »

Like I said my diet is terrible so don't go by me on this subject. I eat Cheerios at home. An egg white delite for breakfast with in my car. Sometimes I eat fast food in the afternoon or something from the work cafeteria in the evening for dinner as I work second shift. Then more Cheerios for an evening snack before bed at 1 or 2 am.

I haven't changed my diet ever really.

I don't have any noticible symptoms of cirrhosis. Except my swollen feet, ankles and lower legs.

My most dangerous symptom was the esophageal varicies which until they burst and there is a bleed produce no noticible symptoms. Which is why they check for them with upper endoscopy otherwise you would never know.

The only thing I have ever felt other than the edema is being tired a lot.

As I undestand it the only symptoms I don't have are pronounced ascities and Hepatic Encephalopathy. And of course worsening blood test results like high bilirubin, high creatine, low albumin. Mine are all in normal range and my MELD score is 8

I have low platelets before I was treating they were around 80 they are higher right now but I hear that is from the Ribavirin.

If you have trouble tolerating red meat or fried food I would look more to stomach issues than cirrhosis. Red meat protein may contribute to HE but if you don't have HE from cirrhosis why can't you eat red meat?

And fried food well that is not great for us but except for the salt content increasing edema and ascities if you don't have those symptoms of cirrhosis what happens if you eat fried food?

I had some sea food the other day that was way too salty and had more edema than usual for a few days but that's it.

And even though they are off the list for people with cirrhosis because of infection risk I do occasionally have raw shucked oysters my guilty pleasure.

Anyway good health to all

BubbaT · « **Reply #14 on:** April 12, 2015, 09:06:35 pm »

@Lynn

What test do they run to determine ascites? My ammonia was 222 prior to rx, so I definitely think I was experiencing HE symptoms, for several months before starting tx. The dr said I had varicies he said the CT confirmed those .
That's why I stopped all food that would compromise me.
But , glad you can eat whatever...

Tomorrow I see my GP, I'm asking them to do an ferritin test and and ammonia test.
I also hope to be referred to an hepatologist,

I developed a cough recently and having recurring pain from a inflamed spleen,
I see the GI Friday for the 4 week VL.

Also I note that if I take any meds, I experience symptoms in my liver, pain, and discomfort, tenderness in my entire abdomen.

So I do not take anything... Just the Harvoni .

Mike · « **Reply #15 on:** April 12, 2015, 09:39:10 pm »

There are several ways to diagnosis new on-set ascites. Of these, paracentesis is commonly used.

Paracentesis is a procedure whereby a needle is placed through the abdominal wall into the peritoneal cavity and fluid is removed. The fluid is analyzed, in conjunction with other blood work and a diagnosis is rendered. Past medical history is also helpful.

Your GI is well trained and suited to perform all requisite tests and make the diagnosis.

Best wishes, Mike

Lynn K · « **Reply #16 on:** April 12, 2015, 09:52:27 pm »

I just have what they call scant or a small amount of ascities only detectable on ultra sound. With more ascities you doctor can perform a physical examinalion looking for which lying flank dullness or thrill sounds of fluid shifting. Severe ascities will look like the patient is pregnant with a very enlarged abdomen

I had grade 3 varicies a few years back so I had those banded to prevent bleeding.

But fortunately I have no symptoms of HE never had my ammonia tested. Of all the things cirrhosis can do I fear HE the most

BubbaT · « **Reply #17 on:** April 12, 2015, 10:28:55 pm »

Quote from: Mike on April 12, 2015, 09:39:10 pm

There are several ways to diagnosis new on-set ascites. Of these, paracentesis is commonly used.

Paracentesis is a procedure whereby a needle is placed through the abdominal wall into the peritoneal cavity and fluid is removed. The fluid is analyzed, in conjunction with other blood work and a diagnosis is rendered. Past medical history is also helpful.

Your GI is well trained and suited to perform all requisite tests and make the diagnosis.

Best wishes, Mike

Thanks mike,

BubbaT · « **Reply #18 on:** April 12, 2015, 10:38:21 pm »

Quote from: Lynn K on April 12, 2015, 09:52:27 pm

I just have what they call scant or a small amount of ascities only detectable on ultra sound. With more ascities you doctor can perform a physical examinalion looking for which lying flank dullness or thrill sounds of fluid shifting. Severe ascities will look like the patient is pregnant with a very enlarged abdomen

I had grade 3 varicies a few years back so I had those banded to prevent bleeding.

But fortunately I have no symptoms of HE never had my ammonia tested. Of all the things cirrhosis can do I fear HE the most

Thanks Lynn

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Author Topic: Ok...what should I NOT eat while taking Harvoni? (Read 33591 times)