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Author Topic: Viekira Pak with no Ribavirin Side Effects  (Read 17873 times)

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Offline weezer

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Viekira Pak with no Ribavirin Side Effects
« on: July 07, 2015, 06:37:24 pm »
Hello Everyone,

I fought with the insurance company for 6 months, but eventually got the meds through the Patient Assistance Program.  The meds are for my boyfriend.  He just started yesterday and woke up at midnight vomiting:(  He has had a really bad headache and insomnia since.

Has anyone else had these side effects?

The Dr. and Abbvie can only say that those side effects are possible, no one can say if they will go away :-\

Offline Philadelphia

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Re: Viekira Pak with no Ribavirin Side Effects
« Reply #1 on: July 07, 2015, 08:18:35 pm »
I've heard of nausea, not vomiting. Headaches seem to be fairly common and are a sign of dehydration. Get him to drink more water. Lots more water.
CURED SVR24  Class of 2015
Wk 12 post EOT 30.11.15: ALT 14 AST 22 GGT 22 VL UND
Week 19 07.08.15: ALT 17 AST 23 GGT 25
Week 12 18.06.15: ALT 21 AST 23 GGT 28
Week 8 25.05.15: ALT 23 AST 27 GGT 30 VL UND
Week 4 20.04.14: ALT 30 AST 36 VL 40
Treatment start 23.03.15: ALT 137 AST 185 VL 342,600
Cirrhosis Child-Pugh A, Genotype 1a - Viekira Pak + riba 24 weeks
Total failure interferon/ribavirin/boceprovir Mar 2013
https://www.hepmag.com/blogger/grace-campbell

Offline weezer

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Re: Viekira Pak with no Ribavirin Side Effects
« Reply #2 on: July 07, 2015, 08:33:21 pm »
Thank you! Will push water!

We'll see how night 2 goes...

Offline weezer

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  • Posts: 5
Re: Viekira Pak with no Ribavirin Side Effects
« Reply #3 on: July 10, 2015, 06:17:41 am »
Day 5, nausea, headache and insomnia...i think he is going to quit taking it.  He said if he wasnted to feel like this he would have taken interferon.

Offline Philadelphia

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Re: Viekira Pak with no Ribavirin Side Effects
« Reply #4 on: July 10, 2015, 06:27:31 am »
Get him to go see his doctor. There are things they can do to make sx more bearable. Lemon and ginger tea is good for nausea.

My first few weeks were horrendous in hindsight. If he can get through the first couple of weeks ...
« Last Edit: July 10, 2015, 06:29:10 am by Philadelphia »
CURED SVR24  Class of 2015
Wk 12 post EOT 30.11.15: ALT 14 AST 22 GGT 22 VL UND
Week 19 07.08.15: ALT 17 AST 23 GGT 25
Week 12 18.06.15: ALT 21 AST 23 GGT 28
Week 8 25.05.15: ALT 23 AST 27 GGT 30 VL UND
Week 4 20.04.14: ALT 30 AST 36 VL 40
Treatment start 23.03.15: ALT 137 AST 185 VL 342,600
Cirrhosis Child-Pugh A, Genotype 1a - Viekira Pak + riba 24 weeks
Total failure interferon/ribavirin/boceprovir Mar 2013
https://www.hepmag.com/blogger/grace-campbell

Offline weezer

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Re: Viekira Pak with no Ribavirin Side Effects
« Reply #5 on: July 10, 2015, 08:51:46 am »
His doctor is less than helpful, especially after my annoying the sh** out of them the last 6 months while trying to get him the meds.  I will call and see if they will prescribe him some anti nausea meds.

I think he is de-hydrated but I can't get him to drink more water or even gatorade.  I am trying now to get him to go to an urgent care and get him an iv of saline.  At least if I can get him to do that I my be able to prove he is de-hydrated.  He has agreed to go tomorrow...we'll see

Offline drummerman

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Re: Viekira Pak with no Ribavirin Side Effects
« Reply #6 on: July 10, 2015, 11:25:59 am »
Weezer,

I probably should not butt in here... but some things to consider.

(I started the same day as your bf).

These meds are extremely difficult to get (as you  know) I fought for over a month... you fought for 6.

If he quits now, who knows how difficult it will be to get again... which may be the case in the future when he may be suffering from liver damage.

One think that needs to be going on is (and you know this) is plenty of fluids.  He should not try to drink a whole glass or bottle at one time, but just constantly sip liquids through out the day (and of course no alcohol)  He also needs to be eating healthy. protein.  fruits and veggies.  I would avoid carbs and sugar (but that is just my opinion and works for me).   A big meal is not necessary, several small meals a day work better.  Eat a few bites when you get hungry

I have used ginger capsules before and it helps.  I have also used rx anti nausea drugs and they help too (haven't needed em this go around, and they can make you loopy so careful driving,  if he is throwing up constantly ask for suppositories).

Also,, I know it is a lot of pills ,.. I have been experimenting and am now eating a few bites, take pill,  2 more bites, take pill, 2 more , take pill, etc.   Seems to help.  The first time around and just threw em all in, one after the other and had a hell of a pain in my stomach.

I know that feeling sick sucks, but tell him to stick it out.  This is gonna sound weird , but after a while you kind of get use to it.... and it could get better.  There will be bad days and good days too!  Its a battle, but it will be worth it when it is all over.

Tell him to keep fighting ,.. feeling queasy now  is a small price to pay for not having a damaged liver in his older age.

With a 90-95% chance he will clear, he needs to stick it out...if at all possible.

Tell him to keep fighting.  This dragon can be beat.  It's never been more possible.

drummerman
Diagnosed07
Interferon/riba 2008 - non-responder
5/16/15 - AST -34
ALT - 35_ HCV RNA - 10,783,000
 7/6/15 - started viekira/riba
8/11/15  Week 5 <15 vl,  AST 18, ALT 18
9/11/15 Week 9  "HCV NOT DETECTED"!
AST 16, ALT 11.  10/16/16 - 2 weeks post EOT = "HCV NOT DETECTED!   AST - 18,  ALT 14
12/29/15 -12 wk EOT-HCV NOT DETECTED! AST 23, ALT 15
3/26/16 - 24 wk post EOT - HCV NOT DETECTED!! AST 19, ALT 21
1 yr eot - AST 20, ALT 17

Offline drummerman

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  • For those regarded as warriors....
Re: Viekira Pak with no Ribavirin Side Effects
« Reply #7 on: July 10, 2015, 11:41:43 am »
and no ribavirin??  So genotype B??  He really stands a good chance of clearing!
Diagnosed07
Interferon/riba 2008 - non-responder
5/16/15 - AST -34
ALT - 35_ HCV RNA - 10,783,000
 7/6/15 - started viekira/riba
8/11/15  Week 5 <15 vl,  AST 18, ALT 18
9/11/15 Week 9  "HCV NOT DETECTED"!
AST 16, ALT 11.  10/16/16 - 2 weeks post EOT = "HCV NOT DETECTED!   AST - 18,  ALT 14
12/29/15 -12 wk EOT-HCV NOT DETECTED! AST 23, ALT 15
3/26/16 - 24 wk post EOT - HCV NOT DETECTED!! AST 19, ALT 21
1 yr eot - AST 20, ALT 17

Offline weezer

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Re: Viekira Pak with no Ribavirin Side Effects
« Reply #8 on: July 10, 2015, 12:10:06 pm »
Thank you Drummerman, I copied your message and sent it to him:)  I particularly liked the "This dragon can be beat" ;D

He is a stubborn 30 year old male, he doesn't feel well and is fighting the things that may make him feel better :o  If I suggest ginger, he will look at me like I have 3 heads.  Maybe I will sneak some fresh ginger in his meals:)

Offline Philadelphia

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Re: Viekira Pak with no Ribavirin Side Effects
« Reply #9 on: July 10, 2015, 05:38:32 pm »
All the applause for drummerman's post. Well said.
CURED SVR24  Class of 2015
Wk 12 post EOT 30.11.15: ALT 14 AST 22 GGT 22 VL UND
Week 19 07.08.15: ALT 17 AST 23 GGT 25
Week 12 18.06.15: ALT 21 AST 23 GGT 28
Week 8 25.05.15: ALT 23 AST 27 GGT 30 VL UND
Week 4 20.04.14: ALT 30 AST 36 VL 40
Treatment start 23.03.15: ALT 137 AST 185 VL 342,600
Cirrhosis Child-Pugh A, Genotype 1a - Viekira Pak + riba 24 weeks
Total failure interferon/ribavirin/boceprovir Mar 2013
https://www.hepmag.com/blogger/grace-campbell

Offline drummerman

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  • For those regarded as warriors....
Re: Viekira Pak with no Ribavirin Side Effects
« Reply #10 on: July 11, 2015, 12:22:18 am »
Hope it helps weezer.  He can do this.

thanks Philly.

dm
Diagnosed07
Interferon/riba 2008 - non-responder
5/16/15 - AST -34
ALT - 35_ HCV RNA - 10,783,000
 7/6/15 - started viekira/riba
8/11/15  Week 5 <15 vl,  AST 18, ALT 18
9/11/15 Week 9  "HCV NOT DETECTED"!
AST 16, ALT 11.  10/16/16 - 2 weeks post EOT = "HCV NOT DETECTED!   AST - 18,  ALT 14
12/29/15 -12 wk EOT-HCV NOT DETECTED! AST 23, ALT 15
3/26/16 - 24 wk post EOT - HCV NOT DETECTED!! AST 19, ALT 21
1 yr eot - AST 20, ALT 17

Offline Ian

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  • Posts: 16
Re: Viekira Pak with no Ribavirin Side Effects
« Reply #11 on: October 26, 2015, 10:53:21 pm »
So odd, I am on day 6 of Viekira (no riba) and having very little side effects. On day 2 and 3 I felt really weird and slightly nauseated and a mild headache, but since then pretty much only side effect is fatigue and lack of brain power.

It's strange how differently it affects people, I'm curious if there are factors that are associated with worse side effects such as age, weight, level of fibrosis, etch. I hope you're feeling better, and I hope the lack of side effects for me doesn't mean it's not working!
Ian

Offline Cal

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  • Posts: 957
  • Cal on Viekira Pak
Re: Viekira Pak with no Ribavirin Side Effects
« Reply #12 on: October 27, 2015, 05:48:56 pm »
I spent 4 days in hospital in my first week, but managed to stay on the drugs. I kicked and gouged and my specialist supported me. Dehydration is serious. If you drink a lot of water all at once you can wash out all if the electrolytes and this us very serious. If he can get a blood test to tell where he is it would be good.

We all react differently, but it's worth it, keep your eye on the prize. He must get something from the Doctor to stop vomiting. He is vomiting out the drugs!  Serious issue. Good luck with him :) cal
HCV 30 years. Geno 1A.
Veikira Pak with ribas on Compassionate Access.
Brisbane. Australia. began 21.8.15.
17 weeks.  Previous non responder 2011.
V/L 9 million
2 week V/L 54
12 weeks V/L UND
No 17 week  EOT V/L
EOT Post 4 weeks UND.

Offline whereisalice

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  • Posts: 3
Re: Viekira Pak with no Ribavirin Side Effects
« Reply #13 on: November 15, 2015, 09:05:10 pm »
Hi. I've been on this medication for just over 6 weeks and I am starting to itch a lot and a kind of rash. Also very dry chapped lips and thirsty all the time. Not feeling good. Anyone have any experience with this. Sometimes I feel flushes and hot but other times I get chills. Aometimwa fell really weird but can't describe it well. Anyone have experience with these type of symptoms?

Offline whereisalice

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Re: Viekira Pak with no Ribavirin Side Effects
« Reply #14 on: November 15, 2015, 10:18:12 pm »
Hi. I've been on this medication for just over 6 weeks and I am starting to itch a lot and a kind of rash. Also very dry chapped lips and thirsty all the time. Not feeling good. Anyone have any experience with this. Sometimes I feel flushes and hot but other times I get chills. Aometimwa fell really weird but can't describe it well. Anyone have experience with these type of symptoms?

Offline Cal

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  • Cal on Viekira Pak
Re: Viekira Pak with no Ribavirin Side Effects
« Reply #15 on: November 16, 2015, 12:34:19 am »
Hi ALice,
Your chapped lips are from being too dry (I'm not a medical person but I had the same) are you drinking a bit of extra water? The ribas dry you out a lot.

Side effects of itching, you can speak to the Doctor about it, but I use an antihistamine. I  take phenergan, I think some here have taken Benadryl. With the rash, don't use soap, use a soapless wash (Aveeno) and moisturise as many times a day as you can. You REALLY dry out. I get the flushes and chills you're the first person I have seen on here so far with them besides me! I get them and had them bad in the first month, then I got them back again when the Doctor put my ribas back up again. I think it's ribas for the flushes but I have seen Viekira side effects include ot flushes and chills, so could be Viekira as well? Anyway you're experiencing normal side effects. The weirdness, I know what you mean. It's like not a stoned nice feeling but a 'I'm on heavy drugs' feeling. I have it every day.
I hope this reassures you. Welcome to the forum BTW. Good to meet you. Cal :)
HCV 30 years. Geno 1A.
Veikira Pak with ribas on Compassionate Access.
Brisbane. Australia. began 21.8.15.
17 weeks.  Previous non responder 2011.
V/L 9 million
2 week V/L 54
12 weeks V/L UND
No 17 week  EOT V/L
EOT Post 4 weeks UND.

Offline whereisalice

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Re: Viekira Pak with no Ribavirin Side Effects
« Reply #16 on: November 16, 2015, 03:50:02 pm »
thanks for the info. I'm not on the ribaviron but you are probably right about need ing to drink more water. I hate the stuff but will make myself drink more. i see my doc tomorrow and will definitely be asking about the itch and rash.


 


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