Harvoni day 15

[april]

I am on the 15th day of treatment on Harvoni. I have been battling this virus for 16 years. Suffered through some terrible side effects with past treatments. I am happy to say with the exception of a mild rash and occasional mild headache, the side effects have been minimal so far. I am so excited, I know this is the cure!!!!!!!!

[trixiedaisy]

WOW sounds like you are doing great!! Keep up the good work!! I cant say to much about treatment yet with Harvoni but will be starting it soon. It helps to see that you are doing good. Can I ask how many weeks have you been taking it for and if any what kind of side effects have you had?? I heard that the first week was the worst. Was that the case with you? Sorry for all the questions but as you can see I am very anxious about starting it because I have heard about some bad side effects. AND with me if there is a side effect to have I will get it...Hope you are still doing well. Keep up the positive attitude we all know that is very important. Let us know how you are doing....Keep up the great work !

[april]

Trixiedaisey, The Dr. said I need to be on treatment for 12 weeks, I am at the beginning of the third week. I didnt have any side effects the first week except for the very mild headache, I took one motrin that cleared the headache.  I have had no side effects except for a very mild rash and not sure if it's related to treatment and an occasional headache. I work 6 days a week and have to get up at 4am, I have had no problem keeping up with my schedule. No problems sleeping. If you have the opportunity to start this medication, you should do it. You wont even know your on treatment. Drink LOTS of water. I try to drink 120oz a day. Especially right before and after I take the medicine. I go for labs on July 30th, I'll keep you posted on the progress. I am pretty sure the virus is cleared by now. I FEEL GREAT!!!!

[april]

Starting week 5 on Harvoni, I go for my first set of labs tomorrow. I have had virtually no side effects but I am starting to be bothered by acid re flux lately. Not sure if its from the meds or from the insatiable appetite I've had. Really weird, on old treatments,  I ve lost up to 40 pounds, this treatment, cant stop eating.

[KimInTheForest]

sounds like you are making good progress, april! I hope your first labs turn out well. You may find that you have reached undetected. But even if not, you will soon.

I believe acid reflux can be part of the harvoni equation. I have seen other people post about it. I had a few episodes (maybe 4) of extreme late-night heartburn during the 12 weeks i was on harvoni+ribavirin. I have never experienced that before. wondered if i was having a heart attack. but drank some warm water w 1/2 tsp baking soda and it sorted itself out. (would not take baking soda within 4 hours of harvoni though - it could neutralize it).

I had appetite suppression most of the time I was on treatment and actually lost 7% of my body weight (and I had no weight to lose going in, so I am visibly underweight right now). But paradoxically I also had ravenous cravings for animal protein and animal fat. Not sure if that was the harvoni or the ribavirin. But I was yamming back chicken drumsticks and pork chops (organic, of course) like there was no tomorrow. Prior to treatment I had been vegetarian. haha! My vegan friends would be horrified. But whatcha gonna do? I figured, best to give my body what it wants and apparently needs while on Tx.

kim