Author Topic: My first pill and many more to go ! (Read 36713 times)

jakas · « **on:** December 11, 2015, 12:16:13 pm »

Took the first Harvoni

God bless !

Rubi · « **Reply #1 on:** December 11, 2015, 01:45:37 pm »

Good luck. May your symptoms be minor and your Viral load undetected.

Rubi

jakas · « **Reply #2 on:** December 11, 2015, 01:55:34 pm »

thank you.

Philadelphia · « **Reply #3 on:** December 11, 2015, 04:52:20 pm »

Settle in for the ride of your life - literally.

GLCII · « **Reply #4 on:** December 12, 2015, 11:16:25 am »

Good Luck with the Harvoni jakas. That stuff works Great! My VL went from almost 13 million copies down to under <15 in 2 weeks. It killed almost a 900,000 copies a day. Hopefully you go negative in no time. Make sure to drink lots of water. It seems to help a lot.

jakas · « **Reply #5 on:** December 12, 2015, 11:43:05 am »

Thanks,what was your genotype ?

jakas · « **Reply #6 on:** December 12, 2015, 05:10:15 pm »

BP was high yesterday normal today. Tired. Long long way to go.

KimInTheForest · « **Reply #7 on:** December 12, 2015, 06:03:35 pm »

Congrats on starting treatment Jakas, and good luck with the journey! My viral load went from 4 million to 130 in the first 7 days on Harvoni. It works very quickly. I was undetectable by Week 4 and have remained that way ever since. Am now 4.5 months post-tx. You will likely have a similar good fortune on this drug. It gets the job done!

kim

jakas · « **Reply #8 on:** December 13, 2015, 05:39:44 am »

Thanks Kim I hope for the best.
The itching been there for a week before and now on 3rd day of Harvoni.

mrl914 · « **Reply #9 on:** December 13, 2015, 08:14:31 am »

I took #5 yesterday. Side effects, mostly mild fatigue, easily bearable. Best of luck.

jakas · « **Reply #10 on:** December 13, 2015, 09:01:59 am »

Are you taking ribavarin with the harvoni ?

mrl914 · « **Reply #11 on:** December 13, 2015, 09:10:58 am »

No. just Harvoni.

GLCII · « **Reply #12 on:** December 13, 2015, 09:54:22 am »

Quote from: jakas on December 12, 2015, 11:43:05 am

Thanks,what was your genotype ?

My genotype was 1a. I guess I should have included that.

My Tx was for 12 weeks.

jakas · « **Reply #13 on:** December 13, 2015, 10:18:22 am »

I check from your old posts and saw it.

jakas · « **Reply #14 on:** December 14, 2015, 05:17:56 am »

Some say the initial week on treatment is the hardest, I dont know anything about that. I guess time will tell.

jakas · « **Reply #15 on:** December 14, 2015, 04:35:36 pm »

day 4
slight headache. BP normal. Lots of itching last night but hope its better tonight.
Nothing else to complain about as yet

jakas · « **Reply #16 on:** December 19, 2015, 12:55:14 pm »

Day 9 all seems better than before except for that mild persintent headache.

Philadelphia · « **Reply #17 on:** December 19, 2015, 03:18:30 pm »

You are rocking your way through this treatment!

mrl914 · « **Reply #18 on:** December 19, 2015, 07:06:29 pm »

I'm on day 12. Some fatigue, not too bad, and not much else. Feeling fortunate.

jakas · « **Reply #19 on:** December 21, 2015, 01:53:10 pm »

day 11, slight liver and stomach pain and the usual mild headache. Otherwise seem ok. The BP is a bit high but its due to Harvoni

davidsconfused · « **Reply #20 on:** December 21, 2015, 03:45:33 pm »

Quote from: jakas on December 21, 2015, 01:53:10 pm

day 11, slight liver and stomach pain and the usual mild headache. Otherwise seem ok. The BP is a bit high but its due to Harvoni

I must be the only person whose blood pressure dropped on Harvoni. Sometimes it would drop like a rock and almost put me on the floor. I had to play with my blood pressure pill's dosage the whole time I was taking Harvoni.

jakas · « **Reply #21 on:** December 21, 2015, 03:56:19 pm »

My normal is 135-140/ 75-80 but now its 155/85 approx. Pulse before 57-60 now 64-65.
I take the BP tabs in the morn and Harvoni in the evening.

Philadelphia · « **Reply #22 on:** December 21, 2015, 04:29:25 pm »

My BP was lower Davidisconfused.

jakas · « **Reply #23 on:** December 23, 2015, 03:20:25 am »

Day 12 here, flank pain, took a pain killer last night, muscle aches in legs, generally sluggish. Looking forward to X-mas. 13th pill tonight

jakas · « **Reply #24 on:** December 24, 2015, 09:21:26 am »

14th pill today thats 2 weeks of Harvoni. Edema in the legs. Its pitting edema. Glad its Christmas so no work. Just put the roast in the oven

jakas · « **Reply #25 on:** December 30, 2015, 01:36:37 am »

Day 19 and the BP gone nuts. 93/164, 95/186 from the normal on Harvoni of 82/145
Very tired, still long away to go.

KimInTheForest · « **Reply #26 on:** December 30, 2015, 02:13:45 am »

Sorry to hear about your elevated BP on Harvoni, Jakas. I know there have been other forum members who also experienced that. Does your doctor have any suggestions or medications for you for that problem?

kim

jakas · « **Reply #27 on:** December 30, 2015, 03:54:14 am »

I am on BP medication, The doc really does not bother according to him the side effects are just Headache and tiredness. Anyway its just been 2 days really high. I hope it settles down.
I also have a gap of atleast 10 hours between Harvoni and the BP meds.
I take Amlodipine which is know to cause this ups with Harvoni.

Philadelphia · « **Reply #28 on:** December 30, 2015, 09:47:10 am »

Hope you are feeling better soon Jakas.

jakas · « **Reply #29 on:** December 31, 2015, 03:57:34 am »

Thanks I hope so to. 3 weeks today, overall the sides have been nothing too dramatic. I feel that Harvoni does bring up some underlying conditions that we have or they get a bit worser but I am sure things settle down as time goes. It effects us all differently, I seem to have more brain fog now then before Tx.
So wishing its a HAPPY 2016 for ALL of us.

jakas · « **Reply #30 on:** January 04, 2016, 04:41:31 pm »

day 25 still erratic BP. Pitting edema in the legs below the knee.
Rest ok except for the mild heavy head. AND INSOMNIA AND nothing else

KimInTheForest · « **Reply #31 on:** January 04, 2016, 05:20:51 pm »

Hang in there Jakas. I had MAJOR insomnia during treatment, much worse than prior. Can't say I am back to normal in that department even now, and I am nearly 6 months post-tx. I was never sure if it was the Harvoni or the ribavirin, since I had both.

best,
kim

BillT · « **Reply #32 on:** January 04, 2016, 08:58:51 pm »

I take Amlodipine to Jakas.On the Viekira they worry about our BP getting to low.How odd.It sounds like you're weathering the treatment pretty good.I hope it stays that way for you and gets better.You're getting to the point that many have had the sxs lighten up or go away.I posted on another thread that I have been taking the Aleve PM(2 of them)and they have really helped with the insomnia and any pain.It's worth a try.Keep us posted.

jakas · « **Reply #33 on:** January 07, 2016, 12:05:09 pm »

ok 4 weeks done. Went for the blood work after the 27th pill and took the 28th just now.
Small stuff still persists with the sides like legs edema, BP, slight flank pain etc. but nothing dramatic. MRI scan tomorrow as I refused the biopsy

Less pain more gain, they check the upper abdomen so will see whats there

3 weeks holidays planned after 10 days so will take the orange bullets with me

. More later.

Laura · « **Reply #34 on:** January 08, 2016, 08:31:20 pm »

Good job!

Laura

Philadelphia · « **Reply #35 on:** January 08, 2016, 10:48:12 pm »

Let us all know how it's going. Keep up the good work.

BillT · « **Reply #36 on:** January 09, 2016, 08:03:59 am »

Well done Jakas,It's all worth it so keep going.

jakas · « **Reply #37 on:** January 09, 2016, 09:34:17 am »

Yes Boss feeling better today anyway

54 more pills to go

BillT · « **Reply #38 on:** January 09, 2016, 10:00:12 am »

You should be coming up on your 4 week labs next week if I'm correct.Best of luck on them.

jakas · « **Reply #39 on:** January 09, 2016, 03:41:07 pm »

yes done that on the 7th Jan but results take long here.
Will get another one done in Asia, going there next week that comes in a day.
Will do just a qualitative test and LFT with creatine

jakas · « **Reply #40 on:** January 15, 2016, 01:49:01 pm »

+ 5 weeks here. Feeling better except for the odd liver pain and elevated BP.

HazelAustralia · « **Reply #41 on:** January 15, 2016, 07:14:21 pm »

Good news!

jakas · « **Reply #42 on:** January 21, 2016, 11:04:10 am »

AST 35 ( Was 193)
ALT 34 ( Was 237 )
Feeling good

But creatine is high 1.50 mg/dl

gnatcatcher · « **Reply #43 on:** January 21, 2016, 12:00:19 pm »

Congratulations RE: AST and ALT! As for creatine, are you referring to the (serum) creatinine test? Here is some useful info:
http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/creatinine/basics/results/prc-20014534
http://www.medicinenet.com/creatinine_blood_test/page4.htm
https://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/creatinine/tab/faq/

jakas · « **Reply #44 on:** January 21, 2016, 01:53:05 pm »

Yes serum creatinine. Its always been up since I started my BP meds.

gnatcatcher · « **Reply #45 on:** January 21, 2016, 02:41:39 pm »

Ah! Finding the right BP med to minimize problems with whichever other body parts are suboptimal can be very tricky and usually involves considerable compromise. Your doctor might feel that 1.50 mg/dl is as good as can be expected, all things considered.

My internist took me off the BP med that two nephrologists chose after I'd had massive posterior nosebleeds (they were looking for the least bad option, because I also have moderate kidney disease and a damaged liver); my internist is satisfied if my home BP readings have a normal mean arterial pressure, which gives me considerably more leeway than the current systolic/diastolic limits would give me.

jakas · « **Reply #46 on:** February 09, 2016, 03:00:30 pm »

the doc said not to worry too much about the creatine as the ultrasound and other bloods related to the kidneys were fine. He gave me diuretics for 10 days which sorted the left leg swelling another 3.5 weeks to go with the meds, then GOD BLESS !

gnatcatcher · « **Reply #47 on:** February 09, 2016, 03:51:46 pm »

Good! I'm glad you have a sensible doctor. The end is in sight -- Hallelujah!

jakas · « **Reply #48 on:** February 14, 2016, 02:25:35 pm »

yep 18 more pills to go

KimInTheForest · « **Reply #49 on:** February 14, 2016, 03:29:49 pm »

Quote from: jakas on February 14, 2016, 02:25:35 pm

yep 18 more pills to go

You're almost done, Jakas! That's great.

kim

mrl914 · « **Reply #50 on:** February 14, 2016, 08:47:23 pm »

I'm 3 days ahead of you. 15 more to go.

We're almost there!!!

AussieRosa · « **Reply #51 on:** February 14, 2016, 09:39:04 pm »

You're both on the home stretch. Best of luck to you!

Philadelphia · « **Reply #52 on:** February 15, 2016, 02:53:10 pm »

So close, both of you!

Else · « **Reply #53 on:** February 18, 2016, 11:47:10 am »

Hooray for the home stretch!

jakas · « **Reply #54 on:** March 02, 2016, 02:04:30 pm »

ITS OVER last pill tomorrrow

. Then its upto the power above to get me to SVR

mrl914 · « **Reply #55 on:** March 02, 2016, 02:09:33 pm »

Took my last pill last night. What an incredible feeling.

Dr. appointment and blood test tomorrow. Lots of anxiety until I get results.

Anybody have no virus detected @ 4 weeks and then virus detected @ 12??

jakas · « **Reply #56 on:** March 02, 2016, 02:18:09 pm »

YES MINE WAS <25 after 27 pills so dectected but the DOC was very happy as it was down from 1 million to <25 clearly showing it started working the drug but for me EOT 4, 12 AND 24 weeks matter those I wish to be UNDETECTED

BillT · « **Reply #57 on:** March 02, 2016, 05:03:06 pm »

It's working Jakas.Just try not to think about anything but getting through it.You're doing a great job.

Philadelphia · « **Reply #58 on:** March 03, 2016, 04:19:44 am »

Jakas, you've done everything you can. The wait is horrible but you can do it! All the best and congrats for staying the course. As a 24 weeker, I know how long it is!

jakas · « **Reply #59 on:** March 03, 2016, 05:17:47 am »

Thanks all hoping for the best result

gnatcatcher · « **Reply #60 on:** March 03, 2016, 06:29:01 am »

Jakas, congratulations on finishing treatment! You'll probably get your wish to see UNDETECTED on your next labs. But if you don't, forum member dragonslayer had a VL of 29 at end of treatment, was still detected at 7.5 weeks after treatment, but achieved SVR12 and SVR24. Others on these forums were similarly slow to reach undetected and still got cured.

Gnatty

jakas · « **Reply #61 on:** March 03, 2016, 07:54:35 am »

yes thanks I have seen that. There are new meds out there for those that relapse so I know one day very soon its gone from my system. Been too long with HEP C its time it goes out. I am grateful and glad to be one of the lucky few in my country to get Harvoni. Thanks much to all of you for the support.

Else · « **Reply #62 on:** March 03, 2016, 10:28:34 am »

Congratulations on finishing the ride!

mrl914 · « **Reply #63 on:** March 04, 2016, 07:57:56 pm »

Whew.

Just got my EOT labs back:

AST 31 (19-55)
ALT 22 (19-72)
HCV Not Detected!

Another one in 1 month and then on to SVR12.

Thank you (everybody) for your support and the education that this forum has supplied.

Else · « **Reply #64 on:** March 04, 2016, 08:13:57 pm »

Congratulations, Mr!!!! That's wonderful news.

Lynn K · « **Reply #65 on:** March 04, 2016, 08:53:24 pm »

Quote from: mrl914 on March 02, 2016, 02:09:33 pm

Took my last pill last night. What an incredible feeling.

Dr. appointment and blood test tomorrow. Lots of anxiety until I get results.

Anybody have no virus detected @ 4 weeks and then virus detected @ 12??

If you were asking about being not detected at 4 week post treatment and relapsing at 12 weeks post treatment I have read that being SVR4 correlated with SVR 12 @98.5% so odds are very good if you make SVR4 you are very likely cured

Good luck and congrats on finishing treatment!
Lynn

jakas · « **Reply #66 on:** March 05, 2016, 01:32:51 am »

http://www.hivandhepatitis.com/hcv-basic-science/5160-croi-2015-hcv-viral-load-and-speed-of-decline-do-not-predict-cure-with-interferon-free-therapy

brie41 · « **Reply #67 on:** March 05, 2016, 11:19:59 am »

Hi Everyone,

This is my first post, but now new to this at all. I will be starting harvoni next week but am terrified as I have a very hard time swallowing large pills. I know most people do not struggle with this, but I am so scared that part of me wants to send them back. I had a total thyroidectomy with a large mass removed about 7 years ago. So not completely just in my head. Sorry to go on and on about this, but it is a true phobia. I bought a spray that is a swallowing gel and centrum vitamins as they are about the right size. I just keep looking at them!! Any suggestions would be more than welcome. I don't take for granted how lucky I am to have this medication, just need to get it down my throat! I haven't had time to worry about sides because I am consumed with this anxiety. A little background. I have known my status for 10 years, I am grade 0-1, and never treated. I could only get 8 weeks, so hopefully that will be enough to do the trick!

jakas · « **Reply #68 on:** March 05, 2016, 11:56:54 am »

break that pill in half BUT eat both halves one after the other

Else · « **Reply #69 on:** March 05, 2016, 12:04:01 pm »

Quote from: jakas on March 05, 2016, 11:56:54 am

break that pill in half BUT eat both halves one after the other

Yes, no worries about breaking the tablet in half (or even quarters!) - it's not "timed release" or "extended release". Congratulations on your journey towards your cure!

Lynn K · « **Reply #70 on:** March 05, 2016, 12:27:45 pm »

Harvoni is a coated tablet I would check with my doctor, pharmacy or call the Giliead 24 hour nurse support number with that question.

http://www.mysupportpath.com/help-along-the-way

Providers and patients can call 1-855-7-MYPATH (1-855-769-7284) for assistance

FutureThinker · « **Reply #71 on:** March 05, 2016, 12:57:00 pm »

Yes, I also wondered re: breaking the pill in half, but I'm with LynnK -- some pills specify not to break, don't know about the Harvoni, tho. Gilead should be able to answer this quickly. But, taking with food may also work! FT

Else · « **Reply #72 on:** March 05, 2016, 04:28:55 pm »

My apologies if I spoke too soon, Brie. The most prudent call is always "ask your doctor!" With the Harvoni, I assumed the coating was for ease in swallowing. (they're not tiny things, are they?

)

On the few occasions when I've taken a timed or extended release medication, the doctor, and usually the pharmacist too, would make a specific point of telling me "do not break these in half or crush them."

So you'd think we all would have heard that if it was an issue. I'll be interested to hear what your doctor or pharmacist says.

brie41 · « **Reply #73 on:** March 05, 2016, 04:58:44 pm »

Thank you everyone for responding. I called Gilead and my specialty pharmacist. They both said that Harvoni could not be cut in half. I was hoping it could as that would help so much. I will keep you posted as to my progress. I know I will be leaning on you all over the next few months. Brie

Bree · « **Reply #74 on:** March 05, 2016, 05:06:33 pm »

Hey Brie, it's Bree! Welcome to the forum!

I know you will find a way to take the pills. Keep the faith and maybe a new mantra... "it's so easy to swallow this wonderful healing pill"... if you know what I mean. I loved my Harvoni so much toward the end I kissed every pill before I took it and even kissed the bottle when I took it out.

brie41 · « **Reply #75 on:** March 07, 2016, 01:21:54 pm »

Hi All,

Thank you all for great suggestions and positive thoughts! I have to tell you that I was able to swallow 2 centrum vitamins in tapioca pudding. I feel empowered and a sense of relief that I really can get through this treatment. I will continue to take one everyday and start the Harvoni next Monday. It was nice to cancel the hypnotist too. Brie

jakas · « **Reply #76 on:** March 07, 2016, 01:38:25 pm »

you will be fine

Lynn K · « **Reply #77 on:** March 07, 2016, 10:14:12 pm »

Quote from: brie41 on March 07, 2016, 01:21:54 pm

Hi All,

Thank you all for great suggestions and positive thoughts! I have to tell you that I was able to swallow 2 centrum vitamins in tapioca pudding. I feel empowered and a sense of relief that I really can get through this treatment. I will continue to take one everyday and start the Harvoni next Monday. It was nice to cancel the hypnotist too. Brie

Great job brie I knew you could do it just takes practice from her on out it will just get easier

FutureThinker · « **Reply #78 on:** March 08, 2016, 12:00:08 pm »

Way to go, Brie!!!! And Bree, you crack me up! I haven't started kissing my Harvoni pills yet, but I do smile everytime I see the bottle......... Brie, keep us posted!! FT

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Author Topic: My first pill and many more to go ! (Read 36713 times)