I bit the bullet and took an Advil, feel better but guilty at the same time.
Thanks and Happy Thanksgiving!!!
Tig said
Nov 26, 2014
The subject of taking Tylenol And/or Ibuprofen can be a contentious issue. Each doctor seems to have an opinion based on their own experience with the drugs and any problems they may have dealt with or read about in their practice. If you read enough of these articles, I believe you can come to the conclusion that the occasional use of either, within the recommended dosages, when it has been okayed by your doctor, will be safe and not cause you any irreparable harm. But the continual use of either of them, even at the recommended doses can have negative effects and these are the issues that bring their use under constant review. Once in awhile, with your doctors permission, should be fine IMO.
Tig
Sierrajen said
Nov 26, 2014
Hey Trip2, hop on the train we have your seat all warmed up.
so i have pain also . my doc said advil was ok if i had to take something. He said it's not good for me either but i have only taken a few since i started harvoni and i take it away from my Harvoni pill.
The doc said Tylenol was worse.
Hugs Jen
Ro said
Nov 26, 2014
Absolutely check with your doctor! My doctor has said no Tylenol ever....just be on the same page as your doc!
bassetgirl said
Nov 26, 2014
Trip2 wrote:
Any suggestions on what to take for a tension headache, i feel one coming on and don't know if i should take an Advil, i usually take one instead of two.
You should follow your doctor's advice, but when I went through transplant clinic we were told to take only Tylenol (acetaminophin), and only at recommended dosage if we really needed it. We were to take nothing with Ibuprofin (like Motrin). Neither is good for your liver, but the hepatologists in the transplant program felt like Tylenol was the lesser of evils. That being said, your doctor will know what is best for you.
Trip2 said
Nov 26, 2014
OK, i just took my Harvoni dose so maybe i will wait for a while.
Thanks Tig!!!
Tig said
Nov 26, 2014
You should give your doctors office a call and ask. I took either ibuprofen or Tylenol during Tx with my doctors authorization. it shouldn't be a problem but it's always good to clear everything with your doctor to be sure. There may be something we aren't aware of, so we always recommend you check in first. Good luck, those tension headaches are a nagging problem for many during Tx. Be sure you are hydrating properly, that often helps control or prevent them. Take care...
Tig
Trip2 said
Nov 26, 2014
Any suggestions on what to take for a tension headache, i feel one coming on and don't know if i should take an Advil, i usually take one instead of two.
Trip2 said
Nov 25, 2014
Well, here is day 5 and feeling ok, I had one night of insomnia 2 nights ago but i have had sleeping issues anyway. Maybe due to stopping the melatonin which i took every night before starting treatment. I really don't notice much of anything happening good or bad...Anyway, stay well everyone!
-- Edited by Trip2 on Tuesday 25th of November 2014 11:41:59 PM
Tig said
Nov 23, 2014
Hi Nick,
Glad you're finding some useful information. We've got a great group here and many of us have been here for a year or more. It's rewarding to provide the help and information that might make your day a better, happier one!
Glad to hear you're doing well and experiencing minimal SFX! Hang in there buddy. Good luck...
Tig
beingsassy said
Nov 23, 2014
Trip,
glad you're not having bad side effects. I also was on a 12 week course but on different meds. The time does pass quickly. With so much going on this time of year you'll be done before you know it. Keep us informed on how it's going for you.
gigi
Trip2 said
Nov 23, 2014
Hello Everyone,
Just took dose # 3 so far so good nothing to report as far as side effects today. I am taking my dose mid morning in between meals. I normally have sleeping issues and that has not changed. Stopped taking all of my vitamin supplements, that is a little weird for me being that i have been taking them everyday religiously for 25 years or more!
You will learn a lot of medical info by being a member
and reading past and present messages.
12 weeks will pass quickly especially with the
Holidays.
I had 48 weeks of tx but I achieved SVR.
This forum was so much support for me.
Glad you found it!
Trip2 said
Nov 22, 2014
The reason i asked was your response to my comment that i had the Fibrospect test, the average joe (like me) would have no historical knowledge of the use of that test.
Isiscat2011 said
Nov 22, 2014
Trip2 wrote:
Isiscat2011, just out of curiosity are you an Medical Doctor?
No, as far as I know there is only one MD here, and his name is Malcolm (Mallani).
Trip2 said
Nov 22, 2014
Isiscat2011, just out of curiosity are you an Medical Doctor?
Isiscat2011 said
Nov 22, 2014
Tig56 wrote:
FYI: They scored my fibrosis as F2-F3 and an inflammation score of A2. So they do list it that way. Doesn't seem very accurate but it is done.
Tig
I can see where it could be scored between stages (F2-F3) but the difference between F-2 and F-4 is the difference between moderate fibrosis and cirrhosis; quite a distinction.
I see the fibrospect test was used and that explains the lack of precision as well as accuracy. Do Hepatologists still use these? What's the point? To tell the patient "You either have a little fibrosis or you are cirrhotic but I have no idea which."
Trip2 said
Nov 22, 2014
I had a biopsy but it was a long time ago, maybe 20 years ago. the test i had last month was a sonogram called Fibrospect 2
The test result read:
Fibrospect index 51
Consistent with METAVIR, F2 -F4
Tig said
Nov 22, 2014
FYI: They scored my fibrosis as F2-F3 and an inflammation score of A2. So they do list it that way. Doesn't seem very accurate but it is done.
Tig
Isiscat2011 said
Nov 22, 2014
Welcome Trip2:
There is no such score as F-2-F-4 so I'm guessing that means the grade (level of inflammation) is 2 and the stage (level of fibrosis) is 4. Based on your VL (which is under 6 million) and your tx duration this also makes sense. For a non-cirrhotic with a VL < 6 million the tx duration would typically be for 8 weeks.
Since your tx is 12 weeks, and you are tx naive, I'm guessing you are an F-4. Could be wrong because some docs will prescribe 12 weeks (rather than 8) to non-cirrhotics who have < 6 million VL, but F-4 seems more likely to me. Assuming you had a biopsy do you have a copy of it?
Out of an abundance of caution I would not take any supplements (absent a specific deficiency) during tx but that's just me. You can check with your doc and call Gilead as well for their recommendations.
Good luck and keep us posted!
Trip2 said
Nov 22, 2014
Thank You so much guys! I really appreciate your kind words and support! I have every intention of keeping this updated. I certainly feel lucky to not have to fight my insurance to get what i need! I feel blessed :)
Cinnamon Girl said
Nov 22, 2014
Hi Nick, welcome from me too!
Great to hear you`ve started treatment with Harvoni, congratulations! As Tig said, you`re lucky to have had it approved so easily. You`ll find there are others here who are on the same treatment and you can find them aboard the Harvoni train just here..
The general rule regarding supplements with any Hep C treatment is to avoid them, but if you`re not sure about anything you`re taking then do check with your doctor.
Good to have you with us, and best of luck. We`ll look forward to hearing updates on your progress!
(ps - Apologies for your missing thread earlier..it`s back here again now!)
Tig said
Nov 22, 2014
Hi Nick,
Welcome to the forum! Congratulations on starting treatment, Harvoni is the new silver bullet in HCV care. The rates of success have been extremely high. You were fortunate to get the insurance approval right away. We've had some meet resistance unless their fibrosis level was elevated or had previous treatment attempts. You have an excellent insurance plan, consider yourself fortunate.
Your fibrosis score is listed as F2-F4, which is a fairly broad score. The scale starts at F0 and ends at F4, so yours was given a lot of room for interpretation. Your viral load is just over 2.5 million copies, which is considered a medium level. That level fluctuates all the time, and doesn't have any bearing on success rates anyway. As you go through treatment, tests will be done to monitor the viral load. The goal is an undetectable level by treatment end and thereafter. 12 weeks following treatment, if you are still undetected, is called SVR (sustained viral response) which is considered cured. The AST and ALT are liver enzymes that are slightly elevated and should return to normal levels following successful treatment.
You should discuss the vitamin intake with your doctor before taking anything. Generally no supplementation is recommended during treatment as they can alter test results.
Stay in touch and good luck!
Tig
Trip2 said
Nov 22, 2014
Thanks for your support, has the condition of your liver improved at all?
-- Edited by Trip2 on Saturday 22nd of November 2014 04:32:05 PM
bassetgirl said
Nov 22, 2014
I was on Sovaldi and Olysio for 12 weeks, reached SVR Oct. 23. We were told not to eat grapefruit or Meyer oranges (this particular variety is too similar to grapefruit), or take Milk Thistle or St. John's Wort, and those were the only restrictions other than letting the hepatologist know about any other prescription drugs we were taking..
BUT I decided not to take anything- no supplements, no over the counter stuff, nothing. The reason I decided to do that was that the Hep C drugs are new, and I think alot is not known about them yet.I didn't want to take a chance that down the road something I was taking was shown to have an effect on the drugs. So I just concentrated on eating a healthy balanced diet. I also changed toothbrushes frequently because my platelets are low and my gums bleed when I brush my teeth. I didn't want to reinfect myself. Again, this was just a personal decision and not something my hepatologist told me to do.
Good luck with your treatment, I hope to see a post from you in a few months for SVR!!
Trip2 said
Nov 22, 2014
(Duplicated posting removed. ~ Jill)
-- Edited by Cinnamon Girl on Saturday 22nd of November 2014 08:10:50 PM
Trip2 said
Nov 22, 2014
A little background on myself, i am 55 and have had Hep C for about 25 years and have never received any treatment until yesterday with my first dose of Harvoni. Here are some of my stats from 10/27/14:
I am F2-F4
Viral load of 2,596,888
AST 63
ALT 56
I honestly am not sure what all of that means...
Anyway i am a New York State employee and have Empire Plan/United Heathcare/CVS Caremark. The Harvoni was fully covered (12 weeks) with only a 5 dollar copay with a discount card i received from CVS Caremark, it would have been 25 dollars otherwise. I received my first 28 days worth yesterday and began taking it.
With my first dose yesterday i did notice a little bit of queasy stomach and a little tiredness but nothing major. I just took my 2nd dose and so far feel fine.
Has anyone heard anything about taking vitamin supplements with Harvoni? I know the documentation for Harvoni states to avoid antacid that contains aluminum or magnesium hydroxide. My multi-vitiamin contains magnesium oxide and magnesium aspartate, so i wonder if that could be an issue?
So anyway i plan to check in often with updates to discuss my progress.
I bit the bullet and took an Advil, feel better but guilty at the same time.
Thanks and Happy Thanksgiving!!!
The subject of taking Tylenol And/or Ibuprofen can be a contentious issue. Each doctor seems to have an opinion based on their own experience with the drugs and any problems they may have dealt with or read about in their practice. If you read enough of these articles, I believe you can come to the conclusion that the occasional use of either, within the recommended dosages, when it has been okayed by your doctor, will be safe and not cause you any irreparable harm. But the continual use of either of them, even at the recommended doses can have negative effects and these are the issues that bring their use under constant review. Once in awhile, with your doctors permission, should be fine IMO.
Tig
Hey Trip2, hop on the train we have your seat all warmed up.
so i have pain also . my doc said advil was ok if i had to take something. He said it's not good for me either but i have only taken a few since i started harvoni and i take it away from my Harvoni pill.
The doc said Tylenol was worse.
Hugs Jen
Absolutely check with your doctor! My doctor has said no Tylenol ever....just be on the same page as your doc!
You should follow your doctor's advice, but when I went through transplant clinic we were told to take only Tylenol (acetaminophin), and only at recommended dosage if we really needed it. We were to take nothing with Ibuprofin (like Motrin). Neither is good for your liver, but the hepatologists in the transplant program felt like Tylenol was the lesser of evils. That being said, your doctor will know what is best for you.
OK, i just took my Harvoni dose so maybe i will wait for a while.
Thanks Tig!!!
You should give your doctors office a call and ask. I took either ibuprofen or Tylenol during Tx with my doctors authorization. it shouldn't be a problem but it's always good to clear everything with your doctor to be sure. There may be something we aren't aware of, so we always recommend you check in first. Good luck, those tension headaches are a nagging problem for many during Tx. Be sure you are hydrating properly, that often helps control or prevent them. Take care...
Tig
Any suggestions on what to take for a tension headache, i feel one coming on and don't know if i should take an Advil, i usually take one instead of two.
Well, here is day 5 and feeling ok, I had one night of insomnia 2 nights ago but i have had sleeping issues anyway. Maybe due to stopping the melatonin which i took every night before starting treatment. I really don't notice much of anything happening good or bad...Anyway, stay well everyone!
-- Edited by Trip2 on Tuesday 25th of November 2014 11:41:59 PM
Hi Nick,
Glad you're finding some useful information. We've got a great group here and many of us have been here for a year or more. It's rewarding to provide the help and information that might make your day a better, happier one!
Glad to hear you're doing well and experiencing minimal SFX! Hang in there buddy. Good luck...
Tig
Trip,
glad you're not having bad side effects. I also was on a 12 week course but on different meds. The time does pass quickly. With so much going on this time of year you'll be done before you know it. Keep us informed on how it's going for you.
gigi
Hello Everyone,
Just took dose # 3 so far so good nothing to report as far as side effects today. I am taking my dose mid morning in between meals. I normally have sleeping issues and that has not changed. Stopped taking all of my vitamin supplements, that is a little weird for me being that i have been taking them everyday religiously for 25 years or more!
Again, thanks for this forum and support!
Thanks JoAnneh, i will keep reading and learning!
and reading past and present messages.
12 weeks will pass quickly especially with the
Holidays.
I had 48 weeks of tx but I achieved SVR.
This forum was so much support for me.
Glad you found it!
The reason i asked was your response to my comment that i had the Fibrospect test, the average joe (like me) would have no historical knowledge of the use of that test.
No, as far as I know there is only one MD here, and his name is Malcolm (Mallani).
Isiscat2011, just out of curiosity are you an Medical Doctor?
I can see where it could be scored between stages (F2-F3) but the difference between F-2 and F-4 is the difference between moderate fibrosis and cirrhosis; quite a distinction.
I see the fibrospect test was used and that explains the lack of precision as well as accuracy. Do Hepatologists still use these? What's the point? To tell the patient "You either have a little fibrosis or you are cirrhotic but I have no idea which."
I had a biopsy but it was a long time ago, maybe 20 years ago. the test i had last month was a sonogram called Fibrospect 2
The test result read:
Fibrospect index 51
Consistent with METAVIR, F2 -F4
FYI: They scored my fibrosis as F2-F3 and an inflammation score of A2. So they do list it that way. Doesn't seem very accurate but it is done.
Tig
Welcome Trip2:
There is no such score as F-2-F-4 so I'm guessing that means the grade (level of inflammation) is 2 and the stage (level of fibrosis) is 4. Based on your VL (which is under 6 million) and your tx duration this also makes sense. For a non-cirrhotic with a VL < 6 million the tx duration would typically be for 8 weeks.
Since your tx is 12 weeks, and you are tx naive, I'm guessing you are an F-4. Could be wrong because some docs will prescribe 12 weeks (rather than 8) to non-cirrhotics who have < 6 million VL, but F-4 seems more likely to me. Assuming you had a biopsy do you have a copy of it?
Out of an abundance of caution I would not take any supplements (absent a specific deficiency) during tx but that's just me. You can check with your doc and call Gilead as well for their recommendations.
Good luck and keep us posted!
Thank You so much guys! I really appreciate your kind words and support! I have every intention of keeping this updated. I certainly feel lucky to not have to fight my insurance to get what i need! I feel blessed :)
Hi Nick, welcome from me too!
Great to hear you`ve started treatment with Harvoni, congratulations! As Tig said, you`re lucky to have had it approved so easily. You`ll find there are others here who are on the same treatment and you can find them aboard the Harvoni train just here..
http://hepcfriends.activeboard.com/t58762824/all-aboard-for-the-harvoni-treatment-train-enjoy-the-ride-fo/
The general rule regarding supplements with any Hep C treatment is to avoid them, but if you`re not sure about anything you`re taking then do check with your doctor.
Good to have you with us, and best of luck. We`ll look forward to hearing updates on your progress!
(ps - Apologies for your missing thread earlier..it`s back here again now!)
Hi Nick,
Welcome to the forum! Congratulations on starting treatment, Harvoni is the new silver bullet in HCV care. The rates of success have been extremely high. You were fortunate to get the insurance approval right away. We've had some meet resistance unless their fibrosis level was elevated or had previous treatment attempts. You have an excellent insurance plan, consider yourself fortunate.
Your fibrosis score is listed as F2-F4, which is a fairly broad score. The scale starts at F0 and ends at F4, so yours was given a lot of room for interpretation. Your viral load is just over 2.5 million copies, which is considered a medium level. That level fluctuates all the time, and doesn't have any bearing on success rates anyway. As you go through treatment, tests will be done to monitor the viral load. The goal is an undetectable level by treatment end and thereafter. 12 weeks following treatment, if you are still undetected, is called SVR (sustained viral response) which is considered cured. The AST and ALT are liver enzymes that are slightly elevated and should return to normal levels following successful treatment.
You should discuss the vitamin intake with your doctor before taking anything. Generally no supplementation is recommended during treatment as they can alter test results.
Stay in touch and good luck!
Tig
Thanks for your support, has the condition of your liver improved at all?
-- Edited by Trip2 on Saturday 22nd of November 2014 04:32:05 PM
BUT I decided not to take anything- no supplements, no over the counter stuff, nothing. The reason I decided to do that was that the Hep C drugs are new, and I think alot is not known about them yet.I didn't want to take a chance that down the road something I was taking was shown to have an effect on the drugs. So I just concentrated on eating a healthy balanced diet. I also changed toothbrushes frequently because my platelets are low and my gums bleed when I brush my teeth. I didn't want to reinfect myself. Again, this was just a personal decision and not something my hepatologist told me to do.
Good luck with your treatment, I hope to see a post from you in a few months for SVR!!
(Duplicated posting removed. ~ Jill)
-- Edited by Cinnamon Girl on Saturday 22nd of November 2014 08:10:50 PM
A little background on myself, i am 55 and have had Hep C for about 25 years and have never received any treatment until yesterday with my first dose of Harvoni. Here are some of my stats from 10/27/14:
I am F2-F4
Viral load of 2,596,888
AST 63
ALT 56
I honestly am not sure what all of that means...
Anyway i am a New York State employee and have Empire Plan/United Heathcare/CVS Caremark. The Harvoni was fully covered (12 weeks) with only a 5 dollar copay with a discount card i received from CVS Caremark, it would have been 25 dollars otherwise. I received my first 28 days worth yesterday and began taking it.
With my first dose yesterday i did notice a little bit of queasy stomach and a little tiredness but nothing major. I just took my 2nd dose and so far feel fine.
Has anyone heard anything about taking vitamin supplements with Harvoni? I know the documentation for Harvoni states to avoid antacid that contains aluminum or magnesium hydroxide. My multi-vitiamin contains magnesium oxide and magnesium aspartate, so i wonder if that could be an issue?
So anyway i plan to check in often with updates to discuss my progress.
Thanks