Thank you. Not sure of my numbers. Gave blood before starting and am scheduled to give again on May 8, after one month of treatment. I've never had cirrhosis, so that's good. During last biopsy level was 1, also good. But have been tired and achy through the years and I tend to get sick very often. So exciting about finally being cured!! Will post numbers when I get them. Looking forward to sharing on this site.
Tig said
Apr 11, 2015
Hi Hillary,
Welcome to the forum! I'm glad that you have started treatment with Harvoni, it's one of the best opportunities we've ever had.
The aches and pains aren't uncommon at all, especially during the first couple of weeks. I can suggest that you concentrate heavily on increasing your water intake. It will reduce the headaches a lot. Limit your sugar, carbs and eat right and you should notice an improvement. Under no circumstances should you drink alcohol during treatment and it would be wise to consider giving it up for good. As everyone has mentioned, it's like pouring gas on a fire. You have had this disease for decades, do you know what your fibrosis and inflammation scores are? Have you got any recent blood tests you could share here? That information helps us make informed opinions based on your health.
If you would like, please feel free to add some information to your signature line similar to the rest of us. It allows everyone reading your post to get a quick idea of your history and treatment protocol. I'm going to include a link to some instructions, as well as the abbreviations used here. We also have a New Members section where you can introduce yourself to all forum members. We have a lot of knowledgable and friendly people here.
I wish you the very best and hope if you have any questions you will let us know.
As far as drinking is concerned the general opinion is that it`s best to continue avoiding alcohol once your treatment is over, even after you`ve reached SVR. I see from your biography that you received your diagnosis back in 1988 so you`ve been infected for a long time. It`s unlikely that you won`t have sustained a degree of liver damage in that time, so it would be sensible to take good care of your liver and your general health once it`s all over to give yourself the best possible chance of healing and staying free from Hep C. Alcohol is very toxic to your liver cells so please bear that in mind!
Another point I`d like to make is that you won`t know for certain that the treatment has been successful until your viral load results at 12 weeks after the end of treatment, so it really would not be a good idea to start drinking the day after you`ve finished your pills, even though I`m sure you`ll feel like celebrating.
It`s got to be your decision of course, but we can`t tell you that it would be ok to start drinking again once your treatment is over. I know that`s not what you wanted to hear, sorry!
Best of luck and congrats on starting Harvoni and I hope your side effects ease up. Make sure you keep yourself well hydrated...by drinking water!
-- Edited by Cinnamon Girl on Saturday 11th of April 2015 05:16:24 PM
tomyboy said
Apr 11, 2015
Dear Hill,
My husband is now on harvoni and this is his sixth attempt at treatment. He gets fatigued at times, but has not had any other side effects thank goodness and sorry to hear you have been experiencing side effects as this is really said to have minimal side effects. As for drinking, I agree with four locos. YOU should definitely not be drinking. After treatment if your doc says its ok, than I would, but I agree, why pour gasoline on the fire. Its been a long ride for many here, and I know that if my husband beats it this time, he would never dream of putting a drop of alcohol into his system. Wishing you the best, and praying the symptoms lessen.
Laura
fourlocos said
Apr 11, 2015
What is the condition of your liver Hill? I never drank and don't intend to ever start since I cherish my liver health these days. I did Harvoni for 8 weeks. I am about 10 weeks post treatment and as of two weeks ago still UND. Hep C for 40 years hurt my liver. I can't imagine wanting to pour gasoline on the fire! As far as side effects. I had them. It has taken about two months post to feel somewhat better. I am still fatigued by days end. I can't wait everyday to just be done so I can get in my jammies and chill out. The aches and pains during treatment do level off after your done. Takes a while but they do get better.
hill418 said
Apr 11, 2015
Started 3 days ago and many aches and pains, like I have the flu and headaches too. I usually have neck pain, but it is much worse now. Glad you said something about the drinks you gave up for Harvoni. Me too. I finish up on 7/8, in time for summer, can we start drinking again the day after we finish the pills?
VetwithC said
Apr 3, 2015
Yea, I have been craving food big time, especially dinner and that's when I get what feels like low blood sugar and also craving my nightly ****tail that I gave up for Harvoni, then while eating too fast, I'll feel bloated after, wishing I had some wine to wash it down.
I hope that the extra weight won't stick to me because I'm already 30lbs overweight. Is that normal?.
Maybe I should plan my dinner earlier??
Brian1412 said
Apr 2, 2015
I had a headache. On day 4 but i think it was pill with no food. My body screams for food constantly. So who am i to say no. Was day 9 today and i did have sore knckles on one of my hands which i had when this popped out of hidingg
I am going back to work tomorrow so we will see what a 120,ooo people does to me. My appetite is huge weight. Still low but improving. Cant complaign.. two week labs tuesday but. Cant question much about this med. I am grateful. I got it.
Tig said
Apr 2, 2015
No, I don't think they gave you a placebo, lol! I'm glad things have smoothed out for you. We often here that the first week is generally the one with the most felt change, if there is any. I hope this continues to be a smooth ride for you, it should.
These small favors of increased energy do help get some things done around the house. I got half my house painted and regrouted. It was a good thing, too bad it didn't last. Now I'm back to my couch potato routine, ha, ha! Thank God for cable TV and Netflix! Retirement sucks, unless you're our member Malcolm! He knows how to live!
Keep us informed of your progress and good luck...
Tig
VetwithC said
Apr 2, 2015
I'll knock on wood when I state this, but it's only been 3 days of Tx and I am not only free of the usual side effects, but am feeling better already. The first day I felt like I was on speed and suddenly my mind cleared and I busied myself with lots of neglected chores and was a little fatigued at the end of the day, but not much.
Thank you. Not sure of my numbers. Gave blood before starting and am scheduled to give again on May 8, after one month of treatment. I've never had cirrhosis, so that's good. During last biopsy level was 1, also good. But have been tired and achy through the years and I tend to get sick very often. So exciting about finally being cured!! Will post numbers when I get them. Looking forward to sharing on this site.
Hi Hillary,
Welcome to the forum! I'm glad that you have started treatment with Harvoni, it's one of the best opportunities we've ever had.
The aches and pains aren't uncommon at all, especially during the first couple of weeks. I can suggest that you concentrate heavily on increasing your water intake. It will reduce the headaches a lot. Limit your sugar, carbs and eat right and you should notice an improvement. Under no circumstances should you drink alcohol during treatment and it would be wise to consider giving it up for good. As everyone has mentioned, it's like pouring gas on a fire. You have had this disease for decades, do you know what your fibrosis and inflammation scores are? Have you got any recent blood tests you could share here? That information helps us make informed opinions based on your health.
If you would like, please feel free to add some information to your signature line similar to the rest of us. It allows everyone reading your post to get a quick idea of your history and treatment protocol. I'm going to include a link to some instructions, as well as the abbreviations used here. We also have a New Members section where you can introduce yourself to all forum members. We have a lot of knowledgable and friendly people here.
I wish you the very best and hope if you have any questions you will let us know.
http://hepcfriends.activeboard.com/t58862021/forum-abbreviations-link-and-help-with-creating-your-signatu/
Hi there, Hill418, welcome!
As far as drinking is concerned the general opinion is that it`s best to continue avoiding alcohol once your treatment is over, even after you`ve reached SVR. I see from your biography that you received your diagnosis back in 1988 so you`ve been infected for a long time. It`s unlikely that you won`t have sustained a degree of liver damage in that time, so it would be sensible to take good care of your liver and your general health once it`s all over to give yourself the best possible chance of healing and staying free from Hep C. Alcohol is very toxic to your liver cells so please bear that in mind!
Another point I`d like to make is that you won`t know for certain that the treatment has been successful until your viral load results at 12 weeks after the end of treatment, so it really would not be a good idea to start drinking the day after you`ve finished your pills, even though I`m sure you`ll feel like celebrating.
It`s got to be your decision of course, but we can`t tell you that it would be ok to start drinking again once your treatment is over. I know that`s not what you wanted to hear, sorry!
Best of luck and congrats on starting Harvoni and I hope your side effects ease up. Make sure you keep yourself well hydrated...by drinking water!
-- Edited by Cinnamon Girl on Saturday 11th of April 2015 05:16:24 PM
Dear Hill,
My husband is now on harvoni and this is his sixth attempt at treatment. He gets fatigued at times, but has not had any other side effects thank goodness and sorry to hear you have been experiencing side effects as this is really said to have minimal side effects. As for drinking, I agree with four locos. YOU should definitely not be drinking. After treatment if your doc says its ok, than I would, but I agree, why pour gasoline on the fire. Its been a long ride for many here, and I know that if my husband beats it this time, he would never dream of putting a drop of alcohol into his system. Wishing you the best, and praying the symptoms lessen.
Laura
What is the condition of your liver Hill? I never drank and don't intend to ever start since I cherish my liver health these days. I did Harvoni for 8 weeks. I am about 10 weeks post treatment and as of two weeks ago still UND. Hep C for 40 years hurt my liver. I can't imagine wanting to pour gasoline on the fire! As far as side effects. I had them. It has taken about two months post to feel somewhat better. I am still fatigued by days end. I can't wait everyday to just be done so I can get in my jammies and chill out. The aches and pains during treatment do level off after your done. Takes a while but they do get better.
Yea, I have been craving food big time, especially dinner and that's when I get what feels like low blood sugar and also craving my nightly ****tail that I gave up for Harvoni, then while eating too fast, I'll feel bloated after, wishing I had some wine to wash it down.
I hope that the extra weight won't stick to me because I'm already 30lbs overweight. Is that normal?.
Maybe I should plan my dinner earlier??
I am going back to work tomorrow so we will see what a 120,ooo people does to me. My appetite is huge weight. Still low but improving. Cant complaign.. two week labs tuesday but. Cant question much about this med. I am grateful. I got it.
No, I don't think they gave you a placebo, lol! I'm glad things have smoothed out for you. We often here that the first week is generally the one with the most felt change, if there is any. I hope this continues to be a smooth ride for you, it should.
These small favors of increased energy do help get some things done around the house. I got half my house painted and regrouted. It was a good thing, too bad it didn't last. Now I'm back to my couch potato routine, ha, ha! Thank God for cable TV and Netflix! Retirement sucks, unless you're our member Malcolm! He knows how to live!
Keep us informed of your progress and good luck...
Tig
I'll knock on wood when I state this, but it's only been 3 days of Tx and I am not only free of the usual side effects, but am feeling better already. The first day I felt like I was on speed and suddenly my mind cleared and I busied myself with lots of neglected chores and was a little fatigued at the end of the day, but not much.
Maybe they gave me a placebo??