new to treatment. How many others experience horrible headaches??
Tig said
Apr 13, 2015
Hi Leslie,
Welcome to the forum. I'm sorry that you're still feeling so poorly after the five week mark. We often see these complaints during the first one to three weeks and then they begin to minimize. The irritability is definitely a side effect of Ribavirin and may be responsible for the nausea as well. Avoid the sun, because RIBA makes you sun sensitive and causes some degree of anemia. It may cause some itching but that can usually be controlled, don't scratch if you experience that. Sovaldi is likely responsible for the headaches and insomnia. Sounds to me like you are approaching the problems correctly. Hydration is very important, so keep it up. Always bring these issues to your doctors attention. There are solutions available.
I moved your post to the On Treatment section and believe more people will see it there. We have many that either are or have been on a Sovaldi based treatment and should chime in soon. Hang in there and know we're always here for you.
PS: Congrats on the early undetected viral load!!! Woot!!
Les said
Apr 13, 2015
Hi Wednesday marks 5 weeks of 24 weeks on Sovaldi/Ribaviran. My doctor said that it was very unlikely that I would experience any side effects at all. Boy was he wrong. Second night in I was achy, irritable, uncomfortable and unable to sleep. This continued for days. I contacted Dr. he suggested Benadryl. This did not help, only seemed to make me very groggy. Then the nausea set in. I felt like I was spinning. Then the headaches. After 2 weeks my doctor thought we should stop treatment. WHAT??? After all I had to do to get it. NO!!! he made me feel like I was being a baby, like maybe IM NOT supposed to be having these side affects. But after reading several forums I know that I am not alone. We have been able to control the nausea with phenergan. Ive learned that if I take it 45 minutes before taking my meds the nausea is either bearable or it doesn't come at all. And he gave me ambien to sleep but I have only taken it once. Now is the issue with these headaches. Most days they are just a dull throb and are bearable and advil helps but twice now it has turned into a horrible migraine and it hurts to look at light. I have tried peppermint, lavender I drink so much water and eat really healthy, exercise etc. Any suggestions?
Diagnosed 2012, Geno 3a, VL at beginning 200,000, VL 3 weeks into treatment undetectable!!! yayyyy
Hi Leslie,
Welcome to the forum. I'm sorry that you're still feeling so poorly after the five week mark. We often see these complaints during the first one to three weeks and then they begin to minimize. The irritability is definitely a side effect of Ribavirin and may be responsible for the nausea as well. Avoid the sun, because RIBA makes you sun sensitive and causes some degree of anemia. It may cause some itching but that can usually be controlled, don't scratch if you experience that. Sovaldi is likely responsible for the headaches and insomnia. Sounds to me like you are approaching the problems correctly. Hydration is very important, so keep it up. Always bring these issues to your doctors attention. There are solutions available.
I moved your post to the On Treatment section and believe more people will see it there. We have many that either are or have been on a Sovaldi based treatment and should chime in soon. Hang in there and know we're always here for you.
PS: Congrats on the early undetected viral load!!! Woot!!
Hi Wednesday marks 5 weeks of 24 weeks on Sovaldi/Ribaviran. My doctor said that it was very unlikely that I would experience any side effects at all. Boy was he wrong. Second night in I was achy, irritable, uncomfortable and unable to sleep. This continued for days. I contacted Dr. he suggested Benadryl. This did not help, only seemed to make me very groggy. Then the nausea set in. I felt like I was spinning. Then the headaches. After 2 weeks my doctor thought we should stop treatment. WHAT??? After all I had to do to get it. NO!!! he made me feel like I was being a baby, like maybe IM NOT supposed to be having these side affects. But after reading several forums I know that I am not alone. We have been able to control the nausea with phenergan. Ive learned that if I take it 45 minutes before taking my meds the nausea is either bearable or it doesn't come at all. And he gave me ambien to sleep but I have only taken it once. Now is the issue with these headaches. Most days they are just a dull throb and are bearable and advil helps but twice now it has turned into a horrible migraine and it hurts to look at light. I have tried peppermint, lavender I drink so much water and eat really healthy, exercise etc. Any suggestions?
Diagnosed 2012, Geno 3a, VL at beginning 200,000, VL 3 weeks into treatment undetectable!!! yayyyy