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Hep C Discussion Forum -> On Treatment -> Harvoni, just started
Post Info TOPIC: Harvoni, just started
angelseven


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RE: Harvoni, just started
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See my feeling is that the meds would absorb better while you were active during the day,  but my friend feels this way, take them before bed:

 

I believe that taking the meds at nite does 2 things -
1 - they absorb better while the body is inactive and blood/digestion slows
2 - a person can sleep through the immediate side effects.
I could be wrong, but this is what I have heard from people who have commented.
 
Taking the meds upon waking, results in 2 things also -
1 - the meds absorb slower because of food and activity
2 - a person has to deal with any immediate side effects.
 
I take the meds [with a bit of food to coat my stomach] at 9PM, and sleep by 11PM.
I have experienced waking up 5 hours after I take the meds.
That to me, means that they are kicking in at about 2AM.
 
I go back to sleep until about 9AM [to pee].
The meds have 7 hours to work, [2am-9am], while my body is inactive, and before I do more food.
 
I do wake up a bit achey, but no headaches or nausea.
At 9am, I am not clearheaded, so I go back to sleep for 2 more hours [11am].
Then I wake up alert.
 
Too bad Gilead did not do a study on this, that may have been too much to ask and maybe it doesn't matter at all when you take the meds?!??!
 
peace


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62 year old female      1a, f1-2, had virus 40 years   STARTED HARVONI for 8 weeks 11/19/14, relapsed one month after tx  ended in 1/15.  Fibrosis level was only .5 after fibroscan 12/15. Began treatment with Mavyret on January 20, 2018 for 16 weeks!  Ending May 12.
Mugsy


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Isiscat2011 wrote:

I wonder what would happen if a person took his/her dose before bedtime.  Would you sleep through peak concentration periods and, thus, minimize side effects or would it alter your sleep patterns?  I don't know the answer but it is an interesting question. 

 I'll let you know, as I plan on taking mine before bedtime.



__________________

62 y/o F     Genotype 1b  for 40+ years    cirrhosis    Started Harvoni  on 11/23  for 12 weeks       UND  12/22/2014     Ended treatment on Feb 15th.

12 week's EOT viral load      <15 
Isiscat2011


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hepCFREEwanab wrote:

Just wondering if " TREATMENT EXPERIENCED" applies to anyone who actually went through the whole treatemnt and failed or to someone who was a quick responder but was unable to complete the treatment due to complications?

Thanks,

Mena

Good question and my understanding is that it means anyone who has tried previous tx.  The type of tx is also relevant to retreatment protocols.

Previous tx experience can impact the kind of virus your body has: wild type or various mutations.  When you treat with DAAs but fail to SVR treatment induced mutations (RAVs) can form and the next tx has to be able to get rid of them too.  

I don't believe Interferon/Riba alone is responsible for tx induced RAVs, but Malcolm is the expert, so hopefully he can give us a better answer than mine at some point.  In the meantime check this out:  

http://hepcfriends.activeboard.com/t56863437/understanding-ravs-effect-on-treatment-and-re-treatment-sele/

Also, being a rapid responder on Interferon tx may have some relevance to the new all oral therapies but the data is incomplete at this time.



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Diagnosed in 2011, Incivek triple in 2011, tx discontinued, Genotype 1a, CT, VL 7mill, cirrhosis dx in 2012, age 67, waiting for new DAAs.
angelseven


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OH well good luck to you, looks like you have done a lot of research... I never treated because I knew I would not tolerate the other drugs... when do you think the Harvoni will be approved, who is your insurance??  People are having trouble with Blue cross and Aetna from what I have seen



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62 year old female      1a, f1-2, had virus 40 years   STARTED HARVONI for 8 weeks 11/19/14, relapsed one month after tx  ended in 1/15.  Fibrosis level was only .5 after fibroscan 12/15. Began treatment with Mavyret on January 20, 2018 for 16 weeks!  Ending May 12.
Tig


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Hi Mena,

Your husband would qualify as treatment experienced. He will also likely qualify as interferon intolerant as well. He had a terrible reaction to the IFN/RIBA based protocol.

Tig



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Tig

68yo GT1A - 5 Mil - A2/F3 - (1996) Intron A - Non Responder, (2013) Peg/Riba/Vic SOT:05/23/13 EOT:12/04/13 SVR 9+ years!

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Isiscat2011


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angelseven wrote:

Thanks, what does it mean you are waiting for new DAA??

That means I am waiting for the all oral Direct Acting Antivirals (DAAs).

I'm waiting for my Harvoni approval now.  I'll update my sig line as soon as I get my paws on the drugs!!



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Diagnosed in 2011, Incivek triple in 2011, tx discontinued, Genotype 1a, CT, VL 7mill, cirrhosis dx in 2012, age 67, waiting for new DAAs.
hepCFREEwanab


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Just wondering if " TREATMENT EXPERIENCED" applies to anyone who actually went through the whole treatemnt and failed or to someone who was a quick responder but was unable to complete the treatment due to complications?

Thanks,

Mena



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Genotype 1b, V/L  0! Finally got rid of the Dragon after 24 wks. of Harvoni.

EOT 5/10/15   - 4 wks. UND, 12 wks UND, 24 wks. UND!!! 
angelseven


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Thanks, what does it mean you are waiting for new DAA??



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62 year old female      1a, f1-2, had virus 40 years   STARTED HARVONI for 8 weeks 11/19/14, relapsed one month after tx  ended in 1/15.  Fibrosis level was only .5 after fibroscan 12/15. Began treatment with Mavyret on January 20, 2018 for 16 weeks!  Ending May 12.
Isiscat2011


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angelseven wrote:

I have a friend that started Harvoni the same day I did.. anyway he is taking it at night... I was just worried it might interfere with my sleep??!!

When I was taking the triple therapy (which had multiple dosings per day) I started taking one dose before bedtime and it didn't bother my sleep.  

You would have to try it to find out.  Move the time forward gradually by a couple of hours each day perhaps -- I would talk to doc or Gilead nurse about the logistics of changing the time-- but it might help.



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Diagnosed in 2011, Incivek triple in 2011, tx discontinued, Genotype 1a, CT, VL 7mill, cirrhosis dx in 2012, age 67, waiting for new DAAs.
angelseven


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OK, normal weight... that is pretty cool, thanks so much, so I guess I should react normally to it with normal bmi, whatever.. bottom line, I am really sensitive to meds... but I can live with this for 8 weeks I feel sure and maybe it will get better

IAM grateful to finally be kicking this nasty virus out of my life !!!!



__________________

62 year old female      1a, f1-2, had virus 40 years   STARTED HARVONI for 8 weeks 11/19/14, relapsed one month after tx  ended in 1/15.  Fibrosis level was only .5 after fibroscan 12/15. Began treatment with Mavyret on January 20, 2018 for 16 weeks!  Ending May 12.
Isiscat2011


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angelseven wrote:

what is BMI??  thanks so much for this, love this more detailed information

 Body Mass Index.  Here is a BMI calculator; just enter your height and weight in to determine your BMI:

 http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/lose_wt/BMI/bmicalc.htm



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Diagnosed in 2011, Incivek triple in 2011, tx discontinued, Genotype 1a, CT, VL 7mill, cirrhosis dx in 2012, age 67, waiting for new DAAs.
angelseven


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I have a friend that started Harvoni the same day I did.. anyway he is taking it at night... I was just worried it might interfere with my sleep??!!



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62 year old female      1a, f1-2, had virus 40 years   STARTED HARVONI for 8 weeks 11/19/14, relapsed one month after tx  ended in 1/15.  Fibrosis level was only .5 after fibroscan 12/15. Began treatment with Mavyret on January 20, 2018 for 16 weeks!  Ending May 12.
angelseven


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what is BMI??  thanks so much for this, love this more detailed information



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62 year old female      1a, f1-2, had virus 40 years   STARTED HARVONI for 8 weeks 11/19/14, relapsed one month after tx  ended in 1/15.  Fibrosis level was only .5 after fibroscan 12/15. Began treatment with Mavyret on January 20, 2018 for 16 weeks!  Ending May 12.
Isiscat2011


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Hi angelseven:

From what I have read ledipasvir has greater absorption in women and people with lower BMIs.  Harvoni absorption and concentration levels can also be impacted by liver status, whether you eat with the medicine, and a bunch of different factors.  Every body is different but the pharmacokinetics of Harvoni might explain why some people have more severe side effects.  These factors do not appear to be clinically significant in terms of efficacy, however.  Here is some information if you are interested:  

http://ec.europa.eu/health/documents/community-register/2014/20141117130011/anx_130011_en.pdf

http://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/fda/fdaDrugXsl.cfm?setid=f4ec77e4-bae8-4db0-b3d5-bde09c5fa075&type=display

 

I wonder what would happen if a person took his/her dose before bedtime.  Would you sleep through peak concentration periods and, thus, minimize side effects or would it alter your sleep patterns?  I don't know the answer but it is an interesting question. 



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Diagnosed in 2011, Incivek triple in 2011, tx discontinued, Genotype 1a, CT, VL 7mill, cirrhosis dx in 2012, age 67, waiting for new DAAs.
Groupergetter


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angelseven wrote:

oh great to know, that the virus is eliminated through the poop process.. all is good today, hey where did you get that info,  I am most interested in viral die-off effects... have a great day

Jill posted the link in an earlier thread here:  http://hepcfriends.activeboard.com/t58811639/does-anyone-know-how-this-virus-exits-our-bodies/



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1b  Int/Riba relapse @ 48 weeks.  Stop tx Peg Int/Riba 12 weeks ill. Relapse S/O 6/23/14 :(   Started Harvoni 11/12/14  EOT 4/28/15.  EOT+4 UND :)  SVR! 8/4/15  :)     Thankful for every morning.
angelseven


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I am ready to be hep free after 40 years of this virus... and I have been waiting 18 hears for a treatment I knew would not make me really sick... joyful.. I gave up sugar, gluten, sweets, and most dairyl (eat butter, white cheese) and I have been a vegetarian for years... my colon is clean so I accept that virus is exiting my body.. yipee

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62 year old female      1a, f1-2, had virus 40 years   STARTED HARVONI for 8 weeks 11/19/14, relapsed one month after tx  ended in 1/15.  Fibrosis level was only .5 after fibroscan 12/15. Began treatment with Mavyret on January 20, 2018 for 16 weeks!  Ending May 12.
angelseven


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oh great to know, that the virus is eliminated through the poop process.. all is good today, hey where did you get that info,  I am most interested in viral die-off effects... have a great day



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62 year old female      1a, f1-2, had virus 40 years   STARTED HARVONI for 8 weeks 11/19/14, relapsed one month after tx  ended in 1/15.  Fibrosis level was only .5 after fibroscan 12/15. Began treatment with Mavyret on January 20, 2018 for 16 weeks!  Ending May 12.
Tig


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Keep it up you guys!!! So proud and supportive of all of you! I'm here for you if I can do anything, say the word. It's a difficult journey and wrought with bumpy roads. But there will be plenty of good days and I celebrated them when I was lucky enough to have them. The result of this misery is a brand new, Hep free life. Trust me, it's worth the headaches and the gas too! When you rip one, just know you're blowing away that virus, literally!! [GRIN]

Tig



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Tig

68yo GT1A - 5 Mil - A2/F3 - (1996) Intron A - Non Responder, (2013) Peg/Riba/Vic SOT:05/23/13 EOT:12/04/13 SVR 9+ years!

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Ro


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Hi,

Today is day #17 for me. I take my med as soon as I wake up.  As a female, the insomnia has decreased, I am almost sleeping through the night, my appetite is almost normal, and the elimination process has increased on a very regular level.  The itching is almost nonexistent and the fatigue has significantly lessened.  

My thought process is so much clearer, my memory more precise, and I have not lost anything lately (keys, books, or anything I had my hand on)  LOL

My husband says my attitude is so much better and "I am pleasant" again!  LOL

I had 2 week labs drawn Friday and hoping to get results tomorrow.

Hoping your symptoms lessen as well, and that we all reach SVR.

Ro

 

 



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Groupergetter


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Congrats angelseven on getting started.  Glad you aren't having the insomnia as this is fairly common.  I too am having some headaches, and the "spaced out" feeling, but in my case that just may be normal.  aww    In reading, the virus is eliminated thru the poop process.  For those with this virus, more frequent elimination is better, also helps keep the ammonia levels down.  If the problem persists, you may wish to contact your doc.  

Good luck in your journey, glad you are on board, hoping SVR is in your future.  smile



-- Edited by Groupergetter on Sunday 23rd of November 2014 04:36:25 PM

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1b  Int/Riba relapse @ 48 weeks.  Stop tx Peg Int/Riba 12 weeks ill. Relapse S/O 6/23/14 :(   Started Harvoni 11/12/14  EOT 4/28/15.  EOT+4 UND :)  SVR! 8/4/15  :)     Thankful for every morning.
angelseven


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Well,  here I go ... day 5 on Harvoni... it appears the men are not having any side effects... I wonder why that is?? I am just not feeling myself especially in the mornings and my head is very heavy and hurts off and on.  Intense exercise seems to help this problem the most.  I am just basically "spaced out"  but still functioning normally in a daze hehehe.... I was taking the pill right when I woke up but now I am going to try with breakfast a couple hours after I get up... night before last I ate something I always eat for dinner but my stomach started cramping about 9:00 and I must have pooped 10 times (sorry to be so gross) normal consistency so that ended although I was gassy yesterday afternoon during yoga.  Considering I don't eat meat, gluten, limited dairy, sweets, there is really no reason for this other than the meds.  So this morning I have not taken the meds yet and I am still "space shot queen"  I have had to withdraw from my normal spiritual classes as my energy is pretty screwed up...

I am so happy I am sleeping normally, this is what I was most worried about.... I AM grateful for this!!!

I must say it is not to bad , I will make it and I am sure I will be happy for that 4 week viral load that says 0 (hopefully)

You know there was a report out that vitamin D helped with the drugs, does anyone know about this??

 



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62 year old female      1a, f1-2, had virus 40 years   STARTED HARVONI for 8 weeks 11/19/14, relapsed one month after tx  ended in 1/15.  Fibrosis level was only .5 after fibroscan 12/15. Began treatment with Mavyret on January 20, 2018 for 16 weeks!  Ending May 12.
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