Hep C Discussion Forum

Today is day 3 and I just got home from dragging my fatigued arse at work for 5 hours.  My head is somewhat better by late morning.  I didn't have the dizziness last night which was very nice.  Sleep is strange.  I sleep a couple hours and then wake up.  Then back for another hour then awake again.  Etc.

Some questions please.  I have had to take Tylenol once per day for the past three.  I know they said I can but they didn't want it to be everyday.  At this point I wouldn't have made it to work without it.  I am feeling chills and aches today and just had to use it to get moving.  Hopefully I won't need it everyday.  Have you used it?  Also eating.  I don't feel like it.  I can't get a taste for food.  I am queasy just a little.  It's more that I can't get a taste for food without getting queasy.  Did you find that improved?  I feel the most hungry the few hours before it's time to take the golden pill again and then I get a burning stomach so eating isn't going to happen.  So I am really just having like a scrambled egg and toast or oatmeal once a day and crackers and water mainly otherwise.  Made a food run to grab some more interesting bland foods.  Butter cookies :) and bananas for starters.  Did you find you were this way or were you able to just eat normal foods?

Hi, I feel for all thats going on I have gone through the same feelings, please do not quit it is know 2 weeks for me and I have only a little fatigue. I have a history of anxiety and panic attacks in my life and the first night on harvoni was very worrisome. I think my head pressure is due to anxiety and elevated blood pressure. I do know any stimulate like caffeine makes it worse. I am very lucky I only have to do 8 weeks of treatment. Please hang in there it does get better. Do you use tobacco? Do you drink alot of coffee or energy drinks?

Hi fourlocos, sorry to hear you`re feeling so fuzzy and dizzy, it must be quite disorientating I`m sure.   Whatever you do, please don`t feel like a loser or blame yourself...everyone reacts differently to medications and side effects always vary a lot from person to person.  I`m surprised at your nurse`s attitude and that can`t have helped either.

As Nirmalee (Dragonfly) rightly said, you need to be kind to yourself while on treatment and don`t feel bad about how you`re feeling, it`s not your fault.

I hope it gets easier as the days go by, that`s often the case as your body adjusts to the drugs.

Hang on in there, we`re all here for you.  Best of luck! 

You will feel bad before you feel better.  I have days when I could hardly even make it to the end of the road where I live and had to get a taxi back from shopping.  This is not anything predictable and just because this is not Inteferon the treatment involves heavy duty drugs and we have to make allowances for this.  Take it easy and don't feel bad about showing weakness, I was sent straight into hospital because I thought I was being wussy  to say I can't cope and it took my doc to say you are very sick, we need to help you  . I think after seeing lots of posts we  need to be kinder to ourselves. . Good luck.

Nxxx

I have some valium around here somewhere from when my back used to go out on me.  I think that might add to my dizziness though.  And I am not going down the anti anxiety meds route.  I beat panic attacks twenty years ago without medication and I will work through this.  I know I can.  For me it's being dizzy that just makes life horrible.  I am not seriously queasy.  Just dizzy.  It feels like a bad bad hangover from sedative.  Anyway the doctor's nurse just called me.  She made me feel worse.  She isn't my cup of tea.  I find her abrasive.  She said I am not allowed to stop and wait till next month when I can take time off work.  That I must continue and that I am causing this and not the Harvoni.  That my anxiety is why I am dizzy and sick.  Geez, talk about making someone feel worse!  Sigh......

fourlocos wrote:

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I started at dinner time yesterday and I pray I won't be the first to fail this.  I am not feeling well at all.  I had a very rough night.  My head is way fuzzy and dizzy.  I don't like to feel disorientation of any kind, it makes me anxious.  And sure enough I got up to use the bathroom at 2:00am and freaked out a bit.  My son sat with me and talked me down but I couldn't get the room to stop spinning.  I also have the runs now as well.  I am unable to feel comfortable to drive to work which was my biggest concern for treatment.  I have to work!  Right now driving doesn't seem safe at all since I can't clear my head enough.  I feel like such a loser here when everyone is doing so well.  This head pressure and dizziness makes me not want to take tonight dose.  Help.

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 I'm sensitive to Harvoni, too. When you're sick to your stomach, the world spins away and nothing else matters. I also felt like the odd man out because most people are reporting very little side effects.  I have slowly adjusted, but I still have side effects. Drink plenty of water. Take whatever pain reliever your DR recommends, and let your DR what's happening to you. He may be able to give you something to help with the queasiness. And ask him authorize time off from work, if needed. I know you don't need a labor dispute on your hands, but technically, they should not be able to fire you for being sick.

Hang in there. Let us know how you're are doing.

 

-- Edited by Harvoninme on Wednesday 10th of December 2014 03:21:00 PM

Hi FL,

You're not a loser! Don't let your mind go there. These are powerful drugs and the first week is often the hardest to adjust. But once you get past it, things will hopefully improve. I discussed some ideas in the other thread. Hang in there!

Tig