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Hep C Discussion Forum -> On Treatment -> Harvoni Side Effects
Post Info TOPIC: Harvoni Side Effects
Gracie


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RE: Harvoni Side Effects
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Happy to say the fatigue has passed.

I actually baked some blueberry squares last night. Blueberries are in season here. Now this might not seem like much, but when I was mixing them up, I realized that it had been years since I had baked anything, or felt like baking anything. I am in my 5th week now, so am almost positive I'm und, and I know that I feel different. I'm tired at night earlier and sleep very well, but my working energy has increased and I can do more, and FEEL like doing more.

I started my 5th week yesterday, so have 20 more weeks of being und and hopefully will remain that way forever.

I gotta say I'm not going to want to stop this treatment. I'm going to be so darn nervous during the excruciating 12+ weeks in waiting. This treatment is so different, instead of counting the days because I can't wait to finish, with harvoni, I'm counting the days because I don't want to finish.... 



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  1. Gracie

1A. Previously treated non responder Rebetron in 2000 And Incevik in 2014 with a breakthrough at week 12. Fibroscan 15.5. VL 6,000,000. Finished 24 weeks harvoni on Dec. 19, 2015. SVR. Latest Fibroscan 8.8.
Matt Chris


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Hey Gracie

Hang in there, the tired feeling for me was in the morning and it can hang on for a while including days after finishing treatment but it then clears. like you said it will be all worth it.

Rock on.

matt



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"And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make"

61 year old Geno type A1, F4 Cirrhotic, started 24 weeks on Harvoni 12-17-14 ,EOT-5 week = UND, 8-31-15 =UND , SVR-24 Baby YES! 
Redbird29


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Hang in there Gracie! As they say "This too shall pass" and you will go on to feeling better again. 

Peace and light sent to you! ~Robin



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GT 1A Tx Naive Harvoni 8 WK

SOT 6/25/15 VL 468,000 AST 44 ALT 56 

EOT 8/25/15 VL - UND AST 21 ALT 30

ONE YEAR POST TX - UND AST 20 ALT 22
Groupergetter


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Gracie, you've got the right attitude.  Do whatever it takes to kill the dragon.  Time flies, soon you'll find SVR and a new HepC free life.   You go girl :)



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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.
Gracie


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It appears I have developed a few side effects. Been very tired and dragged out these past couple of days. Don't want to get up in the am. Also feel a bit queasy and spaced out. Weird feeling. Nothing I can't handle, but annoying as I was feeling pretty good. Hope it's just a passing phase and not here for the duration, although, I could totally handle it with a positive outcome. Seems like this powerful stuff is doing it's magic! 

... Go Harvoni Go!!!



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  1. Gracie

1A. Previously treated non responder Rebetron in 2000 And Incevik in 2014 with a breakthrough at week 12. Fibroscan 15.5. VL 6,000,000. Finished 24 weeks harvoni on Dec. 19, 2015. SVR. Latest Fibroscan 8.8.
Redbird29


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Gracie ~ LOL! Mosquito repellent! Now that is a good one! Where I live in the Mojave Desert we don't have mosquito's however with the hot weather and monsoons we are inundated with flies. Sure wish it worked on them wink

Glad to hear that your stomach is settling down like mine!Hamburger used to just kill me and I couldn't eat anything with spice. Tonight I ate Jambalaya WITH Louisiana Hot Sauce and it was sooooo yummy!!biggrin

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!!



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GT 1A Tx Naive Harvoni 8 WK

SOT 6/25/15 VL 468,000 AST 44 ALT 56 

EOT 8/25/15 VL - UND AST 21 ALT 30

ONE YEAR POST TX - UND AST 20 ALT 22
Gracie


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Redbird, same thing happened to me. Was taking omeprazole for stomach. Creamy things like cheese use to cause me a lot of issues. I stopped the omeprazole cold turkey when I started harvoni and haven't had any issues yet. Now that's one great side effect to have. Let's hope it stays after!  

Another bonus side effect for me... Mosquitos don't bite me... Lol... Pretty expensive insect repellent, but am loving that too!



__________________
  1. Gracie

1A. Previously treated non responder Rebetron in 2000 And Incevik in 2014 with a breakthrough at week 12. Fibroscan 15.5. VL 6,000,000. Finished 24 weeks harvoni on Dec. 19, 2015. SVR. Latest Fibroscan 8.8.
Redbird29


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Good Morning Gracie!

Thank you for mentioning about relating the sides to the time around when you take your meds. Having never undergone treatment before that is very helpful to me.

I mentioned about my tongue getting this weird tingle/numbness in the tip. It only happens in the morning within a couple of hours after I take my pill. Thought maybe I was just being overly sensitive however this had not happened before.

Thank you for starting this thread as if we get more people posting we will be able to help each other through this and onward to SVR!!

Peace out~Robin



__________________

GT 1A Tx Naive Harvoni 8 WK

SOT 6/25/15 VL 468,000 AST 44 ALT 56 

EOT 8/25/15 VL - UND AST 21 ALT 30

ONE YEAR POST TX - UND AST 20 ALT 22
Redbird29


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Hi Sick Puppy!

   Though I previously posted about some mild sides I am feeling I will now post for you the side

benefits I have had taking Harvoni!

   Acid reflux/GERD symptoms - GONE! Used to look at spicy food and get heartburn. Now I am not bothered by it at all.

    Skin problems - skin was very dry and itchy and had a couple of lesions on my chest that were progressively getting worse. Started Harvoni and lesions cleared up withing 2 weeks. Skin is still kind of dry but not nearly like it was before.

   Energy - yowza!!! Have more energy than I used too for sure! Do I still feel tired, yes but it is not the kind of tired where I have to drag myself through the day like before!

   Joint pain and neuropathy -  It used to be that if I had to work on my feet for more than an hour or two by the end of the day I would be almost crippled. Have recently worked three events for work where I was on my feet for 9+ hours, three days in a row and had only mild pain from being out of shape!

I guess you could call these side effects too if you wanted. Are the others ones I am experiencing real - yes, however they are manageable for me. I only share my experiences of what I am feeling with others to see if they too are having them. Like Cinnamon Girl said, these are very new drugs and we are kind of pioneering the way for others to follow and by sharing what we are feeling hopefully they will better understand what to expect.

I wish you all the very best on your treatment.



__________________

GT 1A Tx Naive Harvoni 8 WK

SOT 6/25/15 VL 468,000 AST 44 ALT 56 

EOT 8/25/15 VL - UND AST 21 ALT 30

ONE YEAR POST TX - UND AST 20 ALT 22
Gracie


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This is my third go around on treatment, I know what side effects from treatment feel like. 

I haven't slept this deeply ever. It's most definitely an effect of harvoni treatment. I know this because others have shared their similar stories on this forum.

And yes, I've had headaches before. These ones are different and occur an hour or so after taking the meds. 

I'm really glad you have no symptoms, but the reality is, lots do. I find it very helpful to find out how others are making out and I hope everybody continues to post on here so we can compare and help those who are starting treatment. There is no "fueling paranoia" or "finding faults where there are none" and I frankly find that very unfair to say and offensive to those of us on treatment.

The beauty of this forum is you need not read them if you don't want to, and please don't assume that your experience will be like others. 



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  1. Gracie

1A. Previously treated non responder Rebetron in 2000 And Incevik in 2014 with a breakthrough at week 12. Fibroscan 15.5. VL 6,000,000. Finished 24 weeks harvoni on Dec. 19, 2015. SVR. Latest Fibroscan 8.8.
Cinnamon Girl


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Hi SickPuppy,

You`re very lucky not to be having any side effects and it`s good to hear that. 

However, we are very much aware that these news drug combos like Harvoni can affect people in varying different ways and we encourage our members to share and discuss their ongoing experiences while on treatment and beyond. 

It`s great to see people talking together here and being supportive to each other, that`s one of the main benefits of joining a forum such as this. To say that there is no reason for this type of thread is incorrect and actually quite unhelpful. 

Best of luck with the rest of  your treatment...



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Jill 

(71 yo, lives in UK)

Was Gen 3a, 

24wks Peg Ifn/Riba, Sep 2010 - Mch 2011

UND @ Wk.4, UND @ EOT, 

SVR Nov 2011 --> Still UND @ EOT + 4 yrs.

 

 
Groupergetter


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Hi SP, glad to read you're not having any symptoms/se from the Harvoni and Riba.  I don't think folks are trying to fuel the fire on side effects.  They are just being honest.  Side effects from Harvoni and Riba are well documented. Sometimes it's hard to differentiate between what is exacerbated by the meds and what is "normal".  There is no doubt I had increased headaches when on Harvoni. I also had increased joint and muscular/tendonitis issues as well.  Can't say for certain these were related to the Harvoni or other (perhaps previous interferon). Regarless of side effects, anyone with HCV that can get approved for Harvoni should jump on the train.   Hope you stay symptom free and find SVR.



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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.
SickPuppy


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Gracie wrote:

I'm currently on my third week. I've had a couple of headaches but nothing too drastic. Every once in awhile I get a weird feeling -- like I'm spaced out. It doesn't last very long, a few minutes, but for those few minutes I'm very aware of feeling strange. 

I also sleep like a log. And have very vivid dreams, especially just before waking up. And no problems remembering the dreams either. 

Occasional achy stomach pains, but way less than before starting. Also noticed my hands aren't as puffy as they were before. My rings are loose and I haven't lost any weight (darn). 

All in all, not bad at all!

 

 

Basically all of what you just posted above is the normal functioning of any healthy or unhealthy adult. All of it, headaches, dreams and stomach pain included. This is exactly the reason why we don't need any feed. No need to fuel the paranoia of other's. Seriously, some people just like looking for faults where there are none.

I'm on Harvoni and Ribavirin too. I have absolutely zero side effects. Oh, and I will absolutely not attribute if and when I get a headache to Harvoni. I get them without the need for Harvoni anyway. If anything, it's time for one. Haven't had any in a month...



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GT1a - TX-naive

Baseline:

16.2 kPa
ALT: 61 iu/L
ALP: 74 iu/L
Albumin: 38g/L
Bilirubin: 27 umol/L 
Platelets: 80
VL: 792,000
History of 4 violent varices bleeding episodes and splenomegaly present. 

21/07/2015 - TX start - Harvoni + Ribavirin 1200mg 12 weeks.
Tig


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Hey Red,

WOOT!! Congrats on making it to the half way mark, yeah!!! Stay committed and it'll be over before you know it. It won't be long and this will be a memory. Keep up the good work, and remember, hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. It'll keep those SFX at bay and will make the last 4 weeks easier. Good luck!!



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Tig

67yo 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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Gracie


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No tongue issues. But I have been getting pains in my fingers. Achy pains.

I also seem to have more energy then before I started treatment. Maybe it's placebo (I know by now I'm probably und), but hoping it's less inflammation and liver rejuvenation!

Mood swings and hot flashes are back. Some days I'm totally energized and so darn happy. Then other days I worry about relapse, complications and Liver failure all day. 

.... Still way better than incevik....



__________________
  1. Gracie

1A. Previously treated non responder Rebetron in 2000 And Incevik in 2014 with a breakthrough at week 12. Fibroscan 15.5. VL 6,000,000. Finished 24 weeks harvoni on Dec. 19, 2015. SVR. Latest Fibroscan 8.8.
Redbird29


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Sometimes is the tip of my tongue gets numb! Don't know if I am over analyzing things ~ anyone else get this?

 



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GT 1A Tx Naive Harvoni 8 WK

SOT 6/25/15 VL 468,000 AST 44 ALT 56 

EOT 8/25/15 VL - UND AST 21 ALT 30

ONE YEAR POST TX - UND AST 20 ALT 22
Redbird29


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I just took my 28th pill of an 8 wk regimen. For sides - headache first day with slight upset stomach and I could taste the medication in my throat. Second day had heartburn but not since, no matter what I eat.

I have noticed that my eyesight seems to be a bit worse and I do get some weird aches in my lower ribs behind my liver sometimes. And my ankles swell occasionally but I do drink a ton of water each day.

I, like you Gracie, sleep like a log except when I have to go to the restroom several times in the middle of the night because I drank over a gallon of water during the day. No dreams though thank goodness.

I totally agree Gracie, all in all not bad for this far and will keep updated should any appear during the 2nd half of my tx.



__________________

GT 1A Tx Naive Harvoni 8 WK

SOT 6/25/15 VL 468,000 AST 44 ALT 56 

EOT 8/25/15 VL - UND AST 21 ALT 30

ONE YEAR POST TX - UND AST 20 ALT 22
Gracie


Guru

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Posts: 618
Date:
Permalink  
 

I'm currently on my third week. I've had a couple of headaches but nothing too drastic. Every once in awhile I get a weird feeling -- like I'm spaced out. It doesn't last very long, a few minutes, but for those few minutes I'm very aware of feeling strange. 

I also sleep like a log. And have very vivid dreams, especially just before waking up. And no problems remembering the dreams either. 

Occasional achy stomach pains, but way less than before starting. Also noticed my hands aren't as puffy as they were before. My rings are loose and I haven't lost any weight (darn). 

All in all, not bad at all!



__________________
  1. Gracie

1A. Previously treated non responder Rebetron in 2000 And Incevik in 2014 with a breakthrough at week 12. Fibroscan 15.5. VL 6,000,000. Finished 24 weeks harvoni on Dec. 19, 2015. SVR. Latest Fibroscan 8.8.
Gracie


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I think we need a feed for side effects alone for those of us on treatment. This will help us all know that we are not crazy and that these side effects are shared by others. It's such a new and powerful drug, and the phrase "too good to be true" keeps popping up in my thoughts. Keeping track will help all of us who are on harvoni, and future harvonites as well. 



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  1. Gracie

1A. Previously treated non responder Rebetron in 2000 And Incevik in 2014 with a breakthrough at week 12. Fibroscan 15.5. VL 6,000,000. Finished 24 weeks harvoni on Dec. 19, 2015. SVR. Latest Fibroscan 8.8.
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