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Hep C Discussion Forum -> On Treatment -> Harvoni 7 weeks - still fatigued, it that odd?
Post Info TOPIC: Harvoni 7 weeks - still fatigued, it that odd?
awaw5


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RE: Harvoni 7 weeks - still fatigued, it that odd?
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Thanks everyone for your input. 

I said I have no fibrosis, but the NASH FibroSure test results were Fibrosis .43 (range 0-.21) and the Stage is F1-F2. So I DO have some fibrosis after all. On my next visit, I'll ask my hepatologist more about the Fibroscan.

It's a gd reminder of the reality that I have had HCV for 33 years - so it makes sense that it will take time to feel recovered. And then it could take 3.5 yrs to reduce one fibrosis stage. 

& Thx for the reminder to keep on top of my hydration. I'll try to have smoothies more often. I do think they help.

Maybe my hepatologist says I'm an exception with my fatigue much like a doctor would say, "Now this won't hurt a bit!" for an injection or removing of stitches, in hopes of getting your mind to change, to stop the negative anticipation. It's all I can think of since everyone's responded that it's not odd to still feel fatigued. 

Thanks for the reassurance!



__________________

54yo, geno 1a, DX 1983 HCV

TX #1: 1999 DAILY IFN 3mu & Ribavirin for 9mos. Stopped Tx in 7mos due to HCV RNA of 260,000 increased to 1 Million from tx.  

TX #2: SOT 7/21/16 Harvoni. 

SOT: HCV RNA 3 million. F1-F2, NASH N0. ALT 288, AST 116

Current: HCV undetected, ALT 22, AST 19
JimmyK


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Greetings,

Everyone is different. I have heard of those who have a "Harvoni High" and others that have complaints. Some notice nothing out of the ordinary providing they properly hydrate.

Myself, I had a relatively easy go of it but I also was comparing Harvoni to B-Pack with RBV, and well that made it even easier.

Your symptoms sound quite normal to me and my wife also treated just weeks ahead of me so I have her to also compare to.

Currently I am 62 days post treatment and was also UND throughout treatment including 4 weeks post.

Slight sides remain but they are getting better as the days go by.

You are doing great and being fatigued is in no way odd. It is to be expected in many cases.

Hang in there! It is way worth it!

 

JimmyK



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Harvoni TX 2 12 weeks. UND weeks 4, 12 and now EOT + 4 Weeks. SVR-12 09/29/16. All Glory, Honor and Thanks be to God.

"I go to war with the brothers I trust."
Tig


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Hi A5,

I have to echo Pablo's comments. Considering that you are ON treatment is one reason why you are feeling fatigued. You're on some powerful anti viral medications and they have side effects, some nagging, some uncomfortable. You can avoid the headaches and some of the "yuck" feelings by extreme hydration. Make certain to drink at least a gallon (4L) of water per day, without fail. You can add fluids through your diet as well. Look at our nutrition section and the Green Smoothie thread. We have several people that gained a lot of benefit from those super charged smoothies. There are some good liver diets too. Check it out.

Some find switching their administration time will help with the fatigue. We actually had someone do just the opposite and is taking his Harvoni before bed and had less insomnia and less fatigue during the day. I believe these drugs affect each of us differently, yet the same, weird but true... It's a journey, kind of like a marathon. You may feel like sprinting for a few days, but don't be surprised if your system just says NO one day and makes you take a break. It's totally normal and you're going to have good days and blah days. It doesn't mean anything except, it's a sign that your treatment is doing something. Be glad you're not having the added Ribavirin or Peg to deal with too. I shudder at the thought! 

Excuse the long post, I was on a roll, lol! I've got this finger poking down to an science now (iPad). I should buy a bluetooth keyboard. Then I'd have to use a table, so maybe not! 

Take care and just keep on powering through. It'll get better but it can take an extended period of time. Good luck and be sure to check out the nutrition idea, it helps.



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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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Pablito


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Hi there

Welcome to the forum and congrats on getting on treatment.

Re feeling better, you've had HCV for 33 years so you are not going to get better in 7 weeks.  But you will feel better over time, i.e. months to years.

Have you had a fibroscan done?  You say you have no fibrosis, which is great but a little surprising given the length of time you have had HCV for.  Without a fibroscan or biopsy you can't really tell what degree of fibrosis is present/not.

If you do have some fibrosis then it takes time to heal.  3.5 years to reduce one fibrosis stage, from the studies I've read.

My experience was that the extra-hepatic symptoms, i.e. that toxic feeling, went quickly.

Early doors!

Pablo

 



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44 y.o. male, HCV G4 since 1996, F-scan score 9, F2, Failed prior I/R, finished sof/vel/vox 8 weeks 5/16, pre-treatment VL 2 million, EOT UND, EOT+4 UND, EOT+12 UND.
awaw5


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The good news is I finally cleared HCV in my blood and my inflammation numbers are normal! I'm glad, BUT can't help but wonder if it is odd that I still don't feel well - I still have fatigue. My hepatologist feels I'm an exception - that most feel better within a week or two.

Last week I started to turn the corner (at 6 weeks) and could cautiously say I'm generally feeling better than before treatment, but I'm still not well.

I don't have fibrosis. My AFP test is 3.5 (range 0-8) indicating no malignancy. My Vit D level is normal. My CBC test results are all in normal range except Phosphorous is a tad high. Serum magnesium is normal.

I work only 15 hrs (three 5-hr days) at a job I really enjoy and is low stress. I have ok energy at work because almost all my days off I sleep 10 - 12 hrs. My days off are my worst days, energy-wise.

Headaches have started to improve. Moderate insomnia is kicking in, so I switched to taking my Harvoni in the am instead of before bed for the past 4 days. Seems like my moderate insomnia improved.

I eat all home made nutritious meals and do about 1/2 hr moderate exercise almost every day which seems to be critical for my well being. I have 5 weeks to go.

Any thoughts? 

Thx! April



__________________

54yo, geno 1a, DX 1983 HCV

TX #1: 1999 DAILY IFN 3mu & Ribavirin for 9mos. Stopped Tx in 7mos due to HCV RNA of 260,000 increased to 1 Million from tx.  

TX #2: SOT 7/21/16 Harvoni. 

SOT: HCV RNA 3 million. F1-F2, NASH N0. ALT 288, AST 116

Current: HCV undetected, ALT 22, AST 19
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