Hi Saludahiker!

Congratulations squared! You are nearly at end of treatment, lucky you!! Plus the new contract is terrific news! WonderFULL..hopefully this current job will keep you going until next year when the old contract comes back. Have fun in Wisconsin, I traveled there frequently for a couple of years, actually until April this year. If you go to Madison don't miss the outdoor area along the lake. There are trails and spots to kick back and watch sailboats. Lots of gorgeous places in Wisconsin. If you are traveling up north in the Door County area, well, I want that job. I'm sure you will ferret out the best hiking spots wherever you are. Enjoy!

Hi Precisionbrown,

Good to hear that you're back on the treatment. As others have said you don't want to skip doses or split doses, as the virus can mutate and will be more resistant to treatment. I had a bad first couple of weeks, mainly due to my gallbladder going out on me, but it  does get better.  Hang in there and best of luck!

Hi Polosilver,

I'm doing well. I have just two more weeks of treatment, as I am on the eight week treatment plan. I started a new contract last week with a previous employer. It's initially for 3 months with possibility of converting to permanent. I travel to Wisconsin every other week and work from the Greenville, SC office on alternate weeks, which is about an hour from my house. I am very grateful to have found this job, as it doesn't look like my previous government contract will be starting again until the first of the year due to protests from competing vendors.

I was so busy last week with the new job that I didn't have time to really visit this site much. Thank you for asking. How are you doing?

Saludahiker, how are you at week 6 on the Harvoni train? How is the work contract situation? 

PB - also watch what you eat. High fat, processed food are hard for us to digest and process when are livers are not functioning at their best. Try to eat healthy as well as hydrate. 

Hey Precision,

Good for you - back in the saddle again!  It is the VERY correct thing to do.

Glad you saw the doc.

Never say never, you may find the unpleasant things you have been experiencing thus far may YET decrease!

OK, how MUCH water are you drinking?? - this is critical in avoiding and/or even preventing sides and feeling bad. Many of the symptoms you were previously describing CAN be decreased/managed by maintaining are very high CONSISTANT volume of water going in and through you. Inconvenient, but it does work. Strive to be drinking a GAL of water per day! Devise a fool-proof system of measuring and carrying water with you all day long to be sure you know how much you ARE drinking. You will benefit from making this increased effort. Sufficient water intake CANNOT be stressed enough

I note before, you DID realize the water helps, but I am questioning whether you are really (always) drinking ENOUGH, and experimenting with drinking quite a bit more than you are, to really see if it can decrease what you are feeling. Did your doc not emphasize the importance of keeping a good high volume of water going thru you?

Sometimes docs do not always counsel people enough (I think) about the important use of water to prevent sides and bad feelings (and just in genera,l water is very important, in it's job to help carry/transport every molecule of these curing drugs to reach every crevice and cell of your body, and then to keep flushing the metabolized waste products of this viral war you are waging, out of you again. Water helps so much to remove the wastes via kidneys/bowels with the necessary copious amounts of water this drug therapy requires.

So, can you please tell us exactly how many (days/doses) you missed and how many days you took a "split" dose? Did the doc have any suggestions (by the time you saw him), what to do about the missed doses (if anything)?

Good you got to express all your concerns to the doc, and that he convinced you (or, that you realized the wisdom and importance of finishing the course exactly as prescribed). I am very relieved. 

My first post to you (3 days ago) you'll note there I was asking a lot of "background info" of you - it always helps us understand better your particular nuances and so hopefully you will get better more informed info from us . If you can do up a sig line or express some of these other details, that would be good and helpful.

How high has your BP been fluctuating (back and forth) ? And what are you normally on to control it? Did the doc suggest any changes to your BP meds?

So glad you are back on - stay the course - drink more - you WILL make it! C.

Sorry Precision - had put a bunch of clapping hands, thumbs up, smiley faces from the keyboard that I didn't know apparently don't work, but you get the idea :)

Precisionbrown wrote:

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I did chicken out I'm back doing my full dose. It just got scary for awhile. I'm just about 5 weeks now so you guys are right. I was being a big baby. Ok misery here I am. I didn't realize I was having any problems with the Harvoni until after I saw my Doc and she named the side effects. Well I pretty much have all of them but you guys are right. I'm halfway through this why not. I kinda feel stupid even thinking I could skip a few days. Well back on the train ð ð

---

Precision -- Thanks for posting and letting us know how its going. Good move to talk to the doctor. Glad to know you are here with us, I'm in the Club Car on the Harvoni Train in a relaxing lounge chair, (most days) . We are getting closer every day to our end of treatment.

I cannot add much to what others are saying.

Cutting a Harvoni in half is taboo EVEN IF YOU TAKE BOTH HALVES.

Stay compliant, follow the directions exactly as prescribed.

Doing what you are doing can lead to mutation of the Virus and then it is a downward path from there.

JimmyK

Like Canuck said DO NOT half dose or stop taking the Harvoni mid treatment. You have to take the medicine as prescribed. You were given the opportunity to be cured whereas so many folks are denied. The sides are nothing compared to RIBA and old skool interferon. You can do this. I weighed maybe 110 on treatment and drank my water. Infuse it with fruit, drink decaf tea as well. It is not that hard and so worth it. You got this PB. 

Hi PrecisionBrown - glad you are hanging in with us! I am on the Harvoni train too.  I take my Harvoni every night before bedtime and closing in on week 6. I had my blood draw at 4 weeks and my treatment is working. I want you to kick the dragon and keep rockin' on your guitar. Keep taking the Harvoni and drinking the water. You will do great!

Hi Precison,

Jenny1 is quite right, to be questioning what you wrote ... about "taking a day or 2 off" your course of Harvoni.

If you have missed a pill today or are within only 12 hours being late with it - TAKE YOUR PILL and KEEP TAKING THEM!, ALL OF THEM!!!!! Please!

DO NOT MISS ONE SINGLE DOSE!

It is CRITICAL you do so, you are at about 4 weeks into your 12 week course - DO NOT screw it up now!

You CAN screw it up by missing doses - this is a HUGE investment you have made in yourself, to be cured of this virus - do not jeopardize your success in getting your self free and clear and cured of this disease, by not taking the pills exactly as directed. DO NOT take "half" doses. You cannot vary the way Harvoni is meant to be taken.

REALLY, important! You get those doses back into to you.

One full pill every day, at same time every day - without fail.

Please, please, let us know you are back on them and that you have not missed a dose! C.

PrecisionBrown- I'm SO glad you changed your mind!  I know how tough it is but I do believe it will all be worth it in the end!  I'm only on day 14 of my Epclusa, so am right there with you.  Take advantage of all the support that is offered here.  Believe me, everyone here is behind you and will help you through the rough times.

Precisionbrown wrote:

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Hi friends, I decided to take a day or so off the harvoni and restart in another day. The water wagon is here. I have noticed that the water helps with some discomfort. I'm waiting for my test results to come back and I hope everyone else is getting better. Again thanks for the support! Precision

---

 Huh? You can do that?

Canuck wrote:

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Jen 1,

Ya, that's about what I weigh lately, 112 -113 and I found it hard during treament and ever since after to reach/stay at115 - dunno why. Pudgiest I have ever been has been maybe 120-maybe 125 once or twice, I'd like to stay about 115.

I learned (very slow) about how good the water was for me on treatment (or anytime really). I could cure a headache with it, and i should have MADE sure (at all times) to keep my intake up, as it was one the main things that helped at all in making me feel better, and it helped my chronic constripation. When I felt worse, I was letting my water intake slip.

It is a hard thing to believe (or to want to do in my case) to have drink so much water - doesn't feel natural somehow, if you are not a water drinker normally. But is it a very good aid, a very important aid to your body just in transporting/pushing these potent drugs through to reach every cell of you and then helping your liver (via gut) and kidney flush out the metabolized waste products. It is unlikely anyone would ever do themselves any harm drinking a near gal a day of water, even a lightweight like me, and especially so when you have a very good reson(s) for doing so, like being on these drugs.

It's good you have settled into some kind of sure-fire "system" to count/measure/remind yourslef to drink the water - that was also key for me - to have a constant "visual" reminder, and a "routine" and system for same.

Even right after treatment when I was cutting back on water, I could a penality for it. Even today I have learned a good lesson from treatment days and I have since re-learned to appreciate and drink more water! I am kinda enjoying water more now. :)

Hmph, sorry they gave you that drug re-order glitch scare - not needed. But glad you are not feeling too bad overall. 

Sept 28 is pretty close to your 4 week mark, those labs and visit will come soon enough - and we all bet the results will be a very good and welcome reward for you. C.

---

Thanks Canuck. I just saw you're in Canada. Went to Niagara Falls for the first time last week....Beautiful Canadian side, of course :).  Did all the touristy stuff. So much fun!

Jen 1,

Ya, that's about what I weigh lately, 112 -113 and I found it hard during treament and ever since after to reach/stay at115 - dunno why. Pudgiest I have ever been has been maybe 120-maybe 125 once or twice, I'd like to stay about 115.

I learned (very slow) about how good the water was for me on treatment (or anytime really). I could cure a headache with it, and i should have MADE sure (at all times) to keep my intake up, as it was one the main things that helped at all in making me feel better, and it helped my chronic constripation. When I felt worse, I was letting my water intake slip.

It is a hard thing to believe (or to want to do in my case) to have drink so much water - doesn't feel natural somehow, if you are not a water drinker normally. But is it a very good aid, a very important aid to your body just in transporting/pushing these potent drugs through to reach every cell of you and then helping your liver (via gut) and kidney flush out the metabolized waste products. It is unlikely anyone would ever do themselves any harm drinking a near gal a day of water, even a lightweight like me, and especially so when you have a very good reson(s) for doing so, like being on these drugs.

It's good you have settled into some kind of sure-fire "system" to count/measure/remind yourslef to drink the water - that was also key for me - to have a constant "visual" reminder, and a "routine" and system for same.

Even right after treatment when I was cutting back on water, I could a penality for it. Even today I have learned a good lesson from treatment days and I have since re-learned to appreciate and drink more water! I am kinda enjoying water more now. :)

Hmph, sorry they gave you that drug re-order glitch scare - not needed. But glad you are not feeling too bad overall. 

Sept 28 is pretty close to your 4 week mark, those labs and visit will come soon enough - and we all bet the results will be a very good and welcome reward for you. C.

Canuck wrote:

---

Jen1,

How goes it (all in all)? You must be due for a 4 week lab visit next week? How is it feeling, and how much trouble are you having getting the water in? C.

---

 Hi Canuck,

Thanks for asking. I start month 2 next week but my doctor is away until Sept 28th so I have to wait till then to see her. Had some moments of terror today when I called to arrange for month 2 with the specialty pharmacy (my insurance didn't allow me to get all three months worth of pills at the start) and was told there was some issue.  It finally DID get resolved but that was really not what I wanted to hear!

I had been very scared about possible side effects before I started. I'm more of a vitamin/supplement person than a drug person - although I stopped everything for these 3 months though I probably didn't really need to.  I've really felt normal and OK.  I have a big 32 ounce water bottle which I'm focused on filling up a few times a day. I found with the smaller ones, I'd lose track of how many times I filled it. I only weigh 113 so I'm drinking a lot more than half my body weight in ounces but I figured it can't hurt.  

My doctor had very casually mentioned STAY HYDRATED when I asked what I should do on Harvoni. I know myself and I know for sure  I'd NEVER be drinking so much without the guidance of people here. ( I would have assumed "stay hydrated" meant drinking waaay less.)  I have no doubt it's helped me feel so good and I'm very grateful!!

Best,

Jenny

Jen1,

How goes it (all in all)? You must be due for a 4 week lab visit next week? How is it feeling, and how much trouble are you having getting the water in? C.

Hi precision,

Glad you have arrived here, but sorry for how you have been feeling. First 4 weeks can be the hardest, some find some of these things do begin to level out later in the course of treatment. (Dilute them!)

All the things which you mentioned icky stomache, perhaps some wgt loss, sometimes night sweats, maybe "coughy"/achey, and perhaps fluctuating BP could all have to do with this inner war you are waging with the virus. Your body is in full-out war mode against the virus, and will win. I have no idea if you had any prior tendency to blood pressure fluctuatons before, or if you have ever been on BP meds, but keep an eye on things (write your BP's down and show to doc) - do you have a hot line to you doc offices to help for questions on the phone? That would be nice, if you are feeling too worried or rough. Night sweats can be part of the battle and could also be of other hormonal issues if you of the age for those. Some things may feel flu-ish, so just be sure you are not having a flu as well!

You are doing the right things, if you are not feeling well, treat yourself as well as you possibly can, rest, try to drink LOTS of water, and eat small nourishing healthy foods as you can. If you have to book off, do so, just see how things go. I hope you will turn a corner soon and these unpleasant things lessen for you.

You must be due for a 4 week blood draw and doc visit? If you do not seek advice from your doc prior, be sure to mention all of these symptoms when you do see him (or her).

Like you, and me and Jen1 (and many others) we may not be used to, or enjoy having to drink this much water!!! But, I cannot stress HOW important it is. Strive for that gal of water per day - really important and may prevent "sides" or bad feelings from occurring.

As someone wisely mentioned here, you could try making sure you take your Harvoni with food. I do not exactly know exactly what the stomache issue is, or how/when it affects you, but it might possibly help to take harvoni with food versus on an empty stomach (AND, of course, with LOTS of water!) all day long! If it is nausea you are having, then try steeping up some weak fresh ginger tea - (to taste, sweet or not) and sip little bits of it, hot or chilled - said to help settle a quesey stomache. Keep your diet light, perhaps more frequent, especially if they are smaller meals, nothing too heavy/fatty, easy to digest.

When you feel up to it, try to write up a signature line with your particular stats - age, sex, state, GT (1a or 1b?), year HCV likely contracted, year diagnosed (1992?), pre-treatment VL, ALT, AST, Fscore (F 0 thru to F 4?) determined by fibroscan/biopsy or other blood tests?, if you have had an abd U/S, things like that. state length of treatment (Harvoni 12 weeks) and SOT date, and EOT.

These sig lines (like you see we all try to sport) are so helpful for conversation purposes.

Some where you said something like that you were around a million VL? and that "it was borderline"? not quite sure what you meant, any "detectable" load means you have the virus that needs tretament, how high or low it is does not really indicate how "sick" a person may bes, you still have the virus with a higher or lower load - only dif really is in perhaps length of treatment or choice of treatment, with higher loads over 6 million they may not give you a "short" course of tretament, and/or may choose a regime best suited to you, someimes a triple regime versus a double drug regime.

Fire away if you have questions, or just want to share, we can all try to assist, where we can, someone is always home here. C. 

Hi hon, yes I would check with the pharmacy and they will let you know if it works.

hopefully your in the clear!

Is it possible that as the HCV clears up it could cause hyper-tension to decrease? I've taken Lisinopril for high BP for several years and now my regular dose seems to be too much. My BP is much lower in the last couple of days. I suppose I'll see if the trend continues and take it from there. I halved the amount I normally take last night and my BP is lower end of normal today.

Precision -- I'm on Day 39 of Harvoni and have experienced some tiredness, and have lost 6 pounds since SOT. I too am sweating more than usual, and drinking more water than usual. Glad you joined us! Impressed that you are a working musician and playing guitar, nice!!

I'm working hard to drink that much water consistently. Doesn't come naturally to me at all. I hope you feel better, Gloria. What you're experiencing doesn't sound like fun!

Yeah, I've noticed water is my favourite friend too!

I never liked drinking bottled water or water before but it seems to help a little.

Yay Water, lol 

Yeah sure, I'm a working musician but I took awhile

off because of the Harvoni situation. Anyway, this is my 4th week and I'm feeling a little discomfor. Coughing, achey and some sweats but it's really nice to see you guys being so supportive!

 I'm on a 12 week run with Harvoni. I was diagnosed with hep C in 1992 and turned down the other offer because I had no time to feel wose on interfurin.

my count was a million which I was told was borderline? Well I'm starting to take longer naps than usual and I've noticed my blood pressure is on the higher side and fluctuating.

well that's about it. I was just offered a gig in 2 weeks but I think I'm going to turn it down only because there's no way I can produce 100% and that's the only way I'll go back to working playing music.

 I really appreciate the support here.

Hi  Precision, Welcome home. Doesn't it feel good to be 4 weeks into treatment knowing your  annihilating that unwanted beast that has taken up residencey in your body!  Yep- at 4 weeks  you most likely have a very low load or likely UND. You keep fighting girl, we will fight alongside you. Your not alone.We will soldier up with you- fight fight fight!!      RC

Gloria welcome.

So as not to get lost in the crowd, how about telling us a bit about yourself in the New Members area? Love to hear more about you and we are very happy you found us.

JimmyK

Jenny1 wrote:

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I've been drinking 80-90 ounces of water a day (sometimes even more) as people on this board suggested. It seems to have helped me have no obvious side effects. I'm also taking the pill on a full stomach. Hard to know which thing if either has made a difference but I'm planning to continue with this pattern 

---

 Sounds like a good plan. H2O is your friend. Like the old saying goes, "If It Ain't Broke, Why fix It". 

I've been drinking 80-90 ounces of water a day (sometimes even more) as people on this board suggested. It seems to have helped me have no obvious side effects. I'm also taking the pill on a full stomach. Hard to know which thing if either has made a difference but I'm planning to continue with this pattern 

Hi Gloria,

Me too :)

Jenny

Hi C -- thank you much for the Club Zero chaise lounge! Lovin' it!

Polo,

Ah, your Club Zero chaise lounge chair, special, just fer you. Just relax, stretch out, turn over, we'll summon the masseuse for you. : )

Glad you're feeling better PS!  Nice wordplay!

HepCFriends --- Thanks for all the congrats, support, well wishes for my UND and Club Zero status.

I am happy to report that my neck crick is much improved this morning, hooray! Another day of laying low with TLC, hot/cold packs and Tylenol should do the trick to boot the crick.

Love the growth of the club  

congrats Polo

Polo!

That must feel better! An UND, as it should be!!!!!!!!! So happy for you.

Now, if we could just get that crick in your neck fixed up. hee hee

Outstanding!! I'm very pleased, you deserve this great news. Congratulations!!

Hooray Polosilver! That's fantastic!

CONGRATULATIONS   It's a great club to be a member Of! 45 years is a long time to house the dragon, but it looks like he found the eviction notice. Your kicking it's butt.   RC

The pic below is you giving the dragon his eviction notice!

-- Edited by robertsamx on Friday 8th of September 2017 09:30:22 PM

YAYAYAYAYAYAY!!!! That is so exciting!!  

This just in!! I'm a member of the Club Zero!!!! It took me ~45 years to get in and its going to be worth it!!

Thanks for the tips, I checked and it looks fine from these drug interaction lists. I also decided to call Gilead to be certain and spoke with a nurse at Gilead and I'm in the clear, it is not listed as having any negative interaction. I will only take later tonight if really needed. Thanks for the feedback and suggestions, big help here friends.

I am hopeful the VL result will come in this weekend. I'm setup to receive alert whenever anything is posted to my records, so keeping the high watch for it.